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Multiple payload type carrier

  • US 9,671,418 B2
  • Filed: 01/10/2014
  • Issued: 06/06/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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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