Abstract: An improvement on prior art uses a card having a longitudinal strip of magnetic tape encoded with two separate tracks. One track contains a security code and data as to the number of uses remaining on the card. The other track is a control having signals which are read directly proportional to the speed of movement of the card. The card is inserted in a slot in a machine which feeds the card into the machine, reads the data on both tracks, reverses the direction of the card, and impacts the card with a hole to indicate that it has been used one time. The position of impact is controlled by the number of uses of the card prior to the particular use and the control track. While the card is traveling in the reverse direction the first track is re-recorded with the number of remaining uses and security code at a rate determined by the control track. The invention overcomes a problem of prior systems resulting from factors interfering with precise speed of movement of the card.

Abstract: A card having a longitudinal strip of encoded magnetic tape is inserted in a slot in a machine which feeds the card into the machine, reads the information on the strip, reverses the direction of the card and impacts the card to form an indentation to indicate a use of the card. The card is initially encoded for plural uses. Each time the card is used, the number of available uses is decreased on the information on the strip and corresponding indentations are impacted on the card.

Abstract: Encoded magnetic strip cards are fed into apparatus which reads encoded data on the card. The card is fed into and out of the apparatus through a passageway defined by a guide which also serves as a mount for mechanical and electronic components. The guide is precisely constructed so that the thickness and width of the passageway are slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of the card and the card does not jam in the passageway. In one form of the invention the guide is formed of two generally T-shaped, overlapping, interfitting members. In a second form of the invention the guide is formed of two opposed T-shaped side members and two plates relieved at their edges to receive the legs of the side members.

Abstract: To indicate the number of uses of a card of the type which is magnetically encoded for plural uses, a hole is punched in the card, the distance of the hole from one end of the card progressively increasing with each use. Since the card is continuously moving as it is being punched, the punch element is pivoted to an actuating lever and pivots against the force of a spring as the card moves. The spring returns the punch to initial position when the card has passed the punch station. A solenoid pivots the actuating lever. Provision is made for adjustment of the distance of penetration of the punch. A resilient roller engaging the face of the card opposite the punch backs up the punch.

Abstract: A control system is described for activating a machine using magnetic signals encoded on a magnetic card, tape or equivalent member. The magnetic signals are pulse-width-modulated and, in one embodiment, also sawtooth-modulated. A means is provided which is responsive to the magnetic signals for generating a first and a second number. The first number corresponds to the number of times the magnetic card is usable for activating a machine. The second number is provided for identification and validation purposes. Means are also provided for reducing the number of times the card can be used each time it is used to activate a machine and for visually displaying that number on a visual display device. The use of skewed recording and reproduction heads is also described for improving signal discrimination and security against the usability of fraudulently produced magnetic cards.

Abstract: A card having one or more magnetic strips is used by patrons to actuate laundry and vending machines and the like. An encoder at a central point is manually adjusted to "print" a selected number of "credit" pulses on the card strip and the card is sold to a patron. The patron inserts the card into a reader mounted on or near a laundry machine, vending machine, etc. The reader determines the number of pulses remaining on the strip, returns the card with one pulse erased and energizes a relay which starts the machine. Preferably, the reader displays the number of pulses on the card at time of insertion and those remaining after erasure.