Abstract: A stored-value card machine includes a card output device including a body unit and a read/write device. The body unit includes a body and a transmission device mounted in the body. The body includes a card outlet in a front end thereof and a card inlet in a rear end thereof. The body further includes a card passageway having two ends intercommunicating with the card outlet and the card inlet, respectively. The transmission device includes two front transmission wheels and two rear transmission wheels located at the two ends of the passageway, respectively. The read/write device is mounted above an intermediate portion of the card passageway. The read/write device includes a read/write seat, a reader/writer mounted in the read/write seat, and a driver mounted in the read/write seat. The driver is configured to move the reader/writer downwards into the card passageway or upwards out of the card passageway.

Abstract: A magnetic information processing apparatus for registering transaction information on a line in a document and storing the location of the line in magnetic media attached to the document, includes a magnetic head, a document receptacle configured to receive the document on which the magnetic media storing the position where the immediately previous transaction information is registered is attached, and a processing unit. The processing unit is programmed to control the magnetic head to read information from a first position of the magnetic media, move to a second position of the magnetic media, and read additional information from the second position of the magnetic media, extract registration position information indicating the location of the most recent previous registration position from the result of reading of the first and second positions of the magnetic media by the magnetic head, and output the extracted registration position information.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least one microphone; audio circuitry connected to the at least one microphone; and a memory connected to the audio circuitry. The audio circuitry is configured to output a first audio track and at least one second audio track. The audio circuitry is configured to form the first audio track from an output signal, provided by the at least one microphone, by processing the output signal with a first audio configuring, and where the audio circuitry is configured to form the at least one second audio track from the output signal, provided by the at least one microphone, without the first audio configuring. The memory is configured to store the first audio track and the at least one second audio track together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic reading head to be mounted in a terminal, said head having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprising a face for reading data coming from a magnetic stripe, said face comprising at least one component for reading data coming from a magnetic stripe. According to the invention, such a magnetic reading head comprises at least one flexible printed circuit board for protection against electromagnetic disturbances, said flexible printed circuit board being positioned on at least one face different from said reading face.

Abstract: A magnetic reader head assembly includes a magnetic reader head compartment, a frame and an elastic component. The magnetic reader head compartment comprises electronic and mechanical components of the magnetic reader head. The frame has a front side and a back side and has a footprint matching the footprint of the magnetic reader head compartment. The front side is configured to attach to a back wall of the magnetic reader head compartment while allowing the magnetic reader head compartment to move out or retract from the frame. The elastic component is configured to be placed at the back side of the frame and to push the frame out in order to press the magnetic reader head compartment against a magnetic card stripe.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a base, at least one magnetic transducer, at least one protection sheet, and a control circuit board. The magnetic transducer is set on an external surface of the base. The protection sheet is coupled to the external surface of the base and covers the magnetic transducer. The protection sheet covering the magnetic transducer prevents the magnetic transducer from direct exposure. The control circuit board is coupled to a bottom of the base and electrically connected to the magnetic transducer. The control circuit board may be electrically connected with a predetermined control device so that the control circuit board receives a read signal transmitted from the magnetic transducer and transmits the read signal to the predetermined control device. As such, using the magnetic transducer to read data may simplify the conventional magnetic head in respect of complicated components, size, manufacturing time, labor, and cost.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a card reader that can prevent the illegal acquisition of magnetic information recorded on a magnetic stripe, based on an output signal from a pre-head. More specifically described, in a card reader having a card insertion slot for guiding a magnetic card having a magnetic stripe to a transport passage and a pre-head arranged in the vicinity of the card insertion slot for detecting the presence of the magnetic stripe, the pre-head is equipped with a head portion having at least one pair of magnetic cores arranged to be opposite from each other having a magnetic gap between them and coils wound around a pair of the magnetic cores; and a signal different from that of the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe is output from the pre-head.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a bit density of a magnetic card (2) are provided. Said control device comprises a stepper motor (1) providing power to drive the magnetic card (2) or a recording magnetic head (15), a transmission mechanism transferring power to the magnetic card (2) or the recording magnetic head (15), a CPU (10) sending magnetic recording information, a track data encoder (13) receiving a magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and generating magnetic writing data in synchronization with the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1), and a magnetic head driving circuit (14) outputting a magnetic writing control signal based on the magnetic writing data. The frequency of the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and the frequency of a driving pulse signal (CLK0) of the stepper motor are in a linear relationship. Said control method is a method for controlling a bit density.

Abstract: A non-contact information processing device and a non-contact card medium issuing machine that can easily and quickly judge whether an electromagnetic radiation function of a non-contact communication antenna is working properly or not. Concretely to describe, provided is a card reader that includes non-contact information processing means for recording and/or reproducing information through electromagnetic induction without contacting a card medium; and a transfer path for transferring the card medium. The non-contact information processing means has a device-side non-contact communication antenna that is able to send and receive information to/from a medium-side non-contact communication antenna provided on the card medium. Provided is detection means for detecting if the device-side non-contact communication antenna is working normally.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a card reader that can prevent the illegal acquisition of magnetic information recorded on a magnetic stripe, based on an output signal from a pre-head. More specifically described, in a card reader having a card insertion slot for guiding a magnetic card having a magnetic stripe to a transport passage and a pre-head arranged in the vicinity of the card insertion slot for detecting the presence of the magnetic stripe, the pre-head is equipped with a head portion having at least one pair of magnetic cores arranged to be opposite from each other having a magnetic gap between them and coils wound around a pair of the magnetic cores; and a signal different from that of the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic stripe is output from the pre-head.

Abstract: A portable card adapted to interact with a data processing station when the portable card and the data processing station are moved relative to each other is disclosed. The portable card includes a substrate having a predetermined shape, e.g. rectangular. An accessible embedded storage member is enclosed within said substrate. The storage member includes at least one layer of storage material for storing information in a predetermined format for processing by the data processing station. The storage member and the substrate are adapted to be transported relative to each other to expose at least a portion of the storage member to the data processing station to facilitate processing of stored information and for embedment of the storage member within the substrate. The storage member may be in the form of an elongated strip member, or a circular member.

Abstract: A portable card adapted to interact with a data processing station when the portable card and the data processing station are moved relative to each other is disclosed. The portable card includes a substrate having a predetermined shape, e.g. rectangular. An accessible embedded storage member is enclosed within said substrate. The storage member includes at least one layer of storage material for storing information in a predetermined format for processing by the data processing station. The storage member and the substrate are adapted to be transported relative to each other to expose at least a portion of the storage member to the data processing station to facilitate processing of stored information and for embedment of the storage member within the substrate. The storage member may be in the form of an elongated strip member, or a circular member.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a bit density of a magnetic card (2) are provided. Said control device comprises a stepper motor (1) providing power to drive the magnetic card (2) or a recording magnetic head (15), a transmission mechanism transferring power to the magnetic card (2) or the recording magnetic head (15), a CPU (10) sending magnetic recording information, a track data encoder (13) receiving a magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and generating magnetic writing data in synchronization with the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1), and a magnetic head driving circuit (14) outputting a magnetic writing control signal based on the magnetic writing data. The frequency of the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and the frequency of a driving pulse signal (CLK0) of the stepper motor are in a linear relationship. Said control method is a method for controlling a bit density.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal includes a microcontroller integrated circuit. In one aspect, a regulator within the IC receives power from a supply voltage terminal and/or a battery terminal. If the regulator does not receive adequate power from either terminal, then energy stored on-chip in a capacitor is used to erase secure memory. In another aspect, pulses of current are made to pulse through conductors of a conductive mesh. A tamper condition is detected if an improper voltage is detected on the IC terminal through which the pulse is conducted. In another aspect, each vendor signs his/her firmware with his own vendor ID. A bootloader uses the vendor ID to lookup a public key that is then used to verify a private key supplied by the firmware to be executed. In another aspect, a magnetic card reader includes a digital peak detector circuit involving programmable positive and negative thresholds.

Abstract: A housing mechanism includes a housing, a defending element, and a magnetic unit. The housing has a cavity, and an opening defined in a sidewall of the housing. The opening communicates with the cavity. The defending element is rotatably attached to an inner side of the sidewall adjacent the opening. The magnetic unit is fixed adjacent to the opening and configured for causing the defending element to return to cover the opening by a magnetic force produced by the magnetic unit.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive has a disk with pre-patterned nondata servo sectors extending generally radially across the data tracks for use in positioning the read/write heads on the data tracks. The servo sectors include a synchronization pattern of generally radially directed magnetized marks, a first field of generally radially directed magnetized stripes, and a second field of generally radially directed magnetized stripes. Each stripe in each of the two fields comprises a plurality of radially spaced discrete islands, each island having a radial height of approximately Tp, where Tp is the spacing of the track centerlines in the radial direction. In the first field, the islands are centered at a track centerline, and in the second field the islands are centered at the midline between two adjacent track centerlines. The marks and islands are discrete magnetized regions separated by nonmagnetic spaces.

Abstract: A magnetic data read circuit includes a differentiation circuit and an integration circuit which are individually connected to a magnetic head, and a means of read judgment for pass/fail judgment on reading operation of magnetic data detected at the magnetic head. The read judgment means has first and second storage sections in which data relating to an output signal of the differentiation circuit and the integration circuit, respectively, are stored. The read judgment section obtains data from at least one of the first storage section and the second storage section and makes a pass/fail judgment on reading operation of the magnetic data. Such a magnetic data read circuit improves accuracy of reading magnetic data stored in a magnetic recording medium from a single transfer of the magnetic recording medium data.

Abstract: Data transfer apparatus may include a housing substantially conforming to a dimensional standard for a specified type of data cartridge. A reader mounted to the housing interrogates and receives data from a memory system provided on a data cartridge when the data transfer apparatus is positioned adjacent the data cartridge. A data transmission system mounted to the housing and operatively associated with the reader transfers data received by the reader to a data receiving system external to the data transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining an appropriate write current for a magnetic recording medium and to write magnetic information on the magnetic recording medium at the appropriate write current thus determined. When a current value suited to writing on a magnetic recording medium is to be found, a coercive force of the magnetic recording medium is found from a voltage at which magnetic information written on the magnetic recording medium is read, and a traveling quantity of the magnetic recording medium, and a current value corresponding to the coercive force, are found.

Abstract: A payment card comprises a plastic card with a magnetic stripe for user account data. Internal to the plastic card, and behind the magnetic stripe, a number of fixed-position magnetic write heads allow the user account data to be automatically modified. For example, a data field that counts the number of times the card has been scanned is incremented. A payment processing center keeps track of this usage-counter data field, and will not authorize transaction requests that come out of sequence. For example, as can occur from a magnetic clone of a card that has been skimmed and tried later. A card-swipe detector embedded in the plastic card detects each use in a scanner, and it signals an internal microcomputer which changes data bits sent to the write heads. Once scanned, the payment card can also disable any reading of the user account data for a short fixed period of time.

Abstract: A storage device comprising a magnetic storage medium mounted in a first plane, a read and write mechanism mounted in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane and configured to write information to the magnetic storage medium, and a micromover configured to move the magnetic storage medium in a first direction parallel to the first plane and configured to move the magnetic storage medium in a second direction parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: This invention discloses a flat data storage medium that includes a plurality of substantially parallel data arc-segments. The data arcs further include at least one full circle data track provided for obtaining a measurement of an average amplitude of data signals over the full circle data track for calibrating a pickup head implemented for reading data from the data arc-segments. This invention further discloses a data storage system for accessing data stored in a data storage medium. The data storage system includes dynamic head loading/unloading system that includes a handle for pushing a linkage connected to the handle for loading and unloading the data storage medium to an engaged and disengaged positions relative to a pickup head for accessing data disposed on the data storage medium. The dynamic head loading/unloading system further includes a locking mechanism for automatically locking the data storage medium inside the data storage system when the linkage is disposed at an engaged-position.

Abstract: There is provided a support structure for a magnetic head in which a magnetic head having a function of being capable of following a warp or the like of a magnetic card can be easily attached and detached without using a fastening member such as a screw. A support structure for a magnetic head for swingably supporting a magnetic head includes a fixed member fixed to a fixed portion, a movable member rotatably supported by the fixed member and urged toward a fixed position, and support shafts protrusively provided at the front and back of the magnetic head, in which groove portions for removably supporting the support shafts are formed at corresponding portions of the fixed member and the movable member in one of them in a vertical direction and in the other in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A magnetic read control apparatus magnetically reads information stored in a magnetic stripe of a medium by varying a relative carrying velocity between a velocity at which the magnetic head is carried in a predetermined direction and a velocity at which the medium is carried when a read error occurs in the information stored in the magnetic stripe of the medium.

Abstract: A head protection device in a data recording circuit is disclosed in which write-current of a given level that corresponds to a high or low level of coercive force of the magnetic recording portion of a recording medium is provided as an output and supplied to a magnetic head for data recording and reproduction. The data recording circuit comprises an alternate write-current supply portion for alternately providing, by a suitable current switching means, a low write-current corresponding to a low coercivity magnetic head and a high write-current corresponding to a high coercivity magnetic head, a common output portion for providing data to be recorded using a low current or a high current from the alternate write-current supply portion. The low coercivity magnetic head and the high coercivity magnetic head can be at least electrically switched. A current protection portion for a current switching means is provided so as to prevent generation of high write-current at the alternate write-current supply portion.

Abstract: A magnetic write control apparatus transports a medium having a magnetic stripe, until the magnetic stripe reaches a magnetic write position. The apparatus moves a magnetic head and the medium relative to each other, thereby to perform magnetic writing on the magnetic stripe. The magnetic head magnetically writes prescribed data on the magnetic stripe, asynchronously with the relative motion of the magnetic head and the medium.

Abstract: In a helical scanning type magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus for selecting one of output signals of two reproducing heads that are disposed at positions different by of 180° and transferring the selected output signal with a rotary transformer of one channel, a rotor side winding of a reproducing signal channel of a rotary transformer is divided into two portions. The divided portions are connected at two positions that are opposite to output terminals of head amplifiers that amplify output signals of reproducing heads and that have self short-circuit switches. Without use of extra wirings, the head amplifiers are directly connected to the rotary transformer. An output signal of the reproducing head is selected by short-circuiting a self short-circuit switch of a head amplifier corresponding to a head that does not reproduce a signal.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for causing a magnetic card to make a move relative to a magnetic head and reproducing data on the magnetic card by the magnetic head, said magnetic card reader includes an amplifier for amplifying a magnetic signal provided by the magnetic head, a peak detection section for detecting a peak point of amplifier output from the amplifier output, a data reproduction section for reproducing digital data based on the interval between the peak points, an anomaly detection section for detecting an anomaly of the peak point interval and an output value storage section for converting the amplifier output from analog form into digital form every predetermined time and storing the provided data.

Abstract: This invention discloses a data access system for access data stored on a flat medium. The data access system includes a pickup head rotating over the flat medium. The data access system further includes at least one stepping motor for discretely moving the flat medium substantially along at least one lateral direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the pickup head. The data access system further includes a closed loop control mechanism for controlling the stepping motor for allowing the pickup head to read data from a servo segment on the flat medium. The controller further includes an open loop control mechanism for rotating the pickup head for reading data from and writing data to a data segment disposed right next to the servo segment on the flat medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses: a forgery-preventive identification medium before recording comprising: a substrate containing identification elements, and a magnetic layer for magnetic signal recording, formed at the predetermined portion of the substrate, wherein the magnetic layer contains at least a MnBi magnetic powder; and a method for ascertaining the genuineness thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic servo writer. The magnetic servo writer includes a magnetic pickup head for rotationally moving over and writing servo data in a magnetic flat data-storage medium. The magnetic servo writer further includes a clock head for providing clock signals to the pickup head and to write clock signals in the clock disk. The magnetic servo writer further includes a control circuit for controlling the magnetic pickup head for writing the servo data on the magnetic flat data-storage medium. The magnetic servo writer further includes a servo pattern layout circuit for controlling the magnetic pickup head for writing the servo data on the magnetic flat data-storage medium with predefined servo patterns. The magnetic servo writer further includes a derived index control circuit for deriving indices from a fixed index provided on the magnetic flat data-storage medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for causing a magnetic card to make a move relative to a magnetic head and reproducing data on the magnetic card by the magnetic head, said magnetic card reader includes an amplifier for amplifying a magnetic signal provided by the magnetic head, a peak detection section for detecting a peak point of amplifier output from the amplifier output, a data reproduction section for reproducing digital data based on the interval between the peak points, an anomaly detection section for detecting an anomaly of the peak point interval and an output value storage section for converting the amplifier output from analog form into digital form every predetermined time and storing the provided data.

Abstract: A debit card read/write controller. The controller comprises a microcontroller device, a read only memory, a dynamically random access memory and a read/write head for reading and writing onto a magnetic card media contained on a magnetic striped card. The microcontroller device includes an input capture port for storing data read from the card, and wherein the microcontroller device continually poles the input capture port for an event to occur. The entire read/write system can be integrated into one single chip. The steps for processing the signal, processing the signal, and writing to the stripes have also been disclosed. The steps generally include inserting the card into a card reader operatively associated with the MR read head and passing manually the stripe underneath the MR read head, and wherein the information on the magnetic card media is stored in the form of a plurality of magnetic flux reversals.

Abstract: A technique for detecting a magnetic recording medium such as a strip on a magnetic card so as to distinguish between a case where a magnetic strip has high coercivity and one where it has low coercivity. A magnetic head detects the existence and appropriate positioning of a magnetic strip which is then fed to a permeability sensor that provides an output signal that is a function of the permeability magnetic strip. A circuit responsive to the output of the permeability sensor provides an output signal indicating the high coercivity strip when the permeability sensor output is low and indicating a low coercivity strip when the permeability sensor output is high.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for causing a magnetic card to make a move relative to a magnetic head and reproducing data on the magnetic card by the magnetic head, said magnetic card reader includes an amplifier for amplifying a magnetic signal provided by the magnetic head, a peak detection section for detecting a peak point of amplifier output from the amplifier output, a data reproduction section for reproducing digital data based on the interval between the peak points, an anomaly detection section for detecting an anomaly of the peak point interval and an output value storage section for converting the amplifier output from analog form into digital form every predetermined time and storing the provided data.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for causing a magnetic card to make a move relative to a magnetic head and reproducing data on the magnetic card by the magnetic head, said magnetic card reader includes an amplifier for amplifying a magnetic signal provided by the magnetic head, a peak detection section for detecting a peak point of amplifier output from the amplifier output, a data reproduction section for reproducing digital data based on the interval between the peak points, an anomaly detection section for detecting an anomaly of the peak point interval and an output value storage section for converting the amplifier output from analog form into digital form every predetermined time and storing the provided data.

Abstract: This invention discloses a plurality of substantially parallel data arcs disposed on a flat data storage medium. The data arcs include at least two linearly aligned servo-data fields disposed in an inner data arc and an outer data arc with an inter-arc distance. The servo data field disposed on the outer data arc is disposed with an offset from an identical radial-angle position projected from a radial center to the servo data field of the inner data arc. The offset is substantially proportional to the inter-arc distance and substantially proportional to SIN (&thgr;) where &thgr; is an angle between the identical radial-angle position and a linear-alignment direction between the two linearly aligned servo-data fields. Furthermore, the servo-data field on the outer data arc is disposed at a location with the offset from the identical radial-angle position in a direction toward a smaller radial angle projected from the radial center to the servo data field of the inner data arc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stop section detecting method of various magnetic recording media such as a magnetic card and a data demodulating method for magnetic recording data in the case in which magnetic recording data written to the magnetic recording media are to be demodulated.

