Abstract: A communication board mounted on an electronic device includes a plurality of antennas configured to transmit and/or receive a signal by electromagnetic induction, where each of the plurality of antennas is provided on a substrate, as a coil-shaped pattern, a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate, the semiconductor chip including at least one of a transmission circuit which transmits a signal to the antenna and a reception circuit which receives a signal transmitted from the antenna, and an input-and-output end that is connected to the semiconductor chip via a wiring layer provided on the substrate and an electronic circuit of the electronic device. The communication board communicates with a communication board mounted on another electronic device via the antenna by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carriers, which are coated by at least one layer of polyelectrolytes and one layer of magnetic material. These carriers can be manipulated in a magnetic field. The application of the coating of the present invention on microcarriers comprising a fluorescent core results in a carrier with a homogeneous luminescence. Additionally, where the core is provided with a code, this allows improved reading thereof.

Abstract: The present invention enables reading from and writing onto a magnetic stripe medium with a static read/write head that does not require relative linear motion between the magnetic stripe medium and the head while reading or writing takes place. The reading and writing is accomplished using a stationary uni-dimensional, bi-dimensional, or multi-dimensional conductor array addressing and driving current through an individual conductor element. Reading from magnetic stripe is accomplished by using magnetic flux sensing method such as a fluxgate.

Abstract: A magnetic detection system for authenticating a document includes a first magnetic scanhead adapted to create a first magnetic field for saturating the magnetization of an area on each of the bills. The magnetic detection system further includes a second magnetic scanhead with an electromagnet. The electromagnet is capable of creating a second magnetic field of adjustable intensity. The second magnetic field is the opposite polarity of the first magnetic field. The intensity of the second magnetic field is adjusted by changing the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet. The amount of current supplied to the electromagnet is based upon a characteristic of the document to be authenticated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring a radiofrequency magnetic field, characterised in that it comprises on a common support: a coil forming a primary reception antenna; a voltage-controlled oscillator, monitored so that its output frequency depends on the amplitude of the magnetic field received on the coil forming primary antenna; an absorption modulation load connected to the oscillator output; a secondary antenna sensitive to the magnetic field influenced by the absorption modulation resulting from the power supply load by the voltage-controlled oscillator, and means for operating the available signal on the secondary antenna.

Abstract: A contactless payment card reader has a frusto-conical operating volume. The frusto-conical shaped operating volume has defined magnetic field strengths for powering and communicating with proximity payment cards. The reader can serve as a reference reader, which is representative of product readers deployed in contactless payment card systems, to test product contactless payment cards under conditions that simulate field use of the cards.

Abstract: A method of detecting a coded magnetic thread is provided that includes sensing the response of a magnetic field detector as a thread passes the detector, the response varying from an initial magnitude in first and second senses to exhibit a first peak, and then in the first sense to exhibit a second peak; comparing the response with first and second thresholds disposed about the initial magnitude in the first and second senses respectively; and indicating the passage of a code element of the thread when the response passes the second threshold and then the first threshold in a predetermined manner characterized in that the first threshold is adjusted in accordance with a first predetermined algorithm based on the magnitude of the first peak. The first predetermined algorithm adjusts the first threshold so that the magnitude of the first threshold is the average of a predetermined number of preceding first peaks.

Abstract: A magnetic detection system for authenticating a document includes a first magnetic scanhead adapted to create a first magnetic field for saturating the magnetization of an area on each of the bills. The magnetic detection system further includes a second magnetic scanhead with an electromagnet. The electromagnet is capable of creating a second magnetic field of adjustable intensity. The second magnetic field is the opposite polarity of the first magnetic field. The intensity of the second magnetic field is adjusted by changing the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet. The amount of current supplied to the electromagnet is based upon a characteristic of the document to be authenticated.

