Magnetic head assembly and method for reading and/or writing data onto a thin magnetic layer placed on a photographic element

摘要

A method and apparatus for reading and/or recording information on a photographic element having a thin magnetic layer. The apparatus includes a magnetic head assembly having a read and/or write head having an outer engaging surface for contacting the magnetic layer. The outer engaging surface has at least one pole for reading or writing information on the magnetic layer and a protective layer and is made of a material having a Vickers hardness equal to or greater than 1000 kg/mm2. A spring is provided for applying a substantially perpendicular loading force between the photographic element and the magnetic read and/or write head. The substantially perpendicular loading being equal to or greater than about 10 gm/mm2.