Device terminal

Abstract

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device holder terminal (1), which comprises a shell (2) and a first transport unit (3), wherein the first transport unit is configured to transport at least one first device holder (4) arranged on a movable platform (9) from a first position (5) to a second position (6) within the shell (2), and wherein the first device holder (4) is at the second position (6) within the shell (2) and can be manually accessed by a user through a first opening (7) in the shell (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device support terminal. Further, the present invention relates to a method for providing a device support. In addition, the present invention relates to a computer program product. In addition, the present invention relates to a computer readable data carrier. Background Art

[0002] Various automated laboratory systems are known in the art and are widely used in hospitals, clinics and research laboratories. Laboratory automation systems typically include multiple workstations in which samples such as blood, saliva, exchange materials and other target substances are processed. The device complex may include multiple separate devices, such as sample analyzers, conveyor systems, tray terminals and sample storage devices. In an automated system for transporting a tray with a target substance contained in a sample, a so-called sample tube, test tube, cuvette, sample container, sample vessel or other sample tray, particularly an elongated tray, is used to temporarily store the target substance. The sample tube, test tube, cuvette or other sample tray, hereinafter referred to as only a "tray", may be placed, for example, in a so-called sample tray holder. Each tray holder may vertically support a tray. Multiple sample trays may be supported by so-called supports, carriers, boxes, test tube racks, sample tube racks, tube trays, sample tube holders, sample tube carriers, etc. In the following, the device is only referred to as a "tray".

[0003] In an automated laboratory system or a part thereof, it is desirable to manually access at least one specific sample tray supported by a specific tray holder or a specific tray rack. Thus, for example, a specific tray can be manipulated. In addition, a specific tray can be manually inserted into the automated laboratory system or removed from the system.

[0004] For example, document US 8691149 B2 discloses a system for automatically loading an immunoassay analyzer. The front panel of a magnetic particle processor includes a rotatable upper part having a closed position and an open position. The rotatable upper part is connected to a top panel or a top cover by a first hinge and a second hinge. The rotatable upper part also has a handle to enable a user to manually open and close the rotatable upper part. The rotatable upper part has a hole formed at the center of the edge of the rotatable upper part. The hole must be of sufficient size to allow a support track to pass through the hole. The support track supports a support tray that can support at least one microplate. The support track is fixed at its distal end and is free at its proximal end. The support track has sufficient rigidity and sufficient strength to support the support tray and equipment required to move the support tray into and out of the magnetic particle processor. The support track allows the microplate to be manipulated at a distance from the inside of the magnetic particle processor. The support track must be of sufficient length to allow the support tray to extend a sufficient distance to leave the front panel. The support tray can be driven along the support track away from the magnetic particle processor and toward the magnetic particle processor. A stepper motor, encoder, drive gear, threaded screw and nut can be used to control the movement of the support tray for the microplate. The system is designed to automatically insert and remove reaction vessels into and from the magnetic particle processor.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial to provide a tray terminal, for example for use in an automated laboratory system or a part thereof, which enables a user to manually access at least one specific sample tray.The tray terminal should be manufacturable on an industrial scale. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some particular embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device holder terminal, comprising a shell and a first transport unit, wherein the first transport unit is configured to transport at least one first device holder arranged on a movable platform from a first position to a second position within the shell, and wherein the first device holder is at the second position within the shell and can be manually accessed by a user through a first opening in the shell.

[0008] Various embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

[0009] The first position includes the robot contact area, and the second position includes the user contact area;

[0010] The first transport unit is configured to linearly guide the first device bracket from the first position to the second position;

[0011] The first transport unit is configured to linearly guide the first device bracket from the second position to the first position;

[0012] The first transport unit is configured to move the platform along at least one linear guide area;

[0013] At least one support holder is disposed on the platform or a component of the platform;

[0014] The first transport unit is further configured to transport at least one device holder together with the first device holder within the housing from the first position to the second position;

[0015] the at least one tray holder being in a second position manually accessible by a user through a first opening in the housing;

[0016] The device support terminal includes a second transport unit;

[0017] The first device bracket is located in a first position accessible by the second transport unit;

[0018] The second transport unit is capable of transporting the pallet in at least two dimensions;

[0019] The second transport unit is a mechanical gripper;

[0020] The first transport unit and the second transport unit are capable of transporting the tray to at least one of a treatment port, another system of the device complex, a tray storage, a tray rack, a first tray rack, a tray holder, a user contact area, or a robot contact area;

[0021] The device support terminal includes a third transport unit;

[0022] A third transport unit is configured to transport at least one device bracket to or from a slot of the platform through a second opening in the housing;

[0023] The third transport unit includes at least one of a conveyor and a mechanical lift;

[0024] The third transport unit is configured to supply a series of device trays to the device tray terminal;

[0025] The third transport unit is configured to remove a series of device racks from the device rack terminal;

[0026] A third transport unit is configured to transport at least one device bracket to or from the slot of the platform;

[0027] The housing comprises a hatch configured to cover the first opening;

[0028] When the first device bracket is in the second position, the second transport unit is operable;

[0029] The second transport unit is configured to interrupt operation when the first device bracket is positioned in the second position.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, the method comprising: selecting a specific device tray, removing the device tray from a second device tray and inserting the device tray into a first device tray via a second transport unit, transporting the first device tray arranged on a movable platform from a first position to a second position in a shell of a device tray terminal via the first transport unit, wherein in the first position the first device tray can be accessed by the second transport unit, wherein the first device tray is in a second position in the shell and can be manually accessed by a user through a first opening in the shell.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises supplying the device bracket to the device bracket terminal by a third transport unit or removing the device bracket from the device bracket terminal by a third transport unit. According to another embodiment, the method further comprises transporting the device bracket to or from the slot of the platform through the second opening in the housing by the third transport unit.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform the following steps: receiving instructions regarding the selection of a specific device tray from a user, causing a second transport unit to remove the device tray from a second device tray and insert the device tray into a first device tray, causing the first transport unit to transport a first device tray arranged on a movable platform from a first position to a second position within a housing of a device tray terminal, wherein in the first position the first device tray can be accessed by the second transport unit, wherein the first device tray is in a second position within the housing and can be manually accessed by a user through a first opening in the housing.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable data carrier having a computer program product stored thereon.

[0034] Considerable advantages are obtained by certain embodiments of the present invention. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a device tray terminal and a method for providing a device tray are provided. For example, a device tray terminal for an automated laboratory system or a part thereof enables a user to manually contact at least one specific sample device tray. A specific sample device tray, such as a sample tube, can be transported to a user contact area by a first transport unit according to a user's request. Of course, the device tray terminal is also capable of receiving a device tray manually inserted by a user and transferring it to the device tray. Thus, for example, a user can request the transport of a specific device tray and reinsert the device tray at a later stage. The transport and reinsertion of the device tray can occur quickly because the device tray is transported by the first transport unit along a relatively short distance via a linear guide.

[0035] Furthermore, the user contact area is located within the housing of the tray terminal. Therefore, the user cannot collide with the portion of the tray terminal protruding from the housing of the tray terminal, such as a support rail supporting a tray or a drawer. In other words, the safety of the user can be improved, while the safety of the tray accommodated in the tray terminal and the safety of the tray terminal can also be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, since at least one specific holder is provided from the robot contact area to a separate user contact area, the user cannot physically contact the robot carrying the holders, thereby further improving safety. According to certain embodiments, the second transport unit is operable when the first holder is positioned in the second position (i.e., the user contact area).

[0037] In addition, the positioning of the device bracket and thus the device tray can be performed very accurately on the movable platform. The platform can be further moved very accurately by the first transport unit. Therefore, the tolerances required for handling the device tray with the second transport unit (e.g. mechanical gripper) can be easily met.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the device tray terminal can be connected to the sample storage. The device tray can be fed into the device tray terminal through the second opening in the housing by means of the third transport unit. Of course, the device tray can also be removed from the device tray terminal and fed into the sample storage.

[0039] Further, by using the second transport unit to transport the device tray to the disposal port, the device tray can be ignored. In addition, the device tray terminal can be connected to the device complex. The device tray contained in the device tray terminal can then be transported by the second transport unit to other systems of the device complex including the device tray terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a device support terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a device support terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0042] Figure 3 A schematic top view of a platform and a second transport unit for supporting a terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic top view of a platform and a second transport unit for supporting another terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic top view of a first device bracket and a plurality of device bracket holders and a second transport unit of a device bracket terminal disposed on a platform according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is depicted;

[0045] Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of a platform and a second transport unit for supporting a terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0046] Figure 7 A schematic perspective view of a first transport unit and a second transport unit of a device support terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is depicted;

[0047] Figure 8 Draw the basis Figure 7 A schematic front view of a first transport unit and a second transport unit of a device support terminal;

[0048] Fig. 9 Draw the basis Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic top view of a first transport unit and a second transport unit of a device support terminal;

[0049] Fig.10 A schematic perspective view of a third transport unit of a device-supporting terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is depicted; and

[0050] Fig.11 Methods for providing a holder are depicted in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] exist Figure 1, a schematic perspective view of a device tray terminal 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The device tray terminal 1 includes a housing 2 and a first transport unit (not shown), which is configured to transport a first device tray 4 disposed on a platform 9 or a support from a first position (not shown) to a second position 6 within the housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the first device tray 4 is located at the second position 6 within the housing 2 and is manually accessible by a user through a first opening 7 in the housing 2. The housing includes an open hatch 12, which is configured to cover the first opening 7.

[0052] Therefore, the user cannot collide with the portion of the support terminal protruding from the housing of the support terminal. Therefore, the safety of the user can be improved, and the safety of the support contained in the support terminal and the safety of the support terminal can also be improved.

[0053] exist Figure 2 1 shows a schematic top view of a device support terminal 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. A portion of a housing 2 covering the interior of the device support terminal 1 has been removed. The device support terminal 1 includes a housing 2 and a first transport unit 3, which is configured to transport a first device support 4 disposed on a platform 9 from a first position to a second position within the housing 2.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the first container bracket 4 positioned closest to the hatch 12 can be manually accessed by the user through a first opening (not shown) in the housing 2. The first container bracket 4 is in its second position and can only be accessed by the user, but not by the second transport unit 10. According to the embodiment shown, only the first container bracket 4 in its second position can be accessed by the user. On the other hand, the container bracket farthest from the hatch 12, i.e. the second container bracket 19, can only be accessed by the second transport unit 10, but not by the user.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, even though the first container bracket 4 positioned closest to the hatch 12 can only be accessed by the user, the handling of the container bracket supported by the second container bracket 19 farthest from the hatch 12 can be performed by the second transport unit 10. In other words, the container bracket terminal 1 provides a user contact area and a robot contact area. According to the illustrated embodiment, the user can manually access the first container bracket 4, while the second transport unit 10 can handle the container bracket supported by the second container bracket 19. According to other embodiments, the second transport unit 10 is configured to interrupt operation when the first container bracket 4 is positioned at the second position 6.

[0056] The first transport unit 3 is configured to linearly guide at least the first device bracket 4 from a first position, in which the first device bracket 4 is located in the robot contact area, to a second position, in which the first device bracket 4 is located in the user contact area. Of course, the first transport unit 3 is also configured to linearly guide at least the first device bracket 4 from the second position to the first position, i.e. in the opposite direction. Typically, the first transport unit 3 is configured to move the platform 9 along the linear guide 8 and thus also move the first device bracket 4 supported by the movable platform 9.

[0057] The second transport unit 10 can be, for example, a handling robot capable of moving a device holder in two or three dimensions, such as a mechanical gripper. The user cannot physically contact the second transport unit 10 of these device holders in the handling housing 2. The second transport unit 10 can be configured to remove a single device holder, such as a sample tube, a test tube, a cuvette, a sample container, a sample vessel or other sample device holder, specifically, an elongated device holder, from a second device holder 19 located in the robot contact area, and then transport the corresponding device holder to a disposal port 13 including, for example, at least one disposal hole. The second transport unit 10 can further be configured to, for example, remove the corresponding device holder from one device holder and then insert the device holder into another device holder. By moving the platform 9 along the linear guide 8 by the first transport unit 3, another device holder can be provided in the robot contact area. Further, the second transport unit 10 can also be configured, for example, to remove the device holder from the device holder and transport the corresponding device holder to another system of the device complex (not shown) via the delivery port 22. Another system of the device complex may be, for example, a conveyor system configured to transport a series of additional device tray holders or additional device trays.

[0058] In addition, the device tray terminal 1 can optionally include a third transport unit (not shown), which is configured to transport at least one device tray or a series of device trays to or from a corresponding slot of the platform 9 through another second opening 21 in the housing 2, for example, to or from a device tray storage (not shown). The second opening serves as an entrance / exit. The platform 9 according to the illustrated embodiment includes a total of five slots for device trays. Therefore, device trays can be supplied to the device tray terminal 1, and device trays can be removed from the device tray terminal 1 through the second opening 21 using the third transport unit.

[0059] The first transport unit 3 is further configured to transport a plurality of tray holders 11 within the housing 2 from a first position 5 (i.e., a user contact area) to a second position 6, in which the first tray is located in the robot contact area. The tray holders 11 are all in the second position 6, which can be manually accessed by the user through a first opening in the housing 2. When the tray holders 11 have been transported to their first position by the first transport unit 3, the trays can be removed from the corresponding tray holders 11 and inserted into the tray holders 11 by the second transport unit 10. The tray holders 11 can be an integral part of the platform 9 or arranged on the platform 9.

[0060] The housing 2 of the tray terminal 1 further comprises a hatch 12, which is configured to cover the first opening and thus also the user contact area. Due to the hatch 12, contamination of the tray terminal 1 and the tray accommodated therein can be reduced.

[0061] In addition, according to some embodiments, the device tray terminal 1 includes a computing device 14. For example, the second transport device (10) can select a specific device tray located in one of the device trays, insert the corresponding device tray into the first device tray 4 located closest to the hatch 12 or one of the device tray holders 11, and then instruct the computing device 14 to cause the first transport unit 3 to transport the device tray to the second position, that is, to the user contact area. Therefore, the user can select a specific device tray to be transported to the user contact area of ​​the device tray terminal 1. For example, the user can then manually manipulate the corresponding device tray. Of course, the user can also insert a specific device tray into one of the device tray holders 11 or into the first device tray 4 located closest to the hatch 12, and instruct the computing device 14 to cause the first transport unit 3 and the second transport unit 10 to transport the corresponding device tray to any one of the device trays. In other words, for example, through the device tray terminal 1, a device tray can be supplied to an automation device complex including the device tray terminal 1, or the device tray can be removed from the automation device complex.

[0062] In addition, the computing device 14 can be instructed by the user to transport the device tray to the disposal portion 13. For example, the device tray can be manually inserted into one of the device tray holders 11 or into the device tray 4 located closest to the hatch 12, and then transported to the first position, i.e., the robot contact area, by the first transport unit 3. Then, the second transport unit 10 can remove the corresponding device tray from the device tray holder 11 or the first device tray 4, transport the device tray to the disposal port 13, and drop the device tray into one of the disposal holes of the disposal port 13. Subsequently, the device tray is guided to a disposal container (not shown).

[0063] Each device tray may be provided with a barcode. The device tray terminal 1 may further include a barcode reader (not shown) connected to the computing device 14. Thus, a specific device tray may be identified and may be transported by the first transport device 3 and the second transport device 10 to, for example, a treatment port 13, another system of the device complex, a device tray storage, a first device tray, another device tray, a user contact area, or a robot contact area.

[0064] exist Figure 3 , a schematic top view of a platform 9 and a second transport unit 10 of a device tray terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, a first device tray 4 disposed on the platform 9 has been transported by a first transport unit (not shown) from a first position to a second position 6 along a first direction 15 indicated by an arrow. The first device tray 4 and the device tray holder 11 are manually accessible by a user. The device tray supported by the second device tray 19 located in the robot contact area can only be accessed by the second transport unit 10. The device tray located between the first device tray 4 and the second device tray 19 cannot be accessed by either the user or the second transport unit 10.

[0065] According to some embodiments, when the first device holder 4 is located at the first position 6, the second transport unit 10 is capable of carrying the device holder located in the robot contact area. According to some other embodiments, when the first device holder 4 is located at the first position 6, the second transport unit 10 interrupts the carrying of the device holder located in the robot contact area.

[0066] exist Figure 4 1 shows a schematic top view of a platform 9 and a second transport unit 10 of another device support terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a first device support 4 disposed on the platform 9 has been transported by a first transport unit (not shown) along a second direction 16 indicated by an arrow from a second position (i.e., a user contact area) to another position other than the first position. The first device support 4 and the device support holder 11 are neither manually accessible by a user nor manually accessible by the second transport unit 10.

[0067] The device tray supported by the second device tray 19 and the device tray supported by the third device tray 20 are located in the robot contact area 17 and can therefore be contacted by the second transport unit 10. Typically, at least two device trays can be located in the robot contact area 17. The first device tray 4 must be transported to the robot contact area 17 by the first transport unit in order to contact one of the device tray holders 11 or the first device tray 4 by the second transport unit 10. Moreover, the device tray arranged between the third device tray 20 and the first device tray 4 cannot be manually contacted by a user nor by the second transport unit 10.

[0068] exist Figure 51 shows a schematic top view of a first device tray 4 and a plurality of device tray holders 11 arranged on a platform 9 and a second transport unit 10 of a device tray terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the first device tray 4 arranged on the platform 9 has been transported by a first transport unit (not shown) from the second position to the first position 5, wherein the first device tray 4 is located in the robot contact area.

[0069] The first device tray 4 and the plurality of device tray holders 11 are not manually accessible by a user. The first device tray 4 and the plurality of device tray holders 11 are accessible by the second transport unit 10. In other words, the first device tray 4 has been transported to the first position 5, i.e., to the robot contact area. The second transport unit 10 is capable of operating when at least one device tray 4 is located at the second position 6. For example, a device tray supported by one of the device tray holders 11 or the first device tray 4 can be removed from the first device tray 4 by the second transport unit 10 and then transported to a disposal port (not shown).

[0070] exist Figure 6 , a schematic perspective view of a platform 9 and a second transport unit 10 of a tray terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The second tray 19 is almost completely filled with trays. Further, a single tray 18 is inserted into the first tray 4, and the single tray is inserted into one of the tray holders 11. The user can access the tray 18 supported by the first tray 4 and the tray holder 11 in order to check the corresponding tray 18, for example, when the platform has been moved by the first transport unit (not shown), so that the first tray is set in the first position.

[0071] exist Figure 7 A schematic perspective view of the first transport unit 3 and the second transport unit 10 of the device support terminal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The first transport unit 3 includes two linear guides 8 and at least one belt 23. The belt 23 is configured to be driven along a closed trajectory. Therefore, the first transport unit 3 includes a plurality of wheels. One wheel is located at one end of the closed trajectory and the other wheel is located at the other end of the closed trajectory. Further, the first transport unit 3 includes at least one additional drive wheel, which is configured to move the belt 23 along the closed trajectory. The movement of the belt 23 can be reversed by the drive wheel so as to move the belt 23 in another direction of the closed trajectory. The drive wheel is connected to a servo motor.

[0072] In addition, the platform 9 is connected to the belt 23. Thus, the movable platform 9 and at least one first device holder 4 arranged on the movable platform 9 can be moved along the linear guide 8 from a first position, in which the first device holder 4 can be contacted by the second transport unit 10, to a second position, in which the first device holder 4 can be contacted by the user. Of course, it is also possible to move the platform 9 and at least the first device holder 4 from the second position to the first position along the linear guide 8. Thus, at least one specific device holder 18 can be transported from the robot contact area to the user contact area and in the opposite direction.

[0073] exist Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 7 Schematic front view of the first transport unit 3 and the second transport unit 10 of the device support terminal.

[0074] exist Fig. 9 It is shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic top view of a first transport unit and a second transport unit of a device support terminal.

[0075] exist Fig.10 A schematic perspective view of a third transport unit 24 of a device holder terminal 1 according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown in FIG. The third transport unit 24 includes an elevator and a conveyor belt. The third transport unit 24 is configured to transport at least one device holder to or from a slot of the platform 9. For example, the third transport unit 24 can move through an opening in the platform 9 and lift the holder upward, i.e., perpendicular to the platform 9, while the conveyor of the third transport unit 24 moves the holder laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the moving direction of the elevator. Thus, the device holder can be removed from the platform. The device holder can be removed, for example, by Figure 2 The opening 21 in the housing 2 of the device tray terminal 1 shown is conveyed to, for example, a device tray storage (not shown). At least one device tray slot may include an opening in the platform 9. Of course, the device tray can also be received, for example, from a device tray storage. In this case, the device tray arriving through the opening 21 in the housing 2 is positioned above the platform 9 using the conveyor of the third transport unit 24, and then the device tray is set on the platform 9 by moving the elevator of the third transport unit 24 downward. In other words, the third transport unit 24 is configured to supply a series of device trays to the device tray terminal 1 and / or remove a series of device trays from the device tray terminal 1.

[0076] exist Fig.11A method for providing a container tray according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown in the figure. The method includes, for example, selecting a specific container tray 18 from a second container tray 19 by means of a computing device 14, removing the container tray 18 from the second container tray 19, and inserting the container tray into a first container tray 4 by means of a second transport unit 10. The method further includes: transporting a first container tray 4 disposed on a movable platform 9 from a first position 5 to a second position 6 within the housing 2 of the container tray terminal 1 by means of a first transport unit 3, wherein at the first position 5, the second transport unit 10 can contact the first container tray 4, wherein the first container tray 4 is located at a second position 6 within the housing 2 and can be manually contacted by a user through a first opening 7 in the housing 2. Thus, the selected container tray 18 can be transported to a user contact area of ​​the container tray terminal 1.

[0077] Instead of inserting the device tray into the first device tray 4, the device tray can also be inserted into the device tray holder 11 by the second transport unit 10. The method further comprises: transporting the device tray holder 11 disposed on the movable platform 9 from the first position 5 to the second position 6 in the housing 2 of the device tray terminal 1 by the first transport unit 3, wherein at the first position 5, the second transport unit 10 can contact the device tray holder 11, wherein the device tray holder 11 is located in the second position 6 in the housing 2 and can be manually contacted by a user through the first opening 7 in the housing 2.

[0078] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention disclosed are not limited to the specific structures, process steps or materials disclosed herein, but extend to equivalents thereof that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

[0079] References throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. When a value is referred to using terms such as, for example, about, or substantially, the exact value is also disclosed.

[0080] As used herein, for convenience, multiple articles, structural elements, constituent elements and / or materials may be presented in a common list. However, these lists should be understood as each member of the list being identified as a separate and unique member. Therefore, the individual components in this list should not be interpreted as being in fact equivalent to other components of the same list simply based on their presence in a common group, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the present invention and replacements of various components thereof may be referenced herein. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples and replacements should not be interpreted as actual equivalents of each other, but should be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0081] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details, such as examples of length, width, shape, etc., are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0082] Although the above examples illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the form, use and implementation details without exercising creative ability and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited except as set forth in the claims below.

[0083] The verbs "comprise" and "include" are used in this document as open limitations, neither excluding nor requiring the presence of unrecited features. The features recited in the dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of "a" or "an" throughout this document, i.e. the singular, does not exclude a plurality.

[0084] Industrial Applicability

[0085] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in automated laboratory systems.

[0086] Reference numerals list

[0087] 1 Device terminal

[0088] 2 Housing

[0089] 3 First transport unit

[0090] 4 First device bracket

[0091] 5 First position

[0092] 6 Second position

[0093] 7 First Opening

[0094] 8 Linear guides

[0095] 9 Platform

[0096] 10 Second transport unit

[0097] 11. Organ retainer

[0098] 12 Hatch

[0099] 13 Disposal Port

[0100] 14 Computing Devices

[0101] 15 First Direction

[0102] 16 Second Direction

[0103] 17 Robot contact area

[0104] 18. Support

[0105] 19 Second device bracket

[0106] 20 Third device bracket

[0107] 21 Second Opening

[0108] 22 Delivery port

[0109] 23 belt

[0110] 24 Third Transport Unit

[0111] Reference List

[0112] Patent Literature

[0113] US8691149B2

Claims

1. A device-supporting terminal, comprising: - a housing comprising a first opening and a second opening, - a movable platform comprising a third opening and a slot for a placer bracket, - a first transport unit configured to move the movable platform along a linear guide, wherein the first transport unit is configured to transport at least one first device bracket disposed on the movable platform from a first position to a second position within the housing, wherein the first position includes a second transport unit contact area, and wherein the second position includes a user contact area, - a second transport unit, wherein only the second transport unit is able to contact the first container bracket when the first container bracket is in the first position, - and wherein when the first device bracket is in the second position within the housing, the first device bracket is only manually accessible by a user through the first opening, - Wherein the device tray terminal includes a third transport unit, and the third transport unit is configured to transport at least one device tray to or out of the narrow slot of the movable platform through the second opening, wherein the third transport unit includes an elevator and a conveyor, and the third transport unit can move through the third opening in the movable platform, and the elevator of the third transport unit can move the device tray up and down perpendicularly to the movable platform, and the conveyor of the third transport unit can move the device tray laterally perpendicular to the moving direction of the elevator. 2 . The device tray terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the first transport unit is configured to linearly guide the first device tray from the first position to the second position. 3 . The device tray terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the first transport unit is configured to linearly guide the first device tray from the second position to the first position.

4. The device tray terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit is capable of transporting the device tray in at least two dimensions.

5. The device holder terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit is a mechanical gripper.

6. The device tray terminal according to claim 1, wherein the third transport unit is configured to supply a series of device trays to the device tray terminal.

7. The device tray terminal of claim 1, wherein the third transport unit is configured to remove a series of device trays from the device tray terminal.

8. The tray terminal of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a hatch configured to cover the first opening.

9. The device tray terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit is operable when the first device tray is positioned at the second position.

10. The device tray terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit is configured to interrupt operation when the first device tray is positioned at the second position.

11. The device support terminal according to claim 1, wherein: At least one tray holder is disposed on the movable platform or is an integral part of the movable platform.

12. The tray terminal according to claim 11, wherein the first transport unit is further configured to transport the at least one tray holder together with the first tray from the first position to the second position within the housing.

13. The device support terminal according to claim 12, wherein: The at least one tray holder is located in the second position, which is manually accessible by the user through the first opening in the housing.

14. The device tray terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first transport unit and the second transport unit are capable of transporting the device tray to at least one of a disposal port, another system of a device complex, a device tray storage, a device tray, the first device tray, a device tray holder, a user contact area, or a robot contact area.

15. A method for providing a device support, comprising: - Select a specific holder, - removing the container tray from the second container tray by means of a second transport unit and inserting the container tray into the first container tray, - transporting a movable platform including a third opening and a slot for placing a device bracket from a first position to a second position along a linear guide within a housing of a device bracket terminal by a first transport unit, wherein the first device bracket is arranged on the movable platform, wherein when the first device bracket is in the first position, only the second transport unit can contact the first device bracket, wherein when the first device bracket is in the second position within the housing, the first device bracket can only be manually contacted by a user through the first opening in the housing, wherein the first position includes a second transport unit contact area, and wherein the second position includes a user contact area, and - The device bracket is transported to or out of the narrow slot of the movable platform through the second opening in the shell by a third transport unit, wherein the third transport unit is configured to supply the device bracket to the device bracket terminal through the third transport unit or remove the device bracket from the device bracket terminal through the third transport unit, wherein the third transport unit includes an elevator and a conveyor, the third transport unit can move through the third opening in the movable platform, and the elevator of the third transport unit can move the device bracket up and down perpendicularly to the movable platform, and the conveyor of the third transport unit can move the device bracket laterally perpendicular to the moving direction of the elevator.

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