Methods for estimating a number of workflow cycles able to be completed from a remaining battery capacity

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018340982-A1
Application number	US-201715606529-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 26, 2017
Priority date	May 26, 2017
Publication date	Nov 29, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods are provided for generating an estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed with a remaining battery capacity of a battery in a device. A workflow cycle comprising a predefined series of tasks of a work application executed during a defined timeframe is defined. Beginning battery capacity is determined at start of work application execution. End battery capacity at completion of work application execution is determined. Battery usage estimate associated with work application is calculated from difference between beginning battery capacity and end battery capacity. The estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed is based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate.

First claim

1 . A method for generating an estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed with a remaining battery capacity of a battery in a device, the method comprising:
defining a workflow cycle comprising a predefined series of tasks of a work application executed during a defined timeframe; determining a beginning battery capacity of a battery in the device at a start of an execution of the work application; executing the work application; determining an end battery capacity of the battery in the device at completion of execution of the work application, the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity comprising battery usage data; calculating a battery usage estimate associated with the work application from a difference between the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity; storing at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate associated with the work application; determining the remaining battery capacity at a start of execution of the work application in another workflow cycle; calculating the estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate; and outputting the estimated number.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the beginning battery capacity, the ending battery capacity, and the remaining battery capacity comprises determining from a battery monitor in the device.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, prior to calculating the estimated number and in response to loading of the work application on the device for another workflow cycle, retrieving at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate from a memory of the device.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:
generating additional battery usage data and an additional battery usage estimate from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and updating the battery usage estimate and the battery usage data from prior execution of the work application in one or more workflow cycles with the additional battery usage data and the additional battery usage estimate.

5 . The method according to claim 2 , further comprising adjusting the battery usage estimate associated with the work application to account for one or more current environmental factors.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein outputting comprises at least one of displaying the estimated number and displaying an icon representative of the estimated number.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing an alert if the estimated number is less than a predetermined minimum number.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing instructions to recharge or replace the battery if the estimated number is less than a predetermined minimum number.

9 . A method comprising:
determining a remaining battery capacity of a battery in a battery-powered device configured to facilitate execution of a work application in a workflow cycle; determining an estimated number of the workflow cycles able to be executed with the battery-powered device by dividing the remaining battery capacity by a battery usage estimate associated with the work application; and outputting the estimated number of the workflow cycles able to be executed.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising calculating the battery usage estimate associated with the work application using battery usage data generated by the battery-powered device during prior execution of one or more of the work applications.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein calculating the battery usage estimate comprises calculating a difference in battery capacity at start of execution of the work application and battery capacity at completion of execution of the work application.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein calculating the battery usage estimate comprises retrieving the battery usage estimate from a memory of the device.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:
generating additional battery usage data from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and updating the battery usage estimate and the battery usage data generated during prior execution of one or more of the workflow cycles using the additional battery usage data.

14 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein outputting comprises at least one of displaying the estimated number and displaying an icon representative of the estimated number.

15 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising providing an alert if the estimated number is less than a predetermined minimum number.

16 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising providing instructions to recharge or replace the battery if the estimated number is less than a predetermined minimum number.

17 . A method for providing a user of a battery-powered device with an estimated number of a workflow cycle able to be executed with the battery-powered device, the method comprising:
determining a remaining battery capacity of a battery in the battery-powered device; calculating the estimated number from the remaining battery capacity and a battery usage estimate associated with a work application executed in the workflow cycle, the estimated number comprising a quotient obtained by dividing the remaining battery capacity by the battery usage estimate; and outputting the estimated number to the user.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising calculating the battery usage estimate using battery usage data generated by the device from prior execution of the work application, the battery usage estimate comprising a difference in battery capacity at start of execution of the work application and battery capacity at completion of execution of the work application in the same workflow cycle.

19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein calculating the battery usage estimate further comprises retrieving the battery usage estimate from a memory of the device.

20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
generating additional battery usage data from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and updating the battery usage estimate and the battery usage data from prior execution of the work application in one or more workflow cycles using the additional battery usage data.

Assignees

• Hand Held Prod Inc

Inventors

• Kohtz Robert Arlan
• Austin Rickey George

Classifications

• G01R31/387 Primary

  Determining ampere-hour charge capacity or SoC · CPC title

• G01R31/3646

  for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators · CPC title

• H01M2220/30

  Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop · CPC title

• H04R2460/03

  Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices · CPC title

• G01R31/3648 Primary

  comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm · CPC title