Method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system, laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system
First Claim
1. A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system, the method comprising:
- providing the laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample; and
a transport device comprising a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier, wherein the transport plane is configured to support the sample container carriers, wherein the transport plane comprises a plurality of transfer locations, wherein the transfer locations are assigned to corresponding laboratory stations, and a drive, wherein the drive is configured to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane;
initializing the system, wherein initializing the system includes pre-calculating fixed routes on the transport plane between the transfer locations;
after initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, collecting operating data of the laboratory sample distribution system including determining the number of container carriers being moved; and
subsequently controlling the drive such that all sample container carriers move along the same pre-calculated fixed routes on the transport plane; and
during a next initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, pre-calculating the routes additionally depending on the operating data, wherein the operating data comprise information regarding a volume of traffic on the routes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is disclosed. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by a plurality of laboratory stations. The system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane supports the sample container carriers. The transport plane comprises a plurality of transfer locations. The transfer locations are assigned to corresponding laboratory stations. The system also comprises a drive. The drive moves the sample container carriers on the transport plane. The method comprises, during an initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, pre-calculating routes depending on the transfer locations and, after the initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, controlling the drive such that the sample container carriers move along the pre-calculated routes.
181 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system, the method comprising:
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providing the laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample; and
a transport device comprising a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier, wherein the transport plane is configured to support the sample container carriers, wherein the transport plane comprises a plurality of transfer locations, wherein the transfer locations are assigned to corresponding laboratory stations, and a drive, wherein the drive is configured to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane;initializing the system, wherein initializing the system includes pre-calculating fixed routes on the transport plane between the transfer locations; after initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, collecting operating data of the laboratory sample distribution system including determining the number of container carriers being moved; and subsequently controlling the drive such that all sample container carriers move along the same pre-calculated fixed routes on the transport plane; and during a next initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, pre-calculating the routes additionally depending on the operating data, wherein the operating data comprise information regarding a volume of traffic on the routes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A laboratory sample distribution system, the laboratory sample distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of container carriers, wherein each container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device and carries a sample container containing a sample; a transport device comprising a transport plane to carry the plurality of container carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, wherein the electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier placed on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier, wherein the transport plane is configured to support the sample container carriers, wherein the transport plane comprises a plurality of transfer locations, wherein the transfer locations are assigned to corresponding laboratory stations; a drive, wherein the drive is configured to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to; initialize the system, wherein initializing the system includes pre-calculating fixed routes on the transport plane between the transfer locations; after initializing the laboratory sample distribution system, collecting operating data of the laboratory sample distribution system including determining the number of container carriers being moved; and subsequently controlling the drive such that all sample container carriers move along the same pre-calculated fixed routes on the transport plane; and during a next initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, pre-calculating the routes additionally depending on the operating data, wherein the operating data comprise information regarding a volume of traffic on the routes. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification