Magnetic verifing system

Claim 2

A magnetic verification system comprising a source of alternating current, control means responsive to the flow of electrical current, a plurality of saturable core transformers cascade connected between the source of alternating current and the control means, the transformers forming a circuit for normally transmitting the alternating current to the control means and for blocking the transmission of the signal to the control means when at least one of the transformers is subjected to a magnetic field of a predetermined intensity which is sufficient to magnetically saturate the one transformer, first means for supplying a first magnetic field of the predetermined intensity to at least a select one of the transformers in a predetermined direction, second means for supplying a second magnetic field of the predetermined intensity to at least the select transformer in a direction opposite to that of the first magnetic field so as to substantially cancel it with respect to the select transformer.

Claim 3

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic field supplying means comprises a plurality of electromagnets, each electromagnet being mounted adjacent a separate transformer, a source of direct current of intensity sufficient that when coupled to any of the electromagnets a magnetic field of the predetermined intensity is generated therein, and means for selectively coupling certain of the electromagnets to the source of direct current.

Claim 4

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second magnetic field supplying means comprise a plurality of bar cores, each bar core being mounted adjacent a separate transformer, a plurality of coils, each bar core having a pair of the coils wound thereon, the coils of each pair being arranged to generate magnetic fields of substantially equal intensity but in opposition to each other, a source of direct current for energizing the coils, first means for electrically connecting one of the coils from select coil pairs to the direct current source, and second means for electrically connecting the opposite coil of the selEct coil pairs to the direct current source.

Claim 5

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 1 wherein the control means includes an electronic lock operated in response to the alternating current.

Claim 6

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and the second magnetic field supplying means includes a strip bearing portions of permanently magnetized material.

Claim 7

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 1 comprising a housing, a frame positioned in the housing for mounting the transformers in a predetermined pattern, the first magnetic field supplying means including a first strip insertable in the housing adjacent to the frame, the first strip having portions permanently magnetized in predetermined directions and having the predetermined magnetic field intensity, each portion of the first strip being aligned with and spaced from a separate transformer, a second strip insertable in the housing adjacent to the frame, the second strip having portions permanently magnetized in directions which are opposite to the directions in which the portions of the first strip are magnetized and having the predetermined magnetic field intensity, each portion of the second strip being aligned with and opposed to a magnetized portion of the first strip such that the intensity of the net magnetic field asserted by the portions of the two strips on each transformer is less than the predetermined intensity.

Claim 8

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one of the first and second strips comprises a hollow tube and a plurality of permanently magnetized bits insertable into the hollow tube, the relative dimensions of the hollow tube interior and the exterior of the bits being such that the bits are held within the tube in a pattern determined by their order of insertion into the tube.

Claim 9

A magnetic verification system as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one of the first and second strips comprises a card having permanently magnetized portions, the card further having additional physical features to identify the user of the card.