Domain propagation arrangement

Claim 2

A domain propagation device comprising a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, an overlay of magnetically soft material for providing magnetic poles to attract domains in the presence of a magnetic field in the plane of said sheet, said overlay being of a configuration to define a first domain propagation channel including a first position in which a first domain is idled in response to reorientations in said in-plane field and to define a second channel intersecting said first channel such that a second domain at said intersection is defected into said second channel when said first position is occupied by said first domain, and means for providing single wall domains for propagation in said first channel.

Claim 3

A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second channel is of a geometry and in a location such that a second domain being advanced therein responsive to a reorienting in-plane field dislodges said first domain from said first position.

Claim 4

A device in accordance with claim 2 also including means for annihilating first domains so dislodged.

Claim 5

A device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a magnetic overlay including a domain moving about the periphery thereof responsive to a reorienting in-plane field.

Claim 6

A domain propagation device Comprising a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, an overlay of magnetically soft material for providing magnetic poles to attract domains in response to a reorienting in-plane field, said overlay being of a configuration to define a first domain propagation channel including n consecutive idler positions each adapted to idle a single wall domain, said idler positions being spaced sufficiently close together such that a domain occupying one of said n idler positions constrains the next consecutive domain from advancing past the next consecutive domain from idler position, means for introducing single wall domains at an input position in said first channel, and means for providing reorienting in-plane fields.

Claim 7

A domain propagation device Comprising a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, an overlay of magnetically soft material for providing magnetic poles to attract domains in response to a reorienting in-plane field, said overlay being of a configuration to define a first domain propagation channel including n consecutive idler positions each adapted to idle a single wall domain, said idler positions being spaced sufficiently close together such that a domain occupying one of said n idler positions constrains the next consecutive domain from advancing past the next consecutive domain from idler position, means for introducing single wall domains at an input position in said first channel, and means for providing reorienting in-plane fields.

Claim 8

A device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said overlay defines a second channel and an intersection between said first and second channels, said intersection being of a configuration such that an nth domain occupying the nth of said n consecutive idler positions deflects an n+1th domain into said second channel.

Claim 9

A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second channel is of a configuration to dislodge consecutive domains from consecutive idler positions as said n+ 1th domain is advanced.

Claim 10

A device in accordance with claim 7 also including means for annihilating each domain so dislodged.

Claim 11

A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a propagation channel intersecting each of said idler positions and an overlay including a domain moving thereabout responsive to a reorienting in-plane field terminating each of said last-mentioned propagation channels.

Claim 12

A combination comprising a plurality of devices in accordance with claim 9 wherein the second channel of each of said devices intersects the first channel of a next consecutive device such that said n+ 1th domain in each of said devices is carried to the input position of the next consecutive first channel.

Claim 13

A domain propagation device including a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, a magnetic overlay for providing responsive to reorienting in-plane fields moving magnetic poles for attracting single wall domains, said overlay being of a geometry to define first and second propagation channels for single wall domains and an intersection therebetween, said first channel including a position at which single wall domains are idled in response to reorienting in-plane fields, means for introducing single wall domains to said first channel, said overlay at said intersection being of a configuration such that a domain occupying said idler position deflects a next subsequent domain into said second channel, said first and second channels being disposed such that said second domain dislodges said first domain, means for annihilating domains so dislodged, and means for providing a reorienting in-plane field.

Claim 14

A domain propagation device including a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, a magnetic overlay for providing responsive to reorienting in-plane fields moving magnetic poles for attracting single wall domains, said overlay being of a geometry to define first and second propagation channels for single wall domains and an intersection therebetween, said first channel including a position at which single wall domains are idled in response to reorienting in-plane fields, means for introducing single wall domains to said first channel, said overlay at said intersection being of a configuration such that a domain occupying said idler position deflects a next subsequent domain into said second channel, said first and second channels being disposed such that said second domain dislodges said first domain, means for annihilating domains so dislodged, and means for providing a reorienting in-plane field.

Claim 15

A combination comprising a plurality of devices in accordance with claim 11 wherein each of said second channels also intersects the first channel of a next consecutive device such that said second domain in each of said devices is carried to the first channel of the next consecutive device, and means for introducing single wall domains into a first of said plurality of devices.

Claim 16

A combination in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means for providing single wall domains is responsive to coded input signals representing decimal digits for providing corresponding numbers of domains at corresponding input positions.

Claim 17

A combination comprising a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, magnetically soft overlay patterns for defining intersecting channels for single wall domains therein responsive to changing in-plane fields, means for providing in-plane fields in said sheet, means for providing idler positions for single wall domains at intersections between said channels responsive to said changing in-plane fields, and means for providing single wall domains in a manner to deflect single wall domains so idled.

Claim 18

A combination comprising a sheet of magnetic material in which single wall domains can be moved, magnetically soft overlay patterns for defining intersecting channels for single wall domains therein responsive to changing in-plane fields, means for providing in-plane fields in said sheet, means for providing idler positions for single wall domains at intersections between said channels responsive to said changing in-plane fields, and means for providing single wall domains in a manner to deflect single wall domains so idled.