Abstract: A detectable component has a first inductive coupler (L;M) adapted to couple inductively to a second inductive coupler (L1) of a detection apparatus when the detectable component is in range of or coupled to the detection apparatus. The first inductive coupler has a resistive component (M) with a resistance that varies with magnetic field to cause modulation of a carrier signal supplied to the second inductive coupler of the detection apparatus, the detectable component having a characteristic signature that enables the detectable component to be distinguished by the detection apparatus from other such detectable components having different characteristic signatures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for measuring a radiofrequency magnetic field, characterised in that it comprises on a common support (10): a coil forming a primary reception antenna; a voltage-controlled oscillator, monitored so that its output frequency depends on the amplitude of the magnetic field received on the coil forming primary antenna; an absorption modulation load connected to the oscillator output; a secondary antenna (22) sensitive to the magnetic field influenced by the absorption modulation resulting from the power supply load by the voltage-controlled oscillator, and means (30) for operating the available signal on the secondary antenna (22).

Abstract: A card processor which can substantially reliably prevent magnetic data recorded in a magnetic card and can remarkably enhance security. In the card processor, two radiation sources radiate disturbing magnetic fields outside of an insertion slot. A disturbing magnetic field radiated from one radiation source and a disturbing magnetic field radiated from the other radiation source have different frequencies and intensities. Accordingly, even when a differential head is located at such a position as to be influenced by the disturbing magnetic fields, it is substantially impossible to attain such balance adjustment as to eliminate the influences of the disturbing magnetic fields.

Abstract: The magnetic data processing apparatus includes a magnetic head and a motor arranged to reduce noise due to leakage flux from the motor. The magnetic data processing apparatus may form a check processing apparatus 1 having an MICR head 2 and a transportation motor 11, which is preferably a stepping motor. The MICR head 2 and the transportation motor 11 are positioned relative to one another so that the rotational axis 42 of the transportation motor 11 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the head gap 23 in the MICR head 2. In the head gap 23 of the MICR head 2 the direction of the leakage flux 44 from the transportation motor 11 is parallel to the long axis of the left and right head gap faces 23a and 23b defining the head gap 23. Because the detection sensitivity of the MICR head 2 is lowest in this direction, noise due to leakage flux 44 from the transportation motor 11 is suppressed and the MICR head 2 can read magnetic ink characters with good accuracy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bar code reading device of the type having an imaging assembly including a two dimensional image sensor and which may be moved between varying positions, orientations and angles relative to a substrate. In one embodiment a bar code reading device can be used to obtain an area electronic representation of a substrate including bar code indicia and a signature, and can output an area representation including a representation of a signature. In another embodiment, the bar code reading device can process and output a processed area electronic representation to an output destination. In one embodiment an output destination to which a bar code reading device outputs a processed area electronic representation is a display.

Abstract: An IC card according to the present invention is configured to be communicable with a card reader by receiving a high-frequency signal transmitted from the card reader through an antenna unit provided on an IC card body, rectifying the high-frequency signal to generate an operating voltage, and demodulating a modulating signal superimposed on the high-frequency signal. The antenna unit is composed of paired electrostatic coupling antennas spaced from each other. The paired electrostatic coupling antennas include metallic thin films arranged on a front surface of the IC card body separately from each other; and metallic thin films arranged on a back surface of the IC card body separately from each other. The metallic thin films are opposed to each other and connected to each other to form one of the paired electrostatic coupling antennas. The metallic thin films are opposed to each other and connected to each other to form the other of the paired electrostatic coupling antennas.

Abstract: Apparatus and Methods for imaging magnetic fields and for using images of magnetic fields in the authentication of magnetic stripe cards or documents are disclosed. The systems described provide an increased tolerance for misalignments of magnetic reading heads. One preferred embodiment of the invention includes sensing circuitry for sensing an image of the magnetic field using an array of magnetic reading heads and sampling circuitry connected to the sensing circuitry.

Abstract: To provide a loop antenna capable of attenuating the distant electric field with the attenuation of the magnetic flux in the vicinity of an electromagnetic wave restrained, and a contactless IC card read/write apparatus. A loop antenna 10 has an electromagnetic wave shield 1 over at least one side of the loop antenna, the electromagnetic wave shield 1 comprising a plurality of electric conductors 2, a ground contact 3 for grounding the plurality of electric conductors and a lead wire 4 for connecting the plurality of electric conductors 2 to the ground contact 3. The plurality of electric conductors 2 are electrically connected via the lead wire 4 to the ground contact 3 and the plurality of electric conductors 2 are arranged so that the paths of the respective electric conductors 2 from any of their given points to the ground contact 3 via the lead wire 4 are determined uniformly.

