Thermal machine readable code

Abstract

A thermal machine readable marker includes a first element having a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern, and a second element having a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern. The first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity and the first and second patterns are configured to be readable to convey information.

Description

THERMAL MACHINE READABLE CODECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to United State Provisional Application No. 63 / 425,869 entitled “Thermal Machine Readable Code” filed November 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a thermal machine readable code.Description of Related Art

[0003] Non-fiducial markers, such as QR codes, data matrix codes, etc., and fiducial markers, such as AprilTags, ArUco markers, etc., are commonly used to identify and track objects. These markers are printed with contrasting colors, primarily black and white, and are readable via a camera to convey information. The markers may be used in a medical setting to convey information about a patient and / or to identify or track various medical devices. In practice, such markers may become obstructed via dust, debris, or other contaminant, which can inhibit reading the marker.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect or embodiment, a thermal machine readable marker includes a first element having a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern and a second element having a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern, where the first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity, and where the first and second patterns are configured to be machine readable to convey information.

[0005] The first element may include a first material with the first thermal conductivity. The second element may include a second material with the second thermal conductivity. The first element and the second element may be formed from a single material, where the second thermal conductivity of the second element is provided via an air gap. The first element may include a first ink with the first thermal conductivity and the second element may include a second ink with the second thermal conductivity.

[0006] In certain configurations, the first element includes a thermochromic pigment in which a first coloration is expressed at a first temperature or conductivity, and the secondelement includes a thermochromic pigment in which a second coloration is expressed at the first temperature or conductivity, the second coloration being different from the first coloration.

[0007] The first element may include at least one of a thermal paint and distributed thermal resin, and the second element may include at least one of a thermal paint and distributed thermal resin, which is different than the thermal paint and distributed thermal resin of the first element. The first coloration and the second coloration may be differing colors, hues and / or intensities. The first coloration and the second coloration may be variations in hue or intensity of the same color.

[0008] At least one of the first element and the second element may be moveable and configured to form one or more additional patterns. The thermal machine readable marker may include a visual light readable marker.

[0009] In a further aspect or embodiment, a system includes at least one processor, a thermal imaging camera, a thermal machine readable marker of any of the aspects or embodiments discussed above, where the thermal imaging camera is configured to image the thermal machine readable marker, and where the at least one processor is configured to decode information from the image of the thermal machine readable marker.

[0010] In certain configurations, the at least one processor is configured to process the image of the thermal machine readable marker into a black and white image.

[0011] The first element of the thermal machine readable marker may include a first material with the first thermal conductivity, and the second element comprises a second material with the second thermal conductivity. The first element and the second element of the thermal machine readable marker may be formed from a single material, and wherein the second thermal conductivity of the second element is provided via an air gap. The first element may include a thermochromic pigment in which a first coloration is expressed at a first temperature or conductivity, and the second element may include a thermochromic pigment in which a second coloration is expressed at the first temperature or conductivity, the second coloration being different from the first coloration. The first coloration and the second coloration may be differing colors, hues and / or intensities, or variations in hue or intensity of the same color.

[0012] In a further aspect or embodiment, a method includes: obtaining, with at least one processor, an image of a thermal machine readable marker according to any of the aspects or embodiments discussed above; and determining, with at least one processor, based on the image, information associated with the thermal machine readable marker.

[0013] The method may further include processing, with at least one processor, the image of the thermal machine readable marker into a black and white image. The image may be obtained with a thermal imaging camera.

[0014] In a further aspect or embodiment, a thermal machine readable marker includes a body having an insulating foam, with the body defining a cutout area arranged in a pattern. The pattern is configured to be machine readable to convey information.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Additional advantages and details are explained in greater detail below, with reference to the exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1A is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an environment in which systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods, described herein, can be implemented;

[0017] FIG. IB is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an implementation of an environment in which systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods, described herein, can be implemented;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of components of one or more devices and / or one or more systems of FIGS. 1A and IB; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of a thermal machine readable code according to one nonlimiting embodiment or aspect or present application.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] It is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary and non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0021] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to embodiments or aspects as they are oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that embodiments or aspects may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Itis also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply non-limiting exemplary embodiments or aspects. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects of the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting unless otherwise indicated.

[0022] No aspect, component, element, structure, act, step, function, instruction, and / or the like used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” and “at least one.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “at least one.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based at least partially on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0023] As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” may refer to the reception, receipt, transmission, transfer, provision, and / or the like of information (e.g., data, signals, messages, instructions, commands, and / or the like). For one unit (e.g., a device, a system, a component of a device or system, combinations thereof, and / or the like) to be in communication with another unit means that the one unit is able to directly or indirectly receive information from and / or transmit information to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection that is wired and / or wireless in nature. Additionally, two units may be in communication with each other even though the information transmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and / or routed between the first and second unit. For example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit even though the first unit passively receives information and does not actively transmit information to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit if at least one intermediary unit (e.g., a third unit located between the first unit and the second unit) processes information received from the first unit and communicates the processed information to the second unit. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a message may refer to a network packet (e.g., a data packet and / or the like) that includes data. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements are possible.

[0024] As used herein, the term “computing device” may refer to one or more electronic devices that are configured to directly or indirectly communicate with or over one or morenetworks. A computing device may be a mobile or portable computing device, a desktop computer, a server, and / or the like. Furthermore, the term “computer” may refer to any computing device that includes the necessary components to receive, process, and output data, and normally includes a display, a processor, a memory, an input device, and a network interface. A “computing system” may include one or more computing devices or computers. An “application” or “application program interface” (API) refers to computer code or other data sorted on a computer-readable medium that may be executed by a processor to facilitate the interaction between software components, such as a client-side front-end and / or server-side back-end for receiving data from the client. An “interface” refers to a generated display, such as one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with which a user may interact, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.). Further, multiple computers, e.g., servers, or other computerized devices directly or indirectly communicating in the network environment may constitute a “system” or a “computing system”.

[0025] It will be apparent that systems and / or methods, described herein, can be implemented in different forms of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, it being understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which devices, systems, methods, and / or products described herein, may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1A, environment 100 includes user device 102, management system 104, and / or communication network 106. Systems and / or devices of environment 100 can interconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0027] Referring also to FIG. IB, FIG. IB is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an implementation of environment 100 in which systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods, described herein, can be implemented. For example, as shown in FIG. IB, environment 100 may include a hospital room including a patient, one or more medical devices 108, one or more thermal machine readable markers 110 associated with the one or more medical devices 108, a patient, and / or a healthcare provider.

[0028] User device 102 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information and / or data from management system 104 (e.g., via communication network 106, etc.) and / or communicating information and / or data to management system 104 (e.g., via communicationnetwork 106, etc.). For example, user device 102 may include one or more computing systems including one or more processors (e.g., one or more computing devices, one or more server computers, one or more mobile computing devices, one or more tablet computers, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, user device 102 may include a tablet computer or mobile computing device, such as an Apple® iPad, an Apple® iPhone, an Android® tablet, an Android® phone, and / or the like.

[0029] User device 102 may include one or more image capture devices (e.g., one or more cameras, one or more sensors, etc.) configured to capture one or more images of an environment (e.g., environment 100, etc.) surrounding the one or more image capture devices. For example, user device 102 may include one or more image capture devices configured to capture one or more images of the one or more medical devices 108, the one or more thermal machine readable markers 110 associated with the one or more medical devices 108, and / or the patient. As an example, user device 102 may include at least one of the following image capture devices: a camera, a stereo camera, a thermal imaging camera, or any combination thereof. In some aspects or embodiments, the thermal machine readable marker 110 includes a visual light readable marker or portion formed separately from the thermal readable portion or in combination with the thermal readable portion. The visual light readable portion may be used to co-register images obtained in invisible wavelength and visible wavelength images. The visual light readable marker or portion may be read with a camera or other suitable arrangement.

[0030] Management system 104 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information and / or data from user device 102 (e.g., via communication network 106, etc.) and / or communicating information and / or data to user device 102 (e.g., via communication network 106, etc.). For example, management system 104 may include one or more computing systems including one or more processors (e.g., one or more computing devices, one or more server computers, one or more mobile computing devices, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, management system 104 includes and / or is accessible via a nurse station or terminal in a hospital. For example, management system 104 may provide bedside nurse support, nursing station manager support, retrospective reporting for nursing administration, and / or the like.

