NON-CONTACT OPTICAL ENCODING SCHEME FOR INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION PUCK

• US 20150140668A1
• Filed: 05/21/2013
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Mellars, Colin, Yagci, Baris, Pollack, Benjamin Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 9,625,481 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/54 Labware with identification means identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers G01N35/00732
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00772 mechanical or optical code other than bar code
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00792 Type of components bearing the codes, other than sample carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00831 identification of the sample, e.g. patient identity, place of sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0406 Individual bottles or tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0432 integrated with measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0467 Switching points ("aiguillages")
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0489 Self-propelled units
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0491 Position sensing, encoding; closed-loop control
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0494 Detecting or compensating piositioning errors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0234 using optical markers or beacons optical beacons per se G01S1/70
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 Condition or time responsive

Abstract

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

Claims

1. An automation system for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:

a track having a first surface;

at least one independently movable carrier configured to move along the first surface and observe a relative motion of the first surface to determine a trajectory of the at least one independently movable carrier; and

one or more marks that indicate absolute position information on the first surface.

2. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more marks comprise at least one QR code.

3. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more marks comprise at least one barcode.

4. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more marks comprise at least one two-dimensional mark.

5. The automation system of claim 4, wherein the two-dimensional mark is asymmetric.

6. The automation system of claim 1, wherein at least one independently movable carrier is further configured to:

illuminate the first surface;

observe successive images of the first surface; and

compare successive images to determine at least one of a direction and a magnitude of the relative motion.

7. The automation system of claim 1, wherein at least one independently movable carrier comprises:

a light source;

an image sensor; and

at least one processor configured to detect relative motion within a plurality of successive images captured by the image sensor.

8. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the first surface further comprises a plurality of synchronization marks and the at least one independently movable carrier is further configured to use the plurality of synchronization marks to correct errors in the determined trajectory information for the at least one independently movable carrier.

9. The automation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more marks comprise one or more static images on the first surface.

10. A carrier configured to travel along a track having a first surface for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:

a light source configured to illuminate the first surface;

an image sensor for capturing images of the first surface, illuminated by the light from the light source; and

at least one processor configured to detect a relative motion by comparing a plurality of successive images captured by the image sensor, wherein the relative motion corresponds to a trajectory of the carrier.

11. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrier is further configured to adjust the trajectory in response to the relative motion.

12. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrier is further configured to observe one or more marks on the first surface to determine an absolute position along the track.

13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein the carrier is further configured to obtain non-positional data from the one or more marks on the first surface.

14. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrier is further configured to utilize the relative motion to determine a substantially real-time position of the carrier along the track.

15. The carrier of claim 14, wherein the carrier is further configured to observe one or more synchronization marks on the first surface of the track.

16. The carrier of claim 15, wherein the carrier is further configured to utilize the synchronization marks to adjust the determination of the substantially real-time position of the carrier.

17. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrier is further configured to follow a visible line on the first surface of the track.

18. A method for transporting items in an IVD environment comprising the steps of:

illuminating a first surface of a track along which one or more independently movable carriers, which hold one or more fluid vessels, move;

observing successive images of the first surface using an imaging sensor;

comparing successive images, using at least one processor, to determine at least one of a direction and a magnitude of the relative motion of the carriers; and

determining an absolute position of at least one of the carriers by detecting one or more reference marks on the track surface.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the items transported comprise fluid samples.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the items transported comprise reagents.