Abstract: Magnetic recording media including permanent structures of aligned acicular particles have been proposed as a means of identifying and authenticating a medium. A structure of such a media by which information can be recorded and read-out without interference from the structural remanence difference is described. An apparatus and method for the examination of such media for their permanent structures, particularly when used in security documents such as credit cards, are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus to examine a magnetic storage layer expected to contain a magnetic watermark includes means to magnetize the layer with a unidirectional field of a selected strength without saturating it and means to detect any distinct region of magnetic remanence. The apparatus may further include means to record the resultant remanence levels (or their ratio) for such a region and another part of the layer, means to magnetize the layer with a unidirectional field of a different selected strength, means to detect any then-existing such distinct region or regions, means to measure the remanence levels (or their ratio) for the then-existing such region and another part of the layer, and means to compare the measured and recorded levels (or their ratios) and indicate from the result of the comparison whether or not this represents a layer having a magnetic watermark of regions of distinctly aligned anisotropic magnetic particles.

Abstract: Magnetic record media including permanent structures of aligned acicular particles have been proposed as a means of identifying and authenticating a medium. A method of recording and reading out information on such media without interference from the permanent structure remanence variation is described. Suitable forms of magnetic record media and their manufacture are described. The use of the media and method for security documents such as credit cards is also described.