WO1988002519A1

WO1988002519A1 - Writing and reading data system

Info

Publication number: WO1988002519A1
Application number: PCT/BR1986/000019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dalson Artacho
Original assignee: Dalson Artacho
Priority date: 1986-10-01
Filing date: 1986-10-01
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Also published as: BR8502667A

Abstract

Writing and reading data system comprising a substratum of register (10) containing n x p information cells (12) each one of them being formed by a pair of equal and adjacent figures (13, 13') punched in a metallic film (11), having a spacing (14) between them forming a segment or bridge of said metallic film, and a writing and reading device having a least p writing and reading heads arranged in such way that with the insertion in it of the data substratum (10), each one of the p cells contained in one of the n lines, is positioned in the air gap of each head, the writing as well as the reading of each cell being performed by the induction of two electrical currents (20, 20') in the cell.

Description

WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM This invention relates to a writing and reading data system essencially comprised of a substratum having a plurality of information storing cells and a device having a plurality of writing/reading heads suitably arranged to write and read the afore mentioned cells.

As it is known, the present writing and reading data systems are base on optical or magnetic principles.

On the systems which utilize the optical recording the information is written trough the opening of a plurality of roles in a substratum, generally in the form of cards or tapes, by use of a punching tool. The reading of the information written in this manner is made by the identification of the presence, or obsence, of holes in the substratum through the focusing of a light beam on one face of the substratum, and by the use of photocells positioned on the oposite face of the substratum. These photocells are activated whenever the light beam passes through a hole, indicating its presence. The identification of the presence or absence of a hole is instantaneous and can be made without displacement of the substratum, required only to permit the reading of new fields, such as it accurs, for example, when the substrate has the form of a tape.

The main inconvenience presented by the optical systems, consists of the necessity of utilizing a punching mechanism to make the holes in the substratum. In addition to that, another inconvenience consists of the fact that the correct reading of the registered information depends of the complete desobstruction of the holes present in the substratum. These inconveniences render the system very vunerable either by involuntary obstructions of the holes, caused, for example, by the presence of undesired particles, or by adulterations made with the intention of defrauding the registered datas. On the systems which utilize magnectic recording, the information is written in a substratum, usually of tape form, containing a plurality of magnectic particles acting as microscopic magnets which are oriented by the action of eletromagnectic fields provided by a magnetic recording head. For later reading of the information registered in this manner, it is necessary to move -the substratum,or the reading head, in order to permit the magnectic induction of the information contained on the substratum by the said reading head.

One of the inconveniences shown by these systems consists .of the necessity to protect the stoxed data, since the recording being magnectic, the data are subject to alterations caused by undesired magnectic fields, generated for example, by magnets, electric motors, transformers, etc.

Another inconvenience shown by these systems*, when utilized for example as credit accounters, is that the units of credit contained in it is not distroyed after being accounted for but only modified allowing a new recording,which permit that it may be defrauded.

The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a writing and reading data system which rloes not present the inconveniences shown hry the .optical and magnectic systems as described above.

Basically, the system of this invention comprises a data substratum having a plurality of information cells distributed on it in a configuration containing p_ columns and n lines, and a device for writing and reading comprising at least _ heads for writing and reading disposed so that each heads corresponds to one of the _ cells of a same line., the writing and reading of the information contained on '.-the substratum being- per ormed "with or without displacement of the substratum or of the heads.

More specifically, the data substratum comprises at least a metallic film having a plurality of information cells each one of it being constituted by a pair of equal and adjacent figures, punched on the said metallic film., in such a -way- -that a space is 'maintained between them to create a bridge in the film material.

Regarding the writing and reading heads, each one is comprised of an U-shaped core, wound by a coil and arranged in such a way that each end of the legs of the U be posi-tioned in .the region of each figure of- the pair-that constitute a cell contained in the substratum. The coiled ϋ shaped core act as the primary of a transformer which secondary is formed by the information cell facing it. The invention may be better understood from the detailed description that will now follow, which makes reference to the drawings to be described briefly first.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the data substratum, in accordance with one of the modalities to perform the present invention,with one of the protection covers partially lifted to show the internal arrangement.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the writing and reading head, in accordance with one of the manners to perform the invention, when one of the information cells is positioned in the gap region of the head.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the writing and reading head, in accordance with another form to perform the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the data substratum, in accordance with another form to perform the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another form to perform the data substratum, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the data substratum (10) is comprised of at least one metallic film (11) having a plurality of electrically independent cells (12) , each one being formed by a pair of equal and adjacent figures (13, 13') closelly punched in the metalic film (11) in such a way to maintain between said figures a narrow bridge (14) of the film material, said film (11) being covered by two protecting covers (15, 16) .

