Author: claimsbot

1. A method for saving power in a microprocessor having at least one functional unit having a plurality of blocks each including a plurality of sub-blocks, the method comprising the steps of:
determining whether there is any instruction for the at least one functional unit;
upon a determination that there is no instruction for the at least one functional unit, shutting down the at least one functional unit; and
upon a determination that there is at least one instruction for the at least one functional unit, wherein the at least one functional unit has at least one inactive block and at least one active block, shutting down the at least one inactive block based on the at least one instruction.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, for the at least one active block, wherein the at least one active block has at least one inactive sub-block, shutting down the at least one inactive sub-block based on the at least one instruction.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one inactive block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one inactive sub-block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional unit is a floating-point unit (FPU).
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one active block is an adder block.
7. An apparatus for saving power in a microprocessor having at least one functional unit having a plurality of blocks each including a plurality of sub-blocks, the apparatus comprising:
means for determining whether there is any instruction for the at least one functional unit;
means for, upon a determination that there is no instruction for the at least one functional unit, shutting down the at least one functional unit; and
means for, upon a determination that there is at least one instruction for the at least one functional unit, wherein the at least one functional unit has at least one inactive block and at least one active block, shutting down the at least one inactive block based on the at least one instruction.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for, for the at least one active block, wherein the at least one active block has at least one inactive sub-block, shutting down the at least one inactive sub-block based on the at least one instruction.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one inactive block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one inactive sub-block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the functional unit is a floating-point unit (FPU).
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one active block is an adder block.
13. A computer program product for saving power in a microprocessor having at least one functional unit having a plurality of blocks each including a plurality of sub-blocks, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:
computer program code for determining whether there is any instruction for the at least one functional unit;
computer program code for, upon a determination that there is no instruction for the at least one functional unit, shutting down the at least one functional unit; and
computer program code for, upon a determination that there is at least one instruction for the at least one functional unit, wherein the at least one functional unit has at least one inactive block and at least one active block, shutting down the at least one inactive block based on the at least one instruction.
14. The computer program product of claim 13, the computer program further comprising computer program code for, for the at least one active block, wherein the at least one active block has at least one inactive sub-block, shutting down the at least one inactive sub-block based on the at least one instruction.
15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the at least one inactive block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the at least one inactive sub-block is shut down based on both the at least one instruction and one or more operands used to execute the at least one instruction.
17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the functional unit is a floating-point unit (FPU).
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the at least one active block is an adder block.
19. In a microprocessor, an apparatus for saving power consumed in a functional unit of the microprocessor, the functional unit having a plurality of cycles, the apparatus comprising:
a control logic circuit coupled to the functional unit, the control logic being configured for receiving one or more instructions and operands to be executed in the functional unit and for shutting down one or more inactive portions of the functional unit, the one or more inactive portions being determined based on the one or more instructions and the associated operands; and
a sequencer circuit coupled to the control logic and to the functional unit, the sequencer circuit being configured for detecting which cycle in an active portion of the functional unit the operands are currently in and for shutting down any inactive cycles in the active portions of the functional unit.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the functional unit is a floating-point unit (FPU).
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of cycles is gated by one of a plurality of latches, and wherein the sequencer circuit is coupled to the plurality of latches for controlling the latches.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a lookup table coupled to the control logic circuit, wherein the lookup table contains information on signals that control clock gating of the functional unit based on the instructions and the operands.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Packaging to contain a flat disc on a panel, the packaging comprising,
a plastic, molded, disc retaining tray, the tray being mounted on the panel, the tray comprising,
(a) a disc retainer to retain the disc on a surface of the tray, and
(b) at least one extension from an edge of the tray surface, the extension being attached to the tray surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
2. The packaging of claim 1 in which the tray comprises a peripheral wall extending transverse to the tray surface, said peripheral wall comprising said second lock element.
