Coded magnetic card and reader

Claim 2

A coded magnetic pulse generator comprising a holder, a plurality of wires mounted on the holder, each wire having a shell and core capable of being magnetized to a first level in a first axial direction when subjected to a first magnetic field having a strength greater than said first level, the direction of magnetization of only one of said shell and core being reversed upon removal of said first magnetic field, the direcTion of magnetization of said one of said shell and core being returned to said first direction when the wire is subjected to a second magnetic field having the same direction as said first magnetic field and a magnitude greater than said first level, each of said wires being magnetized to said first level and placed on the holder so that the first axial direction of magnetization of the wires relative to each other is in accordance with a predetermined code, whereby when the holder is moved through the second magnetic field the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core of each wire returns to said first axial direction in accordance with the predetermined code.

Claim 3

A coded magnetic pulse generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the first axial direction of at least one of the wires is opposite to the first axial direction of the other wires.

Claim 4

A coded magnetic pulse generator as defined in claim 2 wherein the wires are axially parallel to each other and are laterally spaced apart.

Claim 5

A coded magnetic pulse generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the holder is formed of a pair of juxtaposed sheets, the wires being disposed between the sheets.

Claim 6

A coded magnetic pulse generator as defined in claim 4 wherein the wires are axially parallel to each other and laterally spaced apart and wherein the first axial direction of at least one of the wires is opposite to the first axial direction of the other wires.

Claim 7

In combination, a. a coded magnetic pulse generator comprising a holder, a plurality of wires mounted on the holder, each wire having a shell and core capable of being magnetized to a first level in a first axial direction when subjected to a first magnetic field having a strength greater than said first level, the direction of magnetization of only one of said shell and core being reversed upon removal of said first magnetic field, the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core being returned to said first direction when the wire is subjected to a second magnetic field having the same direction as said first magnetic field and a magnitude greater than said first level, each of said wires being magnetized to said first level and placed on the holder so that the first axial direction of magnetization of the wires relative to each other is in accordance with a predetermined code, and b. a reader for reading said pulse generator comprising means for producing said second magnetic field and means for sensing a change in the magnetic flux adjacent to the magnetic means, the sensing means providing a signal corresponding to the predetermined code, whereby when the holder is moved through the second magnetic field the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core of each wire returns to said first axial direction in accordance with the predetermined code.

Claim 8

In combination, a. a coded magnetic pulse generator comprising a holder, a plurality of wires mounted on the holder, each wire having a shell and core capable of being magnetized to a first level in a first axial direction when subjected to a first magnetic field having a strength greater than said first level, the direction of magnetization of only one of said shell and core being reversed upon removal of said first magnetic field, the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core being returned to said first direction when the wire is subjected to a second magnetic field having the same direction as said first magnetic field and a magnitude greater than said first level, each of said wires being magnetized to said first level and placed on the holder so that the first axial direction of magnetization of the wires relative to each other is in accordance with a predetermined code, and b. a reader for reading said pulse generator comprising means for producing said second magnetic field and means for sensing a change in the magnetic flux adjacent to the magnetic means, the sensing means providing a signal corresponding to the predetermined code, whereby when the holder is moved through the second magnetic field the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core of each wire returns to said first axial direction in accordance with the predetermined code.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 wherein the sensing means includes a coil of conductive wire mounted adjacent the magnetic means.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 wherein the magnetic means includes a pair of magnets of opposite polarity.

Claim 11

The reader of claim 8 including means for receiving the coded magnetic pulse generator in a particular direction and wherein the pair of magnets are spaced apart in a direction parallel to said particular direction, the magnets being mounted on the reader such that the coded magnetic pulse generator passes through the second magnetic field as it is inserted into the receiving means.

Claim 12

The reader of claim 9 wherein a first wire having a particular polarity alignment produces a first signal and a second wire having a polarity alignment opposite to the first wire produces a second signal.

Claim 13

The reader of claim 9 including at least two coils of conductive wire, one coil being mounted adjacent to each of the magnets.

Claim 14

The reader of claim 11 wherein the coils are spaced apart sufficiently such that the change in magnetic flux produced by a wire becoming juxtaposed to one of the magnets prOduces a signal greater than a predetermined magnitude in the coil adjacent to said one of the magnets and produces a signal less than a predetermined magnitude in the coil adjacent to the other of the magnets.

Claim 15

The reader of claim 9 wherein the means for receiving the coded magnetic pulse generator comprises a pair of spaced walls defining a slot, and wherein the sensing means includes at least one coil of conductive wire, the magnets being mounted on the reader to provide the second magnetic field within the slot and the coil being mounted on the reader so as to be disposed within the changing magnetic field produced when the direction of magnetization of said one of said shell and core of one of the wires on the pulse generator is reversed.

Claim 16

The reader of claim 13 including at least two coils of conductive wire, one coil being mounted adjacent to each of the magnets, the coils being spaced apart sufficiently such that the change in magnetic flux produced by a wire becoming juxtaposed to one of the magnets produces a signal greater than a predetermined magnitude of the coil adjacent to said one of the magnets and produces a signal less than a predetermined magnitude in the coil adjacent to the other of the magnets.