Patent ID: 8350650

Claim:
A quadrupole magnetic coded switch, comprising: a switch housing; an actuator housing movable relative to the switch housing; a plurality of actuator dipole magnets coupled to the actuator housing and movable therewith; one or more switch dipole magnets coupled to the switch housing, the one or more switch dipole magnets and the plurality of actuator dipole magnets arranged to generate a quadrupole magnetic field; and a plurality of magnetically operated switch circuits, each magnetically operated switch circuit disposed within the switch housing and configured to transition between a plurality of switch positions in response to relative movement of the actuator housing and the switch housing, each magnetically operated switch circuit is configured to transition between the two switch positions when (i) the actuator housing and switch housing are moved toward, and are within a first predetermined distance of, each other and (ii) the actuator housing and switch housing are moved away from, and are at least a second predetermined distance from, each other, wherein the first predetermined distance is less than the second predetermined distance.