Patent US4040038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4040038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Column accessing of elements in confined arrays
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A technique for accessing interactive elements, such as magnetic bubble domains, which are in confined arrays where the elements are located with respect to one another in accordance with interactions therebetween. In order to improve the access time to any element within the confined array, the elements are removed in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of their translational movement within the confined array. In particular, this technique is useful for accessing columns of magnetic bubble domains in a lattice array of bubble domains. A bubble pump device is utilized to remove the interactive elements from the array. The bias field conditions for this pump propagation structure are the same as for the lattice. Bubble domains can be removed from the lattice and returned to their positions within the lattice.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence L. Rosier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:29
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C19/00; G11C19/02; G11C19/08; G11C19/0808; G11C19/0833; G11C19/0841; G11C19/085; G11C19/0858
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for extracting interactive elements from a confined two-dimensional lattice array of said elements which are spaced such that interactions exist between said elements in said array, wherein said method comprises moving said elements in a first direction in said lattice array, and removing elements from said lattice array in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for extracting interactive elements from a confined two-dimensional lattice array of said elements which are spaced such that interactions exist between said elements in said array, wherein said method comprises moving said elements in a first direction in said lattice array, and removing elements from said lattice array in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, including the further step of returning said removed elements to their original positions within said confined array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, including the further step of putting new elements into the positions within said array previously occupied by said elements which have been removed from said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, where said confined array is arranged in columns of said elements where said first direction of movement is substantially transverse to the direction of said columns and said second direction is substantially along the direction of said columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, including the further step of moving selected elements in said confined array to selected positions therein prior to removing the selected elements from said array.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus, comprising: a lattice of magnetic bubble domains, the domains in said lattice being sufficiently close to one another that interactive forces exist between adjacent domains, translation means for moving said lattice comprised of first and second buffer zones located adjacent to opposing sides of said lattice, where said buffer zones contain stripe domains therein, means for controllably changing the areas occupied by said stripe domains in said buffer zones, including means for expanding the area occupied by stripe domains in said first buffer zone and means for reducing the area occupied by stripe domains in said second buffer zone to move bubble domains in said lattice in a first direction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus, comprising: a lattice of magnetic bubble domains, the domains in said lattice being sufficiently close to one another that interactive forces exist between adjacent domains, translation means for moving said lattice comprised of first and second buffer zones located adjacent to opposing sides of said lattice, where said buffer zones contain stripe domains therein, means for controllably changing the areas occupied by said stripe domains in said buffer zones, including means for expanding the area occupied by stripe domains in said first buffer zone and means for reducing the area occupied by stripe domains in said second buffer zone to move bubble domains in said lattice in a first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, where said elements are magnetic bubble domains.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for accessing interactive elements from a confined array of such elements, where the elements in said array are spaced from one another and interactions exist between adjacent elements and where said array includes columns of said interactive elements, said method including the steps of: substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said confined array and shifting said columns of elements in said array in a first direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of said columns, substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said confined array and removing a column of said elements from said confined array where said column is removed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal direction of said column.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for accessing interactive elements from a confined array of such elements, where the elements in said array are spaced from one another and interactions exist between adjacent elements and where said array includes columns of said interactive elements, said method including the steps of: substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said confined array and shifting said columns of elements in said array in a first direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of said columns, substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said confined array and removing a column of said elements from said confined array where said column is removed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal direction of said column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, where said shifting is achieved by generating and annihilating additional interactive elements in regions adjacent to opposing ends of said confined array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8, wherein more than one column of interactive elements is removed at a time from said array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8, wherein elements which are removed from said confined array are returned to the same positions within said array.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
92 words
A system utilizing elements which can interact with one another, including a carrier for supporting said elements, confinement means for confining said elements in an array having a given density of said interactive elements where said elements are spaced from one another and interact with one another, translation means for moving said elements in a first direction in said confined array, access means for accessing elements in said array in a second direction substantially transverse to said first direction and means for substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said array.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
92 words
A system utilizing elements which can interact with one another, including a carrier for supporting said elements, confinement means for confining said elements in an array having a given density of said interactive elements where said elements are spaced from one another and interact with one another, translation means for moving said elements in a first direction in said confined array, access means for accessing elements in said array in a second direction substantially transverse to said first direction and means for substantially maintaining the density of said elements in said array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 12, where said access means includes means to place elements into selected positions in said confined array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12, where said access means includes means for removing interactive elements from said confined array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12, including means for returning elements removed from said confined array to their original positions in said array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 12, including means for generating new interactive elements for replacing those interactive elements removed from said array.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
106 words
A system utilizing elements which can interact with one another, including: a carrier for supporting said elements, confinement means for confining said elements in an array where said elements are spaced from one another and interact with one another, translation means for moving said elements in a first direction in said confined array, access means for accessing elements in said array in a second direction substantially transverse to said first direction, where said access means includes means for producing electromagnetic fields which act on said interactive elements within said confined array and further confinement means for restricting the motion of said elements outside said confined array.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
106 words
A system utilizing elements which can interact with one another, including: a carrier for supporting said elements, confinement means for confining said elements in an array where said elements are spaced from one another and interact with one another, translation means for moving said elements in a first direction in said confined array, access means for accessing elements in said array in a second direction substantially transverse to said first direction, where said access means includes means for producing electromagnetic fields which act on said interactive elements within said confined array and further confinement means for restricting the motion of said elements outside said confined array.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 17, including generating means for producing interactive elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17, further including detection means for sensing said interactive elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 17, including buffer zones of additional interactive elements on opposing ends of said confined array and means for generating and annihilating said additional interactive elements.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for moving magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a confinement means for confining an array of said bubble domains in a region of said magnetic medium where said domains are sufficiently close to one another that they interact with each other to form a two-dimensional lattice of bubble domains, translation means for moving said bubble domains in said array in a first direction in said array, access means for accessing said bubble domains into and out of said lattice in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction, and means for substantially maintaining the size of said lattice.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for moving magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a confinement means for confining an array of said bubble domains in a region of said magnetic medium where said domains are sufficiently close to one another that they interact with each other to form a two-dimensional lattice of bubble domains, translation means for moving said bubble domains in said array in a first direction in said array, access means for accessing said bubble domains into and out of said lattice in a direction substantially transverse to said first direction, and means for substantially maintaining the size of said lattice.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 21, further including means for returning accessed bubble domains from said confined array to their original positions in said confined array.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 21, where said translation means includes means for generating and annihilating strip bubble domains on opposing ends of said confined array.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 23, further including control means to initiate generation of strip domains on one end of the confined array and annihilation of strip bubble domains on an opposing end of said confined array.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 21, further including a bias field source for providing a magnetic bias field for stabilization of said bubble domains in said magnetic medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 25, wherein said magnetic bias field has the same magnitude in said confined array as in said accessing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 21, where said access means includes means for producing magnetic fields acting on said selected bubble domains for changing the size of these domains, and further confinement means for confining bubble domains located outside said confined array.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 27, further including generating means for generating new bubble domains in locations outside of said confined array.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 27, further including detection means for detecting said bubble domains.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 27, further including generating means for generating additional bubble domains and detection means for sensing bubble domains.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 27, including buffer zones of additional interactive elements on opposing ends of said confined array and means for generating and annihilating said additional interactive elements.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for manipulating magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains which are located in positions at least partially determined by interactions existing between said magnetic bubble domains, means for translating a selected column of magnetic bubble domains in a first direction to a selected location, means for removing said selected column from said lattice in a second direction.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for manipulating magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains which are located in positions at least partially determined by interactions existing between said magnetic bubble domains, means for translating a selected column of magnetic bubble domains in a first direction to a selected location, means for removing said selected column from said lattice in a second direction.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for manipulating bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains, the domains in said columns being sufficiently close to one another that interactions exist between adjacent domains, a bubble domain shift register for moving magnetic bubble domains, said shift register crossing said lattice in a direction defined by the direction of said columns of bubble domains in said lattice, and means for controlling the movement of bubble domains in said shift register.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
82 words
A system for manipulating bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains, the domains in said columns being sufficiently close to one another that interactions exist between adjacent domains, a bubble domain shift register for moving magnetic bubble domains, said shift register crossing said lattice in a direction defined by the direction of said columns of bubble domains in said lattice, and means for controlling the movement of bubble domains in said shift register.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 33, further including regions containing stripe domains on opposing ends of said lattice.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: first and second lattices comprised of magnetic bubble domains, wherein the magnetic bubble domains in each lattice are sufficiently close to other bubble domains in the same lattice that they can interact therewith, said first and second lattices being characterized by having magnetic bubble domains common to both lattices and wherein said first lattice is a two-dimensional lattice and said second lattice is a one-dimensional lattice which intersects said first lattice, means for removing bubble domains common to both lattices from said first lattice.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: first and second lattices comprised of magnetic bubble domains, wherein the magnetic bubble domains in each lattice are sufficiently close to other bubble domains in the same lattice that they can interact therewith, said first and second lattices being characterized by having magnetic bubble domains common to both lattices and wherein said first lattice is a two-dimensional lattice and said second lattice is a one-dimensional lattice which intersects said first lattice, means for removing bubble domains common to both lattices from said first lattice.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
70 words
A system using magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains which are sufficiently close to each other that interactions occur therebetween, and means for removing a plurality of said columns of bubble domains from said lattice at the same time, said means including means for substantially maintaining the integrity of said lattice when said plurality of columns is removed therefrom.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
70 words
A system using magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising: a lattice comprised of columns of magnetic bubble domains which are sufficiently close to each other that interactions occur therebetween, and means for removing a plurality of said columns of bubble domains from said lattice at the same time, said means including means for substantially maintaining the integrity of said lattice when said plurality of columns is removed therefrom.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for accessing moving magnetic bubble domains selectively in a lattice array of such domains where the domains in said lattice have positions substantially determined by interaction forces existing between said domains, said apparatus including access means comprising: confinement means intersecting said lattice for channeling motion of bubble domains within said confinement means, pump means for applying a magnetic field to selected ones of said bubble domains located within said confinement means for altering the distance between domains within said confinement means, and holding means for holding in a substantially fixed position at least one bubble domain located in said confinement means while said pump means applies said magnetic field to said selected domains in said confinement means.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for accessing moving magnetic bubble domains selectively in a lattice array of such domains where the domains in said lattice have positions substantially determined by interaction forces existing between said domains, said apparatus including access means comprising: confinement means intersecting said lattice for channeling motion of bubble domains within said confinement means, pump means for applying a magnetic field to selected ones of said bubble domains located within said confinement means for altering the distance between domains within said confinement means, and holding means for holding in a substantially fixed position at least one bubble domain located in said confinement means while said pump means applies said magnetic field to said selected domains in said confinement means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 37, including additional access means intersecting said lattice at different locations than said first mentioned access means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 37, where said confinement means includes conductor means extending across said lattice.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 39, where said pump means comprises current carrying conductors.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
90 words
A bubble domain apparatus, comprising: first confinement means for confining an array of magnetic bubble domains whose positions within said confinement means are substantially determined by interaction forces existing between said domains, second confinement means extending transversely to said first confinement means, pump means for changing the size of magnetic bubble domains located in said second confinement means, and holding means for holding in a substantially fixed position at least one bubble domain in said second confinement means when said domains in said second confinement means are changed in size.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
90 words
A bubble domain apparatus, comprising: first confinement means for confining an array of magnetic bubble domains whose positions within said confinement means are substantially determined by interaction forces existing between said domains, second confinement means extending transversely to said first confinement means, pump means for changing the size of magnetic bubble domains located in said second confinement means, and holding means for holding in a substantially fixed position at least one bubble domain in said second confinement means when said domains in said second confinement means are changed in size.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 41, where said second confinement means is comprised of current carrying conductors.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further including annihilation means for annihilating domains in said second confinement means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 41, including means for moving selected domains in said lattice to positions within said second confinement means.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 41, further including generation means for producing domains in said second confinement means and sensing means for detecting domains in said second confinement means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 45, where said pump means and said generation means are comprised of current carrying conductors.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for moving an array of bubble domains, said array being comprised of magnetic bubble domains whose positions in the array are substantially determined by interaction forces existing between domains in the array, comprising: buffer zones located on opposing ends of the array, said buffer zones being comprised of magnetic domains, means for generating and annihilating said magnetic domains in said buffer zones.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for moving an array of bubble domains, said array being comprised of magnetic bubble domains whose positions in the array are substantially determined by interaction forces existing between domains in the array, comprising: buffer zones located on opposing ends of the array, said buffer zones being comprised of magnetic domains, means for generating and annihilating said magnetic domains in said buffer zones.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 47, where said domains are stripe domains.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for translating a lattice of interacting bubble domains along a first direction, comprising the steps of: establishing a region containing stripe bubble domains, said region being sufficiently close to said lattice that said stripe domains interact with at least some of said bubble domains in said lattice, changing the number of said stripe domains in said region to alter the interaction between said stripe domains and said bubble domains in said lattice, and substantially maintaining the density of said lattice.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for translating a lattice of interacting bubble domains along a first direction, comprising the steps of: establishing a region containing stripe bubble domains, said region being sufficiently close to said lattice that said stripe domains interact with at least some of said bubble domains in said lattice, changing the number of said stripe domains in said region to alter the interaction between said stripe domains and said bubble domains in said lattice, and substantially maintaining the density of said lattice.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 49, including the further step of establishing a second region containing stripe domains which interact with at least some of the bubble domains in said lattice, and changing the number of stripe domains in said second region.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a lattice of interactive elements confined in a region where said elements interact with one another, translation means for translating said lattice while substantially retaining the size of said lattice and the relative positions of said elements within said lattice with respect to one another, said translation means including buffer zones on opposing ends of said lattice, said buffer zones containing further interactive elements.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a lattice of interactive elements confined in a region where said elements interact with one another, translation means for translating said lattice while substantially retaining the size of said lattice and the relative positions of said elements within said lattice with respect to one another, said translation means including buffer zones on opposing ends of said lattice, said buffer zones containing further interactive elements.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 51, further including means associated with each said buffer zone for changing the number of interactive elements therein.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 51, where said interactive elements are magnetic bubble domains.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 53, where stripe magnetic domains are located on opposing ends of said lattice.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |