CPC G01N 35/00623 (2013.01) [G01N 35/026 (2013.01); G01N 35/04 (2013.01)] | 3 Claims |
1. A method of handling laboratory sample containers, the method comprising:
a) using an apparatus comprising at least one motor in conjunction with a gripping device to move a laboratory sample container to a target position (TP), wherein the target position (TP) is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position, wherein the laboratory sample container is prevented from moving horizontally more than a predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy) if inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack;
b) applying a force (Fxy) through the at least one motor and gripping device in a horizontal direction (xy) to move the laboratory sample container;
c) using feedback from the motor to determine movement of the laboratory sample container in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy), where the feedback includes a determination that no false negative resulting from applying the force (Fxy) in the horizontal direction (xy) is present; and
d) performing an error procedure upon a determination that movement of the laboratory sample container in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy) has occurred by: generating an error message indicating that the laboratory sample container rack is not placed at the intended position, wherein the error message is generated by producing an acoustic sign and/or a visual sign and/or data; and preventing the gripping device from releasing the laboratory sample container based on the generated error message.
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