System and method of load balancing specimen containers within detection instruments

A method for load balancing specimen containers between a plurality of automated detection apparatuses, said method comprising:

• receiving a specimen container at a container pick-up station in a first automated detection apparatus;
• determining a loading ability of the first automated detection apparatus;
• determining a second loading ability of a downstream automated detection apparatus;
• determining a transfer status of the first automated detection apparatus;
• determining a second transfer status of the downstream automated detection apparatus;
• determining cell availability in the first automated detection apparatus and in the downstream automated detection apparatus;
• transferring the specimen container from the first automated detection apparatus to said downstream automated detection apparatus upon determination that a first ratio of available cell count to capacity in the first automated detection apparatus is less than a second ratio of total available cell count to total capacity of the first automated detection apparatus and the downstream automated detection apparatus, wherein the available cell count and capacity are determined at least in part by the loading ability and transfer status of the first automated detection apparatus, and wherein the total available cell count and total capacity are determined at least in part by the loading ability and transfer status of the first automated detection apparatus as well as the second loading ability and second transfer status of the downstream automated detection apparatus;
• and
• balancing the specimen containers across said first automated detection apparatus and said downstream automated detection apparatus;
• and
• overriding the transfer to the downstream automated detection apparatus upon determination that the cell availability in the first automated detection apparatus is determined to be within 5% of the total capacity of the first automated detection apparatus.