Abstract: A player tracking system and method are set forth for tracking the play of a customer playing wagering games at any one of a plurality of gaming venues. The system and method includes a local data base for each venue and a central data base. In response to reading a player tracking card the player's file at the local data base is placed into an open condition to receive updated gaming information. When the player terminates their gaming session, gaming activity data is sent to the player's file at the local data base and as network data to the central data base as well as other venue local data bases to maintain a current record of gaming information throughout the system for the purposes of tracking wagering activity and providing promotions to player based, at least in part, on that wagering activity.

Abstract: A player tracking system and method are set forth for tracking the play of a customer playing wagering games at any one of a plurality of gaming venues. The system and method includes a local database for each venue and a central database. In response to reading a player tracking card the player's file at the local database is placed into an open condition to receive updated gaming information. When the player terminates their gaming session, gaming activity data is sent to the player's file at the local database and as network data to the central database as well as other venue local databases to maintain a current record of gaming information throughout the system for the purposes of tracking wagering activity and providing promotions to the player based, at least in part, on that wagering activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling samples such as blood samples for hemostasis. The sample is transferred from a test tube into a cuvette which has been released from a supply of cuvettes. Prior to transferring the sample, a needle is introduced into the sample and automatically senses the level or height of the sample in the test tube. The presence of vials of reagent is optically confirmed. Reagents are to be delivered through a delivery tube into the cuvette and the delivery tubes are initially primed with reagent. The presence and orientation of the cuvette are verified and the sample transferred into the cuvette, the reagent automatically delivered into the cuvette, and the reaction such as, but not limited to, blot clotting occurs in the cuvette. The occurrence of the reaction is optically confirmed. The system and method controls the sequential release of stacked cuvettes in addition to confirming the presence and proper orientation of the cuvettes.