HYBRID METHOD FOR COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND OBJECT CARRIER MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. An automation system for use in in-vitro diagnostics comprising:
- an automation surface configured to provide one or more paths between a plurality of testing stations, wherein the automation surface includes a plurality of predetermined risk zones;
a plurality of carriers, each comprising an onboard processor configured to make local trajectory decisions and to control the motion of each carrier into the plurality of predetermined risk zones in response to authority granted by a traffic manager; and
a traffic manager comprising at least one processor, configured to assign destinations to the plurality of carriers and grant authority to carriers to enter the plurality of predetermined risk zones,wherein each carrier is configured to hold one or more fluid vessels and move the one or more fluid vessels to one of the plurality of testing stations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automation system for use in in-vitro diagnostics includes an automation surface configured to provide one or more paths between a plurality of testing stations, which also includes a plurality of predetermined risk zones. A plurality of carriers include an onboard processor configured to make local trajectory decisions and to control the motion of each carrier into the plurality of predetermined risk zones in response to authority granted by a traffic manager. A traffic manager includes at least one processor configured to assign destinations to the plurality of carriers and grant authority to carriers to enter the plurality of predetermined risk zones. Each carrier can be configured to hold one or more fluid vessels and move the one or more fluid vessels to one of the plurality of testing stations.
29 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An automation system for use in in-vitro diagnostics comprising:
-
an automation surface configured to provide one or more paths between a plurality of testing stations, wherein the automation surface includes a plurality of predetermined risk zones; a plurality of carriers, each comprising an onboard processor configured to make local trajectory decisions and to control the motion of each carrier into the plurality of predetermined risk zones in response to authority granted by a traffic manager; and a traffic manager comprising at least one processor, configured to assign destinations to the plurality of carriers and grant authority to carriers to enter the plurality of predetermined risk zones, wherein each carrier is configured to hold one or more fluid vessels and move the one or more fluid vessels to one of the plurality of testing stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A carrier for transporting fluids in an in-vitro diagnostics environment comprising:
-
a processor configured to navigate a track between a plurality of points in the track; and a communications system configured to receive a first set of routing instructions, including at least one destination testing station, and to receive a notification, from a traffic manager, of the carrier'"'"'s authority to enter a predetermined risk zone along the track, and wherein the processor is further configured to direct the carrier to the at least one destination testing station and to navigate each risk zone in response to the notification. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An automation system for use in in-vitro diagnostics comprising:
-
a track configured to provide one or more paths between a plurality of testing stations, wherein the track includes a plurality of predetermined risk zones; and a traffic manager comprising at least one processor, configured to assign destinations to a plurality of carriers and grant authority to carriers to enter the plurality of predetermined risk zones, wherein the traffic manager further comprises memory that monitors the occupancy of the predetermined risk zones and the at least one processor is further configured to grant or deny authority based on the occupancy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification