Micro-electro-mechanical module
First Claim
1. A micro-electro-mechanical system module comprising:
- at least one integrated energy storage device having a charge thereon;
at least one electronic circuit powered by the charge on the energy storage device; and
means electrically coupled to the energy storage device for controlling charge transfers from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit while preventing charge leakage from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit to enable the energy storage device to store energy over an extended period of time, the controlling means comprising a plurality of integrated MEMS switches between and electrically coupling the energy storage device to the electronic circuit so as to define electrical paths that are individually opened and closed by a corresponding individual MEMS switch of the MEMS switches, each individual MEMS switch being adapted to individually define an open electrical path that prevents charge leakage therethrough from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit, each individual MEMS switch being operable to individually define a closed electrical path that allows a charge transfer therethrough from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A MEMS module that contains at least one integrated energy storage device whose discharge is minimized and controlled, so that power is available for system operation over longer periods of time. The MEMS module includes a device electrically coupled to the energy storage device for controlling charge transfers from the energy storage device while preventing charge leakage from the energy storage device. The controlling device includes a plurality of integrated MEMS switches that define open electrical paths that prevent charge leakage from the energy storage device through the MEMS switches, and are then operable to define closed electrical paths to allow charge transfers from the energy storage device, and preferably also allow charge transfers to the energy storage device, through the MEMS switches. The charge transfer can be utilized to power electronic circuits or store data in non-volatile digital memory.
-
Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A micro-electro-mechanical system module comprising:
-
at least one integrated energy storage device having a charge thereon; at least one electronic circuit powered by the charge on the energy storage device; and means electrically coupled to the energy storage device for controlling charge transfers from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit while preventing charge leakage from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit to enable the energy storage device to store energy over an extended period of time, the controlling means comprising a plurality of integrated MEMS switches between and electrically coupling the energy storage device to the electronic circuit so as to define electrical paths that are individually opened and closed by a corresponding individual MEMS switch of the MEMS switches, each individual MEMS switch being adapted to individually define an open electrical path that prevents charge leakage therethrough from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit, each individual MEMS switch being operable to individually define a closed electrical path that allows a charge transfer therethrough from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A micro-electro-mechanical system module comprising:
-
at least one integrated energy storage device having a charge thereon; multiple circuit devices that are powered by the charge on the energy storage device; and means electrically coupled to the energy storage device for controlling charge transfers from the energy storage device to the circuit devices while preventing charge leakage from the energy storage device to the circuit devices to enable the energy storage device to store energy over an extended period of time, the controlling means comprising a plurality of integrated MEMS switches, each of the circuit devices being electrically coupled to the energy storage device by at least one individual MEMS switch of the MEMS switches so that the MEMS switches define electrical paths between the energy storage device and the circuit devices, each individual MEMS switch being adapted to individually open and close a corresponding one of the electrical paths and thereby define an open electrical path that prevents charge leakage therethrough from the energy storage device to one of the circuit devices and define a closed electrical path that allows a charge transfer therethrough from the energy storage device to one of the circuit devices. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
-
-
42. A micro-electro-mechanical system module comprising:
-
at least one integrated energy storage device; a power source for supplying power to the energy storage device, the power source containing circuitry through which charge leakage can occur; and means electrically coupling the power source to the energy storage device for controlling charging of the energy storage device, the controlling means comprising a MEMS switch that defines an open electrical path that prevents charge leakage from the energy storage device through the circuitry of the power source and being operable to define a closed electrical path that allows charging of the energy storage device by the power source. - View Dependent Claims (43)
-
Specification