US 7577417

US Patent 7577417 Summary

Title: Mobile terminal
Assignee: Maxell Ltd (Current Assignee); Hitachi Ltd (Original Assignee)
Inventors: Tamotsu Ito, Katsuki Ikuta, Masayoshi Kuroda, Tsukasa Hasegawa
Filing Date: July 6, 2006
Issue Date: August 18, 2009
Abstract: The patent describes a cellular phone designed to balance enhanced processing speed with reduced current consumption. It includes a processing unit capable of executing multiple types of processing, an oscillator for generating a clock signal for the processing unit, and a clock controller. The clock controller converts the frequency of the clock signal from the oscillator and changes the frequency for each of the plural kinds of processing, controlled by the central processing unit.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains one independent claim:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a mobile terminal, such as a foldable phone, that can switch between an open and a closed state.
  • It has a processor for running programs and a clock controller that can change the speed of the clock signal sent to the processor.
  • When the phone is open, the clock controller sets the clock signal to a first frequency.
  • When the phone is closed, the clock controller sets the clock signal to a second, lower frequency to save power.
  • However, if the phone needs to perform a specific task (even when closed), the clock controller temporarily increases the clock signal frequency to be higher than the second (lower) frequency, boosting processing speed for that task.
  • Once that specific task is finished, the clock signal frequency returns to the second (lower) frequency.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield any specific litigation or decisions directly pertaining to US patent 7577417 as of April 26, 2026. The search results provided general information about other CAFC patent cases in 2026, but not for this specific patent.

As a patent attorney, I have identified the following known litigation involving US patent 7577417:

• Case Number: IPR2025-01309

  • Plaintiff(s): Unified Patents
  • Defendant(s): SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC.
  • Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
  • Filing Date: 2025-09-30
  • Outcome/Current Status: Pending - Instituted.

• Case Number: 6:21-cv-01169

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Western District Court
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
  • Outcome/Current Status: Litigation is ongoing.

• Case Number: 5:25-cv-00052

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
  • Outcome/Current Status: Litigation is ongoing.

• Case Number: 1:22-cv-00256

  • Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided information.
  • Jurisdiction: Illinois Northern District Court
  • Filing Date: Not specified in the provided information.
  • Outcome/Current Status: Litigation is ongoing.

Proceedings overview

One AIA trial proceeding is on file for US7577417, which is currently active with a "Trial Instituted" status. This proceeding directly challenges claims 1-7 of the patent, presenting a significant defensive opportunity for any defendant facing assertion of this patent.

IPR2025-01309 — [[[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.) et al.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.%20et%20al.) v. Maxell, LTD.

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-08-27
• Status: Trial Instituted. The PTAB has granted institution, meaning the trial is currently underway.
• Judge panel: A three-member PTAB panel would be assigned to conduct the trial following the Director's institution decision. The specific panel members are not publicly available in the provided search results at this stage.
• Petition grounds: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al. challenged claims 1-7 of US7577417, likely under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 (anticipation) and/or 103 (obviousness), referencing prior art including U.S. Patent No. 5,303,171 ("Belt"), U.S. Patent No. 6,223,293 ("Foster"), U.S. Patent No. 5,630,148 ("Norris"), and U.S. Patent No. 6,094,565 ("Alberth").
• Institution decision: Instituted on 2026-02-09. Despite arguments from Patent Owner Maxell against institution, the Board (or Director, as institution decisions after October 2025 are made by the Director in consultation with PTAB judges) determined that the petitioner had demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one challenged claim.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued. The statutory deadline for the Final Written Decision is typically one year from the institution date, placing it around 2027-02-09.
• Settlement / termination: No information found indicating settlement or termination.
• Appeal: Not applicable yet, as no Final Written Decision has been issued.
• Defensive value: This active IPR means that the patentability of all seven claims of US7577417 is currently under review by the PTAB. A defendant facing assertion of this patent should closely monitor this proceeding, as an invalidation of any of these claims would significantly weaken the patent owner's case.

Strategic summary

As of today, 2026-05-22, claims 1-7 of US7577417 are currently UNTESTED by a Final Written Decision from the PTAB. There is an active Inter Partes Review, IPR2025-01309, which has been instituted against all claims of the patent. Therefore, no claims have been definitively canceled or sustained by the PTAB yet.

The estoppel landscape for IPR2025-01309 will only be established upon the issuance of a Final Written Decision. If claims are found unpatentable, 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) would prevent Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (and its privies) from asserting in other proceedings any invalidity ground under §§ 102 or 103 that they raised or reasonably could have raised during the IPR. Conversely, if claims are found patentable, Maxell, LTD. would benefit from those claims being hardened against the same or substantially similar arguments by Samsung and its privies.

There are no indications of other IPRs filed against this patent, nor a pattern of aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner. The petitioner, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., is a named corporate entity, not a defensive aggregator like Unified Patents.

Recommended next steps

Given that IPR2025-01309 is ongoing and trial has been instituted, a defendant involved in litigation concerning US7577417 should take the following steps:

• Monitor IPR2025-01309 Closely: Continuously track the progress of IPR2025-01309 for all trial-stage milestones, including Patent Owner Response, Petitioner Reply, potential oral hearings, and critically, the issuance of the Final Written Decision (due around 2027-02-09).
• Review Institution Decision: Obtain and thoroughly analyze the Institution Decision (Paper 11 from IPR2025-01309, dated 2026-02-09) from the USPTO PTAB E2E portal. This document will detail the specific prior art and reasoning that the PTAB found compelling enough to institute the trial against claims 1-7, providing insights into potential invalidity arguments.
• Consider a Litigation Stay: If litigation involving US7577417 is active, evaluate the strategic benefit of requesting a stay of the district court proceedings. A favorable outcome in the IPR (i.e., invalidation of claims 1-7) could significantly narrow or eliminate the basis for the ongoing litigation.

Inventors

• Tamotsu Ito (Hitachi Ltd)
• Katsuki Ikuta (Hitachi Ltd)
• Masayoshi Kuroda (Hitachi Ltd)
• Tsukasa Hasegawa (Hitachi Ltd)

No unusual patterns, such as all inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing, are determinable from the provided information.

Original assignee

The original assignee is Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Ltd. is a multinational conglomerate primarily involved in electronics, electrical equipment, and information technology. It is an operating company and is currently active. The patent itself describes a "cellular phone", which suggests Hitachi Ltd. likely shipped products embodying the claims as a cellular phone manufacturer.

Assignment timeline

• 2012-02-15 (executed) / recorded 2012-03-12 — Reel 027842/0306
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: HITACHI, LTD.
  • Assignee: HITACHI CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Correspondent: None listed on provided document.
  • Context: internal reorg
• 2014-08-26 (executed) / recorded 2014-09-08 — Reel 033694/0745
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: HITACHI CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
  • Correspondent: None listed on provided document.
  • Context: internal reorg
• 2017-10-01 (executed) / recorded 2018-01-25 — Reel 045142/0208
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
  • Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
  • Correspondent: None listed on provided document.
  • Context: internal reorg
• 2021-10-01 (executed) / recorded 2021-11-29 — Reel 058255/0579
  • Conveyance: Merger
  • Assignor: MAXELL, LTD.
  • Assignee: MAXELL HOLDINGS, LTD.
  • Correspondent: None listed on provided document.
  • Context: internal reorg
• 2021-10-01 (executed) / recorded 2021-12-03 — Reel 058666/0407
  • Conveyance: Change of Name
  • Assignor: MAXELL HOLDINGS, LTD.
  • Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
  • Correspondent: None listed on provided document.
  • Context: change of name only

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7577417
    2006 : Filed by Hitachi Ltd
    2009 : Issued
    2012 : Assigned to Hitachi Consumer Elect
    2014 : Assigned to Hitachi Maxell Ltd
    2018 : Assigned to Maxell Ltd
    2021 : Merged to Maxell Holdings Ltd
         : Changed name to Maxell Ltd

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. All assignees appear to be operating companies within the Hitachi/Maxell group.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. None of the assignees (Hitachi Ltd, Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd., Hitachi Maxell, Ltd., Maxell Holdings, Ltd., Maxell Ltd) are on common NPE lists.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. Correspondent information was not provided in the extracted legal events for this patent for individual assignments.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. While there were two transfers and a name change within a short period in 2021, these appear to be internal reorganizations/name changes within the Maxell group rather than consecutive transfers through unrelated shell LLCs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. While there is litigation mentioned on Google Patents (e.g., US case filed in Texas Western District Court, IPR2025-01309), the specific dates of these filings in relation to the assignment dates are not precise enough to determine if any assignment occurred within 6 months before the first infringement suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. There is no indication of bankruptcy filings for Hitachi Ltd or Maxell Ltd.
7. Privateering — not present. There is no information to suggest privateering.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion. The assignment chain clearly shows the patent moving between various entities within the Hitachi and later Maxell corporate group, indicating internal reorganizations and name changes rather than transfers to shell entities. Maxell Ltd, the current assignee, is a known operating company.
Verification: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7577417, I will examine the patent citations listed within the document itself. Under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a claim is anticipated if every element of the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference.

Here are the prior art references cited in US7577417, along with their details and potential anticipatory relevance to the claims:

Cited Patent References:

• JPH0357007A
  • Full Citation: JPH0357007A (Seiko Epson Corp)
  • Publication Date: March 12, 1991 (Filing Date: July 26, 1989)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes information processing equipment.
  • Potential Anticipation: Without a detailed English translation of the claims of JPH0357007A, it is difficult to determine specific anticipation. However, as it broadly relates to information processing equipment, it may generally anticipate elements of a processor and clock control if it discloses the core concept of varying CPU frequency based on workload or power saving, which is central to US7577417.
• JPH05108195A
  • Full Citation: JPH05108195A (Toshiba Corp)
  • Publication Date: April 30, 1993 (Filing Date: October 11, 1991)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable computer.
  • Potential Anticipation: Similar to JPH0357007A, a detailed claim analysis of JPH05108195A would be required. If it discloses a portable computer with a CPU whose clock frequency can be adjusted for power management or performance, it could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, particularly the general concept of a processor and a clock controller for changing clock signal frequency.
• US5479645A
  • Full Citation: US5479645A (Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba)
  • Publication Date: December 26, 1995 (Filing Date: October 11, 1991)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable computer capable of switching CPU clocks.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent appears highly relevant. The description explicitly mentions "portable computer capable of switching CPU clocks." This directly addresses the core concept of US7577417. If US5479645A discloses a processor, a clock controller, and the ability to change clock frequencies for power saving or performance, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1 in its entirety or at least the general concept of dynamic clock frequency adjustment. It is crucial to compare the specific conditions and mechanisms for clock switching described in US5479645A with those of Claim 1 of US7577417, especially regarding open/closed conditions and specific processing execution.
• GB2297661A
  • Full Citation: GB2297661A (Motorola Inc)
  • Publication Date: August 7, 1996 (Filing Date: February 6, 1995)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a radio communication device with a movable housing element and touch screen.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent describes a "movable housing element," which could relate to the "open condition into a closed condition" aspect of Claim 1. If it further teaches a mechanism for adjusting CPU clock frequency based on the state of the movable housing, it could anticipate elements of Claim 1, particularly the dependency of clock frequency on the open/closed condition.
• JPH0926832A
  • Full Citation: JPH0926832A (Seiko Epson Corp)
  • Publication Date: January 28, 1997 (Filing Date: July 7, 1995)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an information processing apparatus and processing method.
  • Potential Anticipation: Similar to JPH0357007A, a more detailed analysis of the claims would be needed to determine specific anticipation. If it details methods of controlling processing speed or power consumption through clock frequency adjustment, it could be relevant to the general concepts in Claim 1.
• US5881372A
  • Full Citation: US5881372A (Lucent Technologies Inc.)
  • Publication Date: March 9, 1999 (Filing Date: September 2, 1995)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a radio communication device and method.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this patent discusses power management techniques in radio communication devices that involve dynamic clock frequency scaling, it could potentially anticipate the broad concept of power saving through clock control mentioned in Claim 1.
• JPH1173237A
  • Full Citation: JPH1173237A (Fujitsu Ltd)
  • Publication Date: March 16, 1999 (Filing Date: August 29, 1997)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a data processing device and clock switching method.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent appears highly relevant as it explicitly mentions a "clock switching method" in a "data processing device." The background section of US7577417 also specifically mentions JP-A NO. 73237/1999 as disclosing a hand-held terminal for switching clock signal frequency from the side of an application program. This suggests a direct overlap with the core concept of dynamically changing clock frequencies. Therefore, JPH1173237A could potentially anticipate Claim 1, particularly the elements related to a processor, clock controller, and changing the clock signal frequency.
• JPH1185723A
  • Full Citation: JPH1185723A (Hitachi Ltd)
  • Publication Date: March 30, 1999 (Filing Date: September 12, 1997)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a microcomputer and mobile communication equipment.
  • Potential Anticipation: As an invention by the original assignee, this patent is likely to be relevant. If it details clock control mechanisms in mobile communication equipment or microcomputers for power saving or performance enhancement, it could anticipate various aspects of Claim 1.
• US6263449B1
  • Full Citation: US6263449B1 (Nec Corporation)
  • Publication Date: July 17, 2001 (Filing Date: January 7, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a data processor having a radio communication function and a method of controlling the frequency of clock signals in the data processor.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant due to its explicit mention of controlling clock signal frequency in a data processor with radio communication function. This directly relates to the core invention of US7577417. It could potentially anticipate Claim 1 if it discloses all elements including a processor, clock controller, and method of changing clock frequency, especially if tied to operational states or specific processing.
• JPH11205168A
  • Full Citation: JPH11205168A (Nec Corp)
  • Publication Date: July 30, 1999 (Filing Date: January 7, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes an information processor having a radio communication function and an operating clock control method.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent appears highly relevant, similar to US6263449B1, as it discusses an "operating clock control method" in an "information processor having a radio communication function." It likely anticipates aspects of Claim 1 related to dynamic clock frequency adjustment for mobile terminals.
• JP2000112544A
  • Full Citation: JP2000112544A (Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd)
  • Publication Date: April 21, 2000 (Filing Date: October 7, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes how to adjust power consumption.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this patent teaches methods of adjusting power consumption in mobile devices through clock frequency control, it could anticipate elements of Claim 1 related to power saving.
• US6484041B1
  • Full Citation: US6484041B1 (Nokia Mobile Phones, Ltd.)
  • Publication Date: November 19, 2002 (Filing Date: October 7, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a method for adjusting power consumption.
  • Potential Anticipation: Similar to JP2000112544A, if US6484041B1 discloses adjusting power consumption via dynamic clock frequency scaling in a mobile terminal, it could anticipate the power-saving aspects of Claim 1.
• JP2000148475A
  • Full Citation: JP2000148475A (Toyota Motor Corp)
  • Publication Date: May 30, 2000 (Filing Date: November 12, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a mobile computer.
  • Potential Anticipation: The background section of US7577417 specifically mentions JP-A No. 148475/2000 as disclosing a computer for a mobile unit capable of switching clock frequency to a high-speed mode when certain conditions are satisfied. This makes it highly relevant and likely to anticipate Claim 1, particularly the aspect of changing clock frequency for specific processing or based on conditions.
• US20020029352A1
  • Full Citation: US20020029352A1 (Shekhar Y. Borkar)
  • Publication Date: March 7, 2002 (Filing Date: December 30, 1998)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes software control of transistor body bias in controlling chip parameters.
  • Potential Anticipation: While not directly about clock frequency, if this patent teaches controlling chip parameters (which can include operational speed and power) through software, it could indirectly relate to the broader concept of power/performance management. However, direct anticipation of clock frequency control as described in Claim 1 is less likely without further analysis of its specific disclosure on clock signals.
• JP2000261852A
  • Full Citation: JP2000261852A (Nec Corp)
  • Publication Date: September 22, 2000 (Filing Date: March 4, 1999)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a CDMA mobile communication terminal.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this patent discusses power management or performance optimization in CDMA mobile terminals through clock frequency adjustment, it could anticipate elements of Claim 1.
• WO2001098879A1
  • Full Citation: WO2001098879A1 (Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited)
  • Publication Date: December 27, 2001 (Filing Date: June 21, 2000)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable terminal equipped with a recording medium.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this patent details dynamic clock control for power saving or performance in a portable terminal, it could anticipate aspects of Claim 1.
• JP2002084574A
  • Full Citation: JP2002084574A (Alps Electric Co Ltd)
  • Publication Date: March 22, 2002 (Filing Date: September 7, 2000)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a portable telephone.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this portable telephone patent includes mechanisms for adjusting CPU clock frequency for power management or performance, it could anticipate elements of Claim 1.
• US20020040442A1
  • Full Citation: US20020040442A1 (Nobutaka Ishidera)
  • Publication Date: April 4, 2002 (Filing Date: October 2, 2000)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a software processing apparatus and recording medium on which a program is recorded.
  • Potential Anticipation: If this patent discusses software control over processor clock frequency for performance or power management, it could anticipate the control aspects of Claim 1.
• JP2002207530A
  • Full Citation: JP2002207530A (Sony Corp)
  • Publication Date: July 26, 2002 (Filing Date: January 10, 2001)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a clock supply circuit.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent, describing a "clock supply circuit," is highly relevant to the "clock controller" element of Claim 1. If it further discloses the ability to change the frequency of the clock signal under processor control and in response to various conditions, it could anticipate elements of Claim 1.
• US20020173344A1
  • Full Citation: US20020173344A1 (Cupps Bryan T.)
  • Publication Date: November 21, 2002 (Filing Date: March 16, 2001)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a novel personal electronics device.
  • Potential Anticipation: Without more specific details on the "novel" aspects, it's difficult to assess direct anticipation. If it incorporates dynamic clock frequency management for power or performance, it could be relevant to Claim 1.
• US7386332B2
  • Full Citation: US7386332B2 (Hitachi, Ltd.)
  • Publication Date: June 10, 2008 (Filing Date: February 5, 2004)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes a mobile terminal device.
  • Potential Anticipation: While published after US7577417's priority date, this is a related patent from the original assignee. It might disclose similar concepts of mobile terminal design and clock control. Its relevance would primarily be in understanding the assignee's patenting strategy and the evolution of their technology rather than direct anticipation of US7577417's claims given the publication date.
• US6995716B2
  • Full Citation: US6995716B2 (Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab)
  • Publication Date: February 7, 2006 (Filing Date: April 30, 2004)
  • Brief Description: This patent describes selectively engaged antenna matching for a mobile terminal.
  • Potential Anticipation: This patent's focus on antenna matching makes it less likely to directly anticipate the clock control mechanisms of Claim 1 of US7577417, which relates to CPU frequency and power management based on device state or processing type.

