US 12,229,626 B2
Method for reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles
Norbert D. Hagen, Carlsbad, CA (US); David Opalsky, San Diego, CA (US); and Rolf Silbert, Del Mar, CA (US)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/476,205.
Application 18/476,205 is a continuation of application No. 17/694,436, filed on Mar. 14, 2022, granted, now 11,809,947.
Application 17/694,436 is a continuation of application No. 16/905,816, filed on Jun. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,275,914, issued on Mar. 15, 2022.
Application 16/905,816 is a continuation of application No. 16/208,186, filed on Dec. 3, 2018, granted, now 10,719,677, issued on Jul. 21, 2020.
Application 16/208,186 is a continuation of application No. 15/092,150, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, granted, now 10,146,973, issued on Dec. 4, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/143,963, filed on Apr. 7, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0020496 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G06K 7/14 (2006.01); G06K 19/06 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G06K 7/10732 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 35/026 (2013.01); G06K 7/10811 (2013.01); G06K 7/10861 (2013.01); G06K 7/1413 (2013.01); G06K 7/1417 (2013.01); G06K 7/1447 (2013.01); G06K 19/06028 (2013.01); G06K 19/06037 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00752 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00801 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00831 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00851 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0413 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0493 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles, comprising:
moving a sample rack between a first position and a second position within a housing, the sample rack supporting a plurality of sample receptacles, and each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles having a machine-readable label;
measuring an absolute position of the sample rack as the sample rack moves between the first position and the second position;
acquiring an image of the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position to the second position; and
decoding the acquired image of the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles.