Abstract: A card having two adjacent magnetic tracks is used as a substitute for coins in activating laundry machines and the like. The first track is a data track encoded with a security code and pulses indicating a number of future uses of the card. The second track is a timing track used for both reading and writing encoded with square wave signals having a rate greater than the data rate on the first track and having the assertive edge coinciding with the start of pulses on the first track to strobe the first track to determine whether pulses are a "1" or a "0". The system re-encodes on the first track as the card leaves the machine one less number of uses of the card than when the card entered the machine, energizes a relay to start the laundry machine, and punches the card to indicate one use. A noise suppressor prevents re-encoding noise from affecting reading second track signals. The system employs a counter which is disabled so that the re-encoding cannot occur when the card enters the machine.

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: 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.