Patent ID: 6466384
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: G06K,G07D,G07F,G11B

Abstract:
Apparatus for reading magnetically encoded information on a document, wherein said apparatus comprises:a document path along which said document is moved; a magnetic read head adjacent a first side of said document path, wherein said magnetic read head is aligned with said document path so that said magnetically encoded information moves adjacent said magnetic read head as said document is moved along said document path with said magnetic information adjacent said first side of said document path; a pressure plate adjacent a second side of said document path, opposite said first side of said document path, wherein said pressure plate is aligned with said magnetic read head so that said document moves along said document path between said pressure plate and said magnetic read head; pressure application means for applying a level of pressure established through said document between said pressure plate and said magnetic read head, wherein said level of pressure is varied in increments; and a controller including error detection means, for determining when all codes within said magnetically encoded information have been correctly read, and pressure control means, for operating said pressure application means in response to said error detection means to increase said level of pressure following a failure to read all said codes correctly and before an additional attempt to read all said codes correctly.