Appeal No. 1997-3792
Application No. 08/321,334
requirements of the program being executed (col. 3, lines 50-
54). Specifically, a logic unit evaluates (e.g., decodes or
monitors) the machine code during execution, and based on
utilization information provided by the compiler, determines
at each step in the execution of the computer program which
functional units are needed for execution, and therefore
should be turned on or off (col. 4, lines 14-20). When the
functional units are CMOS circuits, which consume no power
when they are not changing state (col. 4, lines 63-64), a
functional unit can be turned off by (1) stopping application
of the clock signal to the functional unit or (2) stopping the
inputs of the functional unit from being changed (col. 4,
lines 53-58). Coupling/decoupling of a power supply bus is
also envisioned by adding controllable power switches between
the supply voltage V and the functional units (col. 7, lines
DD
34-35). Assuming for the sake of argument that Lin discloses
turning off a given functional unit by disconnecting both its
power supply voltage and its clock signal (which can be
considered to be changing the clock frequency to zero), the
power supply voltage is not being turned off in accordance
with (i.e., in response to) the operating frequency, as
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