Abstract: Information is written onto the surface of an object using both an optically identifiable pattern and subregions that exhibit differing magnetic properties. The optically identifiable pattern is printed onto a printed region on the surface of the object using a printing medium that contains magnetic particles. The printed region includes both a first subregion that exhibits a first prevailing magnetization direction and a second subregion that exhibits a second prevailing magnetization direction. The first magnetization direction differs from the second magnetization direction. The first and second magnetization directions are imparted to the first and second subregions by magnetic fields being applied to the magnetic particles. An edge between the first subregion and the second subregion does not coincide with any boundary of the optically identifiable pattern. The printed region contains both optically encoded information and magnetically encoded information.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the position of a first body to a second body comprises a scale band that can be attached to the first body and that comprises a marker, wherein the measuring device comprises two marker detection sensors that can be attached to the second body, wherein the marker is formed by a pattern out of marker stripes, which transitions between a first position of the scale band and a second position are respectively arranged predetermined inclined to the transversal direction of the scale band in such a respective inclination angle that each of the inclination angles has a value that differs from the values of the other inclination angles.

Abstract: A coding head for applying magnetic codes onto magnetizable layers of scales, graduations, angle encoders, transport belts and the like has a magnetic pole (10) about which a coil (12) is wound, the saturation induction of the magnetic pole being selected in dependence upon the coercive field strength of the magnetizable layer (18). In this case, the saturation induction (in Tesla) has a specified relationship to the coercive field strength (in kOe).