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

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, wherein a workflow cycle comprises a predefined series of tasks of a work application, the method comprising:

determining, by a processor in the device, a beginning battery capacity of the battery in the device at a start of an execution of the work application;

executing, by the processor, the work application;

determining, by the processor, an end battery capacity of the battery in the device at completion of the execution of the work application, the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity comprising battery usage data;

calculating, by the processor a battery usage estimate associated with the work application from a difference between the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity;

storing, by the processor, at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate associated with the work application in a memory of the device;

determining, by the processor, the remaining battery capacity at a start of execution of the work application in another workflow cycle;

calculating, by the processor, the estimated number of workflow cycles, which are executable by the processor, based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate; and

displaying, by the processor, via an icon on a user interface of the device, the estimated number of workflow cycles that are executable by the processor with the remaining battery capacity, wherein an appearance of the icon can be configured to represent respective ranges of the estimated number of workflow cycles remaining.

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

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

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the icon represents respective ranges of the estimated number of workflow cycles remaining using respective colors.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing, by the processor, an alert if the estimated number of workflow cycles is less than a predetermined minimum number.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing, by the processor, instructions to recharge or replace the battery if the estimated number of workflow cycles is less than a predetermined minimum number.

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

8. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

generating, by the processor, additional battery usage data and an additional battery usage estimate from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and

updating, by the processor, 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.

9. A system configured to generate an estimated number of workflow cycles able to be executed with a remaining battery capacity of a battery in a device, wherein a workflow cycle comprises a predefined series of tasks of a work application, the system comprising:

a processor,

a memory device coupled to the processor and having a program stored thereon for execution by the processor to:

determine a beginning battery capacity of the battery in the device at a start of an execution of the work application;

execute the work application;

determine an end battery capacity of the battery in the device at completion of the execution of the work application, the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity comprising battery usage data;

calculate a battery usage estimate associated with the work application from a difference between the beginning battery capacity and the end battery capacity;

store at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate associated with the work application in a memory;

determine the remaining battery capacity at a start of execution of the work application in another workflow cycle;

calculate the estimated number of workflow cycles, based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate; and

display, via an icon on a user interface of the device the estimated number of workflow cycles that are executable by the processor with the remaining battery capacity, wherein an appearance of the icon can be configured to represent respective ranges of the estimated number of workflow cycles.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein a battery monitor in a device is configured to determine the beginning battery capacity, the end battery capacity, and the remaining battery capacity.

11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate from the memory of the device prior to calculating the estimated number of workflow cycles and in response to loading of the work application on the device for another workflow cycle.

12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the icon represents respective ranges of the estimated number of workflow cycles remaining using respective colors.

13. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to provide an alert if the estimated number of workflow cycles is less than a predetermined minimum number.

14. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to provide instructions to recharge or replace the battery if the estimated number of workflow cycles is less than a predetermined minimum number.

15. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to:

generate additional battery usage data and an additional battery usage estimate from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and

update 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.

16. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to adjust the battery usage estimate associated with the work application to account for one or more current environmental factors.

17. A non-transitory machine-readable storage device having instructions for execution by a processor of a machine to perform 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, wherein a workflow cycle comprises a predefined series of tasks of a work application, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a beginning battery capacity of the battery in the device at a start of an execution of the work application;

executing a work application;

determining an end battery capacity of the battery in the device at completion of the 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 in a memory of the device;

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, which are executable by the processor, based on the remaining battery capacity and the battery usage estimate; and

displaying, via an icon on a user interface of the device the estimated number of workflow cycles that are executable by the processor with the remaining battery capacity, wherein an appearance of the icon can be configured to represent respective ranges of the estimated number of workflow cycles remaining.

18. The machine-readable storage device of claim 17 , wherein determining the beginning battery capacity, the ending battery capacity, and the remaining battery capacity comprises determining, by the processor, from a battery monitor in the device.

19. The machine-readable storage device of claim 17 , further comprising, prior to calculating the estimated number of workflow cycles and in response to loading of the work application on the device for another workflow cycle, retrieving, by the processor at least one of the battery usage data and the battery usage estimate from the memory of the device.

20. The machine-readable storage device of claim 19 , further comprising:

generating, by the processor, additional battery usage data and an additional battery usage estimate from executing the work application in another workflow cycle; and

updating, by the processor, 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.