Patent 7577417

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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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.

Generated 5/22/2026, 6:47:11 PM