Latching micro-magnetic switch array
First Claim
1. A system for actuating micro-magnetic latching switches in an array of micro-magnetic latching switches, wherein the array of switches is defined by Y rows aligned with a first axis and X columns aligned with a second axis, and wherein each switch in the array of switches is capable of being actuated by a coil, comprising:
- a row of coils that includes X individually addressable coils;
a step motor that moves said row of coils along the second axis to be positioned adjacent to any one of the Y rows of switches, wherein when said row of coils is positioned adjacent to a selected one of the Y rows of switches, coils in said row of coils are positioned adjacent to corresponding switches in said selected one of the Y rows of switches;
a coil driver that provides a sufficient driving current to a selected coil in said row of coils to actuate a selected switch in the array of switches when said selected coil is positioned adjacent to said selected switch;
a step motor driver that drives said step motor; and
a controller coupled to said coil driver and said step motor driver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for actuating micro-magnetic latching switches in an array of micro-magnetic latching switches are described. The array of switches is defined by Y rows aligned with a first axis and X columns aligned with a second axis. Each switch in the array of switches is capable of being actuated by a coil. In an aspect, a row of coils is moved along the second axis to be positioned adjacent to a selected one of the Y rows of switches. A sufficient driving current is proved to a selected coil in the row of coils to actuate a selected switch in the selected one of the Y rows of switches. In another aspect, a plurality of first axis drive signals and a plurality of second axis drive signals are generated. These signals drive an array of coils, wherein each coil in the array of coils is positioned adjacent to a corresponding switch in the array of switches. Each first axis drive signal is coupled to coils in a corresponding column of coils in the array of coils. Each second axis drive signal is coupled to coils in a corresponding row of coils in the array of coils. In another aspect, a three-dimensional array of switches is actuated by drive signals that drive a three-dimensional array of coils.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for actuating micro-magnetic latching switches in an array of micro-magnetic latching switches, wherein the array of switches is defined by Y rows aligned with a first axis and X columns aligned with a second axis, and wherein each switch in the array of switches is capable of being actuated by a coil, comprising:
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a row of coils that includes X individually addressable coils; a step motor that moves said row of coils along the second axis to be positioned adjacent to any one of the Y rows of switches, wherein when said row of coils is positioned adjacent to a selected one of the Y rows of switches, coils in said row of coils are positioned adjacent to corresponding switches in said selected one of the Y rows of switches; a coil driver that provides a sufficient driving current to a selected coil in said row of coils to actuate a selected switch in the array of switches when said selected coil is positioned adjacent to said selected switch; a step motor driver that drives said step motor; and a controller coupled to said coil driver and said step motor driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for actuating micro-magnetic latching switches in an array of micro-magnetic latching switches, wherein the array of switches is defined by Y rows aligned with a first axis and X columns aligned with a second axis, and wherein each switch in the array of switches is capable of being actuated by a coil, comprising:
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(A) moving a row of coils along the second axis to be positioned adjacent to a selected one of the Y rows of switches; and (B) providing a sufficient driving current to a selected coil in the row of coils to actuate a selected switch in the selected one of the Y rows of switches. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification