Patent ID: 6341726
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a tray having a plurality of positions configured in a two-dimensional array, each of the positions being capable of supporting an element, and wherein at least one of the positions is adapted to support an element; a label affixed to the tray; a base having a receptacle for closely receiving the tray; a reader fixedly mounted with respect to the base for scanning the label on the tray; a plurality of sensors in a two-dimensional array mounted to the base adjacent to the receptacle, each of sensors being precisely located to align in at least two dimensions with one of the positions on the tray when the tray is in the receptacle, and each of the sensors being adapted to detect the presence or absence of an element in each of the positions; and a microprocessor connectable to the reader and the sensors for processing information associated with the label regarding the elements and the information collected by the sensors and generating a response thereto.