Author: claimsbot

1. A method for discovering agent devices connected to a network, said method comprising:
broadcasting, from a management station, a multicast discovery message to all agent devices connected to the network, the multicast discovery message comprising a station address uniquely identifying the management station, a session number identifying a session, and command instructions instructing all discovery aware agent devices connected to the network to answer the discovery message;
receiving, at the management station, discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network, the discovery acknowledge unicast messages comprising at least a device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message and the session number identifying the session;
sending, from the management station, a unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message, said unicast registration message comprising a sequence number based on the session number identifying the session.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
after receiving the discovery acknowledge unicast message containing the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message, registering, at the management station, the device address of the corresponding discovery aware agent device to permit further communication to the discovery aware agent device.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
periodically broadcasting, from the management station, rediscovery messages comprising the station address uniquely identifying the management station, the session number identifying the session and command instructions to all discovery agent devices connected to the network to answer the rediscovery message;
receiving, at the management station, rediscovery acknowledge unicast messages from any discovery aware agent devices connected to the network which did not receive a unicast registration message from the management station comprising the sequence number based on the session number identifying the session, said rediscovery acknowledge unicast message containing at least the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the rediscovery acknowledge unicast message and the session number identifying the session;
sending, from the management station, a unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message, said unicast registration message comprising a sequence number based on the session number identifying the session;
wherein the discovery aware agent device receiving a unicast registration message will not respond to any multicast rediscovery messages having the session number identifying the session.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
broadcasting from the management station, the multicast discovery message to all agent devices connected to the network, the multicast discovery message comprising the station address uniquely identifying the management station, a new session number, different from the session number, said new session number identifying a new session, and command instructions to all discovery aware agent devices connect to the network to answer the multicast discovery message;
receiving, at the management station, discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network, the discovery acknowledge unicast messages containing at least the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message and the new session number identifying the new session;
sending, from the management station, a unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message, said unicast registration message comprising a new sequence number based on the new session number identifying the new session;
wherein each discovery aware agent device receiving a unicast registration message in response to the discovery acknowledge unicast message having the new session number will not respond to any multicast rediscovery messages having the new session number identifying the new session; and
after receiving the discovery acknowledge unicast message containing the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message and the new session number identifying the new session, registering, at the management station, the device address of the corresponding discovery aware agent device to permit further communication to the discovery aware agent device.
5. The method as defined in claim 4 further comprising:
periodically broadcasting, from the management station, rediscovery messages comprising the station address uniquely identifying the management station, the new session number identifying the new session and command instructions to all discovery agent devices connected to the network to answer the rediscovery message;
receiving, at the management station, rediscovery acknowledge unicast messages from any discovery aware agent devices connected to the network which did not receive a unicast registration message from the management station comprising the new sequence number based on the new session number identifying the new session, said rediscovery acknowledge unicast message containing at least the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the rediscovery acknowledge unicast message and the new session number identifying the new session;
sending, from the management station, a unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message, said unicast registration message comprising the new sequence number based on the new session number identifying the new session;
wherein the discovery aware agent device receiving a unicast registration message will not respond to any subsequent multicast rediscovery messages having the new session number identifying the new session.
6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the agent devices comprise Intelligent Electronic Devices having an Ethernet interface, the device address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and the station address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address uniquely identifying the management station.
7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the unicast registration message is selected from the group consisting of get messages, set messages, data messages and identify messages.
8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the discovery messages, rediscovery messages and registration messages from the management station to the agent devices comprise an Ethernet protocol frame in an Ethernet protocol, said Ethernet protocol frame having a data link header comprising the station address of the management station, and, an Ethernet data portion; and
wherein the Ethernet data portion comprises data for the agent devices in a further protocol, different from the Ethernet protocol.
9. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the discovery messages, rediscovery messages and registration messages from the management station to the agent devices comprise an Ethernet protocol frame in an Ethernet protocol, said Ethernet protocol frame having a data link header comprising the station address of the management station and an Ethernet data portion; and
wherein the Ethernet data portion comprises data in a first protocol frame in a first protocol, different from the Ethernet protocol, said first protocol frame having a first protocol header and a first protocol data portion, said first protocol data portion comprising a second protocol frame in a second protocol, said second protocol differing from the Ethernet protocol, said second protocol frame comprising a second protocol header and a second protocol data portion.
10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein the second protocol is Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
11. A system that facilitates discovery of agent devices connected to a network, said system comprising:
at least two discovery aware agent devices connected to the network, each discovery aware agent device configured to receive multicast discovery messages and unicast registration signals from the network and to send to the network discovery acknowledge unicast messages comprising a device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device that sent the unicast discovery acknowledge message;
a management station connected to the network and configured to send unicast registration messages, multicast discovery messages and multicast rediscovery messages, said multicast discovery messages and multicast rediscovery messages comprising a station address uniquely identifying the management station and a session number uniquely identifying a session;
wherein the management station is also configured to broadcast the multicast discovery message on the network and to receive in response discovery acknowledge unicast messages comprising at least the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message and the session number uniquely identifying the session; and
wherein the management station is also configured to send the unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message, said registration message comprising a sequence number based on the session number uniquely identifying the session.
12. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the management station periodically broadcasts the multicast rediscovery messages comprising the station address uniquely identifying the management station and the session number uniquely identifying the session, and, receives in response rediscovery acknowledge unicast messages from any of the at least two discovery aware agent devices connected to the network which did not previously receive a unicast registration message from the management station, the rediscovery acknowledge unicast messages containing at least the device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the rediscovery acknowledge unicast message, and the session number uniquely identifying the session; and
wherein the management station sends the unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message using the agent address provided in the corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message, said registration message comprising a sequence number based on this session number uniquely identifying the session.
13. The system as defined in claim 12 further comprising:
a registration agent associated with the management station for registering the agent address of each discovery aware agent device from which the management station receives the corresponding discovery unicast message or the corresponding rediscovery acknowledge unicast message to permit further communication to the discovery aware agent device.
14. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein the discovery aware agent devices receiving a unicast registration message will not respond to any multicast rediscovery messages having the session number uniquely identifying the session.
15. The system as defined in claim 11, wherein the discovery aware agent devices comprise Intelligent Electronic Devices having an Ethernet interface, the device address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and the station address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address uniquely identifying the management station.
16. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the unicast registration message is selected from the group consisting of get messages, set messages, data messages and identify messages.
17. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the discovery messages, rediscovery messages and registration messages from the management station to the agent devices comprise an Ethernet protocol frame in an Ethernet protocol, said Ethernet protocol frame having a data link header comprising the station address of the management station, and, an Ethernet data portion; and
wherein the Ethernet data portion comprises data for the agent devices in a further protocol, different from the Ethernet protocol.
18. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the discovery messages, rediscovery messages and registration messages from the management station to the agent devices comprise an Ethernet protocol frame in an Ethernet protocol, said Ethernet protocol frame having a data link header comprising the station address of the management station and an Ethernet data portion; and
wherein the Ethernet data portion comprises data in a first protocol frame in a first protocol, different from the Ethernet protocol, said first protocol frame having a first protocol header and a first protocol data portion, said first protocol data portion comprising a second protocol frame in a second protocol, said second protocol differing from the Ethernet protocol, said second protocol frame comprising a second protocol header and a second protocol data portion.
19. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein the second protocol is Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
20. The system as defined in claim 19 wherein the unicast registration message is selected from the group consisting of get messages, set messages, data messages and identify messages.
21. An article of manufacture comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer readable code executable by one or more processors of a management station performing the following:
at the commencement of a session, broadcasting, from the management station, a multicast discovery message to all agent devices connected to the network, the multicast discovery message comprising a station address uniquely identifying the management station, a session number identifying the session, and command instructions instructing all discovery aware agent devices connected to the network to answer the discovery message;
receiving, at the management station, discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network, the discovery acknowledge unicast messages comprising at least a device address uniquely identifying the discovery aware agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message and the session number identifying the session; and
sending, from the management station, a unicast registration message to each discovery aware agent device from which the management station received a corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message using the device address provided in the corresponding discovery acknowledge unicast message, said unicast registration message comprising a sequence number based on the session number identifying the session.

