SURFACE MARKINGS FOR AN OPTICALLY GUIDED DEVICE
First Claim
1. An automation system for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:
- one or more surfaces configured to dynamically display a plurality of optical marks;
a plurality of independently movable carriers configured to move along the one or more surfaces and observe them to determine navigational information from the plurality of optical marks; and
a processor configured to update the plurality of optical marks to convey information that pertains to each respective independently movable carrier.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for use with an automation system in an automated clinical chemistry analyzer can include one or more surfaces configured to dynamically display a plurality of optical marks, a plurality of independently movable carriers configured to move along surfaces and to observe them to determine navigational information from the plurality of optical marks, and a processor configured to update the plurality of optical marks to convey information that pertains to each respective independently movable carrier. The plurality of marks can include two-dimensional optically encoded marks, barcodes oriented in a direction of travel of the carriers, marks that dynamically convey data, dynamic lines configured to be followed by the carriers, marks indicating a collision zone, or dynamic marks displayed at a location coincident with the location of a pipette.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An automation system for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:
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one or more surfaces configured to dynamically display a plurality of optical marks;
a plurality of independently movable carriers configured to move along the one or more surfaces and observe them to determine navigational information from the plurality of optical marks; anda processor configured to update the plurality of optical marks to convey information that pertains to each respective independently movable carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A carrier configured to travel along an automation surface for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:
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one or more optical sensors for observing a plurality of optical marks on the automation surface; and at least one processor configured to determine navigational information from the optical marks and to control the trajectory of the carrier in response to the optical marks. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An automation system for use with an automated clinical chemistry analyzer comprising:
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a plurality of track sections configured to facilitate travel between a plurality of locations in the automation system; a plurality of electronically rewriteable surfaces configured to dynamically display navigational marks to a plurality of carriers that traverse the automation system; at least one of one or more optical sensors and RFID scanners configured to determine at least the current track section of the plurality of carriers; and one or more processors configured to update information displayed by the electronically rewriteable surfaces to convey individualized information to individual carriers as they traverse the automation system, including information to instruct carriers where to go in the automation system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification