Patent ID: 6850136

Claim:
A magnetoresistive-based electronic switching apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a housing, wherein said housing includes a first compartment and a second compartment; a magnetoresistive device, wherein said magnetoresistive device is located within said first compartment of said housing in association with switching electronics thereof; a sealed cover surrounding said switching electronics, wherein said switching electronics comprise a magnetoresistive bridge formed from a plurality of resistors connected to a differential amplifier, which in turn provides input to a Schmitt trigger thereby providing an analog output; an actuating magnet that provides a magnetic field, wherein said actuating magnet is located within said second compartment of said housing and wherein said magnetic field activates said magnetoresistive device; and an actuation assembly contained with said second compartment of said housing, wherein said actuation assembly is associated with said actuating magnet to thereby provide an electronic switching apparatus thereof.