System of converting binary file generated in battery cycler to text file, and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a system of converting a binary file generated in a battery cycler to a text file, and a method thereof. An apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a database server constructed from a database, which includes a first table including cycler IDs and version information of binary files generated by cyclers and a second table including cycler IDs and data structure information of binary files generated by the cyclers; a data server for receiving a binary file, which includes battery test results, from a cycler and storing same in a first storage medium; and a computer which is connected to the database server and the data server and which includes a processor. The processor can: determine a cycler ID having generated a binary file to be converted from the first table by using, as a query key, file version information included in the header of the binary file to be converted; and, on the basis of data structure information of the binary file to be converted, which is read from the second table, by using the cycler ID as a query key, convert, into a text file, the binary file to be converted.

Description

System and method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for converting binary files, and more particularly, to a system and method for converting binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0042349, filed on March 30, 2023 in the Republic of Korea, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research into high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0004] A battery cycler (hereinafter referred to as "cycler") is a device used to test battery performance. Cyclers are used in research, manufacturing, and quality control to determine battery performance and characteristics.

[0005] A cyclist can repeatedly charge and discharge (i.e., cycle) a battery while varying the battery's operating conditions, such as battery temperature, charge rate, and discharge rate.

[0006] A cyclist can measure a battery's state of charge, capacity, resistance, and other performance indicators while cycling it. Furthermore, the cyclist can be used to evaluate new materials and structural designs to optimize battery performance and lifespan.

[0007] Cyclers are categorized into cell-based cyclers and pack-based cyclers. A pack is a large-capacity battery comprising multiple cells connected in series and / or parallel. A pack is a large-capacity battery used in electric vehicles, power tools, and power storage devices.

[0008] The cycler has multiple test channels that can independently control battery tests. Therefore, the cycler can test as many cells or packs as the number of test channels.

[0009] The cycler performs cycling tests on multiple cells or packs across multiple test channels, then generates binary files for each channel and records the set of binary files on a storage medium. The storage medium may be on the cycler itself or, if the cycler is connected to a network, on a data server within the network.

[0010] Even if binary files are generated by the same type of cycler, they can have different data structures depending on the cycler's manufacturing date and the requirements of the cycler purchaser. Cyclers store information about the binary file's data structure and provide application software that can convert binary files into text files.

[0011] However, since the data structure of binary files may differ depending on the cycler, there is no guarantee that a binary file generated by one cycler can be converted to a text file by the application software of another cycler.

[0012] The tester can download the binary file generated by the cycler from the cycler or from a data server on the network to his personal computer to verify the battery test results.

[0013] To verify the battery test results on a personal computer, the tester must convert the binary file into a text file. To do this, the tester must accurately identify the cycler that generated the binary file, install the application software provided by the cycler's manufacturer on their personal computer, and use the application software to directly convert the binary file into a text file.

[0014] This series of file conversion tasks creates inefficiencies in the analysis of test results. This inefficiency is further exacerbated when multiple cyclers are used, each generating binary files with different data structures.

[0015] The present invention has been made under the background of the above-described prior art, and its purpose is to provide a system and method capable of constructing data structure information of binary files generated from a plurality of cyclers into a table-based relational database and automating the task of converting binary files into text files using the database.

[0016] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0017] A system for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler into a text file according to the present invention for achieving the above technical task may include: a database server that constructs a database including a first table including a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table including a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler; a data server that receives a binary file including a test result of a battery from the cycler and stores it in a first storage medium; and a computer connected to the database server and the data server and including a second storage medium and a processor.

[0018] The processor may be configured to determine a cycler ID that generated the conversion target binary file from the first table using file version information read from the header of the conversion target binary file as a lookup key, and to convert the conversion target binary file into a text file based on data structure information read from the second table using the cycler ID as a lookup key and record the converted binary file in the second storage medium.

[0019] The processor may be configured to search the first storage medium, output a list of binary files through a display, and receive selection of at least one binary file to be converted from the tester.

[0020] The above cycler includes a plurality of test channels capable of being tested independently, and is configured to generate two or more binary files with different versions for each test channel, and the first table may have a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more pieces of version information are matched to each other.

[0021] The above second table can be constructed independently for each of two or more binary files of different versions.

[0022] The above second table may have a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure information for each cycler ID are mutually matched.

[0023] The test result may include first to n-th operating characteristic data regarding battery operating characteristics acquired periodically, and the binary file may include a header structure including version information and first to n-th data structures in a binary data format corresponding to the first to n-th operating characteristic data, respectively.

[0024] The processor may be configured to sequentially read the first to nth data structures from the conversion target binary file by referring to the data structure information of the conversion target binary file retrieved from the second table, sequentially generate the first to nth operation characteristic data in a text data format, and generate a text file including the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format.

[0025] The above text file may have an extension of 'xls', 'cvs', or 'txt'.

[0026] Any k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to an acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from among voltage data of the battery, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber of a cycler, and charge state change amount data, and each of the time data and the plurality of operating characteristic data can be included in the k-th data structure with a preset data size.

[0027] The processor may be configured to transmit the text file to the data server via the network, and the data server may be configured to match the text file with the target binary file for conversion and store the matched text file in the first storage medium.

[0028] The above processor may be configured to determine in real time the ratio at which the binary file to be converted is converted into the text file, and output the ratio to a graphical user interface via a display.

[0029] The processor may be configured to analyze the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file, and generate a time change pattern of operation characteristic data selected from among voltage data, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and charge state change amount data as a graph image and output it through a display.

[0030] A method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler to a text file for achieving the above technical task comprises the steps of: (a) constructing a database including a first table including a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table including a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler, by a database server; (b) receiving a binary file including a test result of a battery from the cycler through a network by the data server and storing the binary file in a first storage medium; (c) searching the first storage medium by a computer to output a list of binary files through a display, and receiving a selection of at least one binary file to be converted from a tester; (d) identifying file version information included in a header of the binary file to be converted by the computer; (e) determining a cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table by interfacing with the database server and querying the file version information by the computer; (f) a step in which the computer reads data structure information of the binary file to be converted from the second table by using the cycler ID as a key to search through the database server; and (g) a step in which the computer converts the binary file to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information and records the converted binary file in the second storage medium.

[0031] In the above step (a), the database server can independently build the second table for each version of the binary file.

[0032] In the step (g), the computer can sequentially read the first to nth data structures from the conversion target binary file by referring to the data structure information of the conversion target binary file retrieved from the second table, sequentially generate the first to nth operation characteristic data in a text data format, and generate a text file including the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format.

[0033] The method according to the present invention may further include a step of the computer transmitting the text file to the data server; and a step of the data server matching the text file with the corresponding binary file to be converted and storing it in the first storage medium.

[0034] The method according to the present invention may further include a step of the computer determining in real time the ratio at which the binary file to be converted is converted into the text file, and outputting the ratio to a graphical user interface through a display.

[0035] The method according to the present invention may further include a step of analyzing the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file, generating a time change pattern of operation characteristic data selected from among voltage data, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber of a cycler, and charge state change amount data of the battery as a graph image, and outputting the result through a display.

[0036] According to one aspect of the present invention, binary files generated from a plurality of cyclers are integrated and stored in a data server, data structure information of the binary files generated from each cycler is constructed as a table-based relational database based on the binary file version, and a binary file text file conversion task is automatically executed by utilizing the database. Accordingly, the time required to convert a binary file generated from a cycler into a text file can be shortened. In particular, the present invention can drastically reduce the hassle of file conversion when performing a large number of battery cycling tests by operating a plurality of cyclers.

[0037] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0038] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a system for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplarily showing the data structure of a first table included in a database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily showing the data structure of a second table included in a database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplarily showing another second table including data structure information of a binary file when a binary file of a different version is additionally created according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, 'TEST#1_file1.bin' and 'TEST#1_file2.bin', generated in the first test channel of a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, 'TEST#4_file1.bin' and 'TEST#4_file2.bin', generated in the fourth test channel of a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a graphical user interface for displaying a conversion ratio of a binary file according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a graph image of battery operating characteristic data generated through analysis of a text file converted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that conforms to the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0049] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0050] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0051] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0052] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a system (100) that converts a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, a system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a database server (110), a data server (120), and a computer (130).

[0055] In an embodiment, the database server (110), the data server (120), and the computer (130) may be interconnected to enable communication with each other via a network (140).

[0056] There is no limitation on the type of network (140) as long as it supports communication between the database server (110), data server (120) and computer (130).

[0057] The network (140) includes a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof. The wired network includes a local area or wide area Internet supporting the TCP / IP protocol. The wireless network includes a base station-based wireless communication network, a satellite communication network, a local area wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi, or a combination thereof.

[0058] The network (140) may include, for example, a 2G (second generation) to 5G (fifth generation) network, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network, a Code Division Multiple Accesses network, an EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimization) network, a Public Land Mobile network, and / or other networks.

[0059] The network (140) may include, as another example, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Wide Area Network, a Metropolitan Network (MAN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an ad hoc network, a managed IP network, a Virtual Private Network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber-optic-based network, and / or a combination thereof, or other types of networks.

[0060] According to another aspect, a plurality of cyclers (150) can be connected to a data server (120) via a network (140) to enable mutual communication with the data server (120).

[0061] At least one of the plurality of cyclers (150) may be a cell cycler capable of testing batteries in cell units. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of cyclers (150) may be a pack cycler capable of testing batteries in pack units.

[0062] Any cycler (150i, where i is a natural number from 1 to p) may have one or more test channels. The test channel may have a constant temperature chamber into which batteries are loaded in units of cells or packs. The test channel may include sensors capable of acquiring voltage data and current data of the battery and temperature data of the constant temperature chamber; a power control circuit capable of variably controlling charging current, charging voltage, discharge current, discharge voltage, etc. of the battery according to cycling conditions; and a controller for integrated control of the cycler. The cycler (150i) may be appropriately selected from products commercially available in the art.

[0063] The cycler (150i) can independently perform cycling tests on batteries loaded into multiple test channels for each test channel. While performing a cycling test on one test channel, the cycler (150i) can periodically acquire battery operating characteristic data including at least one of battery voltage data, battery current data, battery temperature data of a constant temperature chamber, and battery state of charge change data using sensors.

