Patent ID: 7381450
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: G06K,G11B

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing flexible magnetic tape having a permanently structured magnetic characteristic which varies from place to place in two different directions in a plane of the tape, the method including: providing a flexible elongated substrate with a layer of material having a permanently structured magnetic characteristic which varies in a first direction making an oblique angle relative to a longest dimension of the substrate; coating the substrate with a slurry comprising anisotropic magnetic particles; moving the substrate and slurry coating relative to a magnetic field having a field strength which varies with time in a second direction making an oblique angle with the first direction, thereby; orienting, in response to moving the substrate, the magnetic particles on selected spaced areas of the substrate in a second direction making an oblique angle with the first direction, whereby the magnetic particles oriented in the second direction are overlaid on top of the permanently structured magnetic characteristic which varies in the first direction; and solidifying the slurry to fix the magnetic particles in place; wherein points on the tape are uniquely identifiable by a single linear movement of a read head.