U.S. patent number 3,581,030 [Application Number 04/788,372] was granted by the patent office on 1971-05-25 for magnet actuated mechanism for use with card having magnetic areas.
This patent grant is currently assigned to H. O. Bohme, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce S. Sedley.
United States Patent |
3,581,030 |
Sedley |
May 25, 1971 |
MAGNET ACTUATED MECHANISM FOR USE WITH CARD HAVING MAGNETIC
AREAS
Abstract
A magnetic actuated switch for use with a data card having a
number of magnetic areas arranged in characteristic pattern. The
switch includes a slot into which the card can be inserted so that
its magnetic elements are in juxtaposition with vertically oriented
reed switches which are also arranged in the same characteristic
pattern as its elements. One contact of the reed switch is
magnetized in accordance with the polarity of the data card's
magnetic areas and the other contact is magnetized in accordance
with the polarity of a fixed magnetic biasing means included in the
switch. The reed switch is closed if the two appropriate polarities
are opposite each other. The switches can be connected in any
suitable matrix pattern such as for binary coded decimal readout
for reading data on the card or for the operation of a device such
as a relay or door lock. Alternatively a dual coded card may be
used where one code is read by a matrix of switches and the other
code performs an unlocking function by means of an associated
magnetically operated mechanism.
Inventors: |
Sedley; Bruce S. (Glendale,
CA) |
Assignee: |
H. O. Bohme, Inc. (Westbury,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
27506676 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/788,372 |
Filed: |
January 2, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/46; 70/276;
335/206; 335/207; 235/450 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
36/0066 (20130101); G05B 19/16 (20130101); H01H
36/0046 (20130101); G07F 7/02 (20130101); G07F
7/086 (20130101); G07C 9/215 (20200101); G07F
7/00 (20130101); G06K 7/088 (20130101); Y10T
70/7057 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
7/08 (20060101); G07F 7/00 (20060101); G07F
7/02 (20060101); G07F 7/08 (20060101); H01H
36/00 (20060101); G05B 19/16 (20060101); G05B
19/04 (20060101); G07C 9/00 (20060101); H01h
043/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/61.114
;335/205,206,207,153 ;200/46 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Macon; Robert S.
Assistant Examiner: Hohauser; H. J.
Claims
I claim:
1. A magnet actuated switch, comprising:
a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts arranged in a
characteristic pattern; each of said pairs of electrical contacts
including a first contact and a second contact; each of said first
and second contacts including magnetic material;
means for electrically coupling said contacts to a utilization
device;
magnet means of predetermined polarity mounted in close proximity
to the said first contacts of said pairs of contacts for
magnetizing said first contacts with said predetermined
polarity;
a magnetically operable mechanism mounted in spaced relationship to
said plurality of pairs of electrical contacts;
said magnetically operated mechanism including a plurality of
magnetized lock pins;
guide means for directing the movement of a data card into close
proximity with said second contacts of said pairs of electrical
contacts and said magnetized lock pins;
a data card adapted to be selectively moved into and out of said
guide means; said data card including a plurality of magnetic areas
arranged in a dual set of characteristic patterns forming first and
second codes;
said magnetic areas of said first code being disposed in close
proximity with said second contacts of said pairs of contacts when
said data card is inserted into said guide means; said second
contacts of said pairs of contacts being magnetized with the same
polarity as the corresponding magnetic areas of said first code on
said data card;
a code combination set card adapted to be dispose in close
proximity to said magnetized lock pins; said code combination set
card including a plurality of magnetic areas arranged in a
characteristic pattern and adapted, when positioned adjacent to
said lock pins, to attract or repel selected ones of said lock
pins.
2. A programmable lock card reader for use with a data card having
a plurality of magnetic areas forming a dual set of characteristic
patterns; said programmable lock card reader comprising:
a magnetically operable mechanism including a plurality of
magnetized lock pins;
reading means including a plurality of pairs of contacts;
a code combination set card having magnetic areas arranged in a
characteristic pattern therein;
said code combination set card being adapted to be moved into close
proximity with said magnetized lock pins to attract or repel
selected ones of said lock pins; and
a data card having a plurality of magnetic areas for forming a dual
set of characteristic patterns; one of said dual sets of
characteristic patterns of magnetized areas being adapted to
operate selected ones of said pairs of contacts; and said other of
said dual set of characteristic patterns of magnetized areas being
adapted to attract or repel selected ones of said magnetized lock
pins;
whereby, when said combination set card and said data card are
properly coded, said combination set card and said data card will
attract and/or repel selected ones of said magnetized lock pins to
unlock said magnetically operable mechanism, and said other set of
magnetic areas in said data card will operate selected ones of said
pairs of contacts.
3. A programmable lock card reader according to claim 2, wherein
all of said magnetized lock pins are responsive to magnetic areas
in said data card to unlock said magnetically operable mechanism in
the absence of a combination set card.
4. A magnetically actuated mechanism comprising:
a pair of magnetizable contacts comprising a first contact and a
second contact;
means for operatively connecting said contacts to utilization
means;
magnetic biasing means separate and spaced from each of said
magnetizable contacts and disposed in close proximity to said first
contact to magnetize said first contact with a direction of
polarity determined by the direction of polarity of said magnetic
biasing means;
means defining a data card receiving station adapted to receive a
card having a magnetized area therein; and
a data card positioned at said card receiving station; said data
card including a magnetized area disposed in close proximity to
said second contact of said pair of contacts to magnetize said
second contact with a direction of polarity determined by the
direction of polarity of said magnetized area in said data
card.
5. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 4, and
further comprising a plurality of pairs of magnetizable contacts
arranged in a characteristic pattern; each of said pairs of
contacts comprising a first contact and a second contact; said
magnetic biasing means being disclosed in close proximity to said
first contacts of said pairs of contacts to magnetize said first
contacts with directions of polarity determined by the direction of
polarity of said magnetic biasing means; said data card including a
plurality of magnetized areas therein disposed in close proximity
to said second contacts of said pairs of contacts to magnetize said
second contacts with directions of polarity determined by the
direction of polarity of said magnetized areas.
6. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
the directions of polarity of said magnetic biasing means and said
magnetized areas in said data card are such that said first and
second magnetizable contacts will be magnetized with opposite
directions of polarity, whereby said pairs of contacts will be
attracted toward one another.
7. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
said pairs of magnetizable contacts constitute reed-type
switches.
8. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 7, wherein
said magnetic biasing means is adjustable to vary the strengths of
the magnetic fields of said first contacts of said reed
switches.
9. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 7, wherein
said reed switches are slanted with respect to the surface of said
data card to maximize the areas of said second contacts of said
reed switch contacts which are magnetized by said magnetic areas in
said data card and to maximize the number of such switches which
may be placed in an area of specified dimensions.
10. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
said magnetic biasing means comprises a sheet of magnetic material
having a magnetic field of fixed magnitude and polarity.
11. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 10,
wherein said biasing sheet is magnetized only in selected
areas.
12. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
said magnetic biasing means includes a sheet of magnetic material
in combination with movable permanent magnets for varying the
magnetic strength of selected discrete areas of said sheet.
13. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
said magnet biasing means include electromagnets operatively
associated with said pairs of contacts.
14. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 13,
wherein each of said electromagnets includes an adjustable tuning
slug for varying its magnetic strength.
15. A magnetic actuated mechanism according to claim 28, wherein
said magnetic biasing means includes an electromagnet coil
encompassing tuning slugs; each of said slugs being associated with
a pair of said contacts.
16. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 4, and
further comprising a magnetically responsive locking device having
at least one locking member adapted to be moved by a magnetized
area on a data card; and wherein said card includes at least two
magnetized areas therein; one of said magnetized areas being
adapted to move said locking member.
17. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 16, and
further comprising switching means operatively associated with said
magnetically responsive locking device and adapted to be actuated
by said data card.
18. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 17,
wherein said magnetic biasing means includes an electromagnet
adapted to be energized by actuation of said switching means.
19. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 5, wherein
said data card has a dual set of magnetized areas therein arranged
in characteristic patterns forming first and second codes, said
magnetized areas of said first code operating on said contacts; and
further comprising a magnetically responsive locking device having
locking members adapted to be moved by said magnetized areas of
said second code in said data card.
20. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 19,
wherein said characteristic pattern of said data card forming said
second code further includes nonmagnetized areas between said
magnetic areas.
21. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 20,
wherein said
nonmagnetized areas are defined by apertures in said data card. 2.
