Low power electronic circuit incorporating real time clock
View Patent ↗A power conserving electronic circuit is provided having one or more main electronic devices or components powered by the output of a voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator is powered by a first power input, such as a battery. A real time clock circuit enables the voltage regulator, which, in turn, enables the main devices. The real time clock further provides an enable/disable output to a switch circuit whereby the real time clock circuit is powered by the output of the voltage regulator when the main devices are active and powered from the battery when the main devices are inactive.
1. A power-conserving electrical circuit comprising:
an electrical power source comprising a first power input,
a voltage regulator circuit comprising a voltage regulator input, a voltage regulator output and a voltage regulator enable input,
a real time clock circuit comprising a real time clock power input, a real time clock interface I/O and a real time clock enable output,
a main device having a main device voltage requirement and comprising a main device power input in electrical connection with said voltage regulator output, and further comprising a main device interface I/O in electrical connection with said real time clock circuit I/O,
a switch circuit comprising a first switch input in electrical connection with said first power input and a second switch input in electrical connection with said voltage regulator output, a switch output, and a switch control input for the selective routing of said first power input or said voltage regulator output to said switch output,
said switch output in electrical connection with said real time clock circuit power input, and,
said real time clock circuit enable output in electrical connection with said switch control input and said voltage regulator enable input.
2. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said electrical power source is a battery.
3. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said electrical power source is a capacitor.
4. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said switch circuit is an analog switch.
5. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said switch circuit is a single pole, double throw analog switch.
6. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said main device is a microprocessor.
7. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said main device is a universal serial bus interface device.
8. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said main device is a memory device.
9. The electrical circuit of claim 1 further comprising a capacitor in electrical connection with said switch output.