Patent ID: 8322935

Claim:
A method of controlling a plurality of shutter blades, comprising: (a) providing a shutter assembly including a solenoid having a first magnetic pole, a second magnetic pole, and a gap between the first and second poles, and a permanent magnet moveable within the gap in a path coplanar with the solenoid, wherein movement of the permanent magnet transitions the plurality of shutter blades between an open position exposing a central opening of the shutter assembly and a closed position, wherein the plurality of shutter blades and the permanent magnet are slidably engaged with each other; (b) moving the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions; and (c) reducing an electrical signal applied to the solenoid while the plurality of shutter blades is in transit between the open and closed positions, wherein moving the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions includes providing relative movement between the permanent magnet and the plurality of shutter blades.