A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 42, wherein
said locking members of said locking device comprise magnetized
locking pins; at least one of which is adapted to be moved by code
combination set
means. 23. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 22,
and further comprising code combination set means including a set
card having at least one magnetized area therein adapted to move at
least one of said locking pins; said magnetized areas of said data
card forming said second code being adapted to move other of said
locking pins to unlock said
locking device. 24. A magnetically actuated mechanism for use with
a data card having at least one magnetized area therein; said
mechanism comprising:
a pair of magnetizable contacts having a normal position and a
secondary position;
means for operatively connecting said contacts to utilization
means;
magnetic biasing means separate and spaced from each of said
magnetizable contacts and disposed in close proximity to one
contact to magnetize said one contact with a direction of polarity
determined by the direction of polarity of said magnetic biasing
means;
means defining a card-receiving station having guide means for
directing movement of a properly coded data card to a position
wherein a magnetized area therein will be disposed in close
proximity to the other one of said pair of contacts, whereby said
other contact will be magnetized with a direction of polarity
determined by the direction of polarity of the magnetized area in a
data card inserted into said card receiving station; and
means rendering said magnetic biasing means ineffective to move
said pair of contacts to their said secondary position in the
absence of said other contact of said pair of contacts being
magnetized with a predetermined
direction of polarity. 25. A magnetically actuated mechanism
according to claim 24, and further comprising a plurality of pairs
of magnetizable contacts arranged in a characteristic pattern; each
of said paris of contacts comprising a first contact and second
contact; said magnetic biasing means being disclosed in close
proximity to said first contacts of said pairs of contacts to
magnetize said first contacts with directions of polarity
determined by the direction of polarity of said magnetic biasing
means; said magnetically actuated mechanism being adapted for use
with a data card having a plurality of magnetized areas therein
adapted to be disposed in close proximity to said second contacts
of said pairs of contacts to magnetize said second contacts with
directions of polarity
determined by the directions of polarity of said magnetized areas.
26. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 25,
wherein said first and second magnetizable contacts are adapted to
be magnetized with opposite directions of polarity by said magnetic
biasing means and a data card having magnetized areas thereon;
whereby said pairs of contacts will
be attracted toward one another. 27. A magnetically actuated
mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said pairs of magnetizable
contacts
constitute reed-type switches. 28. A magnetically actuated
mechanism according to claim 27, wherein said magnetic biasing
means is adjustable to vary the strength of the magnetic fields of
said first contacts of reed
switches. 29. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim
27, wherein said reed switches are slanted with respect to said
data card receiving station to maximize the areas of said second
contacts of said reed switch contacts which are adapted to be
magnetized by magnetic areas in a data card and to maximize the
number of such switches which may be
placed in an area of specified dimensions. 30. A magnetically
actuated mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said magnetic
biasing means comprises a sheet of magnetic material having a
magnetic field of fixed
magnitude and polarity. 31. A magnetically actuated mechanism
according to claim 30, wherein said biasing sheet is magnetized
only in selected areas.
2. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 25, wherein
said magnetic biasing means includes a sheet of magnetic material
in combination with movable permanent magnets for varying the
magnetic
strength of selected discrete areas of said sheet. 33. A
magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said
magnetic biasing means include electromagnets operatively
associated with said pairs of
contacts. 34. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim
33, wherein each of said electromagnets includes an adjustable
tuning slug for
varying its magnetic strength. 35. A magnetic actuated mechanism
according to claim 25, wherein said magnetic biasing means includes
an electromagnetic coil encompassing tuning slugs; each of said
slugs being
associated with a pair of said contacts 36. A magnetically actuated
mechanism according to claim 24, and further comprising a
magnetically responsive locking device having at least one locking
member adapted to be
moved by magnetized area on a data card. 37. A magnetically
actuated mechanism according to claim 36, and further comprising
switching means operatively associated with said magnetically
responsive locking device
and adapted to be actuated by a data card. 38. A magnetically
actuated mechanism according to claim 37, wherein said magnetic
biasing means includes an electromagnet adapted to be energized by
actuation of said
switching means. 39. A magnetically actuated mechanism according to
claim 25, and further comprising a magnetically responsive locking
device having locking members adapted to be moved by magnetized
areas in a data card
having two sets of magnetized areas therein. 40. A magnetically
actuated mechanism according to claim 39, wherein said locking
members of said locking device comprise magnetized locking pins; at
least one of which is
adapted to be moved by code combination set means. 41. A
magnetically actuated mechanism according to claim 40, and further
comprising code combination set means including a set card having
at least one magnetized area therein adapted to move at least one
of said locking pins; said magnetized areas of said data card
forming said second code being adapted to move other of said
locking pins to unlock said locking device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a magnet actuated switch for controlling
an electrical circuit and more specifically pertains to a switch
for use with a card having magnetic areas arranged in a
predetermined code pattern.
One type of switch as above is disclosed in copending application,
Ser. No. 592,006, filed Nov. 4, 1966, in the name of Bruce S.
Sedley, entitled Magnetically Operated Mechanism and Magnetic
Card.
In the past, card actuated magnetic switches have required complex
mechanisms which have been unreliable and costly. Part of the
difficulty in providing a good switch of this type in that the
magnetic strength of the elements or areas on the card is
relatively low. Thus some mechanisms have included additional
amplification, thereby adding to costs and increasing the
complexity of the apparatus.
The magnetic actuated switch or card reader device of the present
invention may be used for the following:
A. To provide direct address to computers which, after determining
that the card contains the proper information, will dispense
information to the party holding the card.
B. Access control; to allow access to restricted areas to persons
holding a correctly coded card and transmitting data consisting of
card number and location of card reader to a recording unit or
telephone line circuit.
C. Time and attendance; to replace the conventional time clock and
to read employees card numbers when entering or leaving work and to
transmit that information for accounting information.
D. Job accounting; used in conjunction with a second reader to
provide daily records of time spent on specific jobs. The employees
card and the card representing the job number are presented to
their respective readers together and the combined information
transmitted for accounting use.
E. To provide instant credit verification; transmitting data from a
customers credit card to a central point for look-up and reporting
back to the reading terminal the state of the customers
account.
F. To provide billing information at the time of purchase; customer
card data plus sales total transmitted to a central point
consumates the sale by debiting the customers account
instantly.
g. Admission systems; data on card transmitted by reader determines
whether the card holder is entitled to gain admission to athletic,
theatrical or other events where the purchase of the card
represents a ticket sale.
h. A variation of (g) above in transit systems where the card
reader replaces the toll collector at bridges, tollways, rapid
transit systems, etc.
i. Telemetering, operating remote controls.
j. Automatic telephone dialing and credit charging.
k. As a programmable switching device where the data from cards or
similar means operates the internal switches in the reader,
controls various electrical apparatus such as motors, lights,
valves, etc. For example, an adaptation of the basic reader
principle would create a means to convert data from a magnetic
belt, passing through the reader, into the switch closures to
directly operate moving light signs.
l. To read inventory stock tickets from or on merchandise, or
pricing tabs on merchandise.
m. As library card readers or to read book numbers from tabs or
cards placed in or bound into books.
n. As a scoring device for teaching aids and programmed education
devices. The student puts data on his card during testing, the
reader transmits the data for scoring or comparison.
o. Other miscellaneous uses in conjunction with badges, passes,
tickets, etc. to operate vending machines--allow monthly parking in
garages and parking lots that would bill the customer for the
amount of parking actually used.
p. In conjunction with cards used as drivers licenses, to transmit
data from the licenses for identification purposes and motor
vehicle department use when registering vehicles, etc.
q. Programming instruments.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved
magnetic actuated switch which is small, simple and economical.
It is another object of the invention to provide a magnet operated
switch which directly translates data from the key card to a
machine readable form with a high degree of reliability.
It is another object of the invention to provide magnet operated
switch in which the magnetic information on an associated card
directly operates the switch without additional amplification.
It is another object of the invention to provide a magnet actuated
switch which is suitable for use in extreme ambient conditions and
in any position.
It is another object of the invention to provide a magnet actuated
mechanism which requires the user to initially supply an unlocking
code before a data card is accepted.
In accordance with the above objects there is provided a magnet
actuated switch for use with a data card having a plurality of
magnetic areas arranged in a characteristic pattern. The switch
includes a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts arranged in a
characteristic pattern, each of the contacts including magnetic
material. The contacts are electrically coupled to a utilization
device such as relay coils of a binary coded decimal decoder. Guide
means direct the movement of the card so that the magnetic areas in
it are placed in close proximity with one of the contacts of the
contact pair associated with the area. The one contact is
magnetized by that corresponding magnetic area. Magnet means of a
predetermined polarity are mounted in fixed relationship to the
guide means and in close proximity to the other contacts of the
contact pairs to magnetize these contacts with the predetermined
polarity. Thus, the contact pairs selectively are either
magnetically attracted to each other, repelled from each other or
not affected when the card is inserted in the guide means depending
on the location of the magnetic elements and their proximity to the
contact pairs, and the respective polarities of the contacts.