[0031] Communication network 106 may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, communication network 106 may include a cellular network (e.g., a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a fifth generation (5G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network,etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., the public switched telephone network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber optic -based network, a cloud computing network, and / or the like, and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0032] The number and arrangement of systems and devices shown in FIGS. 1A and IB are provided as an example. There can be additional systems and / or devices, fewer systems and / or devices, different systems and / or devices, or differently arranged systems and / or devices than those shown in FIGS. 1A and IB. Furthermore, two or more systems or devices shown in FIGS. 1A and IB can be implemented within a single system or a single device, or a single system or a single device shown in FIGS. 1A and IB can be implemented as multiple, distributed systems or devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of systems or a set of devices (e.g., one or more systems, one or more devices, etc.) of environment 100 can perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of systems or another set of devices of environment 100.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a device 200. Device 200 may correspond to user device 102 (e.g., one or more devices of a system of user device 102, etc.) and / or one or more devices of management system 104. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, user device 102 (e.g., one or more devices of a system of user device 102, etc.) and / or one or more devices of management system 104 may include at least one device 200 and / or at least one component of device 200. As shown in FIG. 2, device 200 may include bus 202, processor 204, memory 206, storage component 208, input component 210, output component 212, and communication interface 214.

[0034] Bus 202 may include a component that permits communication among the components of device 200. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, processor 204 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, processor 204 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or any processing component (e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) that can be programmed to perform a function. Memory 206 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc.) that stores information and / or instructions for use by processor 204.

[0035] Storage component 208 may store information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 208 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0036] Input component 210 may include a component that permits device 200 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, a microphone, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, input component 210 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, etc.). Output component 212 may include a component that provides output information from device 200 (e.g., a display, a speaker, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.).

[0037] Communication interface 214 may include a transceiver-like component (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver and transmitter, etc.) that enables device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface 214 may permit device 200 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 214 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi® interface, a cellular network interface, and / or the like.

[0038] Device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 200 may perform these processes based on processor 204 executing software instructions stored by a computer-readable medium, such as memory 206 and / or storage component 208. A computer- readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non- transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space located inside of a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.

[0039] Software instructions may be read into memory 206 and / or storage component 208 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 214. When executed, software instructions stored in memory 206 and / or storage component 208 may cause processor 204 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0040] Memory 206 and / or storage component 208 may include data storage or one or more data structures (e.g., a database, etc.). Device 200 may be capable of receiving information from, storing information in, communicating information to, or searching information stored in the data storage or one or more data structures in memory 206 and / or storage component 208.

[0041] The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 2 are provided as an example. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, device 200 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 200 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, in one aspect or embodiment, the thermal machine readable marker 110 includes a first element 220 having a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern 222 and a second element 224 having a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern 226. The first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity. The first and second patterns 222, 226 are configured to be readable to convey information. When applied to a skin surface or a surface of an object, a difference in temperature between the skin surface or surface of the object and an ambient air temperature is configured to enable the first element 220 to have a first temperature and the second element 224 to have a second temperature due to the difference in thermal conductivity between the first and second elements 220, 224. The difference in temperature between the first and second elements 220, 224 arranged in the first and second patterns 222, 226, which can imaged via thermal imaging camera, such as the user device 102, forms a unique tag or code that is machine readable and can be used for uniquely identifying and tracking. As the thermal machine readable marker 110 relies upon temperature, the thermal machine readable maker 110 can be viewed even when dust, debris, or other contamination is present on the thermal readable marker 110. The tag or code formed by the thermal machine readable marker 110 may be readable in the same or similar manner as the non-fiducial and fiducial markers discussed above. As noted above, the first pattern 222 and / or second pattern 226 may also form a visual light readable marker or portion in addition to being thermally readable.

