# US 2009/0260962 A1 · Self-monitoring switch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260962 A1 - Document ID: US20090260962A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/106,372 - Filed: 2008-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-21 - Assignees: FormFactor, Inc. - Inventors: Rodney Ivan Martens; Jun Jason Yao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260962A1 ## CPC - H01H 1/0036: {Switches making use of microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] (for electromagnetic relays H01H50/005; for electrostatic relays H01H59/0009)} - H01H 1/18: with subsequent sliding - H01H 1/60: Auxiliary means structurally associated with the switch for cleaning or lubricating contact-making surfaces (cleaning by normal sliding of contacts H01H1/18, H01H1/36) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract Methods and apparatus for switching electrical signals are provided herein. In some embodiments a smart switch is provided, the smart switch may include a switch having a wipe capability; a monitor coupled to the switch for monitoring a performance characteristic thereof; and a controller configured to provide a stepped change in wipe applied by the switch between closing cycles thereof in response to the monitored performance characteristic. In some embodiments, an electronic device may be provided having a smart switch disposed therein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A smart switch, comprising: a switch having a wipe capability; a monitor coupled to the switch for monitoring a performance characteristic thereof; and a controller configured to provide a stepped change in wipe applied by the switch between closing cycles thereof in response to the monitored performance characteristic. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the monitor is configured to monitor at least one of a voltage drop across the switch, a temperature of the switch, a temperature proximate the switch, a signal power input to output ratio, or a degradation of a signal passing through the switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the switch is a MEMS switch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the smart switch comprises a resilient contact element having a tip configured to wipe a contact pad with which the tip makes contact. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the monitor comprises a monitoring circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The smart switch of claim 5, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to measure a voltage drop across the switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the monitor comprises a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the switch, or of components or atmosphere proximate the switch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The smart switch of claim 1, wherein the monitor monitors the performance of the switch when the switch is in a closed position. ### Claim 9 An electronic device, comprising: an input circuit for providing a signal; an output circuit for receiving the signal from the input circuit; and a smart switch for selectively coupling the input circuit to the output circuit, the smart switch comprising: a switch having a wipe capability; a monitor coupled to the switch for monitoring a performance characteristic thereof; and a controller configured to provide a stepped change in wipe applied by the switch between closing cycles thereof in response to the monitored performance characteristic. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the electronic device comprises a portable phone, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a music player, a radio, a digital music player, a digital camera, a video camera, an electronic game, a navigational device, a computer, a computing device, a television, a video player, or a multimedia player. ### Claim 11 A method of switching a signal in a microelectronic device, comprising: monitoring one or more characteristics of operation of a switch; comparing the monitored characteristics to a metric; and changing a quantity of wipe applied by the switch in response to the comparison. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the switch further comprises: adjusting a contact force applied by the switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the switch further comprises: causing a contact element of the switch to wipe a contact pad of the switch by a fixed quantity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein wiping the contact pad of the switch by a fixed quantity further comprises: causing a contact element of the switch to wipe a contact pad of the switch by a first quantity greater than the fixed quantity; and causing the contact element to reduce the wipe of the contact pad by a second quantity to result in the fixed quantity of wipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the switch further comprises: causing a contact element of the switch to increase a wipe of a contact pad of the switch between closed cycles of the switch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the switch further comprises: adjusting an actuation voltage applied to the switch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the actuation voltage is less than about 3 Volts. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein controlling operation of the switch further comprises: controlling an actuation mechanism that operates the switch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring one or more characteristics of operation of the switch further comprises: monitoring at least one of a voltage drop across the switch, a temperature of the switch, a temperature proximate the switch, a signal power input to output ratio, or a degradation of a signal passing through the switch. ### Claim at position 20 20-38. (canceled)