Patent ID: 7118708

Claim:
A system of sample plate carriers for handling with sample plate carrier handling means, said system comprising: a plurality of sample plate carriers, wherein each sample plate carrier of said plurality comprises: a carrier body having means for supporting at least one sample carrying plate with at least one sample; memory means built-in into said carrier body, said memory means having first memory input/output contacts for inputting/outputting information; engagement means provided on said carrier body for engagement with said sample plate carrier handling means; said engagement means having second inputting/outputting contacts; a central processing unit connected to said second input/output contacts and connectable to said first input/output contacts of said memory means when said engagement means engages said sample plate carrier handling means; a storage cassette that comprises a plurality of cells for insertion of said sample plate carriers, second input/output contacts being provided in each cell of said plurality of cells for electrical contact with said first input/output contacts of said carrier bodies when said carrier bodies are inserted into said cells; an inlet/outlet port on said storage cassette with a plurality of electrical terminals, each of said electrical terminals being electrically connected to respective second input/output contacts of a respective cell of said storage cassette wherein said sample plate carrier handling means comprises at least two different gripping mechanisms and wherein said engagement means of said carrier body comprises at least two sets of different openings for interaction with said at least two different gripping mechanisms.