Method for reading machine-readable marks on racks and receptacles

1. A sample instrument comprising:

a moveable support configured to move from a first position to a second position, the moveable support defining a first pocket configured to receive a first object having a first machine-readable mark, and defining a second pocket configured to receive a second object having a second machine-readable mark, the moveable support comprising:

a first fiducial machine-readable mark containing information that identifies a location of the first fiducial machine-readable mark,

a second fiducial machine-readable mark containing information that identifies a location of the second fiducial machine-readable mark,

a first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark disposed within the first pocket, and

a second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark disposed within the second pocket;

an image capture device having a field of view configured to capture:

a first image including the first fiducial machine-readable mark and, (i) when the first object is received within the first pocket, the first machine-readable mark of the first object or (ii) when the first object is absent, the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark, and

a second image, as the moveable support moves from the first position to the second position, including the second fiducial machine-readable mark and, (i) when the second object is received within the second pocket, the second machine-readable mark of the second object or (ii) when the second object is absent, the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark; and

a processor configured to:

identify the first machine-readable mark or the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the first image based on a predetermined position of the first machine-readable mark or the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the first image relative to the position of the first fiducial machine-readable mark in the first image,

decode the first fiducial machine-readable mark and at least one of the first machine-readable mark and the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the first image,

associate information decoded from the first machine-readable mark or from the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark with a first location on the moveable support, wherein the first location has a predetermined association with the first fiducial machine-readable mark,

identify the second machine-readable mark or the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the second image based on a predetermined position of the second machine-readable mark or the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the second image relative to the position of the second fiducial machine-readable mark in the second image,

decode the second fiducial machine-readable mark and at least one of the second machine-readable mark and the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the second image, and

associate information decoded from the second machine-readable mark or from the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark with a second location on the moveable support, wherein the second location has a predetermined association with the second fiducial machine-readable mark.

2. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the image capture device is a camera.

3. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the movable support is configured to be moved manually.

4. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first object has different dimensions than the second object.

5. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the moveable support is a sample rack, wherein the first object is a first sample receptacle, and wherein the second object is a second sample receptacle.

6. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the moveable support is a reagent drawer, wherein the first object is a first reagent container, and wherein the second object is a second reagent container.

7. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the moveable support is a consumable drawer; wherein the first object is a first consumable; and wherein the second object is a second consumable.

8. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the sample instrument is a sample assay instrument or a sample processing instrument.

9. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first fiducial machine-readable mark is a first one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, and wherein the second fiducial machine-readable mark is, correspondingly a second one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode.

10. The sample instrument of claim 9 , wherein the first fiducial machine-readable mark is different from the second fiducial machine-readable mark.

11. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first fiducial machine-readable mark is below the first pocket, and wherein the second fiducial machine-readable mark is below the second pocket.

12. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first fiducial machine-readable mark is above the first pocket, and wherein the second fiducial machine-readable mark is above the second pocket.

13. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first fiducial machine-readable mark is positioned to a lateral side of the first pocket, and wherein the second fiducial machine-readable mark is positioned to a lateral side of the second pocket.

14. The sample instrument of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify the first machine-readable mark or the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the first image by processing either the entire first image, or only a portion of the first image that includes the predetermined position of the first machine-readable mark or the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the first image relative to the position of the first fiducial machine-readable mark in the first image, and

identify the second machine-readable mark or the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the second image by processing either the entire second image, or only a portion of the second image that includes the predetermined position of the second machine-readable mark or the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark in the second image relative to the position of the second fiducial machine-readable mark in the first image.

15. A method of reading machine-readable marks on a moveable support and objects of a sample instrument, comprising:

capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device;

determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image;

determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on an object coupled to the moveable support or a first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark disposed within a first pocket defined by the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark;

associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the object or from the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark;

capturing a second image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from the first position to the second position using the image capture device;

determining whether a second fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the second image;

determining, when the second fiducial machine-readable mark is in the second image, whether a second machine-readable mark on a second object coupled to the moveable support or a second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark disposed within a second pocket defined by the moveable support is in the second image at a predetermined position relative to the second fiducial machine-readable mark; and

associating information decoded from the second machine-readable mark on the second object or from the second empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark with a second location on the moveable support associated with the second fiducial machine-readable mark.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of determining whether the first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image comprises processing either the entire first image or only a portion of the first image.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of determining whether the first machine-readable mark on the object coupled to the moveable support or the first empty-pocket identifying machine-readable mark disposed within the first pocket is in the first image at the predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark comprises processing either the entire first image or only a portion of the first image that includes the predetermined position.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising decoding the first fiducial machine-readable mark present in the first image.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein one or both of the first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark and the predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark is determined based on decoded information from the first fiducial machine-readable mark present in the first image.