A magnetic attachment system for attaching a first object to a second object. A first magnet structure is attached to the first object and a second magnet structure is attached to the second object by the magnetic attraction between the first magnet structure and second magnet structure. The magnet structures comprise magnetic elements arranged in accordance with patterns based on various codes. In various embodiments, the code has certain autocorrelation properties, the code may be from a set of codes with low cross correlation; an attachment and a release configuration may be achieved by a simple movement of the magnet structures; the magnetic pattern may be configured to allow installation of a selected panel of a set of panels in a given location or orientation while rejecting the remaining panels of the set; or the magnetic pattern is configured using codes with low cross correlation.