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Magnetic card and card reader apparatus utilizing a pseudo bar code and an address information code

  • US 5,545,883 A
  • Filed: 07/12/1994
  • Issued: 08/13/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A magnetic card comprising:

  • a magnetic layer formed on a substrate for recording magnetic information and for reflecting a light radiated on said magnetic card;

    a bar code formed on a predetermined area of said magnetic layer, said bar code comprising a light absorption material, said bar code being detected by a lack of reflected light from said magnetic layer;

    a protection layer formed on said predetermined area of said magnetic layer for protecting said bar code;

    a pseudo bar code formed on said magnetic layer, said pseudo bar code being mixed with said bar code;

    an address information code formed in said predetermined area, for indicating a specified position of said pseudo bar code, said address information code comprising a light absorption material, said address information code being arranged on the same read line as said bar code and said pseudo bar code; and

    wherein said pseudo bar code is arranged with respect to said bar code in said specified position, and said bar code is detected on the basis of a presence or absence of reflected light from said magnetic layer and said specified position of said pseudo bar code;

    wherein said pseudo bar code has similar visual characteristics providing a camouflage against visual recognition of said bar code;

    whereby said magnetic card is made more difficult to be counterfeited because said pseudo bar code can be separated from said bar code using said address information code.

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