Author: claimsbot

1. A method of shaping a material layer, comprising:
(a) oxidizing a surface of a material layer to form an oxide layer at an initial rate;
(b) terminating formation of the oxide layer when the oxidation rate is about 90% or below of the initial rate;
(c) removing at least some of the oxide layer by an etching process; and
(d) repeating (a) through (c) until the material layer is formed to a desired shape.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein terminating formation of the oxide layer further comprises:
terminating formation of the oxide layer when the oxidation rate is between about 0% to about 90% of the initial rate.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the material layer comprises polysilicon, silicon, or a metal.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein oxidizing the material layer to form the oxide layer is performed by at least one of wet or dry rapid thermal oxidation, radical oxidation, plasma oxidation, wet or dry chemical oxidation, or photochemical oxidation, and wherein the etch process comprises at least one of wet or dry chemical etch, reactive ion etch, or plasma etch.
5. (canceled)
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a substrate having a tunnel oxide layer, the material layer disposed above the tunnel oxide layer, and a shallow trench isolation region disposed adjacent to the tunnel oxide layer.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the material layer is a floating gate formed into the desired shape having a first width proximate a base of the floating gate that is greater than a second width proximate a top of the floating gate.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein a width of the floating gate decreases non-linearly from the first width to the second width.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the tunnel oxide layer thickens between about 0 to about 2 nanometers during (a) through (d).
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the shallow trench isolation region is further disposed adjacent to the material layer.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the material layer is a floating gate formed into the desired shape having a first width proximate a base of the floating gate that is substantially equivalent to a second width proximate a top of the floating gate.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a height of the floating gate is between about 1 to about 10 nanometers.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the top of the floating gate and a top of the shallow trench isolation region are substantially planar.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
depositing an inter-poly dielectric layer atop the floating gate and the shallow trench isolation region; and
depositing a conductive layer atop the inter-poly dielectric layer.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a substrate having the material layer disposed thereon and having a mask layer disposed atop an upper surface of the material layer.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mask layer comprises at least one of an oxide layer, a nitride layer, a silicide layer, or a silicate layer.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the material layer is formed into the desired shape having a first width proximate a base of the desired shape that is substantially equivalent to a second width proximate a top of the desired shape.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the desired shape has an aspect ratio of between about 0.5 to about 20 nanometers.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first and second width of the desired shape is between about 1 to about 30 nanometers.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein a height of the desired shape is between about 1 to about 30 nanometers.
21. The method of claim 17, further comprising at least one of oxidizing or removing an exposed portion of the substrate during (a) through (d).
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the substrate further comprises a raised portion having the material layer disposed thereon after (a) through (d).
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the raised portion has a width proximate the first and second width of the desired shape of the material layer.
24. The method of claim 17, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of a silicon-containing layer, an oxygen-containing layer, or a non-silicon containing layer.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the material layer comprises silicon.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein removing at least some of the oxide layer by an etching process further comprises:
terminating the etch process when the etch rate is about 90% or below of an initial etch rate.
27-57. (canceled)

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

1-17. cancelled.
18. A bag for a breast pump comprising:
a plurality of walls;
a first closure, said plurality of walls and said first closure being operably connected to each other to form a first compartment; and
a second closure operably connected to at least one of said plurality of walls, wherein said second closure is a flap having an inside surface, said flap being pivotally connected to said at least one of said plurality of walls, wherein said inside surface of said flap has a holding structure thereon for removably holding the breast pump on said flap.
19. The bag of claim 18, wherein one of said plurality of walls is a rear wall, said rear wall being disposed opposite to said second closure, and wherein said holding structure remains separated from said rear wall when said flap is pivoted into a closed position.
20. The bag of claim 19, wherein another one of said plurality of walls is a front wall having a bottom portion and another of said plurality of walls is a bottom wall, wherein said flap is pivotally connected to said bottom portion of said front wall so that said flap opens into a first position that is substantially adjacent to said bottom wall and substantially parallel with said bottom wall, and wherein said holding structure retains said breast pump on said flap so that said breast pump is in an upright orientation when said flap is in said first position.
21. The bag of claim 19, wherein said holding structure is substantially transparent.
22. The bag of claim 19, wherein said holding structure is a mesh netting that is secured to said inside surface of said flap to form a pocket.
23. The bag of claim 22, wherein said mesh netting covers about half of said inside surface of said flap.
24. The bag of claim 19, wherein said second closure is a zipper.
25. The bag of claim 19, wherein another one of said plurality of walls is a front wall, wherein said second closure is a flap pivotally connected to said front wall, and wherein said front wall and said flap are substantially disposed in a common planar section.
26. The bag of claim 19, wherein said holding structure is a hook and loop fastener.
27. A bag system for a breast pump system having a breast pump, one or more breast cups and one or more bottles, the bag system comprising:
an inner bag; and
an outer bag having:
a plurality of walls;
a first closure, said plurality of walls and said first closure being operably connected to form a first compartment; and
a second closure operably connected to at least one of said plurality of walls, wherein said second closure is a flap having an inside surface, said flap being pivotally connected to said at least one of said plurality of walls, wherein said inside surface of said flap has a holding structure thereon for removably holding said breast pump on said flap and wherein said inner bag has a volume with a size and shape for holding at least one of said one or more breast cups or said one or more bottles.
28. The bag system of claim 27, wherein one of said plurality of walls is a rear wall, said rear wall being opposite to said second closure, and wherein said holding structure remains separated from said rear wall when said flap is pivoted into a closed position.
29. The bag system of claim 27, wherein another one of said plurality of walls is a front wall having a bottom portion and another of said plurality of walls is a bottom wall, wherein said flap is pivotally connected to said bottom portion of said front wall so that said flap opens into a first position that is substantially adjacent to said bottom wall and substantially parallel with said bottom wall, and wherein said holding structure retains said breast pump on said flap so that said breast pump is in an upright orientation when said flap is in said first position.
30. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said holding structure is substantially transparent.
31. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said holding structure is a mesh netting that is secured to said inside surface of said flap to form a pocket.
32. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said holding structure is a hook and loop fastener.
33. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said at least one of said plurality of walls is a front wall, wherein said second closure is a flap pivotally connected to said front wall, and wherein said front wall and said flap are substantially disposed in a common planar section.
34. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said inner bag is a plurality of inner bags, and wherein at least one of said plurality of inner bags is thermally insulated.
35. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said first compartment has an inner surface with a fastening member thereon, said fastening member being removably securable to said inner bag to selectively retain said inner bag in said first compartment.
36. The bag system of claim 27, wherein said first compartment has an inner surface with a housing member disposed thereon, said housing member being a mesh netting that is secured to said inner surface to form a pocket.
37. A bag system for a breast pump system having a breast pump, a breast cup and a bottle, the bag system comprising:
an inner bag having a size and shape to allow for storage of said breast cup or said bottle; and
an outer bag having:
a plurality of walls;
a first closure, said plurality of walls and said first closure being operably connected to form a first compartment; and

a second closure operably connected to at least one of said plurality of walls to form a second compartment, wherein said second closure is connected to at least one of said plurality of walls so that said second closure opens into a first position, and wherein said breast pump is in an upright orientation when said second closure is in said first position.

1. A method for selective control of a vehicle operational mode, comprising:
obtaining information regarding a compliance state relative to a given administrative standard defining a predetermined vehicle operation mode of a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area, the compliance state corresponding to a first benefit that accrues based on conformity with the given administrative standard;
identifying a preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage correlated with one or more optional vehicle operational modes, wherein the preferred consequential result is available to a qualified recipient associated with the vehicle; and
making a user-selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operational modes in a manner to attain the preferred consequential result, wherein the implemented vehicle operational mode modifies a conformity status regarding the given administrative standard.
2-32. (canceled)
33. The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining information regarding the compliance state relative to the given administrative standard includes:
obtaining information regarding one or more applicable compliance states andor their respective accrued benefit based on a temporal period of travel subject to the given administrative standard.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising:
obtaining information regarding one or more possible temporal periods of travel having different respective compliance states andor different respective accrued benefits.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein said making a user-selected implementation of the one or more optional vehicle operational modes prevents the vehicle from qualifying with the compliance state applicable during the temporal period of travel subject to the administrative standard.
36. The method of claim 33 further comprising:
forfeiting all or part of the corresponding first benefit, responsive to the modified conformity status arising from the temporal period of travel for the vehicle, wherein the modified conformity status does not prevent attainment of the identified preferred consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
37. The method of claim 33 further comprising:
obtaining information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle traveling during one or more of the following types of temporal periods: seasonal, storm occurrence, weather warning, weather situation, smog alert, time-of-day, night-time, commuter hours, imminent event, ongoing event, traffic congestion, road closure, dangerous road condition, road construction, road repair, travel accident.
38. The method of claim 33 further comprising;
obtaining information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle traveling during the temporal time period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.
39. The method of claim 1 wherein said making the user-selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operation modes includes:
selecting one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to maintain a preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area andor during a temporal travel period that is subject to the given administrative standard.
40. The method of claim 39 further comprising:
obtaining information regarding the one or more possible travel routes or possible travel areas having different respective compliance states andor different respective accrued benefits, wherein said maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm prevents qualifying for the respective compliance state applicable to a chosen travel route or chosen travel area.
41. (canceled)
42. The method of claim 39 further comprising:
forfeiting all or part of the corresponding first benefit due to the modified conformity status that occurs in connection with maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm that includes a safety mode or environmental mode, wherein the modified conformity status caused by the preferable vehicle paradigm does not prevent attainment of the identified preferred consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
43. The method of claim 39 wherein said selecting one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters includes:
enabling implementation in an electriccombustion hybrid vehicle of a preferable battery chargingdischarging paradigm in a manner to attain the consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
44-52. (canceled)
53. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the identified preferred consequential result that includes an actual award or value or advantage based on implementation of one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameter: number of passengers, battery-powered mode, combustion-powered mode, bio-fuel mode, bio-fuel blend mode, natural gas mode, electric power mode, low emission mode, calibrated milespergallon mode, battery-charge mode, battery-discharge mode, low-temperature engine mode, electriccombustion hybrid mode, solely electric power mode, primarily electric power mode, solely fuel combustion mode, primarily fuel combustion mode, safety certification mode. environmental certification mode, emission content, zero emissions, approved catalytic converter, speed-limiter activated, turned-on headlights, safety factor.
54. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of one or more of the following types of actual vehicle battery benefits included as part of the identified preferred consequential result: priority access to battery recharge station, priority battery servicing, reduced cost for battery recharge, free battery renewal service, customized battery recharge, discounted cost for battery replacement, special warranty on new battery purchase, higher quality battery purchase at standard price.
55. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving confirmation for one or more of the following types of actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result:
reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced fuel price, priority fuel purchase, preferred parking location, reduced parking fee, tax credit, traffic lane usage, bridge usage, reduced toll rate, financial rebate, store discount, product discount, membership offer.
56. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which confirmation is received at one or more of the following types of destination: parking lot, road exit, traffic lane entry, traffic lane exit, bridge entry, bridge exit, retail store, service store, event location, event ticket office, transit station.
57. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving certification of the identified preferred consequential result that includes an actual award or value or advantage, which certification is provided by or on behalf of a person or entity associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
58. The method of claim 57 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, which confirmation is encoded on an electronic record associated with the vehicle.
59. The method of claim 57 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, wherein such confirmation is encoded on an electronic record associated with an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the vehicle.
60. The method of claim 57 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, which confirmation is posted to an account record or an electronic card associated with the vehicle.
61. The method of claim 57 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, wherein such confirmation is posted to an account record or an electronic card associated with an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the vehicle.
62. The method of claim 57 further comprising:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage provided by or on behalf of one or more of the following: vehicle manufacturer, vehicle sales entity, governmental entity, environmental entity, insurance company, insurance sales agent, fuel manufacturer, fuel sales entity, vehicle enginecomponent manufacturer, vehicle enginecomponent sales entity, \u201cgreen\u201d product company, \u201cgreen\u201d services company, \u201cgreen\u201d rebate entity.
63. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which certification is received upon arrival at a specified destination associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
64. The method of claim 1 wherein said making the user-selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operation modes includes:
making one or more of the following type of user-initiated control actions: voice command, tactile touching, gesture, hand manipulation, foot manipulation.
65. The method of claim 1 wherein said making the user-selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operation modes includes:
activating one or more of the following types of device: button, lever, dial, switch, keyboard, mouse, pedal, lever, switch.
66. The method of claim 1 wherein said making the user-selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operation modes includes:
causing an over-ride or cancellation of a default vehicle operational mode during travel on the particular route or area andor during travel during a temporal period, which is subject to the given administrative standard.
67. The method of claim 1 further comprising;
communicating a notification of the user-selected implementation of the one or more optional vehicle operational modes, wherein the notification is provided to a person or entity associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
68. The method of claim 67 further comprising:
receiving certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which certification is responsive to the communicated notification.
69. The method of claim 68 wherein said receiving certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
receiving certification via a communication device accessible in the vehicle.
70. The method of claim 68 wherein said receiving certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
receiving certification that delineates a qualified recipient of the actual award or value or advantage.
71. The method of claim 68 wherein said receiving certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
receiving certification that includes a description of the actual award or value or advantage that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
72. The method of claim 1 wherein said making the user selection to implement the one or more optional vehicle operation modes includes:
selecting one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the identified preferred consequential result, wherein such selected vehicle operating parameter also enables conformity with one or more possible compliance states relative to the given administrative standard.
73. The method of claim 72 wherein said selecting one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the identified preferred consequential result includes:
causing a modified conformity status that provides an accrued second benefit of different or lesser value as compared to the accrued first benefit.
74. (canceled)
75. A computer program product comprising computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing the following method for selective control of a vehicle operational mode:
obtaining information regarding a compliance state relative to a given administrative standard defining a predetermined vehicle operation mode of a vehicle traveling via a particular route or area, wherein the compliance state corresponds to a first benefit that accrues based on conformity with the given administrative standard;
identifying a preferred consequential result that includes an award or value or advantage correlated with one or more optional vehicle operation modes, wherein the preferred consequential result is available to a qualified recipient associated with the vehicle; and
implementing a user-selection of the one or more optional vehicle operational modes in a manner to attain the identified preferred consequential result, wherein the implemented vehicle operational mode modifies a conformity status of the given administrative standard.
76-106. (canceled)
107. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information regarding one or more applicable compliance states andor their respective accrued benefit based on a temporal period of travel subject to the given administrative standard.
108. The computer program product of claim 107 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information regarding one or more possible temporal periods of travel having different respective compliance states andor different respective accrued benefits.
109. The computer program product of claim 107 wherein said method feature implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operational mode prevents the vehicle from qualifying with the compliance state applicable during the temporal period of travel subject to the administrative standard.
110. The computer program product of claim 107 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of forfeiting all or part of the corresponding first benefit, due to the modified conformity status arising from the temporal period of travel for the vehicle, wherein the modified conformity status does not prevent attainment of the identified preferred consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
111. The computer program product of claim 107 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle traveling during one or more of the following types of temporal periods: seasonal, storm occurrence, weather warning, weather situation, smog alert, time-of-day, night-time, commuter hours, imminent event, ongoing event, traffic congestion, road closure, dangerous road condition, road construction, road repair, travel accident.
112. The computer program product of claim 107 wherein said method further includes;
obtaining information for the given administrative standard that defines the predetermined vehicle operation mode of the vehicle traveling during the temporal time period that includes a designated high-traffic time period or a designated air quality time period or a designated natural phenomenon time period.
113. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method feature implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operation mode includes:
implementing one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to maintain a preferable vehicle paradigm during all or a portion of travel via the particular route or area andor during a temporal travel period that is subject to the given administrative standard.
114. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information regarding the one or more possible travel routes or possible travel areas having different respective compliance states andor different respective accrued benefits, wherein said maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm prevents qualifying for the respective compliance state applicable to a chosen travel route or chosen travel area.
115. (canceled)
116. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of forfeiting all or part of the corresponding benefit, due to the modified conformity status that occurs in connection with maintaining the preferable vehicle paradigm that includes a safety mode or environmental mode, wherein the modified conformity status caused by the preferable vehicle paradigm does not prevent attainment of the identified preferred consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
117. The computer program product of claim 113 wherein said method feature implementing one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters includes:
enabling implementation in an electriccombustion hybrid vehicle of a preferable battery chargingdischarging paradigm in a manner to attain the consequential result that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
118-126. (canceled)
127. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of confirmation of the identified preferred consequential result that includes an actual award or value or advantage based on implementation of one or more of the following types of configurable vehicle operation parameter number of passengers, battery-powered mode, combustion-powered mode, bio-fuel mode, bio-fuel blend mode, natural gas mode, electric power mode, low emission mode, calibrated milespergallon mode, battery-charge mode, battery-discharge mode, low-temperature engine mode, electriccombustion hybrid mode, solely electric power mode, primarily electric power mode, solely fuel combustion mode, primarily fuel combustion mode, safety certification mode, environmental certification mode, emission content, zero emissions, approved catalytic converter, speed-limiter activated, turned-on headlights safety factor.
128. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of confirmation of one or more of the following types of actual vehicle battery benefits included as part of the identified preferred consequential result: priority access to battery recharge station, priority battery servicing, reduced cost for battery recharge, free battery renewal service, customized battery recharge, discounted cost for battery replacement, special warranty on new battery purchase, higher quality battery purchase at standard price.
129. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of confirmation for one or more of the following types of actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result: reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced fuel price, priority fuel purchase, preferred parking location, reduced parking fee, tax credit, traffic lane usage, bridge usage, reduced toll rate, financial rebate, store discount, product discount, membership offer.
130. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of confirmation of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which confirmation is received at one or more of the following types of destination: parking lot, road exit, traffic lane entry, traffic lane exit, bridge entry, bridge exit, retail store, service store, event location, event ticket office, transit station.
131. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification of the identified preferred consequential result that includes an actual award or value or advantage, which certification is provided by or on behalf of a person or entity associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
132. The computer program product of claim 131 wherein said method further includes:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, which confirmation is encoded on an electronic record associated with the vehicle.
133. The computer program product of claim 131 wherein said method further includes:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, wherein such confirmation is encoded on an electronic record associated with an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the vehicle.
134. The computer program product of claim 131 wherein said method further includes:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, which confirmation is posted to an account record or electronic card associated with the vehicle.
135. The computer program product of claim 131 wherein said method further includes:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage, wherein such confirmation is posted to an account record or electronic card associated with an operator or driver or passenger or owner or lessor or lessee or fleet manager of the vehicle.
136. The computer program product of claim 131 wherein said method further includes:
receiving confirmation of the actual award or value or advantage provided by or on behalf of one or more of the following: vehicle manufacturer, vehicle sales entity, governmental entity, environmental entity, insurance company, insurance sales agent, fuel manufacturer, fuel sales entity, vehicle enginecomponent manufacturer, vehicle enginecomponent sales entity, \u201cgreen\u201d product company, \u201cgreen\u201d services company. \u201cgreen\u201d rebate entity.
137. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which certification is received upon arrival at a specified destination associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
138. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operation mode includes:
implementing one or more of the following type of user-initiated control actions: voice command, tactile touching, gesture, hand manipulation, foot manipulation.
139. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operation mode includes:
implementing the optional vehicle operation mode based on user-activation of one or more of the following types of device: button, lever, dial, switch, keyboard, mouse, pedal, lever, switch.
140. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operation mode includes:
implementing an over-ride or cancellation of a default vehicle operational mode during travel on the particular route or area andor during travel during a temporal period, which is subject to the given administrative standard.
141. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said method further includes;
communicating a notification of the user-selected implementation of the one or more optional vehicle operational modes, wherein the notification is provided to a person or entity associated with the identified preferred consequential result.
142. The computer program product of claim 141 wherein said method further includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification of an actual award or value or advantage included as part of the identified preferred consequential result, which certification is responsive to the communicated notification.
143. The computer program product of claim 142 wherein said obtaining information indicative of certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification via a communication device accessible in the vehicle.
144. The computer program product of claim 142 wherein said obtaining information indicative of certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification that delineates a qualified recipient of the actual award or value or advantage.
145. The computer program product of claim 142 wherein said obtaining information indicative of certification of the actual award or value or advantage includes:
obtaining information indicative of certification that includes a description of the actual award or value or advantage that is different from the corresponding first benefit.
146. The computer program product of claim 75 wherein said implementing the user-selection of the optional vehicle operation mode includes:
implementing one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the identified preferred consequential result, wherein such selected vehicle operating parameter also enables conformity with one or more possible compliance states relative to the given administrative standard.
147. The computer program product of claim 146 wherein said implementing one or more configurable vehicle operating parameters to attain the identified preferred consequential result includes:
causing a modified conformity status that provides an accrued second benefit of different or lesser value as compared to the accrued first benefit.
148. (canceled)

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. An optical crossbar switch comprising a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, an optical transpose system positioned between the input devices and the output devices, and control means for controlling the interconnections between the input devices and the output devices, wherein the optical transpose system has first, second and third stages, the first stage being such as to direct light from the input devices to the second stage, the second stage being such as to re-arrange beams input thereto from the first stage for re-direction to the third stage, and the third stage being such as to direct light input thereto to the output devices, and wherein each of the first, second, and third stages operates as a Fourier transform stage such that the optical transpose system produces at each output device a Fourier transform of a beam at the associated input device.
2. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is configured as a broadcast-and-select switch.
3. A switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control means is constituted by means for electrically gating the input devices.
4. A switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control means is constituted by means for electrically gating the output devices.
5. A switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control means is constituted by means for optically shuttering the input devices.
6. A switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control means is constituted by means for optically shuttering the output devices.
7. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the input devices is constituted by a plurality of light sources, and each of the output devices is constituted by a plurality of light sinks.
8. A switch as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switch is configured as a route-and-select switch.
9. A switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the route-and-select switch is configured using transmission geometry.
10. A switch as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first stage is constituted by a plurality of first mesolenses, there being one first mesolens associated with each of the input devices, the second stage is a macrolens, and the third stage is a plurality of second mesolenses, there being one second mesolens associated with each of the output devices, and wherein the control means is constituted by a plurality of first deflectors, each first deflector being associated with a respective first mesolens, and by a plurality of second deflectors, each second deflector being associated with a respective second mesolens.
11. A switch as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the deflectors is a programmable deflector.
12. A switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the deflectors is a transmission SLM.
13. A switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the route-and-select switch is configured using reflection geometry.
14. A switch as claimed in claim 13, wherein respective first, second and third macrolenses constitute the first, second and third stages, and wherein the control means is constituted by a plurality of first deflectors positioned between the second and third macrolenses, and by a plurality of second deflectors positioned between the first and second macrolenses, there being the same number of first and second deflectors as there are input devices and output devices, the first stage directing the light from the input devices so as to pass a first time through the second stage onto the first deflectors, the first deflectors redirecting the light so as to pass a second time through the second stage onto the second deflectors and the second deflectors redirecting the light so as to pass a third time through the second stage to the output devices.
15. A switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the deflectors is a programmable deflector.
16. A switch as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the deflectors is a reflective SLM.
17. A multi-stage optical crossbar switch array constituted by a plurality of optical crossbar switches, each of which is as claimed in claim 1, wherein a respective optical transpose system is positioned between each pair of adjacent optical crossbar switches.
18. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein a macrolens forms the first stage and third stage, and the second stage comprises a curved mirror, and further comprising a deflector array positioned between the macrolens and the curved mirror, the deflector array and curved mirror being arranged such that light from the input devices passes a first time through the macrolens onto the curved mirror and is reflected back and forth between die curved mirror and the deflector array, the curved mirror finally reflecting the light a second time through the macrolens to the output devices.
19. A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first stage comprises a first macrolens shared by the plurality of input devices, the second stage comprises a second macrolens shared by the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices, and the third stage comprises a third macrolens shared by the plurality of output devices, and wherein the control means comprises a first deflector array positioned between the second macrolens and the third macrolens, and a second deflector array positioned between the second macrolens and the first macrolens, such that the first macrolens directs the light from the input devices so as to pass a first time through the second macrolens onto the first deflector array, the first deflector array redirects the light so as to pass a second time through the second macrolens onto the second deflector array, and the second deflector array redirects the light so as to pass a third time through the second macrolens and then through the third macro lens to the output devices.