Automatic discovery of a storage configuration method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for determining the configuration of storage device within an inner chamber by locating the device through a relief located on the storage device and subsequently identifying the type of storage device by extracting information from an identification tag.
1 . An apparatus for detecting the type of storage unit, comprising:
a storage unit; and
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.
2 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the relief is located on a base of the storage unit.
3 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the relief is located on the top of the storage unit.
4 . The apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein the storage unit is a hotel.
5 . The apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the hotel is configured to store labware.
6 . The apparatus as in claim 5 , wherein the hotel is positioned within an incubation chamber.
7 . The apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the relief comprises a left edge, a right edge and a top.
8 . The apparatus as in claim 7 , wherein the sensor detects the relief by detecting the left edge and/or the right edge, then the top.
9 . The apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein an identification tag is located on the base above the top of the relief.
10 . The apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein the identification tag is a barcode.
11 . The apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein the relief and the barcode are used to determine the type of hotel.
12 . The apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is located located on a handler.
13 . The apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor.
14 . The apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein the sensor is configured to located the identification tag in response to detecting the relief.
15 . A method for detecting the type of storage unit, comprising:
ascertaining a location for a relief in the storage unit; and
in response to locating the relief, determining the type of storage unit.
16 . The method as in claim 16 , wherein the step of ascertaining comprises determining a left edge of the relief and/or determining a right edge of the relief, and determining a top edge of the relief.
17 . The method as in claim 16 , wherein the steps of determining the left edge, the right edge and the top edge are accomplished with a sensor.
18 . The method as in claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor.
19 . The method as in 16 , wherein the step of determining comprises locating an identification tag in the proximity of the relief and extracting information from the identification tag.
20 . A system for detecting the type of storage unit, comprising:
means for ascertaining a location for a relief in the storage unit; and
means for determining the type of storage unit.
21 . The system as in claim 20 , wherein the means for ascertaining is configured to determine a left edge of the relief and/or a right edge of the relief, and determine a top edge of the relief.
22 . The system as in claim 20 , wherein the means for determining the left edge and/or the right edge and the top edge is accomplished with a sensor.
23 . The system as in claim 22 , wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor.
24 . The system as in 20 , wherein the means for determining is configured to locate an identification tag in the proximity of the relief and extract information from the identification tag.