Patent ID: 7253710

Claim:
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.