Power source for an automation system mechanism
First Claim
1. An independent carrier for use in transport of patient sample tubes in an in vitro diagnostic system, the carrier comprising:
- an onboard power source;
a receptacle configured to receive and hold a patient sample tube;
an onboard control system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement and for making instantaneous direction and trajectory decisions of the carrier in response to wirelessly received routing instructions; and
an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier under the control of the onboard control system, in accordance with the direction and trajectory decisions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Power systems for an independent carrier for transport of payloads in an automation system for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The independent carrier may include an onboard power source and an onboard electrical system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement of the carrier. The independent carrier may include an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier and electrically connected to the onboard electrical system for receiving a command to control the movement of the carrier. Onboard power sources may include: replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction battery charging, photovoltaic power, Peltier effect power, and external combustion engines.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An independent carrier for use in transport of patient sample tubes in an in vitro diagnostic system, the carrier comprising:
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an onboard power source; a receptacle configured to receive and hold a patient sample tube; an onboard control system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement and for making instantaneous direction and trajectory decisions of the carrier in response to wirelessly received routing instructions; and an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier under the control of the onboard control system, in accordance with the direction and trajectory decisions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics comprising:
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a track configured to provide one or more paths; and a plurality of carriers configured to travel along the track, including one or more carrier that comprises; an on-board power source; a receptacle configured to receive and hold a patient sample tube; an onboard control system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement and for making instantaneous direction and trajectory decisions of the carrier in response to wirelessly received routing instructions; and an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the one or more carriers along the track under the control of the onboard control system, in accordance with the direction and trajectory decisions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling the movement of an independent carrier in an in vitro diagnostic system, the method comprising:
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using one or more independent carriers to transport one or more patient sample tubes on a track, each of the one or more independent carriers comprising; an on-board power source, a receptacle configured to receive and hold at least one of the patient sample tubes, an on-board control system electrically connected to the on-board power source for controlling movement and for making instantaneous direction and trajectory decisions of the carrier in response to wirelessly received routing instructions, and an on-board propulsion system electrically connected to the on-board electrical system for propelling the carrier under the control of the onboard control system, in accordance with the direction and trajectory decisions; receiving, at the control system, power from the on-board power source; receiving, at the on-board propulsion system, a command from the control system to control the movement of the one or more carriers; and controlling the movement of the one or more carriers along the track using the on-board propulsion system.
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Specification