PATENT
`Docket No.: 101459
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`In re Patent Application of:
`CustomerNo.:
`23696
`Nitin GUPTA
`
`Application No.: 13/052,516
`
`Art Unit:
`
`2116
`
`
`
`Filed:|March 21, 2011 Conf. No.: 6620
`
`
`
`For: DIRECT SCATTER LOADING OF||Examiner: Abdelmoniem I. ELAMIN
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTABLE SOFTWARE
`IMAGE FROM A PRIMARY
`PROCESSOR TO ONE OR MORE
`SECONDARY PROCESSORIN A
`MULTI-PROCESSOR SYSTEM
`
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`Commissionerfor Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`DearSir:
`
`REPLY UNDER37 C.F.R. 1.111
`
`In response to the Office Action dated July 19, 2013, reconsideration and further
`
`examination of the above-identified application are respectfully requested based on the
`
`following:
`
`Amendments to the Claimsare reflected in the listing of claims, which begin on page 2
`
`of this paper.
`
`Remarks begin on page8 ofthis paper.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`INTEL 1 005
`
`INTEL 1005
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`Amendments to the Claims:
`
`Thislisting of claims will replace all prior versions, andlistings, of claimsin the
`application:
`
`Listing of Claims:
`
`1.
`
`(Currently Amended) A multi-processor system comprising:
`
`a secondary processor comprising:
`
`system memory and a hardware buffer for receiving an image header and at least
`
`one data segment ateteast a-pertien of an executable software image, the image header
`
`and each data segment being received separately, and
`
`the-secondary-precesser-comprising a scatter loader controller ferteading
`
`configured:
`
`to load the image header; and
`
`to scatter load each received data segment executable-seftwareimage,
`
`based at least in part on the loaded image header, directly from the hardware
`
`buffer to the system memory;
`
`a primary processor coupled with a memory, the memory storing the executable software
`
`image for the secondary processor; and
`
`an interface communicatively coupling the primary processor and the secondary
`
`processor via which the executable software image is received by the secondary processor.
`
`2.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1 in whichthe scatter loader
`
`controller is configured to load the executable software image directly from the hardware buffer
`
`to the system memory of the secondary processor without copying data between system memory
`
`locations on the secondary processor.
`
`3.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1 in which raw image data of the
`
`executable software image is received by the secondary processorvia the interface.
`
`4,
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`3
`
`(Currently Amended) The multi-processor system of claim [[4]] 1.in which the
`
`secondary processor is configured to-recetvethe+mageheaderand process the image headerto
`
`determineat least one location within the system memory to store the at least one data segment.
`
`6.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 5 in which the secondary
`
`processoris configured to determine, based on the received image header, the at least one
`
`location within the system memory to store the at least one data segment before receiving the at
`
`least one data segment.
`
`Vs
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1, in which the secondary
`
`processor further comprises a non-volatile memory storing a boot loaderthat initiates transfer of
`
`the executable software image for the secondary processor.
`
`8.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1 in which the primary and
`
`secondary processorsare located on different chips.
`
`9.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1 in whichthe portion of the
`
`executable software image is loaded into the system memory of the secondary processor without
`
`an entire executable software image being stored in the hardware buffer.
`
`10.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 1 integrated into at least one of a
`
`mobile phone, a set top box, a music player, a video player, an entertainmentunit, a navigation
`
`device, a computer, a hand-held personal communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data
`
`unit, and a fixed location data unit.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`11.
`
`(Currently Amended) A method comprising:
`
`receiving at a secondary processor, from a primary processor via an inter-chip
`
`communication bus, an image header for an executable software image for the secondary
`
`processorthat is stored in memory coupled to the primary processor, the executable software
`
`image comprising the image headerandat least one data segment, the image header and each
`
`data segment being received separately;
`
`processing, by the secondary processor, the image header to determineat least one
`
`location within system memory to which the secondary processoris coupled to store the-atteast
`
`ene cachdata segment;
`
`receiving at the secondary processor, from the primary processorvia the inter-chip
`
`communication bus, the-atteastene cachdata segment; and
`
`scatterloading, by the secondary processor, the-atleasterne eachdata segmentdirectly to
`
`the determinedat least one location within the system memory, and each data segment being
`
`scatter loaded based at least in part on the processed image header.
`
`12.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 11 further comprising booting the secondary
`
`processorusing the executable software image.
`
`13.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 11 further comprising loading the executable
`
`software imagedirectly from a hardware buffer to the system memory of the secondary
`
`processor without copying data between system memory locations.
`
`14.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 11 in which the processing occurs prior to the
`
`loading.
`
`15.|(Original) The method of claim 11 in which the primary and secondary processors
`
`are located on different chips.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`16.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 11 further comprising performing the receiving,
`
`processing, and loading,in at least one of a mobile phone, a set top box, a music player, a video
`
`player, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a computer, a hand-held personal
`
`communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data unit, and a fixed location data unit.
