Abstract: A specimen holder includes an RFID tag that exhibits an RFID unique identifier. The specimen holder also includes a barcode that exhibits a barcode unique identifier. The user may place a specimen holder in a particular rack slot of a multiple slot specimen rack that is situated on a specimen reader. The specimen reader may receive this specimen holder at accession time. The specimen reader reads both the RFID tag and the barcode of the newly inserted specimen holder. The specimen reader may correlate the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier with one another and store the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier associated with one another in a database. The database may also associate the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier of the newly inserted specimen holder with a rack slot unique identifier that the database also stores.

Abstract: A specimen holder includes an RFID tag that exhibits an RFID unique identifier. The specimen holder also includes a barcode that exhibits a barcode unique identifier. The user may place a specimen holder in a particular rack slot of a multiple slot specimen rack that is situated on a specimen reader. The specimen reader may receive this specimen holder at accession time. The specimen reader reads both the RFID tag and the barcode of the newly inserted specimen holder. The specimen reader may correlate the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier with one another and store the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier associated with one another in a database. The database may also associate the RFID unique identifier and barcode unique identifier of the newly inserted specimen holder with a rack slot unique identifier that the database also stores.

Abstract: A foldable specimen rack includes a foldable box that moves from a closed, storage position to an open in-use position. The foldable box may include and open box and open bottom when the box is in the open position. The foldable specimen rack may also include a removable insert member situated adjacent the open top of the foldable box. The removable insert member includes multiple specimen holder receiving slots. Different removable insert members may includes slots that accommodate different size specimen holders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of the present invention determines whether zero, one, or a plurality of microscope slide coverslips are about to be applied to a microscope slide. Light, such as ultraviolet light, may be directed toward a coverslip testing region, in which a number of coverslips reside. The amount of light passing through the coverslip testing region is collected and measured. Based on the measured amount, the method and apparatus determine the number of coverslips present in the coverslip testing region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of the present invention determines whether zero, one, or a plurality of microscope slide coverslips are about to be applied to a microscope slide. Light, such as ultraviolet light, may be directed toward a coverslip testing region, in which a number of coverslips reside. The amount of light passing through the coverslip testing region is collected and measured. Based on the measured amount, the method and apparatus determine the number of coverslips present in the coverslip testing region.

Abstract: An automated dispensing assembly includes a base, and a shuttle mounted in the base and movable under automated control between a loading position and a dispensing position. The shuttle includes a cavity configured to carry an object, such as cover. The depth of the cavity in the shuttle is approximately the same (or less) as the thickness of one of the objects. A storage module is mounted proximate the shuttle. The storage module is configured to store a plurality of objects and includes an opening exposing the next object to be dispensed. The cavity is positioned adjacent the opening in the storage module in the loading position and an edge of the cavity separates the object to be dispensed from the other objects in the storage module as the shuttle moves to the dispensing position.

Abstract: An automated dispensing assembly includes a base, and a shuttle mounted in the base and movable under automated control between a loading position and a dispensing position. The shuttle includes a cavity configured to carry an object, such as cover. The depth of the cavity in the shuttle is approximately the same (or less) as the thickness of one of the objects. A storage module is mounted proximate the shuttle. The storage module is configured to store a plurality of objects and includes an opening exposing the next object to be dispensed. The cavity is positioned adjacent the opening in the storage module in the loading position and an edge of the cavity separates the object to be dispensed from the other objects in the storage module as the shuttle moves to the dispensing position.