From another aspect the invention provides a programmable lock card
reader for use with a data card as above but having a dual set of
characteristic patterns. A magnetically operated mechanism having
locked and unlocked conditions is responsive to one set of the
patterns for being unlocked. This then allows the other pattern to
be read by the above contact pair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a data card used in the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of F. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view partially broken away showing the
card of FIG. 1 inserted in the magnet actuated switch embodying the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of a
portion of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of FIG. 4 which
has been simplified;
FIG. 6 is a plan view partially broken away taken along the line
6-6 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a circuit schematic showing the switch interconnections
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative
embodiment; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a
portion of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate the data card of
the present invention, card 10 includes a layer 11 of barium
ferrite sandwiched between plastic layers 12 and 13. Layer 11 is
transversely polarized to form magnetic areas 11' in selected
locations. These areas may, for example, have a polarity of north
on one face and south on the opposite face of the card. Although
square areas are shown, they may be of any configuration depending
on the magnetizing field. Such a card is disclosed in the above
copending application. As illustrated in FIG. 1, magnetic areas 11'
are arranged in rows and columns to form a certain characteristic
pattern. To provide different codes only selected areas will be
magnetized. The crosshatached areas 11' indicate those areas which
have been magnetized to form a code.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the magnetic actuated switch comprises a
top plate 14 of iron or a mild steel with an upturned end 15.
Mounted on the bottom side of a plate 14 are spaced guide rails 16
and 17 which guide the movement of card 10. A switching block 21 is
mounted opposite the top plate 14. Thus, top plate 14, in
combination with guide rails 16 and 17 and switching block 21 form
a slot 19 into which a card 10 may be inserted. At the end of the
slot 19 there is a suitable abutment (not shown) for indexing the
card in a proper position as will be explained below.
The switching block 21 contains a plurality of reed switches 22
which are spaced in a characteristic pattern to match the pattern
of magnetic areas 11' of card 10. Thus, each of the reed switches
22 will correspond to a particular magnetic area 11'. As best shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5 the reed switches each have a pair of contacts 23
and 24. Contacts 23 and 24 are in the form of reeds which include
magnetic material. The reeds are sealed in opposite ends of an
elongated glass tube 26 (FIG. 5) in such a way that the ends of the
reeds overlap at one end in the tube to define a small gap. When
the reeds or contacts are magnetized with opposite polarities they
come together thereby forming a continuous electrical circuit;
magnetization with the same polarities will open the switch or
maintain it in this condition. Such a switch is highly reliable due
to simplicity of design and to the contact operation which takes
place in the sealed atmosphere of the glass tube 26.
As best shown in FIG. 5, contact 24 is brought out at one end of
the tube and connected to a printed circuit board 27 which is
affixed to the top of reed switch block 21; bottom contact 23 is
brought out to make contact with appropriate conductors on printed
circuit board 28 which is affixed to the bottom of block 21.
Printed circuit board 27 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 where
a contact 24 is soldered to a printed annular ring of conductive
material 31 which is brought out at edge 32 by a connecting strip.
The board is arranged so that alternate rings, such as at 33, are
brought out to the connecting edge on the opposite side of the
printed circuit board. Switch block 21 is made of nonconductive
material so as to insulate the printed circuit board.
The reed switches 23, 24 are tilted, as best shown in FIG. 5, at an
approximate angle of 30.degree. to horizontal. This provides a
substantial projected area of the switch with respect to the
horizontal to thus allow magnetic elements 11' of card 10 to have
significant magnetizing effect on the contacts 24.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a magnet means 35 in the form of a
block is mounted in fixed relationship to guide means 16, 17 and
thus the reed switch block 21. Block 35 consists of nonmagnetic
material drilled with a plurality of holes to correspond to the
positions of the ends of reed switches 22. Block 35 contains
individual magnetic elements 36 in the form of machine screws which
are individually adjustable. In one version of the invention the
major magnetization is produced by a biasing sheet 37 which is
traversely polarized, as indicated in FIG. 5, with, for example, a
north polarity on the face 38 and a south on the bottom face 39.
Sheet 37 may either be completely magnetized on its entire surface
or in localized areas. Adjustable magnets 36, as best shown in FIG.
4 provide for variation of bias where necessary. In other words,
the pull-in or dropout characteristics of the individual reed
switches, can be varied by means of the adjustable screw type
magnets 36 so that all switches operate at the same time, when card
polarities are correct and strength of these areas are equal.
The slanting of the reed switches, as in the case of the magnetic
areas of card 10, provides a substantial projected area of contacts
23 on magnetic elements 36 and sheet 37. This provides for
effective magnetizing action of the reed switches.
