Input signal generating device

Claim 2

A signal generating device comprising a magnetic member of semi-hard magnetic material having a polarity which is rapidly reversed in response to a variation of an external magnetic field and which is maintained after said external magnetic field is removed; means for controlling said external magnetic field to reverse the polarity of said magnetic member; and means for sensing a change of flux in said magnetic member caused by the reversal of the polarity of said magnetic member.

Claim 3

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for sensing a change of flux comprises coil means having a pair of output terminals, said coil means being disposed adjacent said magnetic member for directly sensing the change of flux caused by a said reversal of the polarity of said magnetic member, and for producing an electrical signal at said output terminals in response to said change of flux.

Claim 4

A signal generating device comprising a magnetic member which rapidly changes from one polarity state to the opposite polarity state in response to the application of the first external magnetic field of one directional sense, wherein said magnetic member maintains said opposite polarity state upon removal of said first external field, and wherein said magnetic member rapidly changes back to said one polarity state upon application of a second magnetic field of predetermined intensity and of a directional sense opposed to said one sense, and maintains said one polarity state upon removal of said second magnetic fieLd, a pair of magnets for applying said first and second external magnetic fields, means for supporting said pair of magnets with a fixed spacing therebetween for simultaneous relative movement with respect to said magnetic member, wherein relative movement of said magnets in one direction with respect to said magnetic member produces a said change in polarity in said magnetic member from said one state to said opposite state, and relative movement of said magnets in the other direction with respect to said magnetic member produces a said change in polarity back to said one state; and an output winding disposed adjacent said magnetic member for sensing a change of flux caused by a said change of polarity of said magnetic member.

Claim 5

A signal generating device comprising a magnetic member which rapidly changes from one polarity state to the opposite polarity state in response to the application of the first external magnetic field of one directional sense, wherein said magnetic member maintains said opposite polarity state upon removal of said first external field, and wherein said magnetic member rapidly changes back to said one polarity state upon application of a second magnetic field of predetermined intensity and of a directional sense opposed to said one sense, and maintains said one polarity state upon removal of said second magnetic fieLd, a pair of magnets for applying said first and second external magnetic fields, means for supporting said pair of magnets with a fixed spacing therebetween for simultaneous relative movement with respect to said magnetic member, wherein relative movement of said magnets in one direction with respect to said magnetic member produces a said change in polarity in said magnetic member from said one state to said opposite state, and relative movement of said magnets in the other direction with respect to said magnetic member produces a said change in polarity back to said one state; and an output winding disposed adjacent said magnetic member for sensing a change of flux caused by a said change of polarity of said magnetic member.

Claim 6

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for supporting said magnetic member in said fixed spacing between said pair of magnets.

Claim 7

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for supporting said magnetic member in said fixed spacing between said pair of magnets, and in which said pair of magnets are supported so that a pole of one magnet in said pair is opposed to a pole of the other magnet in said pair.

Claim 8

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for supporting said magnetic member in said fixed spacing between said pair of magnets, and in which said pair of magnets are supported so that a pole of one magnet in said pair is opposed to a pole of the other magnet in said pair, said magnetic member and output winding being fixedly mounted with respect to each other.

Claim 9

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 6, in which said output winding coaxially encompasses said magnetic member.

Claim 10

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising means for supporting said magnetic member in said fixed spacing between said pair of magnets wherein said magnetic member and pair of magnets extend along a common axis, and first, second and third magnetically conductive cylindrical elements disposed respectively in coaxial fixed relationships with said magnetic member and each of said magnets of said pair of magnets.

Claim 11

A signal generating device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a key mounted for movement upon application of an external force, means for returning said key to a normal position upon removal of said external force, and means coupling said key to said pair of magnets wherein said magnets move in response to movement of said key.