Abstract: A method of making a magnetically encodable card which comprises forming a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles in an organic fluid medium, forming a composite by intimately combining the dispersion with a thermoplastic resin plasticized by the organic fluid medium and forming the composite into an encodable card.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support, a light-sensitive layer on one side of the support, and on the other side of the support, at least one backing layer and a protective outermost lubricating layer, the protective layer comprising a solid wax and a non-ionic fluorinated surfactant in an amount less than the surfactant's solubility in the wax, said protective layer being coated from a mixture of an aromatic solvent and at least one lower alkyl alcohol.

Abstract: A credit and access control card and reader system comprising: a magnetically encodable card comprising a body having upper and lower surfaces and side and end edges, the body being formed of plastic material having magnetic particles uniformly dispersed throughout the plastic material; and a reader having a magneto resistive (MR) head for reading the magnetically encodable card as it is moved past the MR head.

Abstract: A magnetically encodable card made of a solid plastic material having uniformly dispersed magnetic particles throughout the plastic material. The card is preferably formed of two major faces with connecting edges. Data can be recorded on one or both of the major faces, and can also be recorded on one or more of the card edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading and/or recording information on a photographic element having a thin magnetic layer. The apparatus includes a magnetic head assembly having a read and/or write head having an outer engaging surface for contacting the magnetic layer. The outer engaging surface has at least one pole for reading or writing information on the magnetic layer and a protective layer and is made of a material having a Vickers hardness equal to or greater than 1000 kg/mm.sup.2. A spring is provided for applying a substantially perpendicular loading force between the photographic element and the magnetic read and/or write head. The substantially perpendicular loading being equal to or greater than about 10 gm/mm.sup.2.