METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MODELING, SIMULATING, ESTIMATING AND CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION IN BATTERY-OPERATED DEVICES

• US 20100235121A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Enfora Incorporated (Inseego Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Enfora Incorporated (Inseego Corp.)
• Inventors: Moore, Charles Chapman, Donahue, Daniel Martin, Daugherty, Thomas Howard JR., Constien, Scott Douglas
• Application Number:
  US12/402,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235121A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A computer-based processing system simulates and estimates power consumption (i.e., battery life) in a battery-operated based on a set of operating parameters which is intended to control operation of the battery-operated device in a first operating mode. In the event the estimated/projected battery life fails to meet a predetermined desired battery life (i.e., operational life of the device), one or more operating parameters may be modified and power consumption is again calculated. Several iterations may occur. When a desired battery life is achieved, the battery-operated device is configured with a final set of operating parameters and, when deployed the device operates in accordance with the configured parameters.

Claims

1. A method for estimating power consumption for a battery-operated device, the method comprising:

providing a first set of operating parameters, the first set of operating parameters that when loaded within memory of the battery-operated device will enable the battery-operated device to operate in accordance with a first operating mode;

providing a battery power capacity value associated with a battery intended for use in the battery-operated device;

processing the first set of operating parameters and the battery power capacity value in a computer-based processing system and calculating a projected battery life for the battery when the device operates in accordance with the first operating mode; and

outputting the projected battery life to a user.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein outputting the projected battery life further comprises:

displaying the projected battery life.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

modifying one or more parameters within the first set of operating parameters to generate a second set of operating parameters that when loaded within memory of the battery-operated device will enable the battery-operated device to operate in accordance with a second operating mode;

processing the second set of operating parameters and the battery power capacity value in the computer-based processing system and calculating a second projected battery life for the battery when the device operates in accordance with the second operating mode; and

outputting the second projected battery life to a user.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

configuring the battery-operated device with the second set of parameters when the second projected battery life meets or exceeds a desired battery life.

5. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein modifying one or more parameters further comprises:

storing in memory associated with the computer-based processing system the second set of operating parameters; and

associating the second set of operating parameters with a device identifier identifying the battery-operated device.

6. The method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

storing the second set of operating parameters in memory within the battery-operated device.

7. The method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

transmitting the second set of operating parameters from the computer-based processing system to the battery-operated device.

8. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein modifying one or more parameters further comprises:

receiving the one more modified parameters through a graphical user interface (GUI).

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the GUI includes a plurality of displayable windows, with each window operable for displaying at least one parameter within a current set of parameters that the computer-based processing system has processed.

10. A method for estimating the operational life of a battery-operated device, the method comprising:

identifying a first set of operating parameters under which the battery-operated device is intended to operate;

identifying a battery power capacity value associated with a battery intended for use in the battery-operated device;

calculating, in a computer-based processing system, a projected operational life for the battery-operated device based on the first set of operating parameters and the battery power capacity value; and

displaying the projected operational life.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

configuring the battery-operated device with the first set of parameters when the projected operational life meets or exceeds a desired battery life; and

storing in memory associated with the computer-based processing system the first set of operating parameters.

12. The method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

displaying one or more parameter in the first set of parameters;

receiving input modifying a displayed parameter;

calculating, in the computer-based processing system, a new projected operational life for the battery-operated device based on the modified parameter; and

displaying the new projected operational life.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting the modified parameter from the computer-based processing system to the battery-operated device for storage in memory.

14. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein receiving input modifying a displayed parameter further comprises:

receiving the input through a graphical user interface (GUI).

15. A computer-based processing system for simulating and estimating power consumption in a battery-operated device, the processing system comprising:

memory for storing a predetermined power capacity value representing power capacity of a battery intended for use in the battery-operated device, the memory for storing operating parameters that when loaded into memory within the battery-operated device will enable the battery-operated device to operate in accordance with a first operating mode;

a processor configured to;

generate a projected battery life for the battery-operated device based on the operating parameters and the predetermined power capacity value; and

an output device configured for outputting the projected battery life.

16. The processing system in accordance with claim 15 wherein the output device includes a display, and the processor is further configured to:

generate a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying one of the operating parameters and for enabling user input to modify one of the operating parameters.