[0043] In one aspect or embodiment, the first element 220 includes a first material with the first thermal conductivity and the second element 224 includes a second material with the second thermal conductivity. Dressings are commonly made from thin polyurethane membranes with a layer of adhesive, such as an acrylic adhesive, but can be made with otherpolymers. The membranes may be permeable to air and water. The membrane or film can be metallized, such as through a vapor deposition process with aluminum. The reflective properties of the metallized surface decrease the amount of infrared radiation allowed through the membrane or film. Other approaches may involve incorporating additives into the polymer during the manufacturing process that can be embedded into the cross-linked chemical structure of the polymer film to increase or decrease the thermal conductivity. These additives could be added during any stage of manufacturing, such as in a reactor, where the additives could be molecularly bound to the polymer molecule, or though processing steps, such as drawing the film, where the additives could be applied to the film.

[0044] In a further aspect or embodiment, the first element 220 and the second element 224 are formed from a single material, with the second thermal conductivity of the second element 224 provided via an air gap. In a further aspect or embodiment, the thermal machine marker 110 may include a body formed from an insulating foam, with the body defining a cutout area arranged in a pattern that is machine readable. The cutout area will expose a skin surface or surface of an object having a higher thermal conductivity than the insulating foam, thereby creating a temperature difference that can be imaged, with the pattern creating a unique tag or code. For example, openings in an area of dressing used for written labels may be provided, such that the cutout areas will have a higher conductivity than the thicker web-like or foamlike materials utilized for the dressing. In some aspects or embodiments, modulating the thicknesses of transparent film materials, by stacked layers, can create differential thermal conductivity. In a further aspect or embodiment, the first element 220 includes a first ink with the first thermal conductivity, and the second element includes a second ink with the second thermal conductivity. In other configurations, the first element 220 may include a thermochromic pigment, such as in the form of an applied thermal paint and / or distributed thermal resin, in which a first coloration may be expressed at a first temperature and / or conductivity. The second element 224 may also include a thermochromic pigment, such as in the form of an applied thermal paint and / or distributed thermal resin, in which a second coloration (different from the first coloration) may be expressed at the first temperature and or conductivity, such that at the same given temperature, the first element 220 and the second element 224 express different contrasting colorations. Instantaneous and or gradual colorations may be expressed from the first element 220 and / or the second element 224. In certain configurations, a portion of the first element 220 may include a thermochromic pigment and a portion of second element 224 may include a thermochromic pigment. In other configurations, the totality of the first element 220 and the totality of the second element 224 may include thethermochromic pigment. Optionally, the contrasting colorations may be represented by differing colors, hues, intensities or variations in hue or intensity of the same color.

[0045] In some aspects or embodiments, at least one of the first element 220 and the second element 224 are moveable and configured to form one or more additional patterns. The first element 220 and / or the second element 224 may be moveable based on a state of a system or device. For example, the thermal machine readable marker 110 may have a first unique tag or code in a first state (such as pre-use) of the device and one or more unique tags or codes based on a second state (such as post-use) of the device. The movement of the first element 220 and / or the second element 224 may be based on a mechanical or electromechanical switch or based on a number of uses of a device, such as a device where a component is advanced based on engagement with a mating component.

[0046] In some aspects or embodiments, a magnitude of a threshold difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of a person or object that the thermal machine readable marker 110 is attached to may convey further information. For example, a change in temperature may be indicative of a blood draw occurring compared to medication being delivered via an intravenous catheter.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1A-3, a system according to some aspects or embodiments includes at least one processor 204, a thermal imaging camera, such as the user device 102, and the thermal machine readable marker 110. The thermal imaging camera or user device 102 is configured to image the thermal machine readable marker 110, with the at least one processor 204 is configured to decode information from the image of the thermal machine readable marker 110.

[0048] In one aspect or embodiment, the at least one processor 204 is configured to process the image of the thermal machine readable marker 110 into a black and white image. The image of the thermal machine readable marker 110 may be processed into a black and white image via thresholding, nearest neighbor, neural network, or other suitable image process techniques to obtain an image with optimal contrast for the best readability. The image may also be a direct translation into a black and white image as accomplished when converting a color image into a black and white or greyscale image. Converting the image of the thermal machine readable marker 110 into a black and white or greyscale image may enhance the readability of the image and allow the use of existing solutions for decoding the thermal machine readable marker 110. In some aspects or embodiments, the thermal machine readable marker 110 may be read with a program that reads directly from captured color thermal images.