Abstract: A magnetic write control apparatus transports a medium having a magnetic stripe, until the magnetic stripe reaches a magnetic write position. The apparatus moves a magnetic head and the medium relative to each other, thereby to perform magnetic writing on the magnetic stripe. The magnetic head magnetically writes prescribed data on the magnetic stripe, asynchronously with the relative motion of the magnetic head and the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic read control apparatus magnetically reads information stored in a magnetic stripe of a medium by varying a relative carrying velocity between a velocity at which the magnetic head is carried in a predetermined direction and a velocity at which the medium is carried when a read error occurs in the information stored in the magnetic stripe of the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for reading data from or writing data onto a credit card-sized storage media containing a rotating magnetic memory. The reader includes a spindle motor and an arm with a magnetic head position thereon, as well as integrated circuits for controlling its operation. The reader preferably complies with standards for PCMCIA cards, enabling the reader to be inserted into the host system such as a personal computer or a laptop for use.

Abstract: A head protection device in a data recording circuit Is disclosed in which write-current of a given level that corresponds to a high or low level of coercive force of the magnetic recording portion of a recording medium is provided as an output and supplied to a magnetic head for data recording and reproduction. The data recording circuit comprises an alternate write-current supply portion for alternately providing, by a suitable current switching means, a low write-current corresponding to a low coercivity magnetic head and a high write-current corresponding to a high coercivity magnetic head, a common output portion for providing data to be recorded using a low current or a high current from the alternate write-current supply portion. The low coercivity magnetic head and the high coercivity magnetic head can be at least electrically switched. A current protection portion for a current switching means is provided so as to prevent generation of high write-current at the alternate write-current supply portion.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader for causing a magnetic card to make a move relative to a magnetic head and reproducing data on the magnetic card by the magnetic head, said magnetic card reader includes an amplifier for amplifying a magnetic signal provided by the magnetic head, a peak detection section for detecting a peak point of amplifier output from the amplifier output, a data reproduction section for reproducing digital data based on the interval between the peak points, an anomaly detection section for detecting an anomaly of the peak point interval and an output value storage section for converting the amplifier output from analog form into digital form every predetermined time and storing the provided data.

Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic servo writer. The magnetic servo writer includes a magnetic pickup head for rotationally moving over and writing servo data in a magnetic flat data-storage medium. The magnetic servo writer further includes a clock head for providing clock signals to the pickup head and to write clock signals in the clock disk. The magnetic servo writer further includes a control circuit for controlling the magnetic pickup head for writing the servo data on the magnetic flat data-storage medium. The magnetic servo writer further includes a servo pattern layout circuit for controlling the magnetic pickup head for writing the servo data on the magnetic flat data-storage medium with predefined servo patterns. The magnetic servo writer further includes a derived index control circuit for deriving indices from a fixed index provided on the magnetic flat data-storage medium.

Abstract: An improved head support mechanism for a magnetic card reader is described which has a support plate for each magnetic head. The magnetic head is supported to be capable of moving in the plane perpendicular to the support plate and rocking around an axis parallel to the direction in which the card is moved. A projection is placed in a predetermined position on each support plate. A leaf spring contacts each projection at the predetermined position to apply pressure and ensure that the magnetic head contacts the magnetic card to be read.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: A personal computer data storage card includes a substrate layer, a magnetic medium layer, and a protective layer respectively affixed together. The data storage card is typically placed within an adapter and inserted into a personal computer floppy disk drive wherein the adapter includes dimensions compatible with the floppy disk drive to permit the data storage card to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the data storage card. During rotation of the data storage card within the floppy disk drive, the data storage card traverses floppy disk drive read/write heads for information storage and retrieval. Paper may be utilized as the protective layer of the data storage card and include text or graphics to have the data storage card simultaneously function as both a data storage device and a business card or other advertisement media.