Appeal 2007-1754
Application 09/943,599
pair) – the result of an independent process utilizing TCODES 0010 and
0111.
Nor do we find Mann’s counter functionality as anticipating
independent claim 1. As we indicated previously, Mann’s counter counts
each trace record that lacks address information (i.e., records with
TCODE=0001). The counter is initially loaded to a value contained in the
TSYNC register. For each trace entry having address information, the
counter is reloaded with this TSYNC register value. However, for each
trace record that lacks address information, the counter is decremented by
one. If the counter reaches zero, a trace entry is automatically provided that
includes the current program address (e.g., the most recent retired
instruction) along with TCODE=0110 (Trace Synchronization) (Mann, col.
16, ll. 3-55; Fig. 7).
Although each occurrence of trace records without address
information (e.g., conditional branches) results in a counter value that is
“offset” with respect to the TSYNC register value, such an offset does not
correspond to an offset from the synchronization marker, as claimed. The
inserted program address (i.e., having a TCODE=0110) is unaffected by this
offset. Rather, such an offset merely dictates when to provide a trace entry
with current address information.
For the foregoing reasons, we find that Miller does not disclose all
limitations of independent claim 1. Accordingly, we will not sustain the
Examiner’s rejection of that claim or dependent claims 4 and 5.
7
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013