Marked Holding Device for Automated Pipette Identification

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated optical recognition system. A camera captures images of markings on the pipette magazine plate, and image processing algorithms automatically identify and verify pipette types, eliminating the need for manual checking while improving accuracy and speed.

The system enables self-verification through automatic identification. The marking on the magazine plate serves as a self-identifying feature that the system reads automatically, allowing the placement machine to verify pipette types without human intervention and continue operations autonomously.

The patent uses visual markings (color codes, patterns, or symbols) on the magazine plate that correspond to different pipette types. These markings provide distinct visual identifiers that can be reliably detected by the camera system, enabling precise differentiation between various pipette types based on their assigned marking patterns.

The marking on the magazine plate creates a visual copy or representation of the pipette type information. Instead of measuring physical properties of the pipette itself, the system reads this informational copy from the magazine plate, which encodes the pipette type data in a machine-readable visual format.

The marking is pre-applied to the magazine plate during manufacturing or setup. This preliminary identification information is prepared in advance, allowing the system to verify pipette types before the placement process begins and to detect any mismatches between the marked type and the actual pipette inserted.

The system provides feedback by comparing the marked pipette type with the actual pipette inserted. If a mismatch is detected, the system can alert the operator or prevent operation, creating a feedback loop that ensures only correct pipettes are used, thereby improving assembly reliability.