Abstract: A microplate handling apparatus comprising: a base; and a robotic arm mounted on the base; wherein the base has at least one attachment mechanism for attaching a microplate storage device to the base; and wherein the base has at least one instrument alignment mechanism for defining a positional relationship between the robotic arm and an instrument. By providing for attachment of one or more microplate storage devices and one or more instruments to the base, the positional relationships between the robot and the microplate handling/storing devices (i.e. the microplate storage devices and the instruments) can be well-defined without having to secure any of the components (base, microplate storage devices or instruments) to a bench. The whole system can simply sit on top of a bench without any risk of relative movement between the various parts of the system. Instead the whole system is connected together and can be moved as one unit.

Abstract: A multiple interface input/output port allows communication between an interface bus of a peripheral device and any one of a plurality of different types of interface buses that may be provided in a host computer. An interface bus detection circuit detects which type of interface bus the peripheral device is connected to on the host computer, and communications are then routed through an appropriate interface adapter that enables communication between the interface buses of the peripheral device and host computer. The interface bus detection circuit compares signal levels on selected ones of the lines of the interface bus of the host computer to a reference potential to determine which of the selected lines are grounded. The circuit then identifies the type of interface bus to which it is connected based on the determination of which of the selected lines of the interface bus are grounded.

Abstract: A multiple interface input/output port allows communication between an interface bus of a peripheral device and any one of a plurality of different types of interface buses that may be provided in a host computer. An interface bus detection circuit detects which type of interface bus the peripheral device is connected to on the host computer, and communications are then routed through an appropriate interface adapter that enables communication between the interface buses of the peripheral device and host computer. The interface bus detection circuit compares signal levels on selected ones of the lines of the interface bus of the host computer to a reference potential to determine which of the selected lines are grounded. The circuit then identifies the type of interface bus to which it is connected based on the determination of which of the selected lines of the interface bus are grounded.