[0064] If the battery is a single cell, the voltage data of the battery may include the cell voltage and, optionally, the average cell voltage over a predetermined period of time. If the battery is a pack including multiple cells, the voltage data of the battery may include the pack voltage and the voltages of the cells included in the pack, and, optionally, the pack average voltage over a predetermined period of time and the average cell voltage of each cell included in the pack.

[0065] If the battery is a single cell, the current data of the battery may include the cell current and, optionally, the average cell current over a predetermined period of time. If the battery is a pack including multiple cells, the current data of the battery may include the pack current and, optionally, the average pack current over a predetermined period of time. In the present invention, the current may be a charging current or a discharging current flowing through a cell or a pack.

[0066] The temperature data of the above constant temperature chamber may include the temperature of the constant temperature chamber in which the battery is loaded and, optionally, the average temperature of the constant temperature chamber over a predetermined period of time.

[0067] The controller of the cycler (150i) can periodically use the current data of the battery to determine the change in the state of charge of the battery over a predetermined period of time. In addition, the cycler (150i) can generate a binary file containing a plurality of battery operation characteristic data acquired as test results from the test channel and version information of the file, and record the binary file on a storage medium provided within the cycler. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the plurality of battery operation characteristic data are referred to as first to nth operation characteristic data.

[0068] The cycler (150i) can generate one or more binary files from a single test channel. When multiple binary files are generated from a single test channel, the file versions of each binary file may be different. When multiple binary files are generated from a single test channel, the acquisition cycles of the first to nth operation characteristic data included in each binary file may be different.

[0069] In one example, the cycler (150i) may acquire battery operating characteristic data including at least one of voltage data (average voltage of a cell or pack) and current data (average current of a cell or pack), temperature data (average temperature) of a constant temperature chamber, and change in state of charge at each first time period (e.g., 10 seconds) while cycling the battery, and may generate a first binary file including first to nth operating characteristic data acquired at multiple time points and version information of the file, and record the first binary file on a storage medium.

[0070] In addition, the cycler (150i) may acquire battery operation characteristic data including at least one of voltage data (voltage of a cell or pack) and current data (current of a cell or pack), temperature data of a constant temperature chamber, and change in state of charge of the battery at every second time period (e.g., 1 second) while cycling the battery, and may generate a second binary file including first to nth operation characteristic data acquired at multiple time points and version information of the file, and record the second binary file on a storage medium.

[0071] Since the first and second time periods are different, the number of battery operation characteristic data contained in the first and second binary files may be different. Accordingly, the index n, which indicates the number of battery operation characteristic data, may be different for each binary file.

[0072] In the present invention, the number of binary files generated through a single test channel is not particularly limited. Accordingly, the number of binary files may increase to three or more, depending on the conditions for acquiring battery operating characteristic data.

[0073] According to another aspect, the binary file may include a header structure including version information of the file and first to n-th data structures in binary data format each corresponding to first to n-th operation characteristic data.

[0074] Any k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) may include time data corresponding to the acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from among voltage data of a battery, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber, and charge state change amount data, and the time data and the plurality of operating characteristic data may each have a preset data size and be included in the k-th data structure.

[0075] In an embodiment, the database server (110) may have a database (111) including a first table (111a) including a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table (111b) including a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler.

[0076] Preferably, the database (111) may be a relational database that stores data using a table structure with rows and columns. Since relational databases are well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] FIG. 2 is a drawing exemplarily showing the data structure of a first table (111a) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a drawing exemplarily showing the data structure of a second table (111b) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2, the first table (111a) may include a data field (112) in which a cycler ID is recorded; and one or more data fields (114, 115) in which version information of a binary file generated by the cycler is recorded. The cycler may include a plurality of test channels capable of being independently tested, and may be configured to generate two or more binary files with different versions in a cycling test of each test channel. In the data fields (114, 115) in which version information of the binary files is recorded, version information of each binary file generated by the cycler may be recorded for each cycler ID.

[0079] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the version information of the binary file recorded in the data field (114) is named first version information, and the version information of the binary file recorded in the data field (115) is named second version information.

[0080] If a cycler with a specific ID generates three or more binary files, additional data fields containing binary file version information may be added. The version information recorded in these additional data fields may be named "3rd version information," "4th version information," etc.

[0081] The first table (111a) may optionally further include a data field (113) in which the type of cycler is recorded. A flag indicating a cell or pack may be recorded in the data field (113) in which the type of cycler is recorded.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 3, the second table (111b) may have a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure for each cycler ID are mutually matched.

[0083] Specifically, the second table (111b) may include a data field (116) in which a cycler ID is recorded, and a plurality of fields (117, 118, 119, 122) in which data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler is recorded.

[0084] In the second table (111b), the fields containing data structure information may include a field (117) in which the arrangement order of data within the data structure is recorded; a field (118) in which the type of data is recorded; a field (119) in which the name of the data is recorded; and a field (122) in which the size of the data is recorded.

[0085] The second table (111b) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be a table including data structure information of the first binary file described above, and the data field (114) of the third column in the first table (111a) illustrated in FIG. 2 may be a field defined as recording version information of the first binary file.

[0086] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' can perform a cycling test on a cell, and a data structure of a first binary file generated by the cycler may sequentially include: time data for a time at which battery operation characteristic data is acquired (time); data for an average cell voltage (cell_avr_voltage) for a predetermined cycle as one of the battery operation characteristic data; data for an average cell current (cell_avr_current) for a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operation characteristic data; data for an average temperature (chamber_avr_temperature) of a constant-temperature chamber for a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operation characteristic data; and data for a change in state of charge (delta_SOC) for a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operation characteristic data.

[0087] In a specific example, a plurality of data structures included in a first binary file generated by a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' may each include a plurality of battery operating characteristic data regarding a cell acquired at 10-second intervals. Each battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to an acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data; an average cell voltage for 10 seconds; an average cell current for 10 seconds; an average temperature of a constant-temperature chamber for 10 seconds; and a change in state of charge for 10 seconds.

[0088] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' can perform a cycling test on a pack, and a data structure of a first binary file generated by the cycler may sequentially include: time data for a time at which battery operating characteristic data is acquired (time); data for an average voltage of the pack (pack_avr_voltage) for a predetermined cycle as one of the battery operating characteristic data; data for an average current of the pack (pack_avr_current) for a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operating characteristic data; data for an average temperature of a constant-temperature chamber (chamber_avr_temperature) for a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operating characteristic data; and data for an average voltage of each cell included in the pack (cell#1_avr_voltage, cell#m_avr_voltage; m is the total number of cells) as another of the battery operating characteristic data.

[0089] In a specific example, a plurality of data structures included in a first binary file generated by a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' may each include a plurality of battery operating characteristic data regarding a pack acquired at 10-second intervals. Each battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to an acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data; an average pack voltage for 10 seconds; an average pack current for 10 seconds; an average temperature of a constant-temperature chamber for 10 seconds; and an average cell voltage for 10 seconds for each of the cells included in the pack.

[0090] Meanwhile, if the cycler additionally creates a binary file with a different version, a second table containing data structure information of the binary file may be additionally created.

[0091] FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplarily showing another second table (111b') including data structure information of a binary file when a binary file with a different version is additionally generated in the same cycling test according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] The second table (111b') illustrated in FIG. 4 may be a table including data structure information of the second binary file described above, and the data field (115) of the fourth column in the first table (111a) illustrated in FIG. 2 may be a field defined as recording version information of the second binary file.

[0093] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' can perform a cycling test on a cell, and a data structure of a second binary file generated by the cycler may sequentially include: time data for a time at which battery operation characteristic data is acquired (time); data for a cell voltage (cell_voltage) acquired at the time as one of the battery operation characteristic data; data for a cell current (cell_current) acquired at the time as another of the battery operation characteristic data; data for a temperature of a constant-temperature chamber (chamber_temperature) acquired at the time as another of the battery operation characteristic data; and data for a change in state of charge (delta_SOC) during a predetermined cycle as another of the battery operation characteristic data.

[0094] In a specific example, a plurality of data structures included in a second binary file generated by a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' may each include a plurality of battery operating characteristic data regarding a cell acquired at 1-second intervals. Each battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to an acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data; a cell voltage acquired at the time; a cell current acquired at the time; a constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at the time; and a change in state of charge for 1 second.

[0095] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' can perform a cycling test on a pack, and a data structure of a second binary file generated by the cycler may sequentially include: time data for a time at which battery operating characteristic data was acquired (time); data for a pack voltage (pack_voltage) acquired at the time as one of the battery operating characteristic data; data for a pack current (pack_current) acquired at the time as another of the battery operating characteristic data; data for a temperature of a constant-temperature chamber (chamber_temperature) acquired at the time as another of the battery operating characteristic data; and data for a voltage of each cell included in the pack (cell#1_voltage, cell#m_voltage; m is the total number of cells) as another of the battery operating characteristic data.

[0096] In a specific example, a plurality of data structures included in a second binary file generated by a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' may each include a plurality of battery operating characteristic data regarding a pack acquired at one-second intervals. Each battery operating characteristic data may include a time corresponding to an acquisition point of the battery operating characteristic data; a pack voltage acquired at the time; a pack current acquired at the time; a constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at the time; and a cell voltage of each of the cells included in the pack acquired at the time.

[0097] Referring back to FIG. 1, the data server (120) can receive binary files containing first to n-th operating characteristic data as battery test results from multiple cyclers (150) via a network (140) in first to n-th data structures, and store the binary files in a first storage medium (121).

[0098] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, 'TEST#1_file1.bin' and 'TEST#1_file2.bin', generated in the first test channel of a cycler having a cycler ID of '1' according to an embodiment of the present invention. Among the strings included in the names of the binary files, 'TEST#1' indicates that the binary file is a binary file generated through a cycling test in the first test channel of the cycler.

[0099] Referring to Fig. 5, binary files 'TEST#1_file1.bin' and 'TEST#1_file2.bin' may commonly include a header structure (H) and multiple data structures (D1 to Dn). n represents the number of data structures, and may vary depending on the version of the binary file.

[0100] The header structure (H) may contain version information of the binary file and, optionally, the date the cycling test was performed.

[0101] Any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) can sequentially include data corresponding to the data structure information stored in the second table (111b, 111b').

[0102] In a specific example, any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file 'TEST#1_file1.bin' may sequentially include, corresponding to the data structure information recorded in the second table (111b), a battery operating characteristic data acquisition time; an average cell voltage for a predetermined time; an average cell current for a predetermined time; an average temperature of a constant temperature chamber for a predetermined time; and a change in state of charge for a predetermined time.

[0103] In addition, any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file TEST#1_file2.bin may sequentially include, corresponding to the data structure information recorded in the second table (111b'), the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time; the cell voltage acquired at the corresponding time; the cell current acquired at the corresponding time; the constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at the corresponding time; and the amount of change in the state of charge for a predetermined time.

[0104] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the structure of two binary files, 'TEST#4_file1.bin' and 'TEST#4_file2.bin', generated in the fourth test channel of a cycler having a cycler ID of '2' according to another embodiment of the present invention. Among the strings included in the names of the binary files, 'TEST#4' indicates that the binary files are binary files generated through a cycling test of the fourth test channel.

[0105] Referring to Fig. 6, binary files 'TEST#4_file1.bin' and 'TEST#4_file2.bin' may commonly include a header structure (H) and multiple data structures (D1 to Dn). n represents the number of data structures, and may vary depending on the version of the binary file.

[0106] The header structure (H) may contain version information of the binary file and, optionally, the date the cycling test was performed.

[0107] Any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) can include data corresponding to the data structure information stored in the second table (111b, 111b').

[0108] In a specific example, any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file 'TEST#4_file1.bin' may sequentially include, corresponding to the data structure information recorded in the second table (111b), a battery operating characteristic data acquisition time; a pack average voltage for a predetermined time; a pack average current for a predetermined time; an average temperature of a constant temperature chamber for a predetermined time; and an average cell voltage of each of the cells included in the pack for a predetermined time.

[0109] In addition, any k-th data structure (Dk, k is a natural number from 1 to n) included in the binary file 'TEST#4_file2.bin' may sequentially include, corresponding to the data structure information recorded in the second table (111b'), the battery operating characteristic data acquisition time; the pack voltage acquired at the corresponding time; the pack current acquired at the corresponding time; the constant temperature chamber temperature acquired at the corresponding time; and the cell voltage of each cell included in the pack.

[0110] Referring again to FIG. 1, the computer (130) may be connected to a database server (110) and a data server (120) via a network (140). The computer (130) may also include a display (131), a processor (132), and a second storage medium (133). The computer (130) may also include known input devices (not shown), such as a keyboard and / or a mouse.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the processor (132) may search the first storage medium (121) in conjunction with the data server (120) at the request of the tester, thereby outputting a list of binary files stored in the first storage medium (121) through the display (131) of the computer (130). The processor (132) may also be configured to execute control logic to select at least one binary file to be converted into a text file from the tester.

[0112] In another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute control logic to download the selected conversion target binary file(s) from the data server (120) through the network (140) and record them in the second storage medium (133).

[0113] In another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute control logic that reads file version information from a header structure of the binary file(s) to be converted.

[0114] In another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute control logic that determines the cycler ID that generated the binary file(s) to be converted from the first table (111a) of the database (111) by linking with the database server (110) via a network (140) and querying the file version information read from the binary file(s) to be converted.

[0115] In a specific example, when the version information of the files read from the two conversion target binary files selected by the tester is '0x0001' and '0x0002', the processor (132) can identify that the cycler ID that created the two binary files is '1' by using the version information of the files as a lookup key to look up the first table (111a) of the database (111).

[0116] In another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute a control logic that, in conjunction with a database server (110) via a network (140), reads data structure information corresponding to version information of a binary file to be converted from a second table (111b, 111b') of the database (111) using a cycler ID as a lookup key, converts the binary file(s) to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information, and records the converted binary file(s) in a second storage medium (133) of the computer (130).

[0117] If the second table (111b, 111b') is constructed as an independent table for each version of the binary file, the processor (132) can identify a table corresponding to the version information of the binary file to be converted, and read data structure information corresponding to the binary file to be converted from the identified table using the cycler ID as a lookup key.

[0118] In a specific example, if the second table (111b) illustrated in FIG. 3 is defined to include data structure information of a binary file having first version information (0x0001, 0x0003) recorded in the third data field (114) of the first table (111a), and the second table (111b') illustrated in FIG. 4 is defined to include data structure information of a binary file having second version information (0x0002, 0x0004) recorded in the fourth data field (115) of the first table (111a), the processor (132) reads out data structure information of a binary file to be converted whose version information is '0x0001' from the second table (111b) of FIG. 3 by using the cycler ID '1' as a lookup key, and reads out version information from the second table (111b') of FIG. 4 by using the cycler ID '1' as a lookup key. You can read the data structure information of the binary file to be converted, which is '0x0002'.

[0119] In another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to sequentially read out the first to nth data structures from the conversion target binary file by referring to the data structure information of the conversion target binary file retrieved from the second table (111b, 111b'), sequentially generate the first to nth operation characteristic data in a text data format, and generate a text file including the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format and store the text file in a second storage medium (133) of the computer (130).

[0120] In another aspect, the text file generated by the processor (132) may have an extension of 'xls', 'cvs', or 'txt'. Here, the extension of 'xls' is a file extension of Microsoft's Excel software.

[0121] In a specific example, when the text file is a file with an 'xls' extension, the processor (132) creates a table in the file having rows corresponding to a number obtained by adding 1 to the total number of data structures included in the binary file to be converted and columns corresponding to the number of data included in each data structure, and sequentially records the names of data included in each data structure in each column of the first row in the first row of the table, and sequentially records data included in battery operation characteristic data in text format read from each data structure in the second to last rows of the table in each column.

[0122] In another specific example, when the text file is a file having a 'cvs' extension or a 'txt' extension, the processor (132) may create an empty paragraph in the file corresponding to the number obtained by adding 1 to the total number of data structures included in the binary file to be converted, and sequentially record the names of data included in each data structure in the first paragraph with a delimiter (e.g., a tab symbol, a colon symbol, a semicolon symbol, etc.), and sequentially record data included in the battery operation characteristic data in text format read from each data structure from the second paragraph to the last paragraph with a delimiter.

[0123] According to another aspect, the processor (132) may transmit the converted text file to the data server (120) via the network (140). Then, the data server (120) may be configured to match the text file with a corresponding binary file to be converted and store the same in the first storage medium (121). In one example, the processor (132) may store the text file together in the directory where the binary file to be converted is stored.

[0124] According to another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute control logic that determines a conversion ratio in real time while converting a binary file to be converted into a text file, and outputs the ratio to a graphical user interface through a display (131). Preferably, the graphical user interface may be configured to display the conversion ratio as a percentage number.

[0125] FIG. 8 illustrates a graphical user interface representing the above ratio according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the graphical user interface can comprehensively represent the conversion ratios of multiple target binary files for conversion.

[0126] According to another aspect, the processor (132) may be configured to execute a control logic that analyzes the first to nth operating characteristic data in text format included in the text file at the request of the tester, generates a change pattern for at least one operating characteristic data selected from among voltage data and current data of the battery, temperature data of the constant temperature chamber, and state of charge, as a graph image, and outputs it through the display (131).

[0127] In one example, if a tester designates a cycler ID as '1', a test channel as '#4', and the operating characteristic data for generating a graph image is designated as cell voltage data of a battery, the computer (130) searches the second storage medium (133) to identify a text file converted from a binary file generated in test channel '#4' of the cycler with ID '1', parses n time data and voltage data from the first to nth operating characteristic data included in the text file, generates a graph image of the voltage data change of the battery based on the parsed information, and visually outputs the generated graph image through the display (133) of the computer (130). The parsed voltage data may be a cell voltage or an average cell voltage depending on the version of the binary file. If there are two or more versions of the binary file, the computer (130) may additionally receive an additional version of the binary file from the tester.

[0128] Preferably, the computer (130) receives from the tester a cycler ID, at least one test channel, and a type of operation characteristic data for generating a graph image, and generates one or more graph images according to the specified conditions and outputs the generated graph images through the display (131) of the computer (130).

[0129] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a graph image according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the tester can visually easily check the voltage change pattern of three cells by designating three channels (#4, #5, #6) together for a specific cycler.

[0130] The processor (132) of the computer (130) is a control circuit, and can be implemented in hardware using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

[0131] The processor (132) of the computer (130) may include multiple cores. In this case, the processor (132) may utilize the multiple cores to distribute and process the task of converting multiple binary files into text files in parallel. This can increase data processing speed and efficiency. Parallel distributed processing of tasks can be particularly useful when there are a large number of binary files to be converted into text files.

[0132] The storage medium (121, 133) may be at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type, a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0133] In the present invention, the computer (130) may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, a logic circuit, a register, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc. known in the art to execute the various control logics described above.

[0134] In addition, when the above control logics are implemented as a program, the computer's processor (132) can execute the program. At this time, the program can be stored in memory and executed by the processor (132). The memory can be located inside or outside the processor, and can be connected to the processor using various well-known computer components. In addition, the memory can be included in the second storage medium (133). In addition, the memory is a general term for devices in which information is stored, regardless of the type of device, and does not refer to a specific memory device.

[0135] In addition, at least one or more of the various control logics executed by the processor (132) of the computer (130) may be combined, and the combined control logics may be written in a computer-readable code system and stored in a computer-readable storage medium. There is no particular limitation on the type of the storage medium as long as it can be accessed by the processor included in the computer. As an example, the storage medium includes at least one or more selected from the group including a ROM, a RAM, a register, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, a floppy disk, and an optical data recording device. In addition, the code system may be distributed and stored and executed in a network-connected computer. In addition, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the combined control logics may be easily inferred by programmers in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

[0136] Next, a method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file will be described in detail.

[0137] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a method for converting a binary file generated by a battery cycler according to an embodiment of the present invention into a text file.

[0138] In the following description, the steps performed by the computer (130) are steps performed by the processor (132) of the computer (130).

[0139] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 together, first, in step S100, a database server (110) can build a database (111) including a first table (111a) including a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table (111b, 111b') including a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler.

[0140] The first table (111a) may have a data structure in which a cycler ID and version information of two or more binary files are matched with each other. To this end, the first table (111a) may include a data field in which a cycler ID is recorded and two or more data fields in which version information for two or more binary files is recorded, respectively (see FIG. 2).

[0141] If the first table (111a) has a data field in which version information for two or more binary files is recorded, the database server (110) can independently construct a second table for each version of the binary file (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0142] The second table (111b, 111b') may have a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure for each cycler ID are mutually matched.

[0143] In step S110, the data server (120) can receive a binary file containing the test results of the battery from the cycler (150i) via the network (140) and store it in the first storage medium (121).

[0144] In the present invention, the cycler (150i) includes a plurality of test channels capable of independently testing a plurality of batteries, and can generate two or more different binary files for each test channel and transmit them to a data server (120) via a network (140).

[0145] The test results of the battery may include first to n-th operating characteristic data. Any k-th operating characteristic data (k is a natural number from 1 to n) may include a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from voltage data, current data, temperature data of a constant temperature chamber, and charge state change data regarding the battery acquired in the k-th cycle. The first to n-th operating characteristic data may be recorded in binary data format in first to n-th data structures within a binary file, respectively.

[0146] Step S120 is performed after step S110.

[0147] In step S120, the computer (130) searches the first storage medium (121) by linking with the data server (120) through the network (140) at the request of the tester, thereby outputting a list of binary file(s) through the display (131), and allows the tester to select at least one binary file(s) to be converted.

[0148] The computer (130) can output a graphical user interface including the names and creation dates of binary files through the display (131) for easy selection of the binary file(s) to be converted.

[0149] In step S130, the computer (130) can also identify version information of the binary file(s) to be converted. The computer (130) can parse the header structure of the binary file(s) to be converted to identify the version information of the file.

[0150] In step S140, the computer (130) can also determine the cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table (111a) of the database (111) by querying the file version information in conjunction with the database server (110) via the network (140).

[0151] In step S150, the computer (130) can also communicate with the database server (110) via a network (140) to read data structure information of the binary file(s) to be converted from the second table (111b, 111b') of the database (111) using the cycler ID as a lookup key.

[0152] In step S160, the computer (130) can also convert the binary file(s) to be converted into a text file based on the read data structure information and record the converted binary file(s) into a second storage medium (133).

[0153] Specifically, the computer (130) can sequentially read out the first to nth data structures from the binary file to be converted by referring to the data structure information of the binary file to be converted retrieved from the second table (111b, 111b') of the database (111), sequentially generate the first to nth operation characteristic data in a text data format, and generate a text file including the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format.

[0154] In the present invention, a text file generated by a computer (130) may have an 'xls' extension, a 'cvs' extension, or a 'txt' extension. When a text file has an 'xls' extension, a 'cvs' extension, or a 'txt' extension, a specific method by which the computer (130) generates a text file has already been described above.

[0155] The method according to the present invention may further include, after step S160, a step of the computer (130) transmitting a text file to a data server (120) via a network (140), and a step of the data server (120) matching the text file with a corresponding binary file and storing the same in a first storage medium (121).

[0156] The method according to the present invention may include, in step S160, a step of the computer (130) determining in real time the ratio at which a binary file is converted into a text file, and outputting the ratio as a graphical user interface through a display (131) of the computer (130).

[0157] The method according to the present invention may further include, after step S160, a step of analyzing the first to nth operating characteristic data in a text data format included in a text file by the computer (130) to generate a graph image of a change pattern over time of the operating characteristic data selected from among the voltage data of the battery, the current data, the temperature data of the constant temperature chamber, and the state of charge of the battery, and outputting the graph image through the display (131) of the computer (130).

[0158] Preferably, the computer (130) receives from the tester a cycler ID, at least one test channel, and a type of operation characteristic data for generating a graph image, and generates one or more graph images according to the specified conditions and outputs the generated graph images through the display (131) of the computer (130).

[0159] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, binary files generated from multiple cyclers are integrated and stored in a data server, data structure information of binary files generated from each cycler is built into a relational database based on the version of the binary file, and conversion of binary files into text files can be automatically executed by utilizing the database. Therefore, the time required to convert binary files generated from cyclers into text files can be shortened. In particular, the present invention can drastically reduce the hassle of file conversion work when performing a large number of battery cycling tests by operating multiple cyclers.

[0160]

[0161] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. A database server constructing a database including a first table containing a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table containing a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler; A data server that receives a binary file containing the test results of the battery from the cycler and stores it in the first storage medium; and A computer connected to the database server and the data server, and including a second storage medium and a processor. The above processor, Determine the cycler ID that created the conversion target binary file from the first table by looking up the file version information read from the header of the conversion target binary file, The binary file to be converted is configured to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information read from the second table by using the above cycler ID as a lookup key and to be recorded in the second storage medium. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

2. In paragraph 1, The processor is configured to search the first storage medium, output a list of binary files through a display, and receive at least one binary file to be converted from the tester. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

3. In paragraph 1, The above cycler includes multiple test channels capable of being tested independently, and is configured to generate two or more different versions of binary files for each test channel, A system for converting a binary file generated from a battery cycler into a text file, wherein the first table above has a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more pieces of version information are matched to each other.

4. In paragraph 3, The above second table is constructed independently for each of two or more binary files with different versions. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

5. In paragraph 1, The above second table has a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure information for each cycler ID are mutually matched. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

6. In paragraph 1, The above test results include first to nth operating characteristic data regarding battery operating characteristics acquired periodically, The binary file includes a header structure including version information, and first to n-th data structures in binary data format corresponding to the first to n-th operation characteristic data, respectively. The processor is configured to sequentially generate first to n-th operation characteristic data in a text data format while sequentially reading the first to n-th data structures from the conversion target binary file by referring to the data structure information of the conversion target binary file retrieved from the second table, and to generate a text file including the first to n-th operation characteristic data in the text data format. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

7. In paragraph 6, The above text file has the extension ‘xls’, ‘cvs’ or ‘txt’. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

8. In paragraph 6, The k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to the acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from among the voltage data of the battery, current data, constant temperature chamber temperature data of the cycler, and charge state change amount data. Each of the above time data and the plurality of motion characteristic data has a preset data size and is included in the k-th data structure. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

9. In paragraph 1, The processor is configured to transmit the text file to the data server via the network, The above data server is configured to match the text file with the binary file to be converted and store it in the first storage medium. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

10. In paragraph 1, The processor is configured to determine in real time the ratio of the binary file to be converted into the text file and output the ratio to a graphical user interface through a display. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files.

11. In paragraph 8, The above processor, By analyzing the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file, a time change pattern of operation characteristic data selected from among voltage data of the battery, current data, temperature data of the constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and charge state change amount data is generated as a graph image and output through a display. A system that converts binary files generated by a battery cycler into text files. 12.(a) A step of constructing a database including a first table including a cycler ID and version information of a binary file generated by the cycler, and a second table including a cycler ID and data structure information of a binary file generated by the cycler; (b) a step in which the data server receives a binary file containing the test results of the battery from the cycler through a network and stores the binary file in the first storage medium; (c) a step of the computer searching the first storage medium and outputting a list of binary files through a display, and receiving selection of at least one binary file to be converted from the tester; (d) a step in which the computer identifies file version information included in the header of the binary file to be converted; (e) a step of determining a cycler ID that generated the binary file to be converted from the first table by having the computer link with the database server to look up the file version information; (f) a step in which the computer links with the database server to retrieve the data structure information of the binary file to be converted from the second table by using the cycler ID as a search key; and (g) a step in which the computer converts the binary file to be converted into a text file based on the data structure information and records the converted binary file in the second storage medium; How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

13. In paragraph 12, The above cycler includes multiple test channels capable of being tested independently, and is configured to generate two or more different versions of binary files for each test channel, The above first table has a data structure in which one cycler ID and two or more pieces of version information are matched with each other. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

14. In the 13th paragraph, in step (a), The above database server independently builds the second table for each version of the binary file. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

15. In paragraph 12, The above second table has a data structure in which information on the type, name, and size of each of the plurality of data included in the data structure information for each cycler ID are mutually matched. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

16. In paragraph 12, The above test results include first to nth operating characteristic data regarding battery operating characteristics acquired periodically, The binary file includes a header structure including version information, and first to n-th data structures in binary data format corresponding to the first to n-th operation characteristic data, respectively. In the step (g), the computer sequentially reads the first to nth data structures from the conversion target binary file by referring to the data structure information of the conversion target binary file retrieved from the second table, sequentially generates the first to nth operation characteristic data in a text data format, and generates a text file including the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

17. In paragraph 16, The above text file has the extension 'xls', 'cvs' or 'txt'. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

18. In paragraph 16, The k-th data structure (k is a natural number from 1 to n) includes time data corresponding to the acquisition time of the k-th operating characteristic data, and a plurality of operating characteristic data selected from among the voltage data of the battery, current data, constant temperature chamber temperature data of the cycler, and charge state change amount data. Each of the above time data and the plurality of motion characteristic data has a preset data size and is included in the k-th data structure. How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

19. In paragraph 12, The step of the computer transmitting the text file to the data server; and The data server further comprises a step of matching the text file with the corresponding conversion target binary file and storing it in the first storage medium; How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

20. In paragraph 12, The computer further comprises a step of determining in real time the ratio of the binary file to be converted into the text file and outputting the ratio to a graphical user interface through a display; How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

21. In paragraph 18, A step of analyzing the first to nth operation characteristic data in the text data format included in the text file, generating a time change pattern of operation characteristic data selected from among voltage data, current data, temperature data of the constant temperature chamber of the cycler, and charge state change amount data as a graph image and outputting it through a display; further comprising; How to convert binary files generated by battery cycler to text files.

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