Method and apparatus for periodic low power data exchange

摘要

A computer system user programs a periodic interval into a computer system and subsequently places the computer system into a sleep mode. A wakeup alarm is triggered in the computer system according to the periodic interval, and, in response, the computer system automatically exits the sleep mode and enters a wake mode. The computer system then automatically exchanges data, such as email, with a host and returns to the sleep mode. The operating system that may be booted on, the computer system in response to the wakeup alarm may be a smaller, lower-power operating system than the operating system the user uses to program the periodic interval.