Rewritable bubble domain decoder

A bubble domain structure for selectively moving magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium, comprising:

• propagation means for moving magnetic bubble domains in a plurality of propagation paths in said magnetic medium,
• switch means located along said propagation paths for determining which propagation paths are taken by said magnetic bubble domains, each said switch means being comprised of:
• means for holding a control bubble domain at a specified location in said magnetic medium,
• means for bringing other magnetic bubble domains sufficiently close to said control bubble domain that interaction can occur therebetween, said interaction causing said other bubble domains to move in a first direction,
• means for moving said other bubble domains in a second direction in said magnetic medium when said other bubble domains are in interactive proximity to said control bubble domain, and
• means for retaining said control bubble domain at said specified location when said interaction is overcome and after said other bubble domains move in said second direction.

A switch for magnetic bubble domains in a magnetic medium comprising:

• means for holding a control bubble domain,
• means for bringing other bubble domains into interactive proximity to said control bubble domain,
• propagation means for moving said other bubble domains in a first direction after interaction with said control bubble domain, said first direction being determined by said interaction with said control bubble domain,
• propagation means for moving said other bubble domains in a second direction, said other bubble domains not normally moving in said second direction after interaction with said control bubble domain,
• control means for overcoming said interaction and means for moving said domains in said second direction when said other domains and said control domain are in interactive proximity to each other and said control bubble domain remains held by said means for holding.

A bubble domain switch, comprising:

• means for holding a control bubble domain at a specified location in a magnetic medium,
• means for moving said control bubble domain from said specified location to change the state of said switch,
• means for bringing other bubble domains sufficiently close to said control bubble domain that interaction therebetween can occur, said interaction causing said other bubble domains to move in a first direction,
• means for overcoming said interaction when said other bubble domain and said control bubble domain are in interactive proximity to one another to allow said other bubble domains to move in a second direction while said control bubble domain remains at said specified location.