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 hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:
the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;
the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;
the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported being connected to each other by a connecting device;
the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and
a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.
2. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein
the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.
3. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a cylindrical member.
4. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding member of the unit to be supported.
5. A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:
the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;
the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;
the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit being connected to each other by a connecting device;
the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and
a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.
6. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein
the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.
7. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein said connecting device comprises a cylindrical member.
8. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding members of the unit to be supported.
9. A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:
the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;
the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially holding members;
the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported being connected to each other by a connecting device;
the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit being connected to each other by a connecting device;
the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and
a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.
10. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein
the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.
11. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein one of said connecting devices comprises a cylindrical member, and the remaining connecting device comprises a tubular member through which said cylindrical member passes.
12. The hinge structure according to claim 12, wherein one of said connecting members comprises shafts attached to the holding members and a force transmission device operatively arranged between the shafts, the force transmission device including gears and a cylindrical member.
13. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding members of the unit to be supported.
14. A display device including the hinge structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

1. A vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and of one of a plurality of remote sources, the vending machine comprising:
a communication interface communicatively coupled with each of the plurality of remote sources;
an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of one of a group of remote sources;
a speaker;
a microphone, wherein the speaker and the microphone are configured to enable an audio communication with the selected remote source;
a display for providing information from the selected remote source, wherein the information is related to the transaction with the selected remote source; and
a processor that is configured to:
transmit an indication that one of the plurality of remote sources has been selected;
establish, via the communication interface, the audio communication with the selected remote source;
receive, via the communication interface, a control command from the selected remote source that directs a hardware peripheral of the vending machine to perform a function; and
receive an issuance authorization from the selected remote source, wherein the issuance authorization causes a transaction item to be issued.
2. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1, further comprising:
a camera configured to enable a video communication with the selected remote source.
3. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1, further comprising:
a reader that is configured to read information stored on a payment medium.
4. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is further configured to:
receive a payment from the user;
communicate a payment authorization request associated with the payment to a financial institution;
receive an authorization approval related to the payment authorization request; and
send an indication that the payment has been accepted to the selected remote source.
5. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1, further comprising:
a printer configured to print one or more of a ticket or a receipt.
6. The vending machine for distributing products from remote sources of claim 1, wherein:
the input interface comprises a touchscreen of the display.
7. A method for enabling a transaction between a user and of one of a plurality of remote sources using a vending machine, the method comprising:
receiving an input, via an input interface, to select one of a plurality of remote sources, wherein each of the plurality of remote sources is communicatively coupled with the vending machine via a communication interface;
transmitting an indication that one of the plurality of remote sources has been selected;
establishing, via the communication interface, an audio communication with the selected remote source;
receiving information from the selected source, wherein the information is related to the transaction with the selected remote source;
causing the information to be presented on a display of the vending machine;
receiving, via the communication interface, a control command from the selected remote source that directs a hardware peripheral of the vending machine to perform a function; and
receiving an issuance authorization from the selected remote source, wherein the issuance authorization causes a transaction item to be issued.
8. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
presenting transaction options from the plurality of remote sources on the display, wherein the plurality of remote sources are selected from a group consisting of entertainment providers, transit providers, and lodging providers.
9. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
establishing a video communication with the selected remote source using a camera of the vending machine.
10. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
receiving a request from the selected remote source to print a receipt using a printer of the vending machine.
11. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
providing an indication that the transaction is completed after the audio communication is terminated.
12. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
receiving a payment;
communicating a payment authorization request associated with the payment to a financial institution;
receiving an authorization approval related to the payment authorization request; and
sending an indication that the payment has been accepted to the selected remote source.
13. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, further comprising:
providing a received payment to a payment reconciliation system that analyzes received payment information and expected payments from each of the remote sources to determine how collected revenue is distributed; and
providing a record of the transaction to the payment reconciliation system.
14. The method for distributing products from remote sources using a vending machine of claim 7, wherein:
the method is performed on a server remotely located from the vending machine.
15. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer program comprising instructions executable by a computer to:
receive a user input, via an input interface, to select one of a plurality of remote sources, wherein each of the plurality of remote sources is communicatively coupled with the vending machine via a communication interface;
transmit an indication that one of the plurality of remote sources has been selected;
establish, via the communication interface, an audio communication with the selected remote source;
receive information from the selected source, wherein the information is related to the transaction with the selected remote source;
cause the information to be presented on a display of the vending machine;
receive, via the communication interface, a control command from the selected remote source that directs a hardware peripheral of the vending machine to perform a function; and
receive an issuance authorization from the selected remote source, wherein the issuance authorization causes a transaction item to be issued.
16. The computer program embodied on a computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions executable by a computer to:
present transaction options from the plurality of remote sources on the display, wherein the plurality of remote sources are selected from a group consisting of entertainment providers, transit providers, and lodging providers.
17. The computer program embodied on a computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions executable by a computer to:
establish a video communication with the selected remote source using a camera of the vending machine.
18. The computer program embodied on a computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions executable by a computer to:
provide an indication that the transaction is completed after the audio communication is terminated.
19. The computer program embodied on a computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions executable by a computer to:
receive a request from the selected remote source to print a receipt using a printer of the vending machine.
20. The computer program embodied on a computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions executable by a computer to:
provide a received payment to a payment reconciliation system that analyzes received payment information and expected payments from each of the remote sources to determine how collected revenue is distributed; and
provide a record of the transaction to the payment reconciliation system.

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 mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region;
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region;
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in said gap between said pull up electrode and said substrate;
said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position;
said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;
said movable gate, in conjunction with said source region and said drain region and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a transistor.
2. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
3. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
4. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
5. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region,
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region,
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in said gap between said pull up electrode and said substrate, said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position, said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said source region and said drain region; and
a bit pull up line operatively connected to said pull up electrode.
6. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
7. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
8. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 6, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
9. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region;
a first pull down electrode positioned on said substrate;
a second pull down electrode positioned on said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second pull down electrode and said source and drain regions;
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said second pull down electrode;
said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said first pull down electrode;
said second extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a transistor.
10. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said first pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said second pull down electrode.
11. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region,
a first pull down electrode positioned on said substrate,
a second pull down electrode positioned on said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second pull down electrode and said source and drain regions, said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said second pull down electrode, said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said first pull down electrode;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said source and drain region;
a first bit pull down line operatively connected to said first pull down electrode; and
a second bit pull down line operatively connected to said second pull down electrode.
12. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 11, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said first pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said second pull down electrode.
13. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a first source region, a first drain region,

a second source region, and a second drain region,
a first pull down electrode positioned on said substrate,
a second pull down electrode positioned on said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions,
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said first pull down electrode, said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said second pull down electrode, said first extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said first source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said first position, forming a first transistor;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions;
a first bit pull down line operatively connected to said first pull down electrode; and
a second bit pull down line operatively connected to said second pull down electrode.
14. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 13, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said second pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said first pull down electrode.
15. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a first source region, a first drain region, a second source region, and a second drain region;
a first pull down electrode positioned on said substrate;
a second pull down electrode positioned on said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions;
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said first pull down electrode;
said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said second pull down electrode;
said first extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said first source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said first position, forming a first transistor;
said second extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said second source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a second transistor.
16. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 15, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said second pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said first pull down electrode.
17. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region;
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region;
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate;
a pull down electrode located in said source and drain regions; and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in a gap above said pull up electrode and said substrate;
said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position;
said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;
said movable gate, in conjunction with said source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a transistor.
18. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 17, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
19. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 17, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
20. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 18, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
21. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region,
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region,
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate,
a pull down electrode located in said source and drain regions, and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in a gap above said pull up electrode and said substrate, said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position, said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form

a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;
a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said source region and said drain region;
a bit pull up line operatively connected to said pull up electrode; and
a bit pull down line operatively connected to said pull down electrode.
22. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 21, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
23. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 21, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
24. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 22, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
25. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region, said source and drain regions forming a transistor body;
a pull down electrode positioned on said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said pull down electrode and said source and drain regions;
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said pull down electrode;
said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said transistor body;
said second extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a transistor.
26. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 25, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said transistor body and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said pull down electrode.
27. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region, said source and drain regions forming a transistor body,
a pull down electrode positioned on said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said pull down electrode and said source and drain regions, said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said pull down electrode, said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said transistor body;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said source and drain region;
a first bit pull down line operatively connected to said transistor body; and
a second bit pull down line operatively connected to said pull down electrode.
28. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 27, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said transistor body and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said pull down electrode.
29. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a first source region, a first drain region, a second source region, and a second drain region, said first source and drain regions forming a transistor body,
a pull down electrode positioned on said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions,
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said transistor body, said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said pull down electrode, said first extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said first source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said first position, forming a first transistor;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions;
a first bit pull down line operatively connected to said transistor body; and
a second bit pull down line operatively connected to said pull down electrode.
30. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 29, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said transistor body.
31. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a first source region, a first drain region, a second source region, and a second drain region, said first source and drain regions forming a transistor body;
a pull down electrode positioned on said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first extension and a second extension, said movable gate having an anchor hinge located between said first and second extensions and located on said substrate between said second source and drain regions and said first source and drain regions;
said movable gate being in a first position when said first extension of said movable gate is in contact with said transistor body;
said movable gate being in a second position when said second extension of said movable gate is in contact with said pull down electrode;
said first extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said first source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said first position, forming a first transistor;
said second extension of said movable gate, in conjunction with said second source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a second transistor.
32. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 31, wherein said movable gate being in a third position when said second extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said pull down electrode and said first extension of said movable gate is in non-contact with said transistor body.
33. A mechanical memory transistor, comprising:
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region;
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region;
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate; and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in a gap above said pull up electrode and said substrate;
said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position;
said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;
said movable gate, in conjunction with said source and drain regions and when said movable gate is in said second position, forming a transistor.
34. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 33, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
35. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 33, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
36. The mechanical memory transistor as claimed in claim 33, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
37. A mechanical memory element, comprising:
a transistor including,
a substrate having formed thereon a source region and a drain region, said first source and drain regions forming a transistor body,
an oxide formed upon a portion of said source region and upon a portion of said drain region,
a pull up electrode positioned above such that a gap is formed between said pull up electrode and said substrate, and
a movable gate having a first position and a second position, said movable gate being located in a gap above said pull up electrode and said substrate, said movable gate being in contact with said pull up electrode when said movable gate is in said first position, said movable gate being in contact with said oxide to form a gate region when said movable gate is in said second position;

a word line operatively connected to said movable gate;
bit sense lines operatively connected to said source region and said drain region;
a bit pull up line operatively connected to said pull up electrode; and
a bit pull down line operatively connected to said transistor body.
38. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 37, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said pull up electrode.
39. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 37, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.
40. The mechanical memory element as claimed in claim 37, wherein said movable gate comprises a material which is attractive to said source region and said drain region.