Automation system management method, resource allocation method, device and electronic equipment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a management method and device thereof for an automation system, a resource allocation method and device thereof for an automation system, an electronic device and a storage medium. The management method comprises: in response to a user's instruction to increase a resource pool of the automation system, constructing a resource pool of devices based on the devices in the automation system, wherein the devices in the resource pool all have the same device attribute, and the device attribute includes a plate site attribute for placing a sample container and a supported operation instruction; and based on the resource pool, building a test process of the automation system. This facilitates the free scheduling of devices in the resource pool. Thus, it is beneficial to flexibly allocate tasks to each device in each resource pool, to realize dynamic optimization of the automation process, and effectively improve the work efficiency of the automation process. Furthermore, it is helpful to effectively utilize each device in the resource pool, improve the utilization rate of the device, and optimize the resource use of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic control, and more specifically to a management method for an automation system, a resource allocation method for an automation system, a management device for an automation system, a resource allocation device for an automation system, an electronic device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Currently, many fields are continuously implementing automation to free up manpower and improve efficiency. Whether in automated manufacturing, automated inspection, or automated testing, automated systems are widely used. In an automated system, the entire automation process is broken down into multiple steps, and tasks are assigned to each device. By ensuring that each device completes its own task, each step is executed smoothly, thus completing the overall automation process.

[0003] In an automated process, different steps take different amounts of time. For time-consuming steps, more identical or similar devices are typically deployed to perform the steps, allowing them to work in parallel and improve the efficiency of the automated process.

[0004] In the prior art, when configuring an automated process, each device is treated as an independent entity. In other words, suppose there are five first devices in the automated system that can work in parallel. When configuring the automated process, it is necessary to configure an automated process for each of these five first devices, that is, to configure five automated processes. As a result, the workload for process configuration is very heavy. On this basis, if the automated system contains not only five first devices but also three second devices, there will be more process configuration combinations, further increasing the workload for process configuration. In addition, the automated processes configured in this way are fixed and cannot be flexibly changed according to actual conditions, making it impossible to truly optimize the scheduling and use of system resources. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention was proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. According to one aspect of the present invention, a management method for an automated system is provided, comprising: in response to a user's instruction to add a resource pool to the automated system, constructing a resource pool of devices based on devices in the automated system, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions; and establishing a test process for the automated system based on the resource pool.

[0006] Exemplarily, the management method also includes: in response to a user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, determining whether the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool; and adding the device to be added to the resource pool only when the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool.

[0007] Exemplarily, the management method also includes: in a case where the device attributes of the device to be added are different from those of the devices in the resource pool, in response to the user's selection of an overwrite instruction, determining the attribute overwriting direction and modifying the corresponding device attributes of the device to be added or the existing devices in the resource pool based on the attribute overwriting direction, wherein the attribute overwriting direction includes using the device attributes of the device to be added to overwrite the corresponding device attributes of the existing devices in the resource pool, or using the device attributes of the existing devices in the resource pool to overwrite the corresponding device attributes of the device to be added; or in response to the user's cancellation of the device addition instruction, giving up adding the device to be added to the resource pool.

[0008] Exemplarily, the instruction to add a resource pool includes type information of devices in the resource pool. The management method further includes: in response to a user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, displaying a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool, wherein the devices of the same type are used to perform the same operation on the sample container or the sample in the sample container; and adding the device to be added to the resource pool includes: in response to a user's instruction to confirm a device selected from the list, adding the selected device to the resource pool.

[0009] Exemplarily, in response to a user's instruction to add a device to a resource pool, a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool is displayed, including: in response to a user's instruction to add a device to a resource pool, for the case where the resource pool is a non-empty operation pool, a list of devices that have the same type and drive instructions as the devices in the operation pool and do not belong to any resource pool is displayed.

[0010] Exemplarily, the management method also includes: determining the device attributes of the device in response to the user's instructions for setting the attributes of the device; the supported operation instructions in the device attributes include at least one of duration information, expiration time information, and maximum waiting time information, wherein the duration information is used to determine the duration for controlling the device to execute the operation instruction when executing the test process; the expiration time information is used to determine the maximum safe duration of the sample for controlling the device to execute the operation instruction when executing the test process; the maximum waiting time information is used to determine the maximum effective duration of the sample for controlling the device to execute the operation instruction when executing the test process.

[0011] Exemplarily, the management method also includes: in response to the user's pre / post operation setting instructions for the device, determining the pre-operation and / or post-operation to be performed before or after the device performs its own operation, wherein the supported operation instructions in the device properties include information related to the pre-operation and / or post-operation, and the pre-operation and / or post-operation are performed by the corresponding execution device.

[0012] For example, in the constructed test process, all devices in the resource pool are displayed in the form of a resource pool.

[0013] Illustratively, the plate position attributes include one or more of the following items: clamping direction, plate position layout, plate operation actuator information, whether to remove the cover, the removal method, allowed sample container types and plate position type.

[0014] Exemplarily, the device attributes further include global attributes, and the global attributes are used to establish a communication connection.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a resource allocation method for an automation system is also provided, comprising: in response to a user's configuration instructions for a resource pool in the automation system, configuring a resource allocation strategy for the resource pool, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, the device attributes including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate sample containers or samples in sample containers according to the operation instructions; and when actually allocating resources in the resource pool, allocating devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation strategy of the current resource pool.

[0016] Exemplarily, allocating devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation strategy of the current resource pool includes: based on the least recently used strategy, allocating the devices with the longest idle time in the resource pool when actually allocating devices in the resource pool; based on the front priority strategy, allocating devices corresponding to board positions with a front order based on the board position order of the devices in the automation system when actually allocating devices in the resource pool; and / or based on the resource pool order strategy, allocating devices based on the order of devices in the resource pool pre-set by the user when actually allocating devices in the resource pool.

[0017] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a management device for an automation system is also provided, which is characterized in that it includes: a resource pool construction module, which responds to the user's instruction to add a resource pool to the automation system and constructs a resource pool of equipment based on the equipment in the automation system, wherein the equipment in the resource pool all have the same equipment attributes, and the equipment attributes include the plate position attributes for placing sample containers and the supported operation instructions, and the equipment in the resource pool are all used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions; and a test process construction module, which is used to build the test process of the automation system based on the resource pool.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a resource allocation apparatus for an automation system, characterized in that it comprises: a policy configuration module for configuring a resource allocation policy for a resource pool in the automation system in response to a configuration instruction of a user for a resource pool, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, the device attributes including attributes of a plate position for placing a sample container and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample container or the sample in the sample container according to the operation instruction; and

[0019] The resource allocation module is used to allocate devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool when actually allocating resources in the resource pool.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is also provided, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, are used to execute the management method for an automation system as described above and / or to execute the resource allocation method for an automation system as described above.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a storage medium is further provided, on which program instructions are stored. When running, the program instructions are used to execute the management method for the automation system and / or the resource allocation method for the automation system as described above.

[0022] In the above technical solution, resource pools are used as management units, facilitating the flexible scheduling of devices within the resource pools. For example, an automation system contains five first devices that can operate in parallel and have identical board attributes and supported operating instructions, and three second devices that can operate in parallel and have identical board attributes and supported operating instructions. Thus, a resource pool for the first devices and a resource pool for the second devices can be established. A test process can then be established based on the resource pools for the first and second devices. The device resources in the two resource pools are managed and scheduled as a single entity. This significantly reduces the workload of process configuration. Furthermore, this solution facilitates the flexible allocation of tasks to devices within each resource pool, enabling dynamic optimization of the automation process and effectively improving the efficiency of the automation process. Furthermore, it helps effectively utilize the devices within the resource pools, improves device utilization, and optimizes system resource usage. The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. To provide a clearer understanding of the technical approach of the present invention, implementation can be based on the contents of this specification. To further enhance the understanding of the above and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through a more detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present invention, they are used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic flow chart of a management method for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a test process constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an orifice plate according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of a management method for an automation system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic flow chart of a resource allocation method for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of a management device for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic block diagram showing a resource allocation device for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 8 A schematic block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of the present invention described in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] As described above, in the prior art, when configuring an automation process, each device is regarded as an independent individual. The automation process needs to be configured separately for each device. In addition, for the case where multiple devices exist, the combination of process configuration is more. And the above-mentioned configured automation process is fixed. For this, the present application proposes a management method for an automation system to solve the problems of large workload of process configuration in the prior art and low flexibility of the configured automation process.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present application, a management method for an automation system is provided. The automation system can be used to automatically complete a test based on a built test process. The automation system can include a plurality of different devices to sequentially perform different operations on a test sample or a sample container of the test sample, respectively. The management method for the automation system is used to manage the devices in the automation system. Figure 1 A schematic flowchart of the management method 100 for the automation system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in the figure, the management method 100 can include the following steps. Figure 1

[0035] In step S110, in response to a user's instruction to increase a resource pool of the automation system, a resource pool of devices is constructed based on the devices in the automation system. It can be understood that the resources in the resource pool are the devices therein. The devices in the resource pool all have the same device attributes, including a plate position attribute for placing a sample container and a supported operation instruction. The devices in the resource pool are all used to operate the sample container or the sample in the sample container according to the operation instruction.

[0036] ​For example, a user can use an input device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, etc.) of the host computer to issue a command to the automation system to add a resource pool. It will be appreciated that the host computer can provide a visual interface to the user so that the user can accurately issue commands. For example, the visual interface provided by the host computer may include an add resource pool interface, in which the user can use an input device to operate the controls to issue the add resource pool command. The add resource pool interface may include the name and type of the resource pool to be added, as well as the policy for allocating resources to the devices in the resource pool. The name of the resource pool can be customized according to the user's preferences. For example, the user can use the keyboard to enter the desired name in the text box following the name of the resource pool. The type of resource pool and the policy for allocating resources to the devices in the resource pool can be selected via a drop-down menu. Optionally, there is a default correspondence between the type of resource pool and the policy for allocating resources to the devices in the resource pool. For example, when the type of resource pool selected by the user changes, the policy for allocating resources to the devices in the resource pool may also change accordingly. Of course, if the user does not want to select this default correspondence, they can modify the correspondence between the two in the corresponding controls. After the user has selected the resource pool name, type, and resource allocation strategy for the devices in the resource pool, they can click the "Confirm" control on the Add Resource Pool interface to issue the corresponding resource pool addition instruction. Based on the parameters in the resource pool addition instruction, a resource pool for the corresponding devices is constructed based on the devices in the automation system. Alternatively, the user can click the "Cancel" control on the Add Resource Pool interface to cancel the resource pool creation. Resource pools are used to accommodate multiple devices. In the test process of an automation system, multiple devices in a resource pool can be managed as a single unit, rather than being separated into individual devices. All devices in a resource pool share the same device attributes. Device attributes include the plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions. Plate position attributes indicate how to perform operations on the plates placed on the device's plate positions. They can also include basic plate position information, such as the plate position layout described below. All devices in a resource pool are used to manipulate sample containers or the samples contained in them according to the operation instructions. For example, a resource pool might contain five pipetting robots. All five pipetting robots have the same plate position attributes for placing sample containers. For example, each pipetting workstation has four plate positions for accommodating well plates, and the positions of the plate positions are identical. Furthermore, these five pipetting workstations are all used to perform pipetting operations on samples in test tubes on the well plates. To facilitate unified control of the devices in the resource pool, the devices in the resource pool support the same operating instructions. Based on the device properties of the devices, a resource pool including multiple devices can be constructed. The plate position properties for placing sample containers and the supported operating instructions in the device properties of the devices in the resource pool cannot be modified individually.This ensures that the resource pool can be controlled as a management unit. If you want to modify the device properties, you can only set them uniformly as a whole resource pool. For the constructed resource pool, the user can selectively delete it according to needs. In one embodiment, the visual interface can also include a resource pool list interface to display the resource pool constructed by the user including multiple devices. Displayed in the resource pool list are some resource pools constructed based on the user's instruction to add resource pools. If the user currently selects resource pool 1, the user can click the "Delete Resource Pool" control in the resource pool list interface to delete the selected resource pool 1.

[0037] Step S120: Building a test process of the automation system based on the resource pool.

[0038] Based on the resource pool constructed in the above step S110, a test process of the automation system is built. Thus, it is determined how each device in the automation system performs its respective tasks to complete the experimental process. During the construction process, the user can determine when each step in the test process is performed, by which device or resource pool, and how long the execution time is, etc. Regarding the resource pool, when the test process is specifically executed, it is possible to dynamically select which device in the resource pool to perform the step based on the status of each device in the resource pool. Among them, the status of the device may include an available state and an unavailable state. Specifically, the available state indicates that the device is idle and available at this time. The unavailable state may include that the device is offline, busy (i.e., working at this time), and error state, etc.

[0039] In the above technical solution, the resource pool is used as the management unit, which facilitates the free scheduling of devices in the resource pool. For example, in an automation system, there are five first devices that can work in parallel and have the same board position attributes and supported operating instructions, and three second devices that can work in parallel and have the same board position attributes and supported operating instructions. Therefore, a resource pool for the first device and a resource pool for the second device can be constructed accordingly. A test process can be established based on the resource pool of the first device and the resource pool of the second device. The device resources in the two resource pools are uniformly scheduled and managed as a whole. This significantly reduces the workload of process configuration. Moreover, this solution is also conducive to the flexible allocation of tasks to each device in each resource pool, realizing dynamic optimization of the automation process, and effectively improving the work efficiency of the automation process. Furthermore, it helps to effectively utilize each device in the resource pool, improve equipment utilization, and optimize system resource utilization.

[0040] For example, in the constructed test process, all devices in the resource pool are displayed in the form of a resource pool.

[0041] In one embodiment, assuming the user selects resource pool 1 based on the resource pool list interface, the device list corresponding to resource pool 1 can be displayed in the current resource pool list interface. Specifically, resource pool 1 can include three devices. In the test process established by the user, the three devices in resource pool 1 can be displayed as resource pool 1, rather than displaying the three devices separately. In other words, in the established test process, the resource pool is displayed as a node in the test process. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a test process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, in this test process, resource pool 1 is shown as one of the nodes, and all the devices therein are not shown in detail one by one.

[0042] As a result, the test flow diagram clearly shows the resource pool as a management unit, making it easier for users to configure, manage, and understand the test flow. This also effectively avoids the problem of displaying too many devices in the established test flow, which can lead to a poor user experience and difficulty in obtaining effective information. This ensures a clean interface for the test flow, improving user visibility.

[0043] For example, before a user creates a resource pool for a device, they can first configure device attributes. In response to the user's instructions for configuring device attributes, device attributes can be determined. Device attributes may include the plate location for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions. The supported operation instructions in the device attributes include duration information. Duration information is used to determine the duration of the device's operation during the test process.

[0044] In one embodiment, the visualization interface may also include an interface for users to set the operating instructions supported by the device. The interface for users to set the operating instructions supported by the device may include multiple operable controls, each of which is used to receive the user's instructions for setting the properties of the device. Among them, an operable control, such as a "duration" control, is used for the user to set duration information. The user can use the keyboard to enter the duration of the operation performed by the device in the text box in the "duration" control in the test process. The unit of duration information can be seconds. In a specific embodiment, the operating instruction supported by the device is incubation. The user can use the "duration" control to set the duration of the incubation operation to 3600 seconds.

[0045] This allows you to set the duration for a device to execute its own operations, increase restrictions on identical devices in the resource pool, and further subdivide each device, thereby ensuring smooth execution of the test process.

[0046] Optionally, the information about the operation instructions supported by the device may also include expiration time information and / or maximum waiting time information. The expiration time information is used to determine the maximum safe duration of a sample that controls the device to execute the operation instruction during the test process. The maximum waiting time information is used to determine the maximum effective duration of a sample that controls the device to execute the operation instruction during the test process.

[0047] Optionally, the interface for the user setting the supported operating instructions for the device may also include an "Expiration Time" control and a "Maximum Wait Time" control, which are used by the user to set the expiration time information and the maximum wait time information, respectively. Similarly, the units for both are also seconds. For specific setting methods, please refer to the above-mentioned duration information setting process. For the sake of brevity, we will not elaborate on them here.

[0048] Exemplarily, the expiration time information can be used to determine the maximum safe duration for the device to continue executing after the execution operation reaches the duration. For example, the operation performed by the incubator in the test process is to culture cells. The duration information set for the culture operation of the incubator is 3600 seconds (1 hour). Its maximum safe duration is set to 5400 seconds (1.5 hours). During the actual execution process, if the execution time of the culture operation of the incubator exceeds 3600+5400=9000 seconds, the sample in the sample container cultured by the incubator is marked as a timed-out sample. This mark can serve to prompt the user. The user can judge whether the timed-out sample will affect the test results based on the actual situation, and decide whether to continue the test process based on the degree of impact. It can be understood that if the expiration time information is set to zero, it means that the maximum safe duration constraint is not enabled.

[0049] Optionally, the maximum waiting time information can be used to determine the maximum effective duration of the sample that the device continues to execute after the execution operation reaches the duration. The following explanation is given by taking the maximum safety duration constraint as an example. The following explanation is still given by taking the above-mentioned operation of culturing cells in the incubator as an example. The duration information of the culturing operation of the incubator is set to 3600 seconds (1 hour), the maximum safety duration of the sample is set to 5400 seconds (1.5 hours), and the maximum effective duration of the sample is 1800 seconds (half an hour). During the actual execution process, if the execution time of the culturing operation of the incubator exceeds 3600+5400+1800=10800 seconds, the sample operated by the incubator is abandoned. Afterwards, the abandoned sample is transported to the pre-set "go to position in case of error" and marked with a "cancel" label.

[0050] Therefore, expiration time and maximum waiting time can be appropriately set for different operations on different devices. This ensures the validity and availability of samples, further ensuring that the test process can be executed smoothly, and thus, accurate test results can be obtained.

[0051] For example, the plate position attributes for placing sample containers within the device properties may include one or more of the following: clamping direction, clamping height, plate operation actuator information, whether to remove the lid, the method for removing the lid, allowed sample container types, and plate position types. The following description uses a test tube as an example. It will be understood that when the sample container is a test tube, a well plate can be used to place the sample container. Therefore, the set plate position attributes are the plate position attributes of the well plate.

[0052] For example, the visualization interface may also include an interface for users to set slot properties. Users can use the keyboard to enter characters in the text box following "Name" in this interface to customize the well plate name. Optionally, users can also set the slot type for the well plate using the control options on this interface. Specifically, these control options may include "SingleNest," "NestGroup," and "StackNest." "SingleNest" represents a single slot, which can only store a single well plate. "NestGroup" represents a slot group, which is a collection of slots arranged according to a specific rule. "StackNest" represents a stacked slot, which is a group of slots in a stacked plate station. This type of slot is different from a slot group. A slot group uses random access, while a stacked slot uses sequential access. Stacked slots only support access to the bottom or top well plate; plates in the middle cannot be accessed. It is understood that during the plate position attribute setting process of this embodiment, the user can only select one of the three plate position types according to specific needs to determine the plate position attributes of the orifice plate. When the user selects one of the types, a check mark, such as a solid dot or a check mark, may be displayed in front of the corresponding control.

[0053] Optionally, users can also set the operation actuator information on the interface for setting the plate position properties. Specifically, the interface also includes a "Labware Handler Accessible" control, which indicates whether the plate can be directly accessed by the robotic arm. If this control is selected, the robotic arm of the automation system can directly transport the plate. If this control is not selected, the internal mechanism of the automation system control device transports the plate.

[0054] After the user selects "Labware Handler Accessible", the user can set the clamping direction of the orifice plate on the interface for setting the plate position properties. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a well plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The following controls in the user interface for setting the plate position properties can be used to set the clamping direction and offset for the well plate. Figure 3, A01 represents a well in the well plate. Specifically, the interface for users to set the plate position properties may include a "Narrow" control, a "Wide" control, a "Reverse-Narrow" control, and a "Reverse-Wide" control. Among them, the "Narrow" control indicates that the robotic arm of the automation system grabs the well plate from the narrow side in the distal direction of the A01 hole. The "Wide" control indicates that the robotic arm of the automation system grabs the well plate from the wide side in the distal direction of the A01 hole. The "Reverse-Narrow" control indicates that the robotic arm of the automation system grabs the well plate from the narrow side in the proximal direction of the A01 hole. The "Reverse-Wide" control indicates that the robotic arm of the automation system grabs the well plate from the wide side in the proximal direction of the A01 hole. Users can set the above four parameters through the "Parameter Setting" control. Among them, the "Parameter Setting" control can contain four numbers. These four numbers can represent the minimum offset of the orifice plate from the narrow side, the maximum offset of the orifice plate from the narrow side, the minimum offset of the orifice plate from the wide side, and the maximum offset of the orifice plate from the wide side, respectively. In this embodiment, the unit of the offset is millimeter (mm). For example, the user selects the "Narrow" control and then sets the number in the "Parameter Settings" control to "0 / 2 / 0 / 0". This means that the robotic arm of the automation system can grasp the narrow side of the far end of the A01 hole at a height of 0-2 mm from the bottom of the narrow side.

[0055] Optionally, the interface for setting deck properties may also include a "Layout" control. Users can use the "Layout" control to configure the deck layout (the physical layout of the decks). This control can be a text input box, a counter, or similar. The following explanation uses the counter as an example. Specifically, the "Layout" control can include "X-Axis," "Y-Axis," and "Z-Axis," along with their corresponding text boxes and up and down arrows for counters. Users can click the up and down arrows in the "Layout" control to configure the deck layout in the corresponding direction. As you can see, clicking the up arrow decreases the value in the corresponding text box. Clicking the down arrow increases the value in the corresponding text box. For example, assuming a flat layout for a pipetting workstation with two rows in the X direction and four rows in the Y direction, the corresponding values ​​for X, Y, and Z are 2, 4, and 1, respectively. For example, assuming a plate station with seven decks in the Z direction, one row in the X direction, and one row in the Y direction, the corresponding values ​​for X, Y, and Z are 1, 1, and 7, respectively.

[0056] Optionally, the user interface for setting plate position properties may also include a "Capping / Uncapping" control. The user may also use this control to determine whether to remove the cap. Selecting this control indicates that the plate can be capped or uncapped. Conversely, deselecting this control indicates that the plate does not require capping or uncapping.

[0057] Optionally, the interface for the user to set the plate position properties may also include operable controls for the user to set the decapping method and the allowed sample container types. Specifically, these controls may be displayed as a "lid position" control and a "plate position allowed sample type" control in the interface for the user to set the plate position properties, so that the user can set the above information as needed. For example, the lid position may include: a lid sucker, a source position, and other positions. When the user selects a lid sucker in the "lid position" control, it means that the lid is removed by the lid sucker, and the position of the lid after decapping is on the lid sucker. Similarly, selecting the source position or other positions means that after the decapping operation is performed using a robotic arm, the position of the lid is at the source position or other positions. The clamping structure can clamp the sample container or the lid of the sample container. The sample container type can be classified according to the size, specifications, etc. of the sample container. For example, the sample container may include a deep well plate, a shallow well plate, a lid, etc.

[0058] Users can now customize the various slot attributes described above, greatly satisfying their diverse needs. Furthermore, by categorizing slot attributes into multiple types, devices can be more finely divided into resource pools, ensuring smooth execution of the established test process.

[0059] Exemplarily, the device properties of a device in an automation system also include global properties, which are used to establish a communication connection. The communication connection may refer to a connection between a management system for an automation system and a device (specifically, a driver for the device). The communication connection may be in the form of a network connection, etc. The global properties of a device can be customized and modified, and are used to establish a communication connection with other devices and a host computer, etc., as long as the communication between the devices can be completed smoothly. The global properties of the device do not affect the control of the resource pool as a management unit. In addition, global properties are also used to configure the device driver, such as the configuration of the incubator, whether the incubator has an oscillation function, upper and lower temperature limits, etc.

[0060] Therefore, the global properties of the device can be used to achieve communication with the device, making it easier to transmit instructions to the device.

[0061] Illustratively, global attributes include IP addresses and port information. In one embodiment, the visualization interface may further include an interface for setting global attributes. This interface may include an "IP" control and a "Port" control, among others. Specifically, a user may utilize an input device to input an IP address in the "IP" control and port information in the "Port" control. It will be appreciated that devices on the same network have unique IP addresses. Devices with the same IP address may have corresponding port numbers.

[0062] Therefore, the corresponding IP address and port information can be set for different devices, ensuring that the device can successfully receive the command and thus ensure that the test process can be carried out smoothly.

[0063] For example, the management method 100 may further include determining, in response to a user's pre / post operation setting instruction for a device, a pre-operation and / or post-operation to be performed before or after the device performs its own operation. The supported operation instructions in the device properties of the device include information related to the pre-operation and / or post-operation. The pre-operation and / or post-operation are executed by the corresponding execution device. It will be understood that, depending on the device, the execution device of the pre-operation and / or post-operation and the node device to which it belongs may be the same device or different devices.

[0064] The interface for users to set the operating instructions supported by the device can also include a "front / back operation" control. The user can click "Edit" in the "front / back operation" control to enter the front / back operation setting interface of the device. For example, for a plate washer, its own operation is plate washing. Optionally, the front / back operation can be set for it: robotic arm transfer. Thus, when the test process reaches the plate washer node, according to the test process, the robotic arm can first transfer the well plate that needs to be washed to the workbench of the plate washer. Afterwards, the plate washer performs the plate washing operation on the well plate. After the plate washing operation is completed, the robotic arm transfers the well plate to the position of the next node device in the test process. In this example, the execution device of the front / back operation - the robotic arm and the node device to which the front / back operation belongs - the plate washer are different devices.

[0065] This allows you to configure specific pre- and post-operations for each device, simplifying the interface and effectively preventing errors during the test process. More importantly, by providing information about pre- and post-operations, the consistency of devices in the resource pool is ensured, further facilitating the smooth execution of the test process.

[0066] Figure 4 FIG2 shows a schematic flow chart of a management method 400 for an automation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The management method 400 can support adding devices to an existing resource pool. Figure 4As shown, the management method 400 includes not only the aforementioned steps S110 and S120 , but also the following steps between these two steps.

[0067] Step S410 , in response to a user's instruction to add a device to a resource pool, determining whether the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool.

[0068] Optionally, an interface may be provided to the user, on which an operable control may be provided for receiving a user's instruction to add a device to the currently activated resource pool. The instruction to add a device includes information about the device to be added. For example, the user may input the name or identifier of the device to be added. The device attributes of the device to be added may be determined based on the information about the device to be added. Upon receiving the instruction to add a device input by the user using the operable control, the device attributes of the device to be added may be compared with those of the devices in the currently activated resource pool to determine whether they are all identical. As previously described, the device attributes include the plate position attributes for placing the sample container and the supported operational instructions.

[0069] Step S420: Add the device to be added to the resource pool only when the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool.

[0070] Based on the judgment result of step S420, it is determined whether to add the device to be added to the resource pool. If the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool, the device to be added is added to the resource pool. If the device attributes of the device to be added are different from those of the devices in the resource pool, the user may be prompted that the device addition failed.

[0071] The above technical solution supports adding appropriate devices to an existing resource pool, thereby changing the pool's device size and, consequently, the automation system's processing capacity. Furthermore, this solution ensures that the added devices are treated as part of the resource pool and respond to the unified control and management of the resource pool, ensuring the smooth operation of the automation system.

[0072] Exemplarily, after determining whether the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool in the aforementioned step S410, the management method 100 may further include, in response to a user's selection of an overwrite instruction, determining an attribute overwrite direction and modifying the corresponding device attributes of the device to be added or the existing devices in the resource pool based on the attribute overwrite direction, if the device attributes of the device to be added are different from those of the devices in the resource pool. The attribute overwrite direction includes overwriting the corresponding device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing devices in the resource pool, or overwriting the corresponding device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing devices in the resource pool; or, in response to a user's cancellation of the instruction to add the device, abandoning the addition of the device to be added to the resource pool.

[0073] In one embodiment, based on a device attribute conflict interface, if step S410 determines that the device attributes of the device to be added differ from those of the devices in the resource pool, the device attribute conflict interface can be automatically displayed. This device attribute conflict interface can be used to receive a user's instruction to select an overwrite. The device attribute conflict interface may include three columns: attribute name, device attributes of existing devices in the resource pool, and device attributes of the device to be added. The attribute name may include the name of the conflicting device attribute. For example, the conflicting device attribute may be a board location attribute or the operation instructions supported by the device. In the first embodiment based on the device attribute conflict interface, there is a conflict in the cover attribute of the board location attribute. The cover attribute of the existing devices in the resource pool can be either with or without a cover. However, the cover attribute of the device to be added is with a cover. If there is a conflict in device attributes, the user can select the attribute overwrite direction using the "Overwrite the device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool" control or the "Overwrite the device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool" control. Selecting the "Overwrite the device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool" control indicates that, in the event of a device attribute conflict, the device attributes of the device to be added will be overwritten with the device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool. After selecting the control, the user can click on the "Overwrite and Add" control to issue an overwrite selection instruction, and modify the device properties of the device to be added to be the same as the device properties of the existing devices in the resource pool. In the second embodiment based on the device property conflict interface, the properties of the cover of the device to be added are modified to be either with a cover or without a cover. For another example, the user can also select the "Use the device properties of the device to be added to overwrite the device properties of the existing devices in the resource pool" control. Afterwards, the "Overwrite and Add" control can be clicked to issue an overwrite selection instruction. As a result, the device properties of the device to be added are overwritten with the device properties of the existing devices in the resource pool. That is, the device properties of the existing devices in the resource pool are modified to be the same as the device properties of the device to be added. In the first embodiment based on the device property conflict interface, the properties of the cover of the device properties of the existing devices in the resource pool are modified to be with a cover.

[0074] Optionally, when there is a conflict in device attributes, the user can click "Cancel" in the device attribute conflict interface to cancel the operation of adding the device to be added. As a result, the device attributes of the existing devices in the resource pool remain in their original state.

[0075] Therefore, if the device attributes of the device to be added are different from those of the devices in the resource pool, the user can be prompted whether to modify the device attributes of both. If the user wants to modify, the device attributes of the device to be added or the device attributes of the devices in the resource pool can be modified with one click to make the device attributes of the device to be added and the devices in the resource pool the same. Then, the device to be added can be added to the resource pool. The modification method is simple and easy for the user to operate. If the user does not want to modify, the addition of the device to be added can be abandoned. The needs of different users are met and the user experience is improved.

[0076] For example, a command to add a resource pool to an automated system may include device type information for the resource pool. For example, this type information may include an operation pool and a storage pool. The device type information for the resource pool is included in the command to add a resource pool, so even if a resource pool is empty and no devices have been added, the device type information for the resource pool can still be obtained. For example, an operation pool can be constructed based on one or more robotic arms, or one based on one or more pipetting workstations. A storage pool can be constructed based on one or more incubators, or a storage pool can be constructed based on a plate station, a plate selection station, and an incubator, and so on.

[0077] The management method 100 may further include: in response to a user instruction to add a device to the resource pool, displaying a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool, wherein the devices of the same type are used to perform the same operation on the sample container or the sample in the sample container.

[0078] For example, the resource pool list interface as described above may also include an "add device" control to the selected resource pool. The user may click on the "add device" control to bring up the add device interface. The add device interface may include a "device" control. Optionally, the "device" control may be a drop-down menu. The user may select the device they wish to add to the resource pool from the list in the drop-down menu. The devices in the list are all of the same type. All devices perform the same operation on the sample container or the sample in the sample container. For example, all devices in the list are devices that perform an incubation operation on the sample in the sample container.

[0079] The aforementioned step S420 of adding the device to be added to the resource pool includes: in response to a user's confirmation device instruction for a device selected in the list, adding the selected device to the resource pool.

[0080] After the user selects the device they want to add from the list, the device name will be displayed in the "Device" control display area. The user can then click the "Confirm" control in the add device interface to issue a confirmation device instruction. In response to this confirmation device instruction, the user's selected device will be added to the resource pool.

[0081] It can be understood that the above operation of adding a device to a resource pool may be an operation for an empty resource pool or an operation for a non-empty resource pool.

[0082] Thus, the device to be added to the resource pool can be directly selected in a simple manner by showing only a list of devices of the same type, thereby narrowing the range of devices that the user can add and facilitating the user's operation.

[0083] Exemplarily, in response to a user's instruction to add a device to a resource pool, displaying a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool may further include: in response to the user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, if the resource pool is a non-empty operation pool, displaying a list of devices that have the same type and drive instructions as the devices in the operation pool and that do not belong to any resource pool. In this embodiment, if the resource pool is a non-empty operation pool, it already includes some devices, and the types and drive instructions of the devices allowed to be added can be determined based on the device attributes of the included devices. The drive instructions can be used to enable communication between the host computer and the devices, so that the devices can operate the sample container or the sample in the sample container according to the operation instructions. Based on the determined types and drive instructions, devices that may be added to the resource pool are determined. Among the devices that may be added to the resource pool, devices that have not yet been added to any resource pool are selected as devices allowed to be added. In response to the user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, the list of devices allowed to be added can be displayed for the non-empty operation pool.

[0084] For example, a user previously added a device with driver instruction A to the operation pool. At this point, the operation pool is not empty. In response to the user's instruction to add a device, a list displays all devices whose device type belongs to the operation pool, whose driver instruction is A, and that do not belong to any resource pool. The user can select the device they wish to add to the operation pool from the list as needed. Similarly, in response to the user's instruction to confirm a device selected in the list, the device can be added to the operation pool.

[0085] This allows the system to directly filter out devices with the same type and driver instructions as those already in the pool and display a list of these devices. Based on this list, users can directly select the device they wish to add, avoiding conflicts between the device attributes of the device to be added and those already in the pool. Furthermore, the operation is simple and easy to implement.

[0086] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a resource allocation method for an automation system is provided. Figure 5 FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow chart of a resource allocation method 500 for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the resource allocation method 500 may include the following steps.

[0087] In step S510, in response to a user's configuration instructions for a resource pool in the automation system, a resource allocation policy is configured for the resource pool. The devices in the resource pool all have the same device attributes, including the slot attributes for placing sample containers and the supported operation instructions. The devices in the resource pool are all used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions.

[0088] For example, the above-mentioned interface for adding a resource pool may also include a "Policy" control for receiving user configuration instructions for the resource pool. Optionally, the "Policy" control may also be a drop-down menu. When constructing a resource pool, the "Policy" control's drop-down menu may be used to select a resource allocation strategy for the constructed resource pool. It is understood that the resource allocation strategy may refer to the strategy for allocating devices in the resource pool to perform operations during the execution of the actual test process.

[0089] Step S520: When actually allocating resources in the resource pool, allocate devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool.

[0090] In one embodiment, if the test process involves two resource pools, where the first resource pool includes 5 devices and the second resource pool includes 3 devices. And based on step S510, the resource allocation policies of the two resource pools have been configured separately. Then, during the running of the test process, when the test step reaches the first resource pool to perform an operation, the operation to be performed by the test step can be allocated to the devices in the first resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the first resource pool. When the test step reaches the second resource pool to perform an operation, the operation to be performed by the test step can be allocated to the devices in the second resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the second resource pool.

[0091] This allows users to set resource allocation policies for resource pools. This ensures that, during actual testing, work can be more reasonably allocated to devices in each resource pool based on the current resource pool's resource allocation policy, optimizing the use of devices in the automation system.

[0092] Exemplarily, the resource allocation policy includes a least recently used policy, a front-of-mind policy, and / or a resource pool order policy. The device allocating the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool may include any one or more of the following steps.

[0093] Based on the least recently used strategy, when allocating devices in the resource pool, the device with the longest idle time in the resource pool is allocated. Preferably, the least recently used strategy is more suitable for resource pools of the operation pool type. It is particularly suitable for resource pools of devices that require consumables, such as resource pools for plate washers. The consumables may be detergents used by plate washers. Allocating resources from the resource pool based on the least recently used strategy can prevent consumables on a device in the resource pool from running out prematurely. In other words, it can ensure that each device in the resource pool is used at approximately the same frequency.

[0094] Based on the front priority strategy, when actually allocating the equipment in the resource pool, the corresponding equipment at the front in the board position order is allocated based on the system default board position order of the equipment. Among them, the board position is the position for placing the sample container. The system default board position order of the equipment can be set according to experience. When actually allocating the equipment in the resource pool, the board position at the front can be given priority in the system default board position order of the equipment, and the equipment corresponding to the board position is used as the execution equipment for this step. Preferably, the front priority strategy is more suitable for the equipment in the storage pool. The front priority strategy is based on the board position order, which facilitates the system to schedule the equipment that performs operations on the sample container at the board position or the sample in the sample container, and the equipment to perform its own operations.

[0095] Based on the resource pool sequence policy, when the devices of the resource pool are actually allocated, the allocation is based on the device sequence pre-set by the user. According to the above embodiment, the selected resource pool is resource pool 1. Correspondingly, resource pool 1 includes 3 devices. If the resource pool sequence policy is configured for resource pool 1, then when the devices of the resource pool are actually allocated, the allocation can be based on the device sequence in the device list in the resource pool list. Optionally, the resource pool list display interface can also include an upward arrow, and the user can adjust the order of the devices in the resource pool by clicking the upward arrow. Then, when the devices of the resource pool are actually allocated, the allocation is based on the adjusted device sequence. The resource pool sequence policy has simple logic and is not prone to errors, which ensures the smooth operation of the automation system.

[0096] Therefore, different resource allocation policies can be pre-set for different resource pools. Users can set appropriate resource allocation policies based on the resource pool type and other factors. Consequently, based on appropriate resource allocation policies, devices in the resource pool can operate more efficiently, ensuring that the automation system's testing process can proceed efficiently and orderly.

[0097] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a management device for an automation system is provided. Figure 6 FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a management device 600 for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6As shown, the device 600 includes a resource pool construction module 610 and a test process construction module 620.

[0098] The resource pool building module 610 is used to respond to the user's instruction to add a resource pool to the automation system, and build a resource pool of equipment based on the equipment in the automation system, wherein the equipment in the resource pool all have the same equipment attributes, and the equipment attributes include the plate position attributes for placing sample containers and the supported operation instructions. The equipment in the resource pool is all used to operate the sample containers or the samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions.

[0099] The test process building module 620 is used to build a test process of the automation system based on the resource pool.

[0100] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a resource allocation device for an automation system is provided. Figure 7 FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of a resource allocation device 700 for an automation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the apparatus 700 includes a policy configuration module 710 and a resource allocation module 720 .

[0101] The policy configuration module 710 is used to configure a resource allocation policy for the resource pool in response to a user's configuration instructions for the resource pool in the automation system, wherein the devices in the resource pool all have the same device attributes, and the device attributes include the plate position attributes for placing sample containers and the supported operation instructions. The devices in the resource pool are all used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions.

[0102] The resource allocation module 720 is configured to allocate devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool when actually allocating resources in the resource pool.

[0103] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided. Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the electronic device 800 includes a processor 810 and a memory 820. The memory 820 stores computer program instructions, which are used by the processor 810 to execute the above-mentioned management method for an automation system and resource allocation method for an automation system when the computer program instructions are executed.

[0104] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a storage medium is further provided. Program instructions are stored on the storage medium, and the program instructions are used to execute the above-mentioned management method for an automation system and the resource allocation method for an automation system when running. The storage medium may include, for example, a storage component of a tablet computer, a hard disk of a computer, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB memory, or any combination of the above storage media. The computer-readable storage medium may be any combination of one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0105] A person skilled in the art can understand the specific implementation schemes and beneficial effects of the management method for an automation system, the resource allocation method for an automation system, the electronic device and the storage medium by reading the above descriptions of the management method for an automation system and the resource allocation method for an automation system. For the sake of brevity, they will not be elaborated here.

[0106] Although example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above example embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

[0107] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0108] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units described is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used, such as combining or integrating multiple units or components into another device, or ignoring or not performing some features.

[0109] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are described. However, it is understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0110] Similarly, it should be understood that in order to streamline the present invention and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the various features of the present invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this approach to the present invention should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed invention requires more features than those explicitly recited in each claim. More precisely, as reflected in the corresponding claims, the inventive point is that the corresponding technical problem can be solved with fewer features than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim itself serving as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, except where mutually exclusive, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or apparatus disclosed herein may be combined in any combination. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature providing the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0112] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and to form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0113] The various component embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, or as software modules running on one or more processors, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in practice, a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) may be used to implement some or all of the functions of some modules in the management device for an automation system and the resource allocation device for an automation system according to embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may also be implemented as a device program (e.g., a computer program or computer program product) for executing part or all of the methods described herein. Such a program implementing the present invention may be stored on a computer-readable medium or in the form of one or more signals. Such signals may be downloaded from an Internet website, provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0114] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art may devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between brackets should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of appropriately programmed computers. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names.

[0115] The foregoing description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention or an illustration of a specific embodiment. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be readily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention are intended to be encompassed by the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A management method for an automation system, characterized in that: include: In response to a user's instruction to add a resource pool to the automated system, a resource pool of devices is constructed based on the devices in the automated system, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions; Based on the resource pool, a test process of the automation system is established so that the devices in the resource pool are uniformly controlled as a management unit.

2. The management method according to claim 1, wherein: The management method further comprises: In response to a user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, determining whether the device to be added has the same device attributes as the devices in the resource pool; The device to be added is added to the resource pool only when the device attributes of the device to be added are the same as those of the devices in the resource pool.

3. The management method according to claim 2, wherein: The management method further comprises: In the case where the device attributes of the device to be added are different from those of the devices in the resource pool, In response to a user's selection overwrite instruction, determining an attribute overwriting direction and modifying corresponding device attributes of the device to be added or the existing device in the resource pool based on the attribute overwriting direction, wherein the attribute overwriting direction includes overwriting corresponding device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool with the device attributes of the device to be added, or overwriting corresponding device attributes of the device to be added with the device attributes of the existing device in the resource pool; or In response to the user's instruction to cancel adding a device, adding the device to be added to the resource pool is abandoned.

4. The management method according to claim 2, wherein: The instruction to add a resource pool includes type information of devices in the resource pool; The management method further comprises: In response to a user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool, displaying a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool, wherein the devices of the same type are used to perform the same operation on the sample container or the sample in the sample container; Adding the device to be added to the resource pool includes: In response to a user confirming a device instruction for a selected device in the list, the selected device is added to the resource pool.

5. The management method according to claim 4, wherein: The step of displaying a list of devices of the same type as the devices in the resource pool in response to a user's instruction to add a device to the resource pool comprises: In response to a user instruction to add a device to the resource pool, if the resource pool is a non-empty operation pool, a list of devices that have the same type and drive instructions as the devices in the operation pool and do not belong to any resource pool is displayed.

6. The management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The management method further comprises: In response to a user's instruction to set a property of the device, determining a device property of the device; The supported operation instructions in the device attributes include at least one of duration information, expiration time information, and maximum waiting time information, wherein: The duration information is used to determine the duration of controlling the device to execute the operation instruction when executing the test process; The expiration time information is used to determine the maximum safe duration of the sample for controlling the device to execute the operating instructions when executing the test process; The maximum waiting time information is used to determine the maximum effective time of the sample for controlling the device to execute the operation instruction when executing the test process.

7. The management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The management method further comprises: In response to the user's pre / post operation setting instructions for the device, the pre-operation and / or post-operation performed before or after the device performs its own operation is determined, wherein the supported operation instructions in the device attributes include information related to the pre-operation and / or post-operation, and the pre-operation and / or post-operation are performed by the corresponding execution device.

8. The management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In the constructed test process, all devices in the resource pool are displayed in the form of the resource pool.

9. The management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plate position attributes include one or more of the following items: clamping direction, plate position layout, plate operation actuator information, whether to remove the cover, the cover removal method, allowed sample container types and plate position type.

10. The management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The device attributes further include global attributes, and the global attributes are used to establish a communication connection.

11. A resource allocation method for an automation system, comprising: In response to a user's configuration instruction for a resource pool in the automation system, a resource allocation policy is configured for the resource pool, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions, and the devices in the resource pool are uniformly controlled as a management unit; as well as When actually allocating resources in the resource pool, devices in the current resource pool are allocated based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool.

12. The resource allocation method according to claim 11, wherein: The device for allocating the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool includes: Based on the least recently used policy, the device with the longest idle time in the resource pool is allocated when the device in the resource pool is actually allocated; Based on the front priority strategy, when actually allocating the devices in the resource pool, the devices corresponding to the board positions with the front board positions are allocated based on the board position order of the devices in the automation system; and / or Based on the resource pool sequence policy, when actually allocating devices in the resource pool, devices are allocated based on the order of devices in the resource pool pre-set by the user.

13. A management device for an automation system, characterized in that: include: a resource pool building module, in response to a user's instruction to add a resource pool to the automation system, building a resource pool of devices based on the devices in the automation system, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions; as well as A test process module is constructed, which is used to construct a test process of the automation system based on the resource pool, so that the devices in the resource pool are controlled uniformly as a management unit.

14. A resource allocation device for an automation system, characterized in that: include: a policy configuration module configured to configure a resource allocation policy for the resource pool in response to a user's configuration instruction for the resource pool in the automation system, wherein all devices in the resource pool have the same device attributes, including plate position attributes for placing sample containers and supported operation instructions, and all devices in the resource pool are used to operate the sample containers or samples in the sample containers according to the operation instructions, and the devices in the resource pool are uniformly controlled as a management unit; as well as The resource allocation module is used to allocate devices in the current resource pool based on the resource allocation policy of the current resource pool when actually allocating resources in the resource pool.

15. An electronic device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein: The memory stores computer program instructions, which are used by the processor to execute the management method for an automation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or to execute the resource allocation method for an automation system according to claim 11 or 12 when the processor runs the computer program instructions.

16. A storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, wherein the program instructions are used to execute the management method for an automation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or the resource allocation method for an automation system according to claim 11 or 12 when run.

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