`
`17.
`
`(Currently Amended) An apparatus comprising:
`
`meansfor receiving at a secondary processor, from a primary processor via an inter-chip
`
`communication bus, an image header for an executable software image for the secondary
`
`processorthat is stored in memory coupled to the primary processor, the executable software
`
`image comprising the image headerandat least one data segment, the image header and each
`
`data segment being received separately;
`
`meansfor processing, by the secondary processor, the image header to determineatleast
`
`one location within system memory to which the secondary processor is coupled to store the-at
`
`leastene eachdata segment;
`
`meansfor receiving at the secondary processor, from the primary processorvia the inter-
`
`chip communication bus, the-atteastene eachdata segment; and
`
`meansfor scatter loading, by the secondary processor, the-atteastene eachdata segment
`
`directly to the determinedat least one location within the system memory, and each data segment
`
`being scatter loaded based at least in part on the processed image header.
`
`18.
`
`(Original) The apparatus of claim 17 integrated into at least one of a mobile
`
`phone,a set top box, a music player, a video player, an entertainmentunit, a navigation device, a
`
`computer, a hand-held personal communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data unit, and a
`
`fixed location data unit.
`
`19.
`
`(Currently Amended) A multi-processor system comprising:
`
`a primary processor coupled with a first non-volatile memory,the first non-volatile
`
`memory coupled to the primary processorandstoring a file system for the primary processor and
`
`executable images for the primary processor and secondary processor;
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`a secondary processor coupled with a second non-volatile memory, the second non-
`
`volatile memory coupled to the secondary processor and storing configuration parameters and
`
`file system for the secondary processor; and
`
`an interface communicatively coupling the primary processor and the secondary
`
`processor via which an executable software image is received by the secondary processor, the
`
`executable software image comprising an image header andat least one data segment, the image
`
`header and each data segment being received separately, and the image header being used to
`
`scatter load each received data segment directly to a system memory of the secondary processor.
`
`20)
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 19 integrated into at least one of a
`
`mobile phone, a set top box, a music player, a video player, an entertainment unit, a navigation
`
`device, a computer, a hand-held personal communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data
`
`unit, and a fixed location data unit.
`
`DM
`
`(Currently Amended) A multi-processor system comprising:
`
`a primary processor coupled with a first non-volatile memory,the first non-volatile
`
`memory coupled to the primary processor and storing executable imagesandfile systems for the
`
`primary and secondary processors;
`
`a secondary processornot directly coupled to the first non-volatile memory; and
`
`an interface communicatively coupling the primary processor and the secondary
`
`processor via which an executable software image is received by the secondary processor,the
`
`executable software image comprising an image header andat least one data segment, the image
`
`header and each data segment being received separately, and the image header being used to
`
`scatter load each received data segmentdirectly to a system memory of the secondary processor.
`
`22.
`
`(Original) The multi-processor system of claim 21 integrated into at least one of a
`
`mobile phone, a set top box, a music player, a video player, an entertainment unit, a navigation
`
`device, a computer, a hand-held personal communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data
`
`unit, and a fixed location data unit.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`23.
`
`(Currently Amended) A method comprising:
`
`sending, from a memory coupled to a primary processor, an executable software image
`
`for a secondary processor, via an interface communicatively coupling the primary processor and
`
`secondary processor, the executable software image comprising an image header andat least one
`
`data segment;
`
`receiving, at the secondary processor, the image header and each data segmentof the
`
`executable software image, the image header and each data segment being received separately,
`
`and the image header being used to scatter load each received data segmentdirectly to a system
`
`memory of the secondary processor; and
`
`executing, at the secondary processor, the executable software image.
`
`24.
`
`(Original) The method of claim 23 further comprising performing the sending,
`
`receiving, and executing, in at least one of a mobile phone, a set top box, a music player, a video
`
`player, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a computer, a hand-held personal
`
`communication systems (PCS) unit, a portable data unit, and a fixed location data unit.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`REMARKS
`
`In response to the Office Action mailed July 19, 2013, the Office Action’s claim
`
`rejections have been considered. Claims 1-24 are pending. Claims 1, 5, 11, 17, 19, 21 and 23 are
`
`currently amended. Claim 4 has been cancelled without prejudice or disclaimer of the subject
`
`matter. No new matter is added. Support for the amendments may be foundat least in, for
`
`example, paragraph 52 of the published application (US 2012/0072710). Applicants respectfully
`
`traverseall rejections ofall pending claims and earnestly solicit allowance of these claims.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`Claims 1-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as allegedly being unpatentable over
`
`Svensson (International Publication No. 2006/077068). Claim 4 has been cancelled, thus
`
`rendering the rejection of claim 4 moot.
