An edge device of a laboratory equipment information management system

Abstract

The application provides an edge device of a laboratory equipment information management system, which comprises an MCU, a network protocol chip, a network routing module, a chip module on a mainboard, and a USB data storage agent. The network protocol chip is used for obtaining a network protocol stack for communication, and is equivalent to giving the whole system the network protocol capability of the network protocol chip, and accessing the Internet. The network routing module is connected with a wired IP network and a wireless IP network. The chip module on the mainboard is connected through mainboard pin wiring. When the USB data storage agent detects that a U disk is inserted into the device through a data interface of the MCU, a separate service program is started. The program command network routing module provides a service of uploading a page, and a PC accesses the page through a browser to upload data through the page. The MCU obtains an IP protocol stack applied to most Internet through the network protocol chip, and then calls the network routing module to achieve the connection with a server on the network. The program on the MCU sorts and reads the data and sequentially writes the data into a U disk of a USB card slot. The network capability of the device is enhanced to adapt to more different network environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of computer technology, and specifically relates to an edge device for a laboratory equipment information management system. Background Art

[0002] Standardization and informatization of laboratory management have become mandatory requirements for all laboratories at universities and research institutions in recent years. Increasing the sharing rate of laboratory instruments is also a requirement of the Chinese government for all laboratories built and maintained with government investment, aiming to improve instrument utilization and maximize the return on government investment. Annually, relevant government departments conduct inspections of instrument usage and sharing rates in major laboratories. Therefore, the accuracy of laboratory instrument usage statistics and statistical data has become paramount.

[0003] In summary, edge devices have emerged on the market for managing laboratory instruments, embedded within laboratory information management systems. These devices primarily physically require instrument users to swipe their cards when logging in and out of instruments, ensuring timely, hardened machine time statistics. This allows for spot checks by laboratories and higher-level authorities at any time. Furthermore, some devices can control the power supply of external displays attached to laboratory instruments, forcing users to swipe their cards before logging in, preventing the display from powering down and rendering the instrument inoperable.

[0004] Such devices are generally developed based on low-power microcontrollers, namely microcontroller units (MCUs). The necessary network and control expansions are performed on the available motherboards designed based on the MCU, allowing the device to connect to the network and even extend some control devices (such as the power controller mentioned above).

[0005] Currently, the edge devices in most laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are simplistically designed and implemented, often consisting of an online card reader to collect instrument usage statistics. This consumes valuable lab bench space and offers limited support for the expansion of the LIMS. Furthermore, each laboratory has its own distinct professional characteristics and was built at different times, resulting in varying network environments. Some labs have only one network port or even no port at all, while others are vast and struggle to achieve full network coverage. In labs with poor network conditions, these edge devices are virtually unable to connect to the LIMS server, rendering effective operation impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of this application provide an edge device for a laboratory equipment information management system, aiming to address the technical problem that in laboratories with poor network environments, such edge devices are almost incapable of connecting to the laboratory information management system's servers, preventing them from performing effective operations. The technical solution of this application designs and implements a set of edge computing devices developed specifically for the laboratory information management system. This set of devices is still based on a single-chip microcomputer, or microcontroller unit (MCU), but has been enhanced in many aspects through technology.

[0007] This embodiment of the present application provides an edge device for a laboratory equipment information management system, including the following components:

[0008] The mainboard is designed as a microcontroller unit, referred to as MCU. The MCU needs to rely on the network protocol chip to obtain the network protocol stack for communication. The network protocol chip gives the entire system the ability to access the Internet.

[0009] The network routing module is responsible for connecting the wired IP network and the wireless IP network. At the same time, the network routing module has its own computing power and settings, and can provide wireless network services and network connections without affecting the work of the MCU;

[0010] The MCU focuses on actual service operations, and the network routing module focuses on Internet connection and services;

[0011] The chip modules on the mainboard are connected via mainboard pin wiring;

[0012] The USB data agent is an independent service program that is started when the data interface of the MCU detects that a USB flash drive is inserted into the device;

[0013] The program instructs the network routing module to provide an upload page service, which is accessed by a terminal device such as a PC through a browser and uploads the data to be uploaded through the page;

[0014] The MCU obtains the IP protocol stack used in most Internet through the network protocol chip, and then calls the network routing module to establish a connection with the server on the network;

[0015] The program on the MCU reads and sorts these data, and then writes them into the USB flash drive in the USB card slot in sequence.

[0016] Optionally, the edge devices rely on codes and settings to enable them to complete work both collaboratively and independently.

