All The Claims

1. A class-based tracking system for shipping containers, comprising:
(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively attached to shipping containers, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,
(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;
(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and
(iii) electronics for processing data;
(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and
(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and
(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and
(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations along transportation routes of the shipping containers, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached to the shipping containers when within communication range thereof; and
(c) an application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached to the shipping containers through the plurality of gateways;
(d) wherein the application server and gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, or combination of the foregoing.
2. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its current location.
3. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 2, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its current location.
4. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its status.
5. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 4, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its status.
6. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its operational characteristics.
7. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 1, wherein the wireless radio frequency data communication devices are configured to change its class designation in response to a wireless communication representing a command to change its class designation.
8. The class-based tracking system for shipping containers of claim 2, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each further includes an interface for receiving sensor-acquired information.
9. A class-based tracking system for assets in transit, comprising:
(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively disposed in wireless radio frequency communication range of assets to be monitored, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,
(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;
(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and
(iii) electronics for processing data;
(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and
(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and
(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and
(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations along transit routes of the assets, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices when within communication range thereof; and
(c) at least one application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices through the plurality of gateways;
(d) wherein the at least one application server and the gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, or combination of the foregoing.
10. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein a respective wireless tag, that is read by one of the plurality of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices, is attached to each asset to be tracked.
11. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its current location.
12. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 11, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its current location.
13. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its status.
14. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 13, wherein the class designation that is acquired is representative of its status.
15. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communications devices each is configured to automatically change its class designation in response to a change in its operational characteristics.
16. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each is configured to change its class designation in response to a wireless communication representing a command to change its class designation.
17. The class-based tracking system for assets in transit of claim 9, wherein at least some of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices each further includes an interface for receiving sensor-acquired information.
18. A class-based system for monitoring assets in a building, comprising:
(a) a plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices respectively disposed in wireless radio frequency communication range of assets to be monitored, each wireless radio frequency data communication device including,
(i) memory in which is stored a class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communications device;
(ii) a radio frequency transmitter component and receiver component for wirelessly sending and receiving data packets; and
(iii) electronics for processing data;
(iv) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to filter a wireless communication received by it for an identification of its class designation within the communication, and
(A) process the communication if an identification of its class designation is found therein, and
(B) not process the communication if an identification of its class designation is not found therein,

(v) wherein the memory includes a profile stored therein, the profile including the class designation of the wireless radio frequency data communication device and a list of attributes or personalities that invoke operating system functions of the wireless radio frequency data communication device, and
(vi) wherein the wireless radio frequency data communications device is configured to dynamically and automatically change its class designation in accordance with the profile;

(b) a plurality of gateways arranged at respective locations within the building, each gateway configured for communications with each of the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices when within communication range thereof; and
(c) at least one application server for sending communications to, and receiving communications from, the plurality of wireless radio frequency data communication devices through the plurality of gateways.
19. The class-based system for monitoring assets in a building of claim 18, wherein the at least one application server and the gateways are configured for communications over the Internet, satellite communications network, cellular communications network, a wired network, or combination of the foregoing.
20. The class-based system for monitoring assets in a building of claim 18, wherein a respective wireless tag, that is read by one of the plurality of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices, is attached to each asset to be monitored, and wherein the assets are arranged on pallets, and wherein each pallet includes one of the wireless radio frequency data communication devices attached thereto.

