Dual read-record head for magnetic card machine actuator

A system for actuating apparatus external to said system comprising a card having a longitudinal strip of magnetic material thereon encoded with two separate longitudinal tracks, a first said track being magnetically encoded with first signals indicating a number of potential uses of said card to actuate said apparatus, said second track being magnetically encoded with second signals comprising timing pulses spaced longitudinally along said second track at equidistant intervals,

• a card reader comprising guide means shaped to receive said card, reversible drive means for driving said card in both directions longitudinally of said guide means, a read-write first head positioned to read said first track as it moves inward of said guide means and write on said first track as it moves outward of said guide means and a second read head positioned to read said second track as said card is driven in either direction by said drive means, a counter receiving said second signals from said second head at a rate proportional to the speed of movement of said card, a shift register storing said first signals on a time sequence as determined by said second signals, first means receiving signal from said shift register and emitting a third signal which is numerically one less than said first signal, second means for energizing said apparatus if said third signal is numerically at least one, said first head writing said third signal on said first track in timed relation as read on said second track by said second head,
• a punch positioned to punch said card as said card travels outward of said guide means, electrical means for actuating said punch and a control for said electrical means energized dependent upon said counter so that, for each use of said card, said card is punched at a separate location.