Patent Publication Number: US-2006018996-A1

Title: Automatic discovery of a storage configuration method and apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application entitled, “Automatic Discovery of Labware Storage Configuration,” filed Jul. 16, 2004 and having been assigned Ser. No. 60/588,340. The disclosure of the above-cited Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application entitled “Microplate Storage Hotel Design,” filed Jul. 9, 2004, now pending, and having been assigned Ser. No. 10/887,355, the disclosure of which is hereby also hereby incorporated herein by reference in it entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to storage device configuration within a chamber. More particularly, the present invention relates to automatically determining the configuration of storage devices with the chamber.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Determining and achieving the proper conditions that allow a protein to crystallize from solution often require many attempts before the proper concentrations of protein and reagents are determined and achieved. Furthermore, even when the conditions permit crystallization, the rate of crystallization is often very slow, at times on the order of weeks or even months. As a result, manually performing protein crystallization experiments is a very labor and time intensive process. One method of increasing the chances of obtaining protein crystals in the first experiment, thus saving a significant amount of time, is to try as many different protein and reagent concentrations as possible in the initial experiment.  
      Because protein crystallization experiments have traditionally been carried out in microplates, microplate storage hotels have been developed to store the numerous microplates prepared during the course of the experiment. Furthermore, because the preparing of the vast number of microplates and the periodic checking of each microplate for protein crystals are so labor intensive, automated protein crystallizers have been developed. These automated protein crystallizers are capable of utilizing multiple microplate storage hotels to increase the number of conditions that can be tested in a single experiment. The multiple microplate storage hotels of an automated protein crystallizer provide high density storage of microplates, but also make up a significant fraction of the total cost of the crystallizer.  
      One problem with, or disadvantage of the automated protein crystallizer is that these storage hotels are frequently displaced or repositioned within these machines. Because the machines are automated, the protein crystallizer needs to be aware of the contents within it at all times as this configuration information is used by an automated storage/retrieval system so that the elements within the hotels can be accessed.  
      Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus to determine the reconfiguration such that system down time is minimized.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in some embodiments an apparatus is provided that integrates a plurality of shelving members and locating members with a pair of side panels for the construction of a microplate storage hotel. In addition, in some embodiments of the invention the microplate storage hotel has a base plate with integrated features that provide hotel position, alignment and registration information.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting the type of storage unit includes a storage unit for holding differing types of labware, a relief located on the storage unit, wherein the relief is configured to locate the position of the storage unit, and a sensor that is configured to detect the relief.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting the type of storage unit includes ascertaining a location for a relief in the storage unit and in response to locating the relief, determining the type of storage unit by extracting information from an identification tag located on or near the storage unit.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the storage unit&#39;s position is provided. The method includes locating the right edge of the positioning slot associated with the storage unit, locating the left edge of the positioning slot associated with the storage unit, and locating the top edge of the positioning slot associated with the storage unit.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for aligning and registering the storage unit is provided. The method includes fitting an alignment bar into an alignment slot on the base plate, and then scanning a barcode located on the surface defining the positioning slot on the base plate.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a system for detecting the type of storage unit includes means for ascertaining a location for a relief in the storage unit and means for determining the type of storage unit.  
      There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
      In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
      As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of automated plate storage and imaging apparatus for protein crystallization in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the automated plate storage and imaging apparatus for protein crystallization shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view illustrating a microplate storage hotel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the microplate storage hotel shown in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the microplate storage hotel shown in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a side panel of the microplate storage hotel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the side panel of the microplate storage hotel shown in  FIG. 6 .  
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the side panel of the microplate storage hotel shown in  FIG. 6 .  
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a base plate of the microplate storage hotel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a top plate of the microplate storage hotel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of a labware handling mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the mechanical system that enables the labware handling mechanism to be translated in a number of directions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the microplate storage hotel illustrating a relief and identification tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a way to store microplates in a high density and cost effective manner in a complex instrument. Furthermore, some embodiments also provide a way to determine the position, alignment and registration of a microplate storage hotel relative to other hotels and to the instrument&#39;s frame.  
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of an automated plate storage and imaging apparatus  20  for protein crystallization. The apparatus  20  has a system frame  22  that supports the housing of multiple microplate storage hotels  24 . A robotic microplate handler  26  shown in  FIG. 2 , controlled by a motion controller  29  and a computer system  28 , is used to transfer a microplate  30  to the imager  32 . The computer system  28  has a monitor  34  and is used to analyze the data collected by the imager  32 . The imager  32  can take images under brightfield, darkfield, and polarized illumination, that can then be analyzed by the computer system  28  for the detection and characterization of protein crystals. The imager  32  can be a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera or other optical, or non-optical imaging device. The computer system  28  is fully programmable to analyze the microplates  30  in any particular order at any defined times. This makes it very simple to determine protein crystal growth kinetics by analyzing a microplate  30  over a period of time.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the microplate storage hotels  24  can be stored adjacent to each other in a highly dense configuration on the system frame  22 . This allows for a large number of microplates  30  to be stored in a relatively small amount of space, saving valuable laboratory space for other instruments or other purposes.  
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a microplate storage hotel  24 . The hotel  24  has two parallel side panels  36  and  38 , that are identical to each other. Each side panel  36  and  38  can serve as either the left or right side panel  36  and  38 . The two parallel side panels  36  and  38  are connected at one end to a base plate  40  and at the other end to a top plate  42 . The connections may be formed by using a rivet, nut and bolt, screw, nail, other mechanical means, welding with solder, welding without solder, arc welding, spot welding, torch welding, other welding means, glue, epoxy, resin, other adhesive means, or by another suitable means to connect objects together. The side panels  36  and  38 , base plate  40 , and top plate  42  can be constructed out of metal, plastic, wood, or another material suitable for construction purposes. In one embodiment, the side panels  36  and  38  are made of stainless steel while the base plate  40  and top plate  42  are made of aluminum.  
      The side panels  36  and  38  have both a plurality of integrated shelving members  44  and a plurality of integrated locating members  46  and  48 , which function to hold the microplate  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) and align the microplate  30  in a shelving slot  50 , respectively. The integrated locating members  46  and  48  have surfaces  52  (see  FIG. 6 ) positioned at approximately 45 degree angles that help guide the microplate  30  into a shelving slot  50  defined by the shelving members  44  and the side panels  36  and  38 . Inserting a microplate  30  into the microplate storage hotel  24  is accomplished by inserting the microplate  30  between the locating members  46  and  48  into the desired shelving slot  50 . The locating members  46  and  48  help center the microplate  30  in the shelving slot  50  if the microplate  30  is initially misplaced.  
      The integrated shelving members  44  are laser cut and punched from the side panels  36  in a manner that results in a row of horizontal shelving members  44  that project into the interior of the microplate storage hotel  24 . The integrated locating members  46  and  48  flanking the shelving members  44  are laser cut and punched at the same time as the shelving members  44  from a single template which enhances the precision of the final shelving assembly. The technique of fabricating the integrated shelving members  44  and locating members  46  and  48  is not limited to laser cutting; other fabrication techniques such as mechanically cutting or stamping out the shelving members  44  and locating members  46  and  48  are in accordance with the invention.  
      The base plate  40  has a positioning slot  54  that allows the microplate storage hotel&#39;s  24  position the be determined with a sensor  98  (see  FIG. 11 ) on the robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) that locates either the left edge  56  of the positioning slot  54  or the right edge  58  of the positioning slot  54 , and the top edge  60  of the positioning slot  54 . Because the positioning slot  54  is both centered on the base plate  40  and made in one width for various embodiments of the hotel  24 , the locations of one side edge  56  or  58 , and the top edge  60  are sufficient for the sensor  98  on the robotic microplate hander  26  in conjunction with the motion controller  29  (see  FIG. 1 ) to determine the position of the microplate storage hotel  24 .  
      The side panel  36  has an integral locking flap  62  that serves as both a mechanism to lock the microplate storage hotel  24  into place when set in the automated plate storage and imaging apparatus  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) and as an attachment point  64  for a handle  66 . The handle  66  can be made of steel, aluminum, another metal or metal alloy, plastic, or another suitable material. The locking flap  62  is engaged by a locking mechanism on the system frame  22  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of one embodiment of the microplate storage hotel  24 . The locating members  46  and  48  on the side panels  36  are slanted towards the shelving members  44 , and this helps align the microplates  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) on the shelving members  44 . A precise positioning of the microplates  30  on the shelving members  44  is necessary for the automated removal and insertion of microplates  30  from the microplate storage hotel  24 . Also shown in this figure is the locking flap  62  and handle attachment point  64 . Bolts, screws, nails, rivets, welding, or another suitable method can be used to attach the handle  66  to the handle attachment point  64 . The two bottom attachment points  68  on the side panel  36  connect the side panel  36  to the base plate  40 , while the two top attachment points  70  on the side panel  36  connect the side panel  36  to the top plate  42  depicted in  FIG. 3 . Bolts, rivets, another mechanical means, welding, or an adhesive can be used at the attachment points  68  and  70 .  
      On the bottom of the base plate  40  is an alignment slot  72 . This slot  72  is mated to a corresponding alignment bar located on the system frame  22  (see  FIG. 1 ) to align the microplate storage hotel  24  with the system frame  22 . When the alignment bar is fitted into the alignment slot  72 , the microplate storage hotel  24  is oriented in the proper direction. After alignment, a sensor on the robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) is able to read a barcode  74  located on the base plate  40  depicted in  FIG. 3  in order to register the microplate storage hotel  24 . Microplate storage hotel  24  registration allows the automated plate storage and imaging apparatus  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) to know what type of microplate storage hotels  24  are being used, and furthermore, registration allows the user to program into the computer system  28  and motion controller  29  (see  FIG. 1 ) customized information regarding each microplate storage hotel  24  and the microplates  30  stored in the hotel  24 .  
       FIG. 5  shows a front view of one embodiment of the microplate storage hotel  24 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the shelving members  44  project horizontally from the side panels  36  and  38  into the interior of the microplate storage hotel  24  and provide a support for the right and left edges of a microplate  30 . The amount of support provided to a microplate  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be increased or decreased by varying how far the shelving members  44  project into the interior of the microplate storage hotel  24 . The further the shelving member  44  projects into the interior of the microplate storage hotel  24 , the more the support that is provided to the microplate  30 . The vertical gap between a corresponding pair of shelving members  44 , allows the robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) to be inserted under the microplate  30 , lifted until contact is made with the bottom of the microplate  30 , lifted further to separate the microplate  30  from the shelving members  44  and to clear the locating members  46  and  48  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), and finally for the microplate  30  to be removed the from the microplate storage hotel  24 .  
      Insertion of a microplate  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) into the microplate storage hotel  24  occurs in the reverse order as microplate  30  removal. The robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) carrying the microplate  30  is inserted into the shelving slot  50  of the microplate storage hotel  24  by a horizontal insertion above the locating members  46  and  48 , then lowered until the microplate  30  rests upon the shelving members  44 . The robotic microplate hander  26  is then lowered to remove contact with the microplate  30 , and finally removed from the microplate storage hotel  24 . If the microplate  30  is misplaced into the shelving slot  50  so that one edge of the microplate  30  rests upon a pair of locating members  46  and  48 , the microplate  30  will tend to slide down the angled locating members  46  and  48  until it properly rests upon the shelving members  44  in the shelving slot  50 .  
      As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , insertion and removal of microplates  30  can occur from both the front and back of the microplate storage hotel  24  because there is no obstruction of either the front entrance or back entrance; therefore the microplate storage hotel  24  is pass-through capable. This allows the robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) access to one side of the microplate storage hotel  24  and manual access from the other side of the microplate storage hotel  24 .  
      Also visible in  FIG. 5  is the positioning slot  54  which is located on the front of the base plate  40 .  
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the side panel  36  that shows that the shelving members  44 , the locating members  46  and  48 , and the locking flap  62  are all integrated into to the side panel  36 . Furthermore,  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the location of the two bottom attachment points  68  and the two top attachment points  70 . As mentioned above, the one-piece construction of the side panel  36  results in precision and reproducibility in terms of shelving member  44  position and alignment, as well as precision and reproducibility of locating member  46  and  48  position and alignment. Because the automated insertion and removal of microplates  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) from the microplate storage hotel  24  (see  FIG. 1 ) is facilitated by accurate positioning of the microplates  30  in the hotel  24 , this integration of features in the side panel  36 , along with the integrated features of the base plate  40  that are shown in detail in  FIG. 9 , enhances the overall performance of the microplate storage system and reduces the possibility of a machine failure during the insertion and removal process.  
       FIG. 7  provides a side view and  FIG. 8  provides a front view of the side panel  36 .  FIG. 8  shows the locating members  46  and  48  slanted approximately at a 45 degree angle. However, other slant angles are also suitable and can be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 9  shows an isometric view of the base plate  40  with the positioning slot  54  at the top of the figure and the alignment slot  72  running across the middle. Four base plate  40  attachment points  76  that connect the base plate  40  with the side panels  36  and  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) are visible in  FIG. 9 . Also visible are the four stationary attachment points  78  that serve to anchor the microplate storage hotel  24  (see  FIG. 3 ) in a fixed position. The stationary attachment points  78  are used when the microplate storage hotel  24  will not be moved during the operation of the automated plate storage and imaging apparatus  20  (see  FIG. 1 ). Bolts can be used to fasten the base plate  40  to the system frame  22  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
      Also shown are the three edges  56 ,  58  and  60  of the positioning slot  54  that are used to determine the microplate storage hotel&#39;s  24  position in space: the left edge  56  of the positioning slot  54 , the right edge  58  of the positioning slot  54 , and the top edge  60  of the positioning slot  54 . For example, in one embodiment of the invention an optical sensor located on the robotic microplate handler  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) can be used to locate either the left edge  56  or right edge  58  of the positioning slot  54 , and then the top edge  60  of the positioning slot  54 . Then the information collected by the optical sensor can be analyzed by the motion controller  29  (see  FIG. 1 ) to determine the microplate storage hotel&#39;s  24  position in space.  
      The alignment slot  72  shown in  FIG. 9  runs across the middle of the bottom face of the base plate  40 . A corresponding alignment bar in one embodiment of the invention fits into the alignment slot  72  to align and the microplate storage hotel  24  (see  FIG. 1 ) with respect to other microplate storage hotels  24  and the system frame  22  (see  FIG. 1 ).  
       FIG. 9  shows the front base plate hollow  80  and the rear base plate hollow  82  which serves to decrease the weight of the base plate  40 , and in some embodiments of the invention, to decrease the amount of material needed to construct the base plate  40 .  
       FIG. 10  shows an isometric view of the top plate  42 . Like the base plate  40  depicted in  FIG. 9 , the top plate  42  also has a hollow  84  that functions to decrease the weight of the top plate  42 , and in some embodiments of the invention, to decrease the amount of materials needed to construct the top plate  42 . Finally, four top plate  42  attachment points  86  that connect the top plate  42  with the side panels  36  and  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) are shown.  
      Although an example of the microplate storage hotel  24  (see  FIG. 1 ) is shown using microplates  30  (see  FIG. 1 ), it will be appreciated that other objects can be stored in the hotel  24 . Also, although the microplate storage hotel  24  is useful to store microplates  30  at high densities, it can also be used store other objects at high densities in a cost effective manner.  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of a labware handling mechanism  88  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The labware handling mechanism  88  is located within the automated protein crystallizer or chamber and is configured to locate and move labware located within the storage hotels.  
      The labware includes a spatula  90  that is movable about a plane such that it is able to place or retract the labware from the storage hotels. This figure illustrates the spatula  90  in the extended position relative to the base  92  of the labware handling mechanism  88 . The spatula  90  further includes retainment mechanisms  94 ,  96  in order to secure the labware firmly onto the spatula  90 .  
      In use, the labware handling mechanism  88  moves the spatula  90  to the extended position to retrieve or place the labware from or to the storage hotel. In the retrieval mode, the labware handling mechanism  88  positions the microplate on the spatula  90 . The labware is extracted from the hotel as the labware handling mechanism  88  retracts the spatula  90  into the base  92  such that the microplate is positioned in base  92 .  
      In the preferred embodiment, the labware handling mechanism  88  further includes a sensor  98 . The sensor  98  is a photoelectric sensor used to accurately locate the relief  54  on hotels  24  (see  FIG. 3 ) or other devices utilizing a similar relief  54  inside the storage and imaging apparatus  20  (see  FIG. 1 ). In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the sensor  98  can also be any sensor or device capable of determining a feature located on an object within its proximity.  
      The labware handling mechanism  88  can include the barcode reader  100 , such as an infrared device. The barcode reader  100  is positioned on the labware handling mechanism  88  such that is capable of detecting and extracting information from an identification tag located on a hotel  24 , a microplate  30 , or any other device in the system requiring automated detection or validation. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bar code reader  100  can be a radio frequency (RF) reader or any other wireless device that is able to extract data from a tag placed on a device such as the hotel  24  in order to extract or retrieve information therein.  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the mechanical system  102  that enables the labware handling mechanism  88  to be translated in a number of directions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The labware handling mechanism  88  is positioned on the first track system  104  to enable the labware handling mechanism  88  to be move in a first direction, which is a vertical direction. This position enables the labware handling mechanism  88  to access and service differing heights of hotels or hotels that are stacked upon each other.  
      The second track  106  enables the handling mechanism to be move in a second direction. In the preferred embodiment, the second direction is in a horizontal direction. Usually, this permits the labware handling mechanism  88  to service hotels that are positioned side to side.  
      The labware handling mechanism  88  also is able to service multiple sides of the chamber by rotating the first track  104  about the base  108  to which it is linked. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second track  106  is located in the chamber such as in a U-configuration and therefore enables the labware handling mechanism  88  to service all sides of the chamber.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the microplate storage hotel  24  illustrating a relief and identification tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the sensor  98  positioned on the labware handling mechanism  88  scans each hotel  24  for a specific known positioning slot  54  or relief. In the initial scan in the preferred embodiment, the labware handling mechanism  88  scans for the left edge  56  or the right edge  58  by translating in a linear path along the second track system  106  or in a radial path around the base  108 . Once it has determined either of these edges,  56  or  58 , the labware handling mechanism  88  searches or scans for a vertical edge  60  through the first track  104 .  
      The sensor  98  scans for the relief  54  by emitting a light from the sensor  98  such as infrared. A receiver or detector, which is part of the sensor  98 , receives any reflection, which is subsequently analyzed. In the present invention, the light is emitted against the solid surface of the base of the hotel. A known reflection or voltage level is received back from the reflecting light on the solid surface. In the instance that this known level is not reached, the labware handling mechanism  88  assumes that it has possibly detected the relief  54 . At this point, the labware handling mechanism  88  attempts to determine if it has detected the relief  54  by searching for its outer boundaries such as the left edge  56 , right edge  58 , and top or vertical edge  60 .  
      The structure of the relief is similar from one hotel to another, and the edges or geometrical distances are known. To automatically detect the presence of devices in the system, the motion controller  29  (see  FIG. 1 ) moves the labware handling mechanism  88  to a point inside of a known relief  54 . The motion controller  29  then moves the mechanical system  102  (see  FIG. 12 ) to allow the sensor  98  to search for relief features. It expects the sensor  98  to detect the left edge  56  or right edge  58  within a specific distance from its initial starting point, followed by detecting the top edge  60  within a specific distance vertically, positively identifying a relief  54 . Once a relief is positively identified, the motion controller  29  moves the labware handling mechanism  88  past the relief  54  and begins another search path for the next relief  54 . Pre-configured zones within the storage and imaging apparatus  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) are searched in this manner until no relief features  54  are found within an appropriate distance. Therefore, if an edge is not detected within a specific distance, then the labware handling mechanism assumes that a relief was not detected and that there are no other storage hotels or other devices utilizing a relief  54  remaining in that zone. In another embodiment, the top edge  60  is the first feature of a relief  54  searched for, followed by a search path identical to the process described above. This embodiment can be useful for applications where the vertical position of a relief  54  can be more accurately determined initially than the horizontal position can be determined.  
      It is noted that the distance from the labware handling mechanism  88  to the storage hotel is fixed such that the known response or reflection is received. In the preferred embodiment, this fixed position can be done by a mechanical setup. In alternative embodiments, the lab handling mechanism  88  is moved in the direction of the storage hotel until such time that it comes in contact with the hotel or the hotel base such that it stalls against the hotel.  
      The relief  54  is located at the base of the hotel in the preferred embodiment. It is noted that the relief, in alternate embodiments, can be located in the top or any other areas on the hotel.  
      Upon the detection of the relief  54 , the labware handling mechanism  88  proceeds to scan or read an identification tag  74  that is positioned above the relief  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the identification tag  54  is a barcode that is read by the barcode reader  100  that is positioned in the labware handling mechanism  88 . By scanning the identification tag  74  with the barcode reader  100 , information about the storage hotel is extracted and provided to the chamber operating system. This information is crosslinked with data entered into the system. The location of the hotel is then provided and stored in the chamber operating system so that quick and efficient access is accomplished. Therefore, if a specific piece of labware such as a microplate is needed, then operating system can instruct the labware handling mechanism to the specific location of the hotel to where it is located.  
      The position of the identification tag  74  is known relative to the relief  54  in the preferred embodiment. The bar code reader  100  is positioned in the labware handling system such that upon detection of the edges of the relief, the identification tage  74  is located at a known position relative to the relief. This position eliminates the need to further search for additional features on the hotel.  
      As noted, the identification tag  74 , in the preferred embodiment, is located on the base of the storage hotel. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, additional spaces for the identification tag  74  can be provided at the top or any other position on the hotel. Locating the identification tag  74  in the proximity of the relief is preferable as it simplifies the overall system. However, it is noted that is not a necessary feature of the present invention.  
      In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a RF reader can be positioned on the labware handling mechanism or within specific locations with the chamber. In the former configuration, a corresponding radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is located on each hotel. The reader is actuated such that it can only request information or data from hotels within its immediate vicinity. Therefore, the reader will not receive multiple responses from an initial request. Upon receiving the request, the RFID would provide the data requested. The RFID has additional capabilities in that it can provide more differing types of data such as requestor, time of request, incubation time or other customized data as desired.  
      By locating multiple RFID readers within the chamber and not on the labware handling mechanism  88 , the chamber operating system is able to ping the RFID tags and triangulate the location of the hotels. Therefore, it is able to determine the location as well as provide the additional benefits noted above.  
      The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.