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. Lysine derivatives containing an Ne-alkoxy or Ne-alkenoxycarbonyl group of formula:
6
in which:
R represents a linear or branched C13-C24, alkyl radical, the C16 radical being branched, or a linear or branched C8-C24 alkenyl radical, and the salts of the said compounds of formula (I) as well as their optical isomers of D or L configuration or their mixtures.
2. Lysine derivatives according to claim 1, characterized in that the said salts are salts of inorganic or organic cations.
3. Lysine derivatives according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that they are chosen from the group consisting of Ne-2-hexyldecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-2-decyltetradecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine and Ne-tetradecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine.
4. Lysine derivatives according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said derivatives have a melting point greater than 250 C. and have a particle size of between 10 nm and 500 m and preferably between 0.1 and 25 m.
5. Process for the preparation of the lysine derivatives of formula (I) as defined according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in reacting lysine or one of its salts, of known configuration, in aqueous medium and at basic pH, with a solution of a copper salt, in then reacting the solution of the copper complex thus obtained, of formula:
7
with a compound of formula:
8
in which:
R is as defined according to claim 1,
and X is chosen from the group consisting of a chlorine atom, a chloromethyl radical and an imidazolyl radical, the said compound of formula (III) being added without solvent, and
in treating the copper salt of the Ne-substituted lysine thus obtained with a decomplexing agent and, optionally, in purifying the compound obtained.
6. Preparation process according to claim 5, characterized in that the said copper salt solution is a copper sulphate solution.
7. Preparation process according to either of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the decomplexing agent is an aqueous solution of the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
8. Cosmetic, pharmaceutical, hygiene or food composition, characterized in that it contains a lysine derivative corresponding to the following formula:
9
in which:
R represents a linear or branched C8-C24 alkyl or alkenyl radical, and the salts of the said compounds of formula (I) as well as their optical isomers of D or L configuration or their mixtures.
9. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the lysine derivative of formula (I) is chosen from the group consisting of Ne-2-ethylhexyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-dodecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-hexadecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-decyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-2-butyloctyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-2-hexyldecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine, Ne-2-decyltetradecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine and Ne-tetradecyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine.
10. Composition according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the said lysine derivative is present in a proportion of between 0.05% and 80% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
11. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the said lysine derivative is present in a proportion of between 1% and 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
12. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it additionally contains at least one additive chosen from the group consisting of surface-active agents, fatty substances, organic solvents, silicones, thickeners, emollients, sunscreening agents, treating agents, anti-foaming agents, moisturizing agents, fragrances, preservatives, anti-oxidizing agents, sequestrants, flavouring agents, basifying or acidifying agents, fillers and inorganic or organic powders.
13. Use of a lysine derivative corresponding to the formula (I) according to claims 8 and 9 as substance for coating substrate particles.
14. Use of a lysine derivative according to claim 13, characterized in that the substrate particles are chosen from optionally coloured insoluble fillers.
15. Use of a lysine derivative according to claim 14, characterized in that the said fillers are chosen from metal oxides or zinc, iron, titanium, manganese, cerium andor zirconium, and their nanopigments, or nylon, polyethylene, mica or talc powders.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for manufacturing at least one micromechanical element, comprising:
providing a substrate layer, a sacrificial layer, and a function layer, the sacrificial layer overlaying at least a first portion of the substrate layer, the function layer overlaying at least a second portion of the sacrificial layer;
etching the function layer to expose at least a portion of the sacrificial layer, the etching forming an outline of the at least one micromechanical element; and
removing at least a third portion of the sacrificial layer between the at least one micromechanical element and the substrate layer by exposing the third portion of the sacrificial layer to heated gaseous hydrogen.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least the removing operation is performed in an epitaxy reactor environment.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising, before the removing operation, cleaning at least one surface of at least one of the substrate layer, the sacrificial layer, and the function layer.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the substrate layer and the function layer include a silicon bearing compound.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the sacrificial layer includes an oxide bearing compound.
6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the removing operation further includes reacting between the gaseous hydrogen and the oxide bearing compound to form at least one of water, silicon monoxide, and silane.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the function layer includes a material including at least one of silicon, silicongermanium, and silicon carbide.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the function layer is chemically resistant to heated gaseous hydrogen.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaseous hydrogen is heated to a temperature of between about 600 C. and about 1,400 C.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the gaseous hydrogen is heated to a temperature of between about 800 C. and about 1,200 C.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the removing operation is performed at a pressure below about 10 torr.
12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a germanium bearing compound is added to the gaseous hydrogen.
13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a silicon bearing compound is added to the gaseous hydrogen.
14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the providing operation further includes providing an SOI wafer, a top silicon layer of the SOI wafer being the function layer, an insulator layer of the SOI wafer being the sacrificial layer.
15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the providing operation further includes:
providing a bottom silicon layer, the bottom silicon layer being the substrate layer;
depositing an oxide layer including an oxide bearing compound on the bottom silicon layer, the oxide layer being the sacrificial layer; and
depositing a top silicon layer on the oxide layer, the top silicon layer being the function layer.
16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the top silicon layer is deposited in at least one of an epitiaxial reactor, a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process, and a sputtering process.
17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising, before depositing the top silicon layer, patterning the oxide layer to form at least one hole, the at least one hole exposing a fourth portion of the bottom silicon layer.
18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the function layer overlays a fourth portion of the substrate layer.
19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
depositing a further sacrificial layer; and
depositing a further function layer.
20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one of the depositing of the further sacrificial layer and the depositing of the further function layer is performed before the removing operation.
21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one of the depositing of the further sacrificial layer and the depositing of the further function layer is performed in an epitaxy reactor environment.
22. A device including micromechanical elements, comprising:
a substrate layer;
a sacrificial layer on at least a first portion of the substrate layer; and
a function layer on at least a second portion of the sacrificial layer;
wherein the function layer is released from the substrate layer by exposing the device to gaseous hydrogen.
23. The device as recited in claim 22, wherein the device is produced in an epitaxy reactor environment.
24. The device as recited in claim 22, wherein the function layer is released from the substrate layer by removing a third portion of the sacrificial layer, the third portion arranged between the function layer and the substrate layer.
25. The device of claim 22, wherein:
at least one of the substrate layer and the function layer include silicon; and
the sacrificial layer includes an oxide bearing material.
26. The device as recited in claim 25, wherein the substrate layer, the sacrificial layer, and the function layer collectively form an SOI wafer.
27. The device as recited in claim 25, wherein:
the sacrificial layer is deposited on the substrate layer; and
the function layer is deposited epitaxially on the sacrificial layer.
28. The device as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
a further sacrificial layer on at least a third portion of the function layer; and
a further encapsulation layer on at least a fourth portion of the further sacrificial layer;
wherein the further sacrificial layer is released from the function layer by exposing the device to gaseous hydrogen.
29. A method, comprising:
patterning a function layer, the function layer overlaying at least a first portion of a sacrificial layer, the patterning exposing at least a second portion of the sacrificial layer, the sacrificial layer including an oxide; and
etching selectively the oxide of the sacrificial layer by exposing a third portion of the sacrificial layer to heated gaseous hydrogen.
30. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein at least the etching operation is performed in an epitaxy reactor environment.
31. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the etching operation further includes reacting between the gaseous hydrogen and the oxide to form at least one of water, silicon monoxide, and silane.
32. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the function layer includes a material including at least one of silicon, silicongermanium, and silicon carbide.
33. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the function layer is chemically resistant to heated gaseous hydrogen.
34. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the gaseous hydrogen is heated to a temperature of between about 600 C. and about 1,400 C.
35. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of a germanium bearing compound and a silicon bearing compound is added to the gaseous hydrogen.
36. The method as recited in claim 29, further comprising at least one of:
depositing a further sacrificial layer; and
depositing a further function layer.
37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the at least one of the depositing of the further sacrificial layer and the depositing of the further function layer is performed before the etching operation.
38. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the at least one of the depositing of the further sacrificial layer and the depositing of the further function layer is performed in an epitaxy reactor environment.
39. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the etching operation is performed at a pressure between about 1 millitorr and 100 torr.
40. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the etching operation is performed at a pressure below about 10 torr.

