Key assemblies are disclosed herein that are retractable and/or that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, one or more key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.

Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented to indicate real time availability of individual key assemblies for user input to an information handling system. In one embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to retract an individual key assembly of a user input device (e.g., such as keyboard matrix, game controller, game pad, computer mouse, etc.) when the key assembly is, or becomes, unavailable for input to a user application (e.g., such as a computer game) that is executing on a host programmable integrated circuit (e.g., such as host CPU) of an information handling system. Such a retracted key assembly may then be extended when it becomes available for input to the user application.

A polarity-switching magnetic diode provides a method of gating or rectifying N and S polarized flux contained within the closed-loop flux circuit of a magnetic flux element. Gaps separate the opposing magnetic polarities, and strategically placed control coils are disposed to break the magnetic circuit in at least two places upon electrical activation of the deviceforming high density flux zones of opposite polarity. Switching the control coil's magnetic flux flow allows for the high density flux zones to alternate N and S polarity.

Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for a clothing article including a first fabric having a first set of threads coupled to one another, wherein each thread in the first set of threads includes a metal compound with electropermanent magnet properties. Additionally, a second fabric may be coupled to the first fabric, wherein the second fabric includes a second set of threads having the metal compound with electropermanent magnet properties. In one example, electrical current may be applied to one or more target threads, wherein the electrical current may initiate a slide of the first fabric across the second fabric and/or initiate creation of a fold among the target threads.

Provided is an access control electro-permanent magnetic lock for locking and unlocking physical barriers with electromagnetism, but without a continual power source. The lock comprises permanent magnets juxtaposed with electro-permanent magnets. The polarity of the permanent magnets is fixed and aligned. The polarity of the electro-permanent magnets can be switched by introducing a pulse of electric current for a fraction of a second at low voltage to the electro-permanent magnets. A strong magnetic field generating a locking or holding force is produced when the polarity of the electro-permanent magnets aligns with or is in the same direction as the polarity of the permanent magnets. The magnetic field is canceled such that there is no locking or holding force when the polarity of the electro-permanent magnets is opposite to the polarity of the permanent magnets. The lock can further provide fail-secure or fail-safe protections in the event of power loss.

A permanent magnetic mask chuck is described herein. The permanent magnetic mask chuck includes a body with a plurality of permanent magnets positioned therein. The permanent magnets can then deliver a magnetic force to a mask to position and hold the mask over or on the substrate for further deposition.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

A haptic actuator is presented. The haptic actuator has an electropermanent magnet having a deactivated state and an activated state for a net magnetic field thereof. A layer of ferromagnetic material or magneto-active polymer is located opposite an end of the electropermanent magnet, and is configured to generate a haptic effect by being actuated toward the end of the electropermanent magnet in response to the net magnetic field of the electropermanent magnet being in the activated state.

A polarity-switching magnetic diode provides a method of gating or rectifying N and S polarized flux contained within the closed-loop flux circuit of a magnetic flux element. Gaps separate the opposing magnetic polarities, and strategically placed control coils are disposed to break the magnetic circuit in at least two places upon electrical activation of the deviceforming high density flux zones of opposite polarity. Switching the control coil's magnetic flux flow allows for the high density flux zones to alternate N and S polarity.

A permanent magnetic mask chuck is described herein. The permanent magnetic mask chuck includes a body with a plurality of permanent magnets positioned therein. The permanent magnets can then deliver a magnetic force to a mask to position and hold the mask over or on the substrate for further deposition.