The sandwiched structure, as shown in FIG. 3, is completed by
bottom steel plate 40 which is fastened to top plate 14 by
appropriate machine screws and nuts 41.
FIG. 7 shows the interconnection of the reed switches 22 to
produce, in effect, a binary coded decimal output. The last four
rows of switches, labeled 8, 4, 2, 1, respectively, correspond to
the eqivalent decimal represented by that row. When closed in the
proper combination they produce a binary coded decimal output
labeled units, tens, hundreds, and thousands. The remaining row of
switches designated S1 through S4 may be used for control purposes
to, for example, indicate when the card 10 is fully in the slot or
alternatively to operate a control relay to cause the remaining
information on the card to be read. The binary coded decimal
outputs would be coupled into some storage device such as a
computer memory and would store, for example an employee badge
number. The switches designated by a dashed circle correspond to
those which would be operated by the crosshatached area pattern on
card 10 of FIG. 1.
The data card used in the present invention provides the activating
magnetic field for the switching arrangement. As discussed above,
the normal magnetization of the card is transverse with one surface
north and the other south. This magnetization can be erased with a
strong alternating current field and the card remagnetized in a
manner similar to standard recording tape. With the use of a barium
ferrite material, a very strong magnetic field is created that
resists demagnetization by accidental means.
Although in normal use the card would be magnetized at selected
locations with all areas north or south, the selective usage of
polarization can provide greater protection against card
duplication. Also the use of a random pattern of elements and reed
switches further deter duplication attempts.
The use of biasing sheet 37 provides for more efficient operation
since a reed relay might operate if either a north or south field
were present on the card 10 at the correct location. With the bias
sheet, the operation of each reed of the reed relay can be
selective as to polarity. For example, if a north bias is present,
the reed relay will only pull in if a suitable south field is
present at its opposite end. If a card is inserted which has a
north field magnet, this will merely cause the reed to stay open.
Thus, the reed switches of the present invention can be selectively
coded in certain patterns to provide for greater immunity to a
magnetic card having different codes. For example, a magnet
actuated switch with all reeds biased north will respond only to
south areas of a card. Thus, the card coded with all south areas
will only operate the switch if inserted in the correct position;
that is, with the south magnetic areas in proximity to the reed
ends. If this same card is inserted upside down with its north
surface at the reed ends, no activation would occur. In this manner
different lock codes can be devised with, for example, one switch
responsively only to north polarity cards and the other to south
polarity cards. Or, in addition, a switch may be biased to have all
even numbered reeds (corresponding to its binary coded decimal
code) north and odd numbered reeds south.
The use of the additional adjustable biasing magnet 36 provides an
ability to compensate for various operating ranges of the
individual reed switches. It facilitates production and allows for
each replacement of a reed switch if necessary. The bias sheet
itself may be magnetized to different degrees of magnetization to
provide for greater code pattern flexibility. Thus, one magnet
actuated switch may require a card having the magnets of a certain
strength which is much higher than another type of card which
therefore would not operate the device.
The tilting or slanting of the reed switches provides for precise
location of the magnetic fields produced by both the biasing sheet
and the card 10 with respect to the individual reed contacts. The
overall magnetic field for each area can be smaller and therefore
if the magnetic field is not exactly centered the reed relay will
not operate. Thus, the possibility of incorrect reading of the card
data is reduced due to a magnet on one area of the card influencing
an adjacent reed switch.
The slanting position of the switches allows increased density of
switches in a given area. This orientation is, of course, made
possible by the use of two magnetizing sources at the end of each
one of a reed pair of a reed switch. Normally a reed switch is
operated by and over the center magnet.
In the credit car industry data card 10 can be embossed for hard
copy printing by standard means in one area and in another contain
the magnetic information which is to be read into the credit
institution's computer. In this particular case, the mechanical
copy printing device would have a magnet actuated switch apparatus,
as shown in FIG. 3, with the apparatus being separated, so that the
card is placed face down on the open switch, and when the printer
is closed and activated the card will be read.
Lastly, the above data card may serve as an employee badge and can
be fitted with a clip and employee photograph for additional
identification.
The exploded view of FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment
in which reed switches similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS.
1 through 7 are present, but which includes an additional
magnetically operated mechanism having locked and unlocked
conditions which must be unlocked before a data card is read by the
reed switches. This locking section of the mechanism is similar to
that disclosed in the above mentioned copending application in the
name of Bruce S. Sedley entitled "Magnetically Operated Mechanism
and Magnetic Card."
