Multiple payload type carrier
First Claim
1. An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics comprising:
- a track configured to provide one or more paths;
a plurality of payload carriers comprising a plurality of payload carrier types, one or more of the plurality of payload carrier types having a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type;
a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel, each of the plurality of carriers having a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types;
carrier exclusion zones, each carrier exclusion zone comprising an area having;
(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and
(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;
(i) based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel;
further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
further based on the exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;
wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics includes a track configured to provide one or more paths and a plurality of payload carriers having payload carrier types. One or more of the plurality of payload carrier types has a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type. The system includes a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel. Each of the plurality of carriers has a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types. The system includes a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of: (i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and (ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics comprising:
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a track configured to provide one or more paths; a plurality of payload carriers comprising a plurality of payload carrier types, one or more of the plurality of payload carrier types having a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type; a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel, each of the plurality of carriers having a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types; carrier exclusion zones, each carrier exclusion zone comprising an area having;
(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and
(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;
(i) based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; anda controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel;
further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
further based on the exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A carrier for transporting fluids in an in vitro diagnostics environment comprising:
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a carrier body configured to move along a track in a direction of travel, the carrier body having carrier dimensions comprising a carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and a mounting interface coupled to the carrier body and configured to hold either one of; (i) a first type of payload carrier having a first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and a first payload carrier dimension perpendicular to the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and (ii) a second type of payload carrier having a second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and a second payload carrier dimension perpendicular to the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; wherein the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel and the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel are different; wherein an onboard processor is configured to navigate the carrier body along the track based on at least one of;
(i) the carrier dimension in the direction of travel;
(ii) the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(iii) the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel;
further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;
(i) the first payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel;
(ii) the second payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(iii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
further based on an exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;wherein a carrier exclusion zone comprises an area having;
(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and
(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;
(i) based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; andwherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by the onboard processor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating an in vitro diagnostics system, comprising:
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holding a plurality of payload carrier types having dimensions different from each other with a plurality of carriers having substantially the same carrier dimensions; moving the plurality of carriers along a track in a direction of travel; determining carrier exclusion zone dimensions in the direction of travel adjacent to the plurality of carriers based on a largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel, each carrier exclusion zone comprising an area having;
(i) an exclusion zone length dimension extending past opposite sides of a corresponding carrier in the direction of travel; and
(ii) an exclusion zone width dimension extending perpendicular to the direction of travel, wherein each exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel is;
(i) based on the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel and (ii) greater than the largest effective carrier dimension in the direction of travel; andnavigating the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of;
(i) a carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) one or more of the payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel;
further based on a plurality of effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel, wherein each effective carrier dimension is equal to the larger of;
(i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
(ii) the corresponding payload carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and
further based on the exclusion zone length dimension in the direction of travel;wherein the effective carrier dimensions in the direction of travel and the carrier exclusion zones in the direction of travel are determined by a controller.
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Specification