`
`As amended, claim 1 incorporates elements similar to those recited in original claim 4.
`
`Specifically, claim 1 recites system memory and a hardware buffer for receiving an image header
`
`and at least one data segment of an executable software image, the image header and each data
`
`segment being received separately. Claim 1 further recites a scatter loader controller configured
`
`to load the image header andto scatter load each received data segment, based at least in part on
`
`the loaded image header, directly from the hardware buffer to the system memory.
`
`For claim 4, page 3 of the Office Action states that FIG. 3 of Svensson discloses that the
`
`executable software comprises an image headerandat least one data segment. Applicants
`
`provide the following remarks.
`
`FIG. 3 of Svensson arguably discloses that the software includes a header and a data
`
`segment. Asdisclosed in col. 8 lines 10-19 of Svensson, each code and/or data to be transferred
`
`includes a header.
`
`In contrast to Svensson, claim | recites that the image header and each data segmentare
`
`received separately. Applicants submit that separately receiving the image header and each data
`
`segment, as recited in claim 1, is patentably distinguishable from receiving the data and the
`
`associated header, as disclosed in Svensson. Therefore, because Svensson expressly discloses
`-8-
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`that each code and/or data to be transferred includes a headerandfails to disclose that the image
`
`header and each data segmentare received separately, applicants submit that Svensson cannot
`
`teach or suggest “the image header and each data segment are received separately,” as recited in
`
`claim 1.
`
`Moreover,the cited portions of Svensson disclose that several blocks(e.g., data blocks
`
`with headers) are concatenated in the intermediate storage area (ISA). Specifically, the data
`
`blocks are concatenated in the intermediate storage area prior to being transferred to the memory
`
`(see Svensson, step 220). In contrast, claim | recites that each data segmentis scatter loaded
`
`basedat least in part on the loaded image header. Thatis, the individual data segments of claim
`
`1 are not concatenated with the headerfiles. Rather, the image headerfile is loaded into memory
`
`to scatter load each data segment directly from the hardware buffer to the system memory.
`
`Applicants submit that loading each data segmentdirectly from the hardware buffer to
`
`the system memory,as recited in claim 1, is patentably distinguishable from concatenating the
`
`data blocks and headers in the intermediate storage area and then transferring the concatenated
`
`data to the memory,as recited in Svensson. Thus, because Svensson fails to teach or suggest
`
`scatter loading each data segment directly from the hardware buffer to the system memory,
`
`applicants submit that Svensson cannotteach or suggest “a scatter loader controller configured to
`
`load the image headerandto scatter load each received data segment directly from the hardware
`
`buffer to the system memory,” as recited in claim 1.
`
`Applicants have demonstrated above that Svensson fails to teach or suggest various
`
`elements recited in claim 1. Therefore, claim | is believed to be allowable over the cited
`
`reference. Furthermore, the independent claims 11, 17, 19, 21, and 23 also recite separately
`
`receiving the image header and each data segmentand scatter loading each received data
`
`segmentdirectly from the hardware buffer to the system memory. Therefore, the other rejected
`
`independentclaimsare also believed to be allowable. Finally, dependent claims2, 3, 5-10, 12-
`
`16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 are allowable at least by virtue of their dependenceon an allowable base
`
`claim, in addition to reasonsrelated to their ownrecitations.
`
`15929473v.1
`
`

`

`Docket No. 101459
`
`CONCLUSION
`
`The absence ofa reply to a specific rejection, issue, or comment does not signify
`
`agreement with or concession ofthat rejection, issue, or comment. In addition, because the
`
`arguments above may not be exhaustive, there may be other reasons for patentability of any or
`
`all claims that have not been expressed. Finally, nothing in this paper should be construed as
`
`evidencing intent to concede any issue with regard to any claim, except as specifically stated in
`
`this paper, and the amendmentor cancellation of any claim does not necessarily signify
`
`concession of unpatentability of the claim prior to its amendmentor cancellation.
`
`In light of the amendments and remarks, applicants submit that the claimsare in
`
`condition for allowance and respectfully request a notice to this effect. Should the Examiner
`
`have any questions, please call the undersigned at the phone numberlisted below.
`
`To the extent necessary, a petition for an extension of time under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136 is
`
`submitted. Please charge any shortage in fees due in connection withthefiling of this paper,
`
`including extension of time fees, to Deposit Account 17-0026 and please credit any excess fees
`
`to such deposit account.
`
`Dated: October 17, 2013
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`By:
`
`/Peter Kamarchik/
`Peter Kamarchik, Reg. No. 63,529
`Attorney for Applicants
`QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
`5775 Morehouse Drive
`San Diego, CA 92121
`(919) 297-3170
`Email: pnk@qualcomm.com
`
`15929473v.1
`
`-10-
`
`