System and method for tracking items during a process

In an apparatus comprising a rack-receiving location configured to receive a rack holding at least one sample receptacle, a label reading device configured to read machine-readable labels disposed on the rack and machine-readable labels disposed on the at least one sample receptacle held on the rack, and a data writing device configured to write storable data to a memory element disposed on the rack, a method for reading machine-readable labels disposed on sample receptacles carried on a receptacle rack, reading machine-readable labels disposed on the rack, and writing data relating to the sample receptacles and the positions of the sample receptacles to the memory element, said method comprising:

• (a) placing a rack holding at least one sample receptacle having a machine-readable label disposed thereon in the rack-receiving location;
• (b) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle to obtain receptacle data for each sample receptacle;
• (c) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read receptacle position-identifying labels disposed on the rack to obtain receptacle position data for each sample receptacle;
• and
• (d) using the data writing device to write the receptacle data and the corresponding receptacle position data for each sample receptacle to the memory element.

In an apparatus comprising a rack-receiving location configured to receive a rack holding at least one receptacle, a label reading device configured to read machine-readable labels disposed on the rack and machine-readable labels disposed on the at least one receptacle held on the rack, and a data writing device configured to write storable data to a memory element disposed on the rack, a method for reading machine-readable labels disposed on receptacles carried on a receptacle rack, reading machine-readable labels disposed on the rack, and writing data relating to the receptacles and the positions of the receptacles to the memory element, said method comprising:

• (a) placing a rack holding at least one receptacle having a machine-readable label disposed thereon in the rack-receiving location;
• (b) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read the machine-readable label of each receptacle to obtain receptacle data for each receptacle;
• (c) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read receptacle position-identifying labels disposed on the rack to obtain receptacle position data for each receptacle;
• and
• (d) using the data writing device to write the receptacle data and the corresponding receptacle position data for each receptacle to the memory element,
• wherein the label reading device comprises a bar code reader held in a fixed position with respect to the rack-receiving location;
• the machine-readable label disposed on each receptacle comprises a receptacle bar code;
• the position-identifying labels disposed on the rack comprise position bar codes disposed adjacent to each receptacle-receiving location of the rack;
• and step (b) comprises moving the rack relative to the bar code reader and reading each receptacle bar code and each position bar code as it passes the bar code reader.

In an apparatus comprising a rack-receiving location configured to receive a rack holding at least one receptacle, a label reading device configured to read machine-readable labels disposed on the rack and machine-readable labels disposed on the at least one receptacle held on the rack, and a data writing device configured to write storable data to a memory element disposed on the rack, a method for reading machine-readable labels disposed on receptacles carried on a receptacle rack, reading machine-readable labels disposed on the rack, and writing data relating to the receptacles and the positions of the receptacles to the memory element, said method comprising:

• (a) placing a rack holding at least one receptacle having a machine-readable label disposed thereon in the rack-receiving location;
• (b) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read the machine-readable label of each receptacle to obtain receptacle data for each receptacle;
• (c) during or after performing step (a), using the label reading device to read receptacle position-identifying labels disposed on the rack to obtain receptacle position data for each receptacle;
• (d) using the data writing device to write the receptacle data and the corresponding receptacle position data for each receptacle to the memory element, and
• further comprising the step of determining if a cover disposed over receptacles held on a rack during or prior to step (d) has been removed after step (d).

A system for tracking receptacles during a process, said system comprising:

• a receptacle rack configured to hold a plurality of receptacles, said receptacle rack comprising:
• receptacle holding structure defining a plurality of receptacle-receiving pockets, each configured to receive and hold a receptacle;
• and
• a memory element configured to store data;
• a first rack-receiving location configured to receive the receptacle rack holding the receptacle;
• a label reading device operatively disposed with respect to the first rack-receiving location and configured to read machine-readable data disposed on the receptacle rack and/or on one or more receptacles held on the rack when the rack is placed in the first rack-receiving location;
• a data writing device operatively disposed with respect to the first rack-receiving location and configured to write data relating to the data read by the label reading device to the memory element of the receptacle rack placed in the first rack-receiving location;
• a second rack-receiving location configured to receive the receptacle rack holding the one or more receptacles, and
• a data reading device operatively disposed with respect to the second rack-receiving location and configured to read data stored on the memory element of the receptacle rack placed in the second rack-receiving location.