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

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.