Abstract: A reading method for data in a card reader including: (a) inserting a card provided with a magnetic stripe into a card insertion part, (b) reading data in the magnetic stripe with a data read section at least at a time of insertion or extraction of the card, (c) comparing an output level from the data read section with a predetermined read decision reference value, and then (d) changing the read decision reference value when the data have not been read. The read decision reference value may be changed from a low sensitivity setting to a high sensitivity setting or maybe circularly changed. The reading method for data is effectively utilized for a manual card reader.

Abstract: An adaptor allows a magnetic stripe card reader to receive information from other media such as wireless proximity chip cards while maintaining the ability to receive a magnetic stripe card. In accordance with one embodiment, the adaptor includes a simulacrum structure of sufficiently narrow width to fit substantially permanently within the slot of the magnetic stripe reading device, while providing sufficient room for a magnetic stripe card to also be concurrently accommodated within the slot and read by the reader head. The simulacrum structure may be in electronic communication with one or more transceivers of wireless communications such as RF and IR.

Abstract: The product comprises an imager (21), a coded data source (11), and a variable property having a first use, with light emanating from the coded data source (11) representing the first use and specifying which portion of light detected (12) by the imager (21) represents the variable property, where the coded data source (11) can be from a plurality of coded data sources and the imager (11) can be from a plurality of imagers (21).

Abstract: A device for the sensitization/desensitization of magnetic security strips/EAS markers, the device comprising an electromagnetic transducer that operates alternately on AC/DC power to provide a small zone of electromagnetic flux that will sensitize/desensitize such strips or markers without damage to videos, audios, other equipment and operators.

Abstract: A method for judging coercive force of a magnetic card to judge coercive force of a magnetic card to be used. According to the method for judging coercive force of a magnetic card for reproducing or recording magnetic information formed on a low coercive force card or a high coercive force card inserted from a card slot by a magnetic head, after erasing data of an inserted card by an electric current capable of erasing data of only a low coercive force card (step S32), the data of the card is reproduced (step S33), the inserted card is judged as the low coercive force card (step S36) if the data has been destroyed (No at the step S34). Destruction of the data is judged based on the number of times of flux reversal of the reproduced data or by a fact that specific data (STX code) which should be recorded on a predetermined card is not recognized.

Abstract: A reading head is presented for use in a security system for reading an intermittent code pattern, when the code pattern is displaced in a reading direction with respect to the reading head. The code pattern is formed of a plurality of spaced-apart magnetic elements made. The reading head comprises a magnetic material producing a high-gradient static magnetic field, and a sensing element of a kind responsive to signals produced by the magnetic elements. The magnetic material is designed such that it defines an extended narrow region where the static magnetic field vector is substantially equal to zero. The sensing element is located substantially within the zero-field region, and is thereby responsive to signals generated by each of the magnetic elements, when the magnetic element is located in the zero-field region.

Abstract: A method for checking the authenticity of a security article of the type containing magnetic particles having a magnetic saturation field Hs being greater than 100 A/m. The method includes the following steps: (a) generating an alternating field of one or more fundamental frequencies; (b) subjecting an article to be detected to the field; (c) detecting a detection signal emanating from the article to be detected; and (d) examining the detection signal for the presence of any particular higher harmonics of the fundamental frequencies or of any linear combination of the fundamental frequencies and of the harmonics, the particular harmonics or the linear combination being indicative of the presence of the magnetic particles. The method is applied at point of transaction locations, where the article to be detected is brought into close proximity with a sensor.

Abstract: A tamper proof closure (1) has a plurality of magnetic strips (7) attached thereto which are arranged to be broken if the closure is opened. The broken magnetic strips have a different magnetic characteristic as compared to when they are intact and this can be sensed with a Hall effect or other sensor. The tamper proof closure enables the condition of article closures such as the screw caps of liquor bottles to be remotely monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of magnetic elongated particles in a substrate, the base material of the substrate having magnetic properties substantially differing from the corresponding magnetic properties of the elongated particles. The elongated particles have such a long and thin form that their demagnetization factor N is smaller than {fraction (1/250)}, they have a diameter smaller than 30 micrometer, and they a magnetic saturation field greater than 100 A/m. Apparatus includes an emitter which emits an electromagnetic source signal of one or more particular base frequencies to the substrate (e.g., so that any magnetic elongated particles present go into a non-linear part of a B-H curve for at least part of cycle of the source signal).

Abstract: Security can be enhanced for any circular casino chip, betting chip or token by a magnetically readable system that may be applied to circular casino chip, betting chip or token. A circular casino chip, betting chip or token could be constructed and having at least a first, second and third set of magnetic readable information permanently attached to the circular casino chip, betting chip or token to form a source of magnetically readable information. Each set of magnetic information may have magnetic elements comprising a fiber, magnetic material filled binder, filament or strip, said first magnetic element having at least one magnetic property along the length of said fiber, magnetic filled binder, filament or strip, or physical spacing between said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element which can be mechanically read as different from the magnetic property or position of the second magnetic element. The information can be read from the side of the chip, so that stacks of chips may be read.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power transmission/communication system for transmitting power from a reader and/or writer to an IC card by an electromagnetic wave and performing transmission or transmission and reception of a communication signal between the reader and/or writer and the IC card by an electromagnetic wave, wherein the intensity of a magnetic field induced by the electromagnetic wave outputted from the reader and/or writer, i.e., the magnitude of power induced thereby and the time required to transmit the power are controlled.

Abstract: A sensor and a method for determining the state of conductive ink patterns applied to scratchable latex layers of instant-win tickets and other documents having scratchable latex layers affixed thereon. The device and method are based upon the generation of a radio frequency field across the conductive ink patterns on the document, using an array of miniature transmission RF antennas and reception antennas, and the detection of the induced radio frequency signal. The presence, absence or state of the conductive ink patterns subjected to the RF field affects and changes the signal received on the receiving antennas. The signal received on the receiving antennas is conditioned and processed, so as to extract therefrom information relative to the state of the conductive ink patterns. This non-contact method does not damage the latex layer when the ticket or document is advanced at high speed through the sensor and is suitable for integration into high-speed optical scanners.

Abstract: Security may be enhanced for any magnetically readable system that may be applied or built into items, such as apparel, credit cards, currency, identification cards, or other transactional items. These and similar items, with informational content that can be varied may be used in systems for authenticating items and/or transactions.

Abstract: A read/write head circuit that insures the equivalence between the driving signal frequency and the resonance of the tank made up of an inductive sensor in parallel with a capacitor. The invention makes use of a voltage controlled oscillator (38)--VCO--to generate synchronism pulses (54) from the driving current generator (33), the controlling voltage being obtained from the comparison between the driving current and voltage phases through the resonant tank made up of the sensor (11) and capacitor (17) connected in parallel. The circuit further provides an amplitude limitation of the driving signal through the control of the driving current pulses applied to the inductive sensor.

Abstract: A non-contact IC card includes a CPU for processing data, a memory for storing a program for controlling the CPU, an antenna for transmitting data and receiving data manner, a plurality of receivers each having a different signal detection level for detecting a signal received by the antenna, a selector for selecting one of the plurality of receivers and connecting it to the CPU, and a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the CPU through the antenna.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of magnetic elongated particles in a substrate the base material of which has magnetic properties substantially differing from the corresponding magnetic properties of the elongated particles. The elongated particles have such a long and thin form that their demagnetisation factor N is smaller than 1/250, they have a diameter smaller than 30 micrometer and a magnetic saturation field greater than 100 A/m.

Abstract: Elongated magnetic elements can be inserted into items to provide readable magnetic patterns which provide reproducible or unique signal patterns to identify or authenticate the items. Magnetic fibers may be distributed within items or magnetic strips to provide reproducible patterns when read. The patterns are stable because of the relatively large size of the magnetic elements as compared to conventional patterns of particles in recordable media. Oriented patterns of filaments may also be inserted into transactional items such as credit cards, checks and the like to provide identification (antiforgery) security to the item.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder that allows the power consumption to be reduced has a first member 1 magnetized at pitches .lambda. and a second member 2 disposed so as to be relatively movable to the first member 1. The second member 2 has at least four MR devices Ma1, Mb1, Ma2, and Mb2 with phases that differ from by .lambda./4 each. The MR devices Ma1, Mb1, Ma2, and Mb2 are connected as a bridge circuit. Thus, a displacement detecting circuit 30 that outputs two-phase sine wave signals INA and INB is structured. The detecting circuit 30 is intermittently activated by analog switches Sa1, Sb1, Sa2, and Sb2 driven by a first clock CK1. The output signals INA and INB of the detecting circuit 30 are sampled by sample hold circuits 41a and 41b, respectively. The sampled values are compared by comparators 42a and 42b, whereby binary data is obtained. The comparators 42a and 42b each have a bias circuit 44 that is intermittently driven by a second clock CK2.

Abstract: Transactional items such as currency, credit cards, identification cards and the like can be provided with enhanced difficulty to forge or counterfeit by the inclusion of magnetic elements within the transactional item. The signal strength, period, amplitude and/or alignment of the magnetic field may be read as coded information by a magnetic reading head. The encoding of this information can be made increasingly difficult to imitate or forge by varying parameters within these (and other) mechanically readable inscriptions. Filaments coated with magnetic particles are particularly useful magnetic elements for inclusion in transactional items because of their ability to be physically aligned, extend across significant dimensions of the transactional item, and their ready inclusion into manufacturing processes for the transactional items.

Abstract: A bank or identity type of magnetic card contains ferromagnetic elements that selectively absorb waves at microwave frequencies. The disclosure also relates to a reading device adapted to this card. The device has an active system and a resonant system capable of filtering the microwaves at the resonance frequencies of the ferromagnetic materials of the card to be read. The reading device, equipped with a system to measure the amplitude of the microwaves, can thus recognize the magnetic information elements on the card, through the disturbance or non-disturbance of the microwaves during the insertion of the card into the device. The value of the encoding of the card lies in fact that the information elements are hard to destroy.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting and/or verifying the magnetic properties of the magnetic ink layer on common printed or copied documents includes, in order of interaction with the magnetic ink of a Document, a saturation record head, a saturation read head, a non-saturation record head, and a non-saturation read head. The disclosed method of operation is equivalent to the normal testing of the magnetic layer of a Document, but eliminates the need for an erase magnet.

Abstract: A write head magnetizes magnetic-ink characters for a MICR system. A magnetic assembly defines a first pole in a first location and an opposite pole in a second location. A first pole piece and a second pole piece, spaced by a gap therebetween, are provided, the first pole piece disposed adjacent the first location and adapted to conduct a magnetic field from the first pole to the gap. A selectably positionable member is disposed between the second location and the second pole piece, the positionable member being adapted to affect a magnetic field from the second location through the second pole piece to the gap, thereby facilitating selectable alteration of a magnetic field profile across the gap.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reading head with a tapered reading opening and/or a tapered reading stylus for reading bar-type, especially passive magnetic information on a data carrier. A high resolution in reading this information with a high output signal is obtained by tapering the reading opening in direction of the end face of the reading head. The reading head is located in a casing pot and has at least one field plate sensor, on which side remote from the face a permanent magnet is placed with a magnetic shunt to the casing pot.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe decoder includes an amplitude discrimination circuit to remove noise due to glitches. The use of amplitude discrimination rather than a filter, which is in common use today, permits a single decoder circuit to decode data over a wide range of frequencies including the standards 75 BPI and 210 BPI. In the absence of such an amplitude discriminator, two different decoders, one for 75 BPI and one for 210 BPI are necessary.

Abstract: A randomly varying modulated current is generated and used to drive a magnetic write head in an apparatus for enhancing a randomly varying magnetic security characteristic of a medium. The write head can be positioned adjacent a fluid magnetic slurry for the purpose of altering the location of the various magnetic particles therein in a random fashion. The slurry can then be hardened thermally or using ultraviolet dryers. A circuit which can generate the randomly variable current for the read head includes a modulator which receives a first randomly variable signal and a second, different randomly varying signal which modulates the first signal.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining the genuineness of a document such as a currency note printed at least in part with magnetizable ink in which there is produced a first signal as a measure of the saturation magnetization of a portion of the document printed with the ink and a second signal as a measure of the remanent magnetization of said portion and in which the ratio of the second signal to the first signal is determined as a measure of genuineness of the document.

Abstract: A card reader having a card reading mechanism, a card perforating device and a card erasure mechanism, wherein the erasure mechanism comprises a permanent magnet movable by means of a pivoted arm towards and away from a card erasure position, and a drive means for the magnet arm which is coupled to a motor drive for the perforating device.

Abstract: An identification system including a card bearing a code, in combination with a means operable by a holder of the card for hiding a selected portion of the code for creating a subcode associated with the proper holder.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance-effect sensor for use in a magnetic domain detector for reading data recorded on magnetic tapes or in magnetic bubble memories mainly consists of a layer of semiconductor material which carries a layer of ferrimagnetic material on one face and at least one pair of electrodes disposed along an axis OX on the other face, the layer of ferrimagnetic material being placed in proximity to the magnetic data carrier. A magnetic data item thus induces a magnetic field in the layer of semiconductor material in a direction OY perpendicular to the axis OX of the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: Contactless inductive power transfer from a stationary "reader" to energize the electronics on a portable data or "smart" card is made practical through a flexible inductor carried on the card. The inductor, which acts as the secondary portion of a power transformer, comprises a flat coil and a flexible magnetic but nonmagnetostrictive core piece. The core piece may be a thin wafer of amorphous magnetic alloy. Clock pulses to synchronize data transfer on the card with the reader can also be generated from the signal picked up by the inductor.

Abstract: A verifying device for a key card on which a magnetic signal is recorded is formed of a set card on which a predetermined reference magnetic signal is recorded, a magnetic sensor consisting of a saturable core and a winding wound thereon, an oscillator for supplying a voltage to said winding, a switching element connected to the winding, a power source connected between both ends of the switching element, and an output terminal led out from one of both ends of said switching element.

Abstract: An identification card includes a plurality of magnetizable spots, each spot comprising two portions of opposite polarity spaced apart by a distance d.sub.1. Adjacent spots are spaced apart such that the distance d.sub.2 between a pole on one spot and an oppositely magnetized pole on an adjacent spot is less than the distance d.sub.1. The direction of magnetization of each spot is determined by a corresponding horseshoe core magnetizing assembly. With the magnetizing assembly moved proximate to the corresponding spot, a current is passed in either of two directions through a coil wound about the horseshoe core, which action magnetizes a corresponding spot in either of two directions. A plurality p of the q spots represent binary inputs which are to be read. The remaining (q-p) spots are dummy spots which are not to be read and can be magnetized in any direction in order to confound a counterfeiter.

Abstract: A magnetoresistant transduction device for reading coded data comprises a plurality of magnetoresistances (MRI.sub.1 to MRI.sub.5), which are placed in alignment and spaced from a magnetization device (DAI) by means of a grid (GMI) of non-remanent magnetic material, having parallel elements (EFI.sub.1 to EFI.sub.5) situated between the magnetization device and the magnetoresistances and to which the magnetoresistances are secured either directly or by means of a substrate. The parallel elements serve to focus the magnetic field generated by the magnetization device, which may be in the form of a permanent magnet, such that a plurality of n mutually independent magnetic fields is formed, each field being associated with a corresponding magnetoresistance. The transduction device is applicable to the reading of coded data of very low density, utilized more particularly in franking machines.

Abstract: A randomly varying modulated current is generated and used to drive a magnetic write head in an apparatus for enhancing a randomly varying magnetic security characteristic of a medium. The write head can be positioned adjacent a fluid magnetic slurry for the purpose of altering the location of the various magnetic particles therein in a random fashion. The slurry can then be hardened thermally or using ultraviolet dryers. A circuit which can generate the randomly variable current for the read head includes a modulator which receives a first randomly variable signal and a second, different randomly varying signal which modulates the first signal.