Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic stripe card reader/writer apparatus comprising a card reader/writer device and a basic interface circuit. The recording head of the card reader/writer device is mounted on the end of a sensor arm and is driven over the magnetic stripe in an arcuate path by a head drive motor. The card reader/writer device includes a unique card locking mechanism which allows insertion of the card in only one manner and locks the card in place before initiating the reading or writing operation of the device. The interface circuit controls the forward and reverse motion of the head drive motor, converts magnetic data previously recorded on the card into digital information and records digital information onto the magnetic stripe card in the form of magnetic data.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for testing coins, metallic credit tokens and similar objects, capable of determining both type or denomination and genuineness thereof, utilize the effect upon the electrical impedance of a sensing component from the presence of an object under test in physical proximity to such component and the effect upon the direct current time constant of an electrical circuit containing such component from the influence of presence of such object upon the effective electrical impedance of such component, and employ a novel testing technique primarily involving determining whether or not a direct current voltage output from such circuit has risen to within a predetermined range of voltage level thereof in time coincidence with an interval of test enablement occurring a predetermined period of time, characteristic of acceptable objects of the particular kind being tested for, after an initial direct current energization of such circuit.