[0017] Optionally, the edge device is logically implemented through a program;

[0018] At the same time, the utilization of the wireless routing module is maximized as much as possible, so that the wireless routing module can perform network service work independently.

[0019] Optionally, other contents in the USB flash drive cannot affect the PC, thus maximizing the security protection of the PC.

[0020] Optionally, the edge device program directly manages the MCU, and there is no operating system. Even if there are viruses or other malicious programs on the USB flash drive, it will not affect the device.

[0021] Optionally, the network connection is a direct wired connection network.

[0022] Optionally, the direct wired connection to the network is through a network routing module, and the network is connected to the network through the network cable. After the network is connected, the MCU program will start the business logic.

[0023] Optionally, the wireless network service is connected to the network via a wireless Wifi.

[0024] Optionally, the first device is connected to the network and a Wifi service is turned on at the same time, so that the second device is connected to the network through the wireless network of the first device.

[0025] Optionally, a program is implemented to enable the terminal device such as a PC to upload data to the USB flash drive through its own browser. During the process, the PC does not indirectly or directly contact any data in the USB flash drive, thereby ensuring the security of the PC.

[0026] This application adopts the above technical solution, relying on the functions achieved by the flexible network routing module and program, and has the following main effects:

[0027] 1. Make full use of the MCU's capabilities to solve more problems in the use of laboratory instruments. Provide a simpler and safer data export method than burning a CD on a PC (PC that controls the laboratory instrument) that cannot access external data and the network.

[0028] 2. Enable more and stronger networking methods for laboratory instrument management equipment, adapting to laboratory deployments in various network environments.

[0029] The key point is that the PC uploads data to the USB drive through its browser via the device through a program. During this process, the PC does not directly or indirectly access any data on the USB drive, ensuring PC security. The powerful network routing module allows the device to adapt to different network environments and can also provide a WiFi environment for other similar devices to connect to the server in laboratories without wireless networks.

[0030] For full use of MCU, mainly to design a industrial host board to make full use of MCU function pin, add on-board MP3 voice prompt module, on-board network adapter, display control interface, wireless data transmission interface, wired data transmission interface, TF card slot and USB slot, etc. are realized to open out. Can connect power controller to control the external display of laboratory instruments; can connect the touch function of the configuration screen to realize complex interactive function and laboratory instrument reservation function; can connect non-contact current sensing module to record the use time and idle time of laboratory instruments; can insert TF card or U disk for data transmission, and even firmware upgrade; can provide voice prompt to laboratory personnel whether the experiment is overtime; can connect more sensing modules to detect the laboratory environment state. It is worth noting that after inserting the U disk, the device can provide experimental data to export to the U disk, because the laboratory instruments are basically required not to be connected to the network and insert the U disk for data risk operation, and the experimental data is often exported and saved in the form of CD burning. The device provides data service for writing U disk through point-to-point network connection, because it does not read the U disk content, so as to avoid the data security risk of experimental instrument PC.

[0031] Generally, network edge devices solve networking problems by relying on ordinary network modules, and at most support wireless LAN connection function. Different from general edge devices, the network capability of the enhanced network edge device is enhanced by introducing a more powerful Wifi routing module. The routing module is different from the ordinary network module, which can only ensure that the device is connected to the network to obtain network services. This function mode is simple. The device uses a routing module, which is simply consistent with the networking mode of the router. It can be connected to the network at the same time, and can also become a wireless or wired router to provide network access services for other devices. In a laboratory environment with a large area of wired or even only one network interface, a device can act as a router to provide network access for other devices in the laboratory, and can choose wireless access and wired access, which is very flexible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0033] Figure 1 The connection principle diagram of the present application is shown.

[0034] Figure 2 The USB data agent principle diagram of the present application is shown.

[0035] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic diagram of a direct wired connection network of the present application.

[0036] Figure 4 It shows a schematic diagram of the wireless Wifi connection network of the present application.

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the device A of the present application being connected to the network via a wired connection and having the Wi-Fi service enabled at the same time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] It should be clear that the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] In response to the above problems, this application proposes an edge device for a laboratory equipment information management system, such as Figure 1 The main principle of the present invention is to design a mainboard as a microcontroller unit (MCU) connected to a sufficiently powerful Ethernet controller chip and a routing module that supports wired and wireless.

[0042] The MCU relies on the network protocol chip to access the network protocol stack for communication. This effectively grants the entire system network protocol capabilities, enabling access to the internet. The network routing module is responsible for connecting wired and wireless IP networks. It also has its own computing capabilities and settings, allowing it to provide wireless network services and connectivity without impacting the MCU. This allows the MCU to focus on actual service operations, while the network routing module focuses on internet connectivity and services. Code and configuration allow these modules to work collaboratively yet independently.

[0043] The logic is realized through the program. At the same time, the utilization of the wireless routing module is maximized as much as possible, so that the wireless routing module can perform network service work independently.

[0044] These chip modules on the motherboard are connected by motherboard pins. The MCU obtains the IP protocol stack applicable to most Internet networks through the network protocol chip, and then calls the network routing module to connect to servers and other devices on the network.

[0045] like Figure 2 The USB data agent schematic is shown.

[0046] The USB data proxy is an independent service program that activates when the MCU's data interface detects the insertion of a USB flash drive. This program instructs the network routing module to provide an upload page, which the PC accesses through a browser and uploads the required data. The MCU program reads and organizes this data, then sequentially writes it to the USB flash drive in the USB slot. This prevents other contents on the flash drive from affecting the PC, maximizing security. Furthermore, the device program directly manages the MCU, without the presence of an operating system. Even viruses or other malicious programs on the flash drive will not affect the device.

[0047] The following are examples of network module polymorphism.

[0048] like Figure 3 Direct wired connection network shown.

[0049] The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system of this application can be directly connected to the network through the network routing module through the network cable. After the network is connected, the MCU program will start the business logic.

[0050] Figure 4 The network is connected via wireless Wifi.

[0051] The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system of this application can be directly connected to the network through the network routing module through the network cable. After the network is connected, the MCU program will start the business logic.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, device A is connected to the network via a wired connection and the Wi-Fi service is turned on, allowing device B to connect to the network through the wireless network of device A.

[0053] This connection mode is unique to this device. Because the network routing module has computing and service capabilities, it can connect other devices to the network through Wi-Fi services. This eliminates the need for labs to renovate or expand their network. Furthermore, this connection method primarily relies on the network routing module, allowing the business logic within the MCU to continue operating independently. This successfully provides low-cost edge computing services for laboratory information management systems.

[0054] The technical solution of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Through the technical solution of the present application, high-order perturbations are combined with sampling methods to calculate the control rod value and its uncertainty, which can obtain more accurate and reliable calculation results, which is conducive to in-depth understanding and effective control of chain reactions.

[0055] The word "if," as used herein, may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined" or "if (stated condition or event) is detected" may be interpreted as "when it is determined" or "in response to the determination" or "when detecting (stated condition or event)" or "in response to detecting (stated condition or event)," depending on the context.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An edge device for a laboratory equipment information management system, characterized in that: Includes the following components: The mainboard is designed as a microcontroller unit, referred to as MCU. The MCU needs to rely on the network protocol chip to obtain the network protocol stack for communication. The network protocol chip gives the entire system the ability to access the Internet. The network routing module is responsible for connecting the wired IP network and the wireless IP network. At the same time, the network routing module has its own computing power and settings, and can provide wireless network services and network connections without affecting the work of the MCU; The MCU focuses on actual service operations, and the network routing module focuses on Internet connection and services; The chip modules on the mainboard are connected via mainboard pin wiring; The USB data agent is an independent service program that is started when the data interface of the MCU detects that a USB flash drive is inserted into the device; The program instructs the network routing module to provide an upload page service, which is accessed by a terminal device such as a PC through a browser and uploads the data to be uploaded through the page; The MCU obtains the IP protocol stack used in most Internet through the network protocol chip, and then calls the network routing module to establish a connection with the server on the network; The program on the MCU reads and sorts out the uploaded data, and then writes it to the USB card slot in sequence; The edge device program directly manages the MCU without an operating system. The program enables the terminal device to upload data to the USB flash drive through its own browser. During this process, the terminal device does not indirectly or directly access any data in the USB flash drive, ensuring the security of the PC. The edge device is connected to the network and the Wi-Fi service is turned on at the same time, so that another edge device can be connected to the network through the wireless network of the edge device.

2. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The edge devices rely on codes and settings to enable them to complete work both collaboratively and independently.

3. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The edge device is logically implemented through a program; At the same time, the utilization of the wireless routing module is maximized as much as possible, so that the wireless routing module can perform network service work independently.

4. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Other contents in the USB flash drive cannot affect the PC, thus maximizing the security of the PC.

5. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The network connection is a direct wired connection network.

6. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The direct wired connection network is connected to the network through a network routing module. After the network is connected, the MCU program will start the business logic.

7. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless network service is to connect to the network via wireless Wifi.

8. The edge device of the laboratory equipment information management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal device is a PC.

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