Patent ID: 6241152
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A card processing apparatus for processing a card having a single magnetic mixture layer, comprising:means for conveying the card having the single magnetic mixture layer comprising a first magnetic material whose magnetic state reversibly and repeatedly changes upon application of a magnetic field and a second magnetic material whose magnetic state and coercive force change upon application of a magnetic field such that the coercive force increases to be stronger than before the application of the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic state does not change state anymore after the application of the magnetic field even when a magnetic field having similar level as said magnetic field is applied to the card;first magnetic recording means, arranged on said conveying means, for recording first data by applying a first magnetic field so as to record the first data on a predetermined area of said single magnetic mixture layer at a first azimuth angle in order to change the magnetic states of the first and second magnetic materials of said single magnetic mixture layer;second magnetic recording means, arranged on said conveying means downstream from said first magnetic recording means along a conveyance direction of said card, for recording second data by applying a second magnetic field so as to record the second data at a second azimuth angle different from the first azimuth angle in order to change the magnetic state of the first magnetic material of the predetermined area which is recorded with said first magnetic recording means;reading means, arranged on said conveying means downstream from said second magnetic recording means along the conveyance direction of said card, for reading the first data recorded on said card at the first azimuth angle by said first magnetic recording means and the second data recorded on said card at the second azimuth angle by said second magnetic recording means; andmeans for determining on a basis of the data read by said reading means whether or not the first and second data recorded by said first and second magnetic recording means are valid,wherein said first and second magnetic materials are made of materials such that said first and second magnetic recording means are driven at substantially a same current level to record said first and second data.