3. The packaging of claim 1 in which said extension is one member of a pair of extensions, the members of the pair extending from opposite edges of the tray surface, each member of said pair of said extensions comprising a said first lock element, and each member of said pair being attached to the surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position generally in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
4. The packaging of claim 1 in which the tray comprises at least two peripheral walls, each peripheral wall extending transverse to the tray surface adjacent opposite edges of the panel, each of said peripheral walls comprising one of said tray lock elements, the tray further comprising at least one pair of said at least one extension, the members of the pair extending from opposite edges of the tray surface, each of said extensions being attached to the surface by a severable connection which breaks when the extension is folded from an initial position generally in which the extension extends generally away from the tray surface to a locking position in which the extension: i) extends transverse to the tray surface; ii) envelopes an edge of the panel to engage the tray in place over the panel and iii) comprises a first lock element that engages a second, co-operating lock element attached to the tray surface, to lock the extension in place in the locking position.
5. The packaging of claim 3 or claim 4 in which at least one member of said pair of extensions includes a lip that engages an edge of the panel holding it in place.
6. The packaging of claim 1 in which one of said locking elements comprises a lug that mates with the other of said locking elements, the other of said locking elements comprising a recess to receive said lug.
7. The packaging of claim 6 in which the lug is said second locking element attached to said tray surface.
8. The packaging of claim 1 in which one of said locking elements comprises a spring clip that resiliently mates with the other of said locking elements, the other of said locking elements being a recess sized to receive said spring clip.
9. The packaging of claim 6 in which said spring clip comprises a pair of resilient prongs.
10. The packaging of claim 1 in which said tray comprises a plastic material that is substantially clear.
11. The packaging of claim 1 or claim 9 in which said tray is crystal styrene polymer.
12. A method of assembling the packaging of claim 1 comprising assembling said tray to said panel by
(a) positioning said tray over said panel; and
(b) moving said extension from said initial position to said locking position.

1. A method of activating a proximity switch assembly comprising:
generating activation fields with a plurality of proximity sensors associated with a plurality of proximity switches;
monitoring amplitude of a signal generated in response to each of the activation fields;
subtracting the smallest signal from each of the other signals; and
determining activation of one of the plurality of proximity switches based on the subtracted signals.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors comprises at least three proximity sensors associated with at least three respective proximity switches.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors are associated with a first group of proximity switches, and wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a second group of proximity switches, wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the first group of proximity switches are subtracted from other signals of the first group of proximity switches.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining activation of one of the plurality of proximity switches based on the subtracted signals comprises determining activation of the proximity switch having the largest signal based on one or more threshold values.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors are weighted based on a proximity switch interface pad configuration.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity switch assembly is installed on a vehicle for use by a passenger in the vehicle.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity switch comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.
8. A proximity switch assembly comprising:
a plurality of proximity switches each comprising a proximity sensor for providing a sense activation field; and
control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, said control circuitry monitoring amplitude of a signal generated in response to each of the activation fields, subtracting the smallest signal from each of the other signals, and determining activation of one of the plurality of proximity switches based on the subtracted signals.
9. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of proximity switches comprises at least three proximity switches each having at least one proximity sensor.
10. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of proximity switches includes a first group of proximity switches and a second group of proximity switches, wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the first group of proximity switches are subtracted from the other signals of the first group of proximity switches.
11. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry further determines the largest signal and determines activation of one of the plurality of proximity switches based on the smallest signal subtracted from the largest signal.
12. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of proximity sensors are weighted based on a proximity switch interface pad configuration.
13. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the proximity switch assembly is installed on a vehicle for use by a passenger in the vehicle.
14. The proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the proximity switch comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors.
15. A method of suppressing noise for a plurality of proximity sensors, comprising:
generating activation fields with the plurality of proximity sensors;
monitoring amplitude of a signal generated in response to each of the activation fields;
subtracting the smallest signal from each of the other signals; and
determining activation of one of the plurality of proximity sensors based on the subtracted signal.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors are associated with a first group and a second group, wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the first group of proximity sensors are subtracted from other signals of the first group of proximity sensors, and wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the second group of proximity sensors are subtracted from other signals of the second group of proximity sensors.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the proximity sensors are installed on a vehicle for use by a passenger in a vehicle.
18. A proximity sensor assembly comprising:
a plurality of proximity sensors each providing a sensed activation field;
control circuitry for processing the activation field of each proximity sensor to sense activation, said control circuitry monitoring amplitude of a signal generated in response to each of the activation fields, subtracting the smallest signal from each of the other signals, and determining activation of one of the plurality of proximity sensors based on the subtracted signals.
19. The proximity sensor assembly of claim 18, wherein the plurality of proximity sensors are associated with a first group and a second group, wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the first group of proximity sensors are subtracted from other signals of the first group of proximity sensors, and wherein the smallest signal from each of the other signals of the second group of proximity sensors are subtracted from other signals of the second group of proximity sensors.
20. The proximity sensor assembly of claim 18, wherein the proximity sensors are installed on a vehicle for use by a passenger in a vehicle.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A gradient optical film comprising:
a binder;
a plurality of elongated particles; and
a plurality of interconnected voids, wherein a local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film, and wherein
a first local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids proximate a first surface of the gradient optical film is greater than a second local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids proximate an opposing surface of the gradient optical film, and wherein the gradient optical film consists of a single layer with a thickness of not less than 2 microns.
2. The gradient optical film of claim 1, wherein the local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids comprises a minimum local volume fraction or a maximum local volume fraction, along the thickness of the gradient optical film.
3. The gradient optical film of claim 1, wherein the second volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids is less than 50% of the first volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
4. The gradient optical film of claim 1, wherein the second volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids is less than 20% of the first volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
5. The gradient optical film of claim 1, wherein the gradient optical film has a bulk volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids that is not less than about 20%, a thickness of the gradient optical film is not less than about 2.5 micron, and an optical haze of the gradient optical film is not greater than about 10%.
6. An optical construction comprising:
an optical diffuser layer having an optical haze that is not less than about 30%; the gradient optical film of claim 1 disposed on the optical diffuser layer; and a reflective polarizer layer disposed on the gradient optical film, wherein
substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other.
7. The optical construction of claim 6, wherein the gradient optical film is laminated to at least one of the reflective polarizer layer and the optical diffuser layer via an optical adhesive layer.
8. The optical construction of claim 6, wherein the gradient optical film is coated on at least one of the reflective polarizer layer and the optical diffuser layer.
9. A gradient optical film, comprising:
a plurality of elongated particles; and
a plurality of interconnected voids, wherein a local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film, and wherein
the gradient optical film has a first index of refraction proximate a first surface of the gradient optical film that is lower than a second index of refraction proximate an opposing surface of the gradient optical film, wherein the first index of refraction is not greater than about 1.3, and wherein the gradient optical film consists of a single layer with a thickness of not less than 2 microns.
10. The gradient optical film of claim 9, wherein the local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids comprises a minimum local volume fraction or a maximum local volume fraction, along the thickness of the gradient optical film.
11. The gradient optical film of claim 9, wherein the second volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids is less than 50% of the first volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
12. The gradient optical film of claim 9, wherein the second volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids is less than 20% of the first volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
13. The gradient optical film of claim 9, wherein the second volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids is less than 10% of the first volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.
14. An optical construction, comprising:
a structured surface comprising a plurality of structures; and
a gradient optical film coated on and substantially planarizing the structured surface, the gradient optical film comprising:
a plurality of interconnected voids, wherein a local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film, and wherein
a first local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids proximate the plurality of structures is greater than a second local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids proximate an opposing surface of the gradient optical film, and wherein the gradient optical film consists of a single layer with a thickness of not less than 2 microns.
15. The optical construction of claim 14, wherein the gradient optical film further comprises an index proximate the plurality of structures that is not greater than about 1.3.
16. The optical construction of claim 14, wherein the gradient optical film further comprises an optical haze that is not greater than about 10%.