| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus which conserves power in computing and communications devices by providing a real-time alarm clock (18) that allows the processor (12) in the device to turn off during specific fixed periods of time. These periods of times may be measured by absolute or relative time by the real-time alarm clock (18) of the present invention. As a result, the processor (12) is relieved of the task of timing events, whether external event, internal events or set by user input. This saves a significant amount of power because the real-time alarm clock (18) consumes much less power than the processor (12) and its associated circuitry. This results in extending the battery life of the device and/or in reducing its overall energy requirements.</p> |
