Method, apparatus, and computer program product for controlling components of a detection device

A method for operating an optical testing instrument to reduce light interference from an illumination light in sensor readings, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication of a sample tube insertion;
• causing an illumination light to illuminate the inserted sample tube with visible light during each of a plurality of illumination light activation periods;
• controlling an emitter to emit a signal towards the sample tube for detection by one or more sensors;
• and
• receiving at least a portion of the emitted source light with the one or more sensors during a plurality of sensor reading periods, wherein a first sensor reading period of the plurality of sensor reading periods is based at least in part on the receipt of the indication of the sample tube insertion,
• wherein the plurality of illumination light activation periods and the plurality of sensor reading periods are configured to be sequenced such that, for at least a period of time, the illumination light and the one or more sensors appear to be simultaneously illuminating the sample tube and receiving at least a portion of the emitted source light, respectively, while the plurality of illumination light activation periods and the plurality of sensor reading periods do not overlap.

An apparatus for reducing light interference during testing contents of a sample tube, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving at least a portion of a sample tube;
• means for illuminating the sample tube with visible light for a plurality of illumination periods;
• means for emitting a source light towards the sample tube;
• and
• means for receiving at least a portion of the emitted source light during a plurality of reading periods,
• wherein the plurality of illumination periods and the plurality of reading periods are configured to be sequenced such that, for at least a period of time, the means for illuminating the sample tube with visible light and the means for receiving at least a portion of the emitted source light appear to be simultaneously illuminating the sample tube and receiving at least a portion of the emitted source light, respectively, while the plurality of illumination periods and the plurality of reading periods do not overlap.