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 media content player comprising:
a disc drive operable to read media content, an auto-run playback program and copy protection data from an optical disc;
a memory having data structure including a virtual machine for hosting the auto-run playback program; and
a processor operable to (i) execute the auto-run playback program read from the optical disc on the virtual machine, (ii) cause the executed auto-run playback program to interpret the media content by using copy protection data read from the optical disc, and (iii) output the interpreted media content to a playback system for playing back the interpreted media content.
2. The media content player of claim 1, wherein
said processor installs the auto-run playback program into the media content player, and executes the installed auto-run playback program on the virtual machine.
3. The media content player of claim 1, wherein,
the optical disc further records an active agent program; and
said processor executes the auto-run playback program so that the auto-run playback program interacts with the active agent program in order to control playback routine of the media content.
4. The media content player of claim 1, wherein,
said memory further includes a legacy media program for interpreting the media content; and
said processor uses the legacy media program to interpret the media content, when the auto-run program has not been found from the optical disc.
5. A method for a media content player, wherein, the media content player comprises:
a disc drive operable to read media content, an auto-run playback program and copy protection data from an optical disc and
a memory having data structure including a virtual machine for hosting the auto-run playback program, and
the method comprises:
executing the auto-run playback program read from the optical disc on the virtual machine;
causing the executed auto-run playback program to interpret the media content by using copy protection data read from the optical disc; and
outputting the interpreted media content to a playback system for playing back the interpreted media content.
6. A program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in a media content player, wherein,
the media content player comprises:
a disc drive operable to read media content, an auto-run playback program and copy protection data from an optical disc; and
a memory having data structure including a virtual machine for hosting the auto-run playback program, and
said program comprises computer-executable code operable to cause the media content player to:
execute the auto-run playback program read from the optical disc on the virtual machine;
cause the executed auto-run playback program to interpret the media content by using copy protection data read from the optical disc; and
output the interpreted media content to a playback system for playing back the interpreted media content.
7. A device for use in a media content player, wherein, the media content player comprises:
a disc drive operable to read media content, an auto-run playback program and copy protection data from an optical disc; and
a memory having data structure including a virtual machine for hosting the auto-run playback program, and
said device comprises a processor operable to cause the media content player to:
execute the auto-run playback program read from the optical disc on the virtual machine;
cause the executed auto-run playback program to interpret the media content by using copy protection data read from the optical disc; and
output the interpreted media content to a playback system for playing back the interpreted media content.
8. The media content player of claim 1, wherein the virtual machine implements a program interpreter that interprets and executes the auto-run playback program supplied as data to said interpreter.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein said virtual machine implements a program interpreter and wherein the method further comprises supplying the auto-run playback program as data to said interpreter and using said interpreter to interpret and execute the auto-run playback program.
10. The program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, wherein said virtual machine implements a program interpreter that interprets and executes the auto-run playback program supplied as data to said interpreter.
11. The device of claim 7, wherein the virtual machine implements a program interpreter that interprets and executes the auto-run playback program supplied as data to said interpreter.
12. The media content player of claim 1, wherein the virtual machine provides a controlled environment within which to execute the auto-run playback program.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the virtual machine provides a controlled environment within which to execute the auto-run playback program.
14. The program embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the virtual machine provides a controlled environment within which to execute the auto-run playback program.
15. The device of claim 7, wherein the virtual machine provides a controlled environment within which to execute the auto-run playback program.