Method and system for re-identifying a carrier in a laboratory transport system

Abstract

To provide a method for re-identifying a carrier on a laboratory transport system after a system failure.SOLUTION: A carrier 10 is associated with an identifier 14 and is configured to move over a transport plane 16 of a laboratory transport system 12. The laboratory transport system 12 comprises a monitoring system 18 configured to monitor motion positions of the carrier 10 on the transport plane 16 when the laboratory transport system 12 is activated. After a system failure, the identifier 14 is separated from the carrier 10 and the carrier 10 keeps moving on the transport plane 16. After reactivation of the laboratory transport system 12, a predicted position of the identifier 14 is compared with an actual position of the carrier 10 by a control unit 20 of the laboratory transport system 12. The control unit 20 assigns the identifier 14 to the carrier 10 if the predicted position of the identifier 14 matches the actual position of the carrier 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure pertains to the field of automated in vitro diagnostic laboratory tests. In this field, it relates to a method for re-identifying carriers in a laboratory transport system after a system failure, a laboratory transport system, a computer program product, and a computer-readable storage medium.

Background Art

[0002] In a diagnostic laboratory system, payloads such as test sample containers, test reagent containers, and test consumable containers are transferred between multiple stations such as pre-analytical stations, analytical stations, and post-analytical stations according to a pre-defined laboratory workflow. Usually, such containers and vessels are transported in carriers. In a fully automated