FLUID DISPENSE AND LIQUID SURFACE VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Methods of detecting a fluid surface are provided which comprise transmitting a signal with a signal transmitting device, receiving at least a portion of the signal with a signal receiving device and detecting a change in at least one characteristic of the received signal as an indication that the signal receiving device has contacted the fluid surface. The signal may be an RF signal. The characteristic may be a change in amplitude and the method may also comprise minimizing the amplitude of the received signal prior to contacting the fluid surface. The characteristic may be a phase shift between transmitted and received signals. The method may involve tuning a receiver circuit operatively coupled to the signal receiving device to be near resonance prior to contact of the fluid surface. The tuning may comprise tuning the receiver circuit so as to be about 2-5% below resonance prior to such contacting.