Abstract: A data system (1) includes a credit card type substrate (3) and a data unit (2). The substrate has first and second edges (28, 30) and a data surface region (26) between the edges. The data unit includes a base (4), a substrate support (60) mounted to the base for controlled movement along a first path (14), and a data head driver (6), also mounted to the base, including a data head which reciprocates along a second path (10) oriented perpendicular to the first path. The data head contacts the data surface region on the substrate and first and second data head support surfaces (120, 122) located at opposite ends of the second path adjacent to the first and second edges of the substrate. The data head support surfaces and the data surface rer˜ioI1 are coplanar.

Abstract: A portable card adapted to be used in a card processing system having a data processing station is shown. The portable card includes a data storage device which is adapted to interact with a data processing station when a portable card and a data processing station are rotationally moved relative to each other. The data storage device includes a substrate having a predetermined shape and at least one layer of magnetic material for storing magnetic signals. Apparatus and a method for using the rotational portable card having a data storage section is also shown.

Abstract: A data system (1) includes a credit card type substrate (3) and a data unit (2). The substrate has first and second edges (28, 30) and a data surface region (26) between the edges. The data unit includes a base (4), a substrate support (60) mounted to the base for controlled movement along a first path (14), and a data head driver (6), also mounted to the base, including a data head which reciprocates along a second path (10) oriented perpendicular to the first path. The data head contacts the data surface region on the substrate and first and second data head support surfaces (120, 122) located at opposite ends of the second. path adjacent to the first and second edges of the substrate. The data head support surfaces and the data surface region are coplanar.

Abstract: A data card is shown. The data card includes a non-magnetic substrate selected from the group consisting of a glass substrate, a glass-ceramic substrate, crystallized glass substrate, an aluminum substrate, a ceramic substrate, a carbon substrate, a silicon substrate and a resin substrate, which substrate, in the preferred embodiment, has a first edge and second edge. A data storage surface region is located on the substrate between the first edge and the second edges. The data surface region includes a magnetic storage medium. A data unit having a combination of a data card and a data card reader is also shown. A method for reading a data storage card is also shown.

Abstract: A data storage card includes a glass substrate having first and second edges. A data storage surface region is located on the glass substrate between the first and second edges. The data surface region includes a magnetic storage medium having at least one layer of high density, high coercivity magnetic material for storing magnetic signals. The data storage card may include a relatively hard, abradeable protective coating formed on the magnetic material layer. The protective coating has a thickness between a maximum thickness which would materially attenuate magnetic signals passing between the magnetic material layer and a transducer of a read device, and a minimum thickness enabling said protective coating to be abraded by usage in an ambient natural atmosphere operating environment for removing therefrom a known quantity of the protective coating.

Abstract: A data system (1) includes a credit card type substrate (3) and a data unit (2). The substrate has first and second edges (28, 30) and a data surface region (26) between the edges. The data unit includes a base (4), a substrate support (60) mounted to the base for controlled movement along a first path (14), and a data head driver (6), also mounted to the base, including a data head which reciprocates along a second path (10) oriented perpendicular to the first path. The data head contacts the data surface region on the substrate and first and second data head support surfaces (120, 122) located at opposite ends of the second path adjacent to the first and second edges of the substrate. The data head support surfaces and the data surface region are coplanar.