Appeal No. 1999-1796
Application 08/705,149
refresh signals" (specification, p. 9, line 8). One type of
signal that may be analyzed and acted upon by controller 170
or transmitted through controller 170 to conductors connected
to a remote testing device is "bits from refresh counter 166"
(specification, p. 13, lines 1-3 & 4). The refresh address
test circuit 30 in Kang receives and analyzes (monitors) bits
from refresh address counter 24 and outputs the result of this
analysis on the address test signal line to data output buffer
28 for output to an external device. The refresh address test
circuit 30 in Kang does not "control" internal refresh
operations. In analyzing the claims, we keep in mind that
Kang monitors internal signals, but does not perform any
control, and look for such distinguishing language in the
claims.
Claim 30
We do not agree with most of the Examiner's reading of
claim 30 onto Kang. We agree that control signal generator 20
could be the claimed "interface allowing connection with an
external device." The Examiner finds "self refresh circuitry"
to read on "R&A&S&, C&A&S&, W& generating circuitry, 22, 24" (EA4,
three places) and "preliminary refresh circuitry" to be "R&A&S&,
- 6 -
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007