Now referring specifically to FIG. 8 a data or activation card 51
similar in construction to the card in FIG. 1 includes a dual set
of characteristic patterns. One set of magnetic areas 52 are for
the purpose of actuating the above unlocking mechanism. The other
set of magnetic areas 53 contain data which as discussed above with
the other embodiment are read or detected by the associated reed
switches. A slot 54 is formed for card 51 by the upper face of
block 21, side rails 56 and 57, and a copper well plate 58 which is
affixed to an iron plate 59.
The magnetically operated mechanism having locked and unlocked
conditions, side rails 61 and 62 which serve as spacers for a
sliding magnet block 63. An upper copper plate 64 is affixed to the
top of magnet block siderails 61, 62 to form a slot in which
magnetic block 63 moves. Includes in copper plate 58 are rows of
wells or holes 66 which correspond to all possible magnetic areas
52 which may be placed on card 51 and in addition to the rows of
holes 67 in block 63 which have inserted therein cylindrical
permanent magnets or locking pins 68.
Sliding magnet block 63 is normally spring biased in a direction
toward the end of slot 54 (in other words against the direction of
movement of the insertion of data card 51) and is normally locked
in position by the locking pins 68 falling into well 66. Magnet
block 63 includes a downwardly extending card stop extension 69
against which the end of card 51 abuts when inserted in slot 54.
Also carried by magnet block 63 is an upwardly extending post 71
which extends through oversized aperture 72 and 73 in copper plate
64 and in an aluminum top plate 74. With magnet block 63 in its
normal locked position, post 71 rests against an actuating lever 76
of a microswitch 77. When the magnet block 63 is unlocked by the
removal of all of its magnets 68 from the wells 66 in copper plate
58, as will be described in detail below, the data card 51 is
allowed to move the magnet block 63 by means of the end of the card
pushing against card stop 69 and the post 71 moves against
actuating lever 76 to close microswitch 77.
Code combination set means are provided by a set card 78 which in
essence has a characteristic code pattern formed by magnetic areas
79 and holes 80 through the card. A slot for insertion of card 78
is provided by aluminum top pate 74, side rails 82 and 83, and
copper plate 64. A locking screw 81 is threaded in plate 74 for
locking card 78 in place. Both the magnetic areas and holes 79 and
80 are arranged on card 78 to correspond to holes 67 on magnet
block 63 and holes 66 on copper plate 58 and the magnetic areas 52
on data or activation card 51.
The reading portion of the programmable lock card reader as
illustrated in FIG. 8 includes many similar components as shown in
the first embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 1 through 7
including the holding block 21 with reed switches 22. The reed
switches have one of their pair of contacts in close proximity to
the magnetic areas 53 of card 51. The card is fully inserted in
slot 54. A printed circuit board 84 located at the bottom of block
21 provides for circuit connections to the pairs of contacts of the
reed switches. More particularly, both leads of each reed switch
are soldered to the bottom of the printed circuit board 84 which
are then coupled by the printed circuit to make edge connectors 86
on the edge of printed circuit board 86 which are adapted to
connect with female edge connector 87. Isolation is provided by
diodes 90 coupled between the reed switches and male connector. The
leads from edge connector 87 would extend to circuit such as that
shown in FIG. 7 of the present invention.
However, instead of the use of permanent magnets as in the first
embodiment electromagnet coils 88 are mounted in close proximity to
the other contact of the contact pair of a reed switch to provide
the magnetic field which will close the reed switch upon conditions
described above; namely, where a magnetic path is completed through
the reed switch by application of magnetic fields of opposite
polarity to the contacts. Coils 88 are mounted on an iron plate 89
which are separated from printed circuit board 84 by spacers 91.
Coils 88 include tuning slugs 92 which provide for variation of the
strength of the magnetic field generated by the coils to provide
for dissimilarities in reed switches.
All of the coils 88 are coupled in parallel through connectors 86
and 87 to a coil power supply 93. This power supply is responsive
to the closure of microswitch 77 to activate the coils and
therefore read the data contained in magnetic area 53 of card
51.
Instead of the use of a plurality of magnetic coils 88 one large
single coil 96 may be used as shown in FIG. 9 which encircles
powdered iron tuning slugs 97 which would be associated with each
reed switch. When this coil is energized each slug directs a
portion of the magnetic field produced to its respective reed
switch. Raising or lowering of each tuning slug 97 adjusts the
magnetic field to the specific pull in characteristic of each reed
switch. Iron plate 89 provides both a flux shield for the coil 96
and a common pole for all of the threaded tuning slugs 97.
OPERATION
In summary, the operation of the programmable lock reader
embodiment in FIG. 8 provides a magnetically operated unlocking
mechanism which only allows a properly coded card 51 to perform the
unlocking and switching function of microswitch 77 and in so doing
activates the reading section of the device which then reads out
the data in suitable form contained on the magnetic areas 53 of
card 51. The unlocking mechanism sets up a code combination by the
insertion of set card 78 which is held in its slot by locking screw
81. Magnetic areas 79 of the set card attract the locking pins or
magnets 68 which are not in the code and holes 80 in the set card
are located at the positions or locations which will correspond to
the location of the magnetic areas of the card 52. Thus the holes
80 in card 78 remove polarized areas of the card so that magnets or
locking pins 68 directly below these holes will not be attracted up
to the set card but will remain by gravity down in the locking
wells 66 of copper plate 58. The magnetic areas 52 on card 51 are
of a polarity to cause locking pins 68 to be repelled. Insertion of
card 51 will cause magnets 68 to raise out of their locking wells
11 when a magnet area 52 is located adjacent to them.
Thus, the combined actions of the set card 78 to attract certain of
magnets 68 up and out of their locking positions, and the data card
51 to repel the remainder of those magnets 68 not acted upon by the
set card also up and out of wells 11 releases all magnets from
their locking positions in wells 11. The sliding magnet block 63 is
therefore free to slide forward when continued forward pressure of
the data card 51 against card stop 69 is applied. Post 71, carried
by sliding block 63, operates microswitch 77 closing the switch
contacts. This activates coil power supply 93 which then causes the
appropriate reed switches 22 to close as described in connection
with the other embodiment in response to magnetic areas 53. Data
from the pattern of these magnetic areas is then read out into the
switching arrangement of FIG. 7.
In accordance with the invention, the lock card reader is
programmable since a set card 78 maybe replaced with a different
combination by using a set card with a different pattern of holes
and magnetic areas.
Absence of a set card 78 leaves all magnets 68 locked in wells
66.
Thus it can be seen that lock mastering and submastering is easily
accomplished. For example, an activation card 51 with only one
magnetic area 52 would only unlock the locking mechanism containing
a set card 78 with but the same single hole in that magnet
location. However, an activation card with three magnetic areas
could open either three different locks, each coded for one of the
three magnetic areas on the activation card, or one lock containing
all three areas in its code, or combinations of any two of the
magnetic areas.
A master activation card would contain magnetic areas in all
locations below magnets or locking pins 68. All magnets would thus
be repelled out of the wells 11 even if no combination set card 78
was inserted. This type of card would be the full Great Grand
Master Card.
The information to be read on card 51 which is contained by
magnetic areas 53 is read in almost the identical manner as in the
previous embodiment. The essential difference in the use of the
electromagnetic coils 88 which are energized in response to closure
of microswitch 77. Plate 89 acts as a magnetic coupling for all of
coils 88. In addition the iron plate 59 above the card 51 increases
the strength of magnetic areas of card 51 to provide for a better
actuation of the reed switches.
Thus, the present invention provides the following advantages:
1. Only correctly coded activation cards 51 may unlock the locking
mechanism so that the data code (magnetic areas 53) on the card can
be read.
2. Foreign objects, upside down or uncoded cards, etc. will not
unlock the lock and therefore cannot cause a misreading.
3. The locking code can be changed by the simple change of a
combination set card 78.
4. Master coding can be accomplished by the above procedure without
rewiring the device.
5. All units shown in FIG. 8 are made identically, except for the
loading of magnets 68 and selecting their polarities for matching
with set card 78.
6. Removal of the set card locks the device to all cards except the
Great Grand Master.
7. If reed switch replacement is required, each may be removed
independently through the printed circuit board holes.
8. A Grand Master combination set card can be inserted which will
attract all of the magnets 68 into an unlocked position so that the
reader will accept all cards for reading.
9. Since card reading takes place only during the pulsing time of
coils 88 as determined by the current pulse supplied by power
supply 93, this time occurs only when the correctly coded card is
properly and fully inserted; thus misreading is minimized.
Thus, the present invention provides an improved magnetic actuated
mechanism for use with a card with magnetic areas which in one form
may be used for reading data from cards and in another form
utilized with a locking mechanism to prevent the reading of
unauthorized cards.
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