APPARATUS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

摘要

Disclosed is a system for coding and identifying an article wherein the system comprises a plurality of pellets secured to the article. The pellets are each constructed from a known material and the thickness of the pellets vary. Each pellet may be identified by the measurement of the time that it takes for a known traveling wave, e.g. an ultrasonic wave, to pass through it. Also disclosed is a method of coding and identifying an article. The method includes securing a plurality of pellets to the article wherein the pellets are constructed from a known material and have varying thicknesses. Traveling waves having known properties are then passed through each pellet and the time of travel of the respective traveling waves through the respective pellets is measured to indicate the thickness of each pellet.