Automated processing system and method of using same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated processing system comprising;
- a shelf support structure including;
a network communication infrastructure, a central control system connected to said infrastructure, and a transfer device connected to said infrastructure; and
a shelf module including;
at least one mechanism for manipulating a physical object provided to said shelf module, and a network interface allowing said shelf module to connect to said network communication infrastructure;
wherein each of said shelf modules can be supported by said shelf support structure in such a manner that said network interface connects to said network communication infrastructure;
wherein said central control system can automatically recognize said at least one mechanism via said network communication infrastructure once said shelf module is connected to said network communication infrastructure; and
wherein said central control system can utilize said transfer device to provide said physical object to said shelf module so that said at least one mechanism can manipulate said physical object.
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Abstract
An automated processing system, particularly for use in biotechnology, which is modular in construction and allows for a wide variety of instruments to be inserted and/or removed without having to reprogram the system and methods of using such a system. This may be called “plug and play” functionality. The system may be portable without disassembly and have a generally vertical arrangement so as to utilize less useful lab space than a horizontally arranged system.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An automated processing system comprising;
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a shelf support structure including;
a network communication infrastructure, a central control system connected to said infrastructure, and a transfer device connected to said infrastructure; and
a shelf module including;
at least one mechanism for manipulating a physical object provided to said shelf module, and a network interface allowing said shelf module to connect to said network communication infrastructure;
wherein each of said shelf modules can be supported by said shelf support structure in such a manner that said network interface connects to said network communication infrastructure;
wherein said central control system can automatically recognize said at least one mechanism via said network communication infrastructure once said shelf module is connected to said network communication infrastructure; and
wherein said central control system can utilize said transfer device to provide said physical object to said shelf module so that said at least one mechanism can manipulate said physical object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A shelf module comprising:
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at least one mechanism for manipulating a physical object provided to said shelf module; and
a network interface allowing said shelf module to connect to a network communication infrastructure;
wherein said shelf module can be supported in a shelf support structure in such a manner that said network interface connects to said network communication infrastructure in said shelf support structure;
wherein said shelf module can automatically identify itself to a central control system in said shelf support structure once said shelf module is connected to said network infrastructure; and
wherein said shelf module can receive physical objects from a transfer device in said shelf support structure.
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Specification