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Method and apparatus for emulating laboratory instruments at remote stations configured by a network controller

  • US 5,946,471 A
  • Filed: 08/07/1996
  • Issued: 08/31/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A laboratory instrument emulation network for measuring physical parameters at a plurality of laboratory stations, each station utilizing one or more sensors that make up a single scientific instrument, and each station displaying data collected at that laboratory station, said laboratory instrument emulation network comprising:

  • (a) a network controller having a first processing unit with associated memory, said first processing units memory configured to remember the configuration of each said laboratory stations and store real-time raw data acquired by each of said laboratory stations a first communications controller circuit, said first communications controller circuit being in communication with said first processing unit and having a first input/output driver/receiver circuit, and said network controller capable of converting said raw data to converted data, and transmitting said converted data to the appropriate laboratory station;

    (b) a plurality of laboratory stations each including a second processing unit, a second communications controller circuit, said second communications controller circuit being in communication with said second processing unit and having a second input/output driver/receiver circuit, a display with associated display controller that is in communication with said second processing unit, an operator input interface that is in communication with said second processing unit, a physical input interface circuit that is in communication with said second processing unit; and

    (c) a communications network that provides communication pathways between said first input/output driver/receiver circuit and each of said plurality of second input/output driver/receiver circuits;

    wherein each of said laboratory stations is configurable to perform as more than one type of laboratory instrument, said network controller determining the configuration of each said laboratory station and causing said laboratory station to perform as at least one type of laboratory instrument.

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