To write and read the information in a substratum such as described above, a writing and reading device is provided comprising of a plurality of heads which, in accordance with the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, is formed by an U-shaped core (17) wound by a coil (18). which dimensions are so that its cross-section is in perfect match with the punched figures (13, 13") of each cell, in such way that the positioning of the substratum (11) in the writing and reading device,results in alignment of the punched figures (13, 13') of each cells (12) with the ends (19, 19 ' ) of the correspondent head core (17). This set acts as a transformer in which the primary coil is formed by the head (17, 18) and the secondary is formed by the punched cell (12) positioned in the gap of the head field. When a voltage is applied on -the primary o^'f.the -trans ormer, i.e. ,on the coil (18) would over the core (17) of the writing and recording head, two currents of opposite sign (20, 20") are induced on its secondary, i.e., on the region of the substratum - around each punches figure o -the pa±r that, constitute a. cell. These currents have the same direction and are added when flowing through the bridge (14) between the pair of punched figures, which is dimensioned so that when the sum of these currents is high enough the material of the substratum melts

10 at this point joining the two figures, and when the sum of the currents is low, the bridge is not melted, but the presence of the current at this point is detected by the primary of the transformer, indicating the presence of an undamaged cell. If this bridge had already been melted, the current on the primary

15 of the transformer would be close to zero, indicating the presence of an altered cell- In order to increase the efficiency of the process, use could be made of writing and reading heads incorporating a second U-shaped core (17*) set in opposition

20 to the first one and symmetric to it relation to the substratum plan, as can be seen in Fig. 3. The pair of "U" so formed, results in a magnetic field of higher intensity and, therefore, an increase of the currents (20, 20') induced on the cells (12) .

25 The -wri-ting and reading of -the n ^*x £ cells of the substratum can be done by the use of n x £ writing and reading heads, each one of then corresponding to a cell, this construction avoiding the need to displace the substratum or heads to perfom the writing/reading of the n x £ cells of the

30 substratum. Apropriatelly in another form of accomplishing the invention, the writing/reading of the n x £ -cells -of the substratum can be done using only £ writing/reading heads arranged so that with the displacement of then, or of the substratum, each one of the n lines containing £ information

35 cells is wiped by a line of £ writing/reading heads. tz is important to note that .at theiD-sgining the bridges between the figures of all the information cells of the substratum are integral, the writing of the information on the substratum being performed by changing the state of the cell,

4.0 i-e.-, -thrpugh the melting of the mentioned.bridges-. Thus, for example, assigning code 1 (one) to an integral cell and code 0 (zero) to a melted cell, it is possible to change from code 1 (one) to code 0 (zero) but never the reverse, thus assuring a high degree of safety to the system subject of the present invention.

A way to further increase the safety of the recorded information, consists of writing a code-word correspondent to the desired information on a line of £ cells followed by the writing of one complementary code-word on the subsequent line. This procedure, considering the impossibility of transforming a code 0 (zero) into a code 1 (one) , permits that any attempt to adulterate the registered data is easylly and speedily detected. Be it for example 011010011).' the code-word correspondent to the information to be recorded. In accordance with the proposed procedure, the writing of this word on a line of the substratum is done first and, after that, the writing of the complementary code-word, i.e., 1001011001 on the subsequent line, so that to each code (0 or 1) contained on the first line there is a correspondent inverse code (1 or 0) on the second line. This way, any attempt to defraud the registered codes will result in the coincidence of two consecutive zeros on a column, showing the performed adulteration, as demonstrated on the following example:

information code-word #110100110 line "m" complementary code-word 1001011001 line " (m + 1) "

altered information code-word øljøiøløøllø line "m" complementary code-word 10J0J1011001 line " (m + 1) "

As can be seen on the example above, the code-word registered on the line m of the substratum had its third element of code altered from 1 (one) to 0 (zero) , resulting in two consecutive zeros on the third column, giving the indication of the adulteration.

This procedure permits the utilization of the present invention on credit systems with codes, which can be applied -to banks, public -telephone, Subway tiketrs,stadiums, play machines, restaurant-tickets, door-keys (whith priority to some area-password), bus tickets, telephone set, tolls, self-service machines, or even postage stamps, or at least, to all kind of credit .accounting systems.

The writing and reading data system subject of the present invention, due to the method of identification of the registered codes on the substratum, is not liable to undesired obstructions which could maks the registered data, as it occurs with the optical systems (punched card or tape) . In addition, due to the fact that the writing of the information on the substratum is done by the melting of the bridge between the two punched figures of each cell by the current induce by the writing and reading heads, the system does not require the use of mechanical parts to effect the record on the substratum.

Compared, w±th the magnetic -system, the system now proposed has the advantage that the data registered on the substratum are not liable to the influence of external magnetic fields. Add to that, the impossibility to convert a code 0 (zero) into a code 1 (one) which does not allow a new recording, giving to the system a high degree of safety against adulterations. Another advantage consists of the fact that the writing and reading of information can be done without

„d.is lacement of■ the substratum ΌT writing/reading Jaeads, W-hich ±s required only -to allow "the -writing -or reading Of new fields, as it occurs, for example, when a continuous tape-shaped substratum is utilized.

Experiences with prototypes have shwon the possibility to perform, on a 10 x 8 cm card, the inclusion of appo-smate ly 2 Q00 cells .corresponding to ^OQO single code elements, or approximately 1,000 elements of information with complementary code elements using two cells, resulting in this case, in 2 ' ° = 10 combinations of different codes.

Althrough one specific configuration of the invention has been described above, it must be understood that several alternatives ancbmodifications are possible without departing from the principles and scope of this invention. Besides the modality in which a film substratum contains the n cells of only one of the £ columns, a substratum can be built to accomodate the n x cells, as shown in fig. 4; or utilizing n films each one containing cells, as shown in fig. 5; or even an individual metallic film per cell, as shown in fig. 6. Althrough such cells have been shown as being formed by two adjacents rectangles (13, 13') punched in the metallic film, this is not the only possible configuration since any other geometric shape can be used, not resulting any new or different technical effect. Furthermore with reference to the cells configuration and, more specifically to the spacing between the punched figures (13,13'),to avoid the need to reduce said spacing an equivalent effect my be obtained by copper plating the substratum, except the bridges. This procedure will reduce the original electrical resistence of the cell and increase the induced current. Thus, it is not necessary to reduce the spacing between the punched figures to cause the melting of the bridge, during the writing process. The combination of higher induced current in the plated surfaces and higher electrical resistance of the unplated bridges will assure the fusion of the bridges.

Claims

CLATMS

1. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM, characterized in that it comprises a registering substratum (10) containing ii x j_ electrically independent information cells (12) -disposed in a thin metallic film packed between two protecting covers (15, 16), each of the said cells being formed by a pair of equal and adjacent figures (13, 13') punched in the metallic film (11) and separated by a narrow segment or bridge of said metallic film (14) , the writing as well as the reading of each cell being performed by the action .of electrical currents (20,20') induced in the body of each cell.

2. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM,as claimed in 1, characterized in that tha registering substratum (10) has the form of a card.

3. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM, as claimed in i, -characterized in that -the -registering substratum (10) . has the form of a tape.

4. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM, as claimed in 1, characterized in that the registering substratum is a individual metallic film per information cell.

5. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM, as claimed in 1, characterized in that the registering substratum is a metallic film containing a pluraty of information cells.

6__ WRITING .AND.ILEADING DATA SYSTEM, ,as claimed in 1, characterized in that the change in state of the cells is effected by the melting of the segments or bridges of material (14) between the two punched figures of each pair which form an information cell by the heat generated in said material by the flow in it of induced electrical currents (20, 20').

7. -WHITING.JAND -READING J_>ATA SYSTEM, as claimed in 1, characterized in that the body of the information cell, except the space between the two punched figures of said cell,is covered by a second film of conducting material having an ohmic resistance lower than that of the base film.

8. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM, characterized in that it: comprises a -writing and reading device containing at least "p" writing and reading heads, arranged in such a way that when a registering substratum having n x £ information cells is inserted in said, reading device,each of the " ™ cells contained in-one of -the V lines, will be positioned in the air gap of each of the said writing and reading heads.

9. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM,as claimed in 8, characterized in that the writing and reading of a n x £ cells substratum is effected by a set of n x £ writing and reading heads without displacement of the substratum or the set of heads.

10. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM,as claimed in 8, characterized in that the writing and reading of a n x £ cells substratum is made by a set of "p" writing and reading heads, the writing and reading of each of the "n" lines of "p" cells being accomplished by the displacement of the registering substratum or the set of heads.

11. WRITING AND READING DATA SYSTEM,as claimed in 8, characterized in that each of the writing and reading heads is comprised of an "U" shaped core (17) wound with a coil (18) where the cross section of said core conform with the pair of punched figures (13, 13") that form the cells (10), the ends (19, 19') of said core being aligned with said cell figures when the registering substratum is inserted in the reading device.

12. WRITING /AND READING DATA SYSTEM,as claiited in 8 or 11, characterized in that each of the writing and reading heads has a second core (17') facing the first core (17) and separated from it by an air gap, the set of cores so formed being simetric in relation to the substratum plane when said substratum is inserted in the writing and heads.