THERMALLY READABLE SURFACE CHARACTERIZING ARRAY AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPERATURE ACTIVATION THEREOF

摘要

A thermally readable encoding arrangement can be scanned with a temperature radiation sensor. The encoding arrangement has alternating regions which differ in thermal conductivity, capacity or emissivity characteristics. Heat is either supplied or withdrawn from the encoded region after which the region is sequentially scanned along a path using a radiation detector to evaluate the temperature differences which arise because of the characteristics. Various forms of temperature activation and encoding structures are disclosed.