[0049] In one aspect or embodiment, the thermal machine readable marker 110 is configured to measure underlying physical and chemical properties. For example, materials utilized for the thermal machine readable marker 110 may be differentially permeable to water and may create thermal differences based on the rate of evaporation. These areas of permeability created within or near the marker 110 may create patterns with more or less contrast versus the surrounding area depending on the state of the underlying physical parameter, such as wetness under the dressing. Wetness leads to increased water permeating the dressing, which leads to increased evaporation at the surface, which, in turn, leads to a darker area using infrared imaging due to the cooling effect of evaporation. Wetness is a clinically important parameter used to assess the state of the dressing and this type of imaging may give a clinician an earlier indication of wetness than may be visible to the naked eye.

[0050] In one aspect or embodiment, a thermal sensor (not shown), such as a liquid crystal sensor set or other active thermal responsive materials, may be used to create the thermal code and a standard camera could be used to read the thermal code that was generated.

[0051] Although embodiments or aspects have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration and description, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that embodiments or aspects are not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but, on the contrary, are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A thermal machine readable marker comprising: a first element comprising a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern; and a second element comprising a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern, wherein the first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity, and wherein the first and second patterns are configured to be machine readable to convey information.

2. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a first material with the first thermal conductivity.

3. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 2, wherein the second element comprises a second material with the second thermal conductivity.

4. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, wherein the first element and the second element are formed from a single material, and wherein the second thermal conductivity of the second element is provided via an air gap.

5. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a first ink with the first thermal conductivity, and wherein the second element comprises a second ink with the second thermal conductivity.

6. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a thermochromic pigment in which a first coloration is expressed at a first temperature or conductivity, and the second element comprises a thermochromic pigment in which a second coloration is expressed at the first temperature or conductivity, the second coloration being different from the first coloration.

7. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 6, in which the first element includes at least one of a thermal paint and distributed thermal resin, and the second element includes at least one of a thermal paint and distributed thermal resin, which is different than the thermal paint and distributed thermal resin of the first element.

8. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 6, in which the first coloration and the second coloration are differing colors, hues and / or intensities.

9. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 6, in which the first coloration and the second coloration are variations in hue or intensity of the same color.

10. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first element and the second element are moveable and configured to form one or more additional patterns.

11. The thermal machine readable marker of claim 1, further comprising a visual light readable marker.

12. A system comprising: at least one processor; a thermal imaging camera; a thermal machine readable marker having a first element comprising a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern, and a second element comprising a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern, wherein the first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity, and wherein the first and second patterns are configured to be machine readable to convey information; and wherein the thermal imaging camera is configured to image the thermal machine readable marker, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to decode information from the image of the thermal machine readable marker.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is configured to process the image of the thermal machine readable marker into a black and white image.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first element of the thermal machine readable marker comprises a first material with the first thermal conductivity, and the second element comprises a second material with the second thermal conductivity.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first element and the second element of the thermal machine readable marker are formed from a single material, and wherein the second thermal conductivity of the second element is provided via an air gap.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the first element comprises a thermochromic pigment in which a first coloration is expressed at a first temperature or conductivity, and the second element comprises a thermochromic pigment in which a second coloration is expressed at the first temperature or conductivity, the second coloration being different from the first coloration.

17. The system of claim 16, in which the first coloration and the second coloration are differing colors, hues and / or intensities, or variations in hue or intensity of the same color.

18. A method comprising: obtaining, with at least one processor, an image of a thermal machine readable marker having a first element comprising a first thermal conductivity arranged in a first pattern; and a second element comprising a second thermal conductivity arranged in a second pattern, wherein the first thermal conductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity, and wherein the first and second patterns are configured to be machine readable to convey information; and determining, with at least one processor, based on the image, information associated with the thermal machine readable marker.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: processing, with at least one processor, the image of the thermal machine readable marker into a black and white image.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the image is obtained with a thermal imaging camera.

Images