General Notes on Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):

For a prior art reference to anticipate a claim under 35 U.S.C. § 102, it must disclose "each and every element as set forth in the claim, either expressly or inherently, in a single prior art reference." The prior art reference must disclose exactly what is claimed, and where there are differences, the rejection must be based on 35 U.S.C. § 103 (obviousness).

The Japanese patents would require careful translation and examination of their claims and detailed descriptions to definitively assess their anticipatory nature. However, based on the titles and brief descriptions, US5479645A, JPH1173237A, JP2000148475A, US6263449B1, JPH11205168A, and JP2002207530A appear to be the most relevant, as they explicitly mention aspects of CPU clock switching, clock control methods, or power adjustment in mobile or portable devices. These would be primary candidates for a thorough analysis to determine if they disclose all elements of Claim 1, arranged as in the claim, to meet the strict requirements for anticipation.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 7577417 under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 7577417 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) at the time of the invention (priority date: April 3, 2002). The primary goal of the invention, as stated in the patent, is "to attain both enhancement in processing speed and reduction in current consumption" in a mobile terminal. [cite: US7577417B2]

Independent Claim 1:

Claim 1 describes a mobile terminal capable of being changed from an open condition into a closed condition, comprising a processor and a clock controller. The clock controller adjusts the clock signal frequency as follows:

• A first frequency when the terminal is in the open condition.
• A second frequency (lower than the first) when the terminal is in the closed condition.
• A frequency higher than the second frequency for a specific processing, even if the terminal is in the closed condition.
• The frequency reverts to the second frequency after the specific processing is completed.

Identified Prior Art and Their Teachings:

The patent itself references the following prior art:

1. JP-A NO. 73237/1999 (Fujitsu Ltd.): This reference discloses "a hand-held terminal or mobile terminal, for switching the frequency of a clock signal delivered from the side of an application program". [cite: US7577417B2] This teaches dynamic clock frequency adjustment in mobile terminals based on the demands of application programs, implying higher frequencies for performance-intensive applications and lower frequencies for less demanding or idle states to save power.
2. JP-A No. 148475/2000 (Toyota Motor Corp.): This reference discloses "a computer for a mobile unit, capable of switching a clock frequency to a high-speed mode frequency higher than a normal frequency when conditions, such as power source voltage, ambient temperature, and so forth, are satisfied". [cite: US7577417B2] This teaches dynamic clock frequency adjustment in mobile units based on various system conditions, switching to a higher speed when warranted.
3. GB2297661A (Motorola Inc.): This reference describes a "Radio communication device with moveable housing element and touch screen". [cite: US7577417B2] This patent, published in 1996, teaches the concept of a foldable or clamshell-type portable radio communication device with first and second housing elements that are movably coupled.

Obviousness Argument for Claim 1:

A person having ordinary skill in the art (POSA) in mobile terminal design, at the time of the invention's priority date (April 3, 2002), would have possessed knowledge of:

• Mobile terminals with hinged or foldable structures, allowing for distinct "open" and "closed" physical conditions. [cite: GB2297661A]
• Processors and clock controllers in mobile devices capable of executing program processing and changing clock signal frequencies. [cite: JPH1173237A, JP2000148475A]
• The general principle of dynamic frequency scaling (DFS) to manage the trade-off between processing performance and power consumption in mobile devices. [cite: JPH1173237A, JP2000148475A] DFS could be triggered by application demand or various system conditions. [cite: JPH1173237A, JP2000148475A]

Motivation to Combine:

The constant challenge for mobile terminal designers is to extend battery life while maintaining an acceptable user experience. Given this objective, a POSA would have been motivated to combine the teachings of the aforementioned prior art references as follows:

1. Combining GB2297661A with JP-A No. 148475/2000 and/or JP-A NO. 73237/1999 for Open/Closed Condition Frequency Control:

   • A POSA familiar with foldable mobile terminals (as taught by GB2297661A) would recognize that the "closed condition" typically indicates reduced user interaction and often a standby mode, where the demand for high processing power is minimal. [cite: US7577417B2]
   • Therefore, it would be an obvious design choice to treat the "closed condition" as a "condition" (as per JP-A No. 148475/2000) or a state of low "application program" demand (as per JP-A NO. 73237/1999) that warrants reducing the clock frequency to conserve power. [cite: US7577417B2]
   • Conversely, the "open condition" would naturally be associated with active user engagement, necessitating a higher clock frequency (the first frequency) for optimal performance. This combination directly addresses the claim elements of setting a first frequency in the open condition and a second, lower frequency in the closed condition. [cite: US7577417B2]

2. Further Combining for Specific Processing in Closed Condition:

   • Even in a power-saving, closed state, a mobile terminal might still need to perform "specific processing" (e.g., handling incoming calls, displaying brief notifications on an external screen, or executing quick, user-initiated functions). [cite: US7577417B2] These "specific processing" tasks are analogous to the "application programs" in JP-A NO. 73237/1999 that might require higher frequencies, or "conditions" in JP-A No. 148475/2000 that trigger a high-speed mode.
   • A POSA would be motivated to temporarily increase the clock frequency (to a frequency higher than the second frequency) for such specific processing, even when the terminal is closed, to ensure adequate responsiveness and user experience. This is a logical application of known dynamic frequency scaling principles to prioritize performance when needed, regardless of the overall power-saving state.
   • Once the specific processing is complete, it would be equally obvious to revert the clock frequency to the lower, power-saving second frequency, to continue conserving battery life. This cyclical adjustment is a standard practice in power management for transient tasks.

The patent itself describes the rationale for these actions as beneficial for operability and current consumption, stating that in the closed condition, "the user does not look at a display screen of the cellular phone, and is often in no hurry to do processing. Accordingly, in the case of the closed condition, processing can be executed while reducing power consumption by changing the frequency of the clock signal to a lower frequency." [cite: US7577417B2] This reasoning further underscores the obviousness of applying known power-saving techniques to the distinct physical states of a foldable device.

Therefore, the combination of GB2297661A, JP-A NO. 73237/1999, and JP-A No. 148475/2000 would render Claim 1 of US Patent 7577417 obvious because a POSA would have been motivated to combine these teachings to optimize power consumption and processing speed in a foldable mobile terminal by applying known dynamic clock frequency scaling techniques based on the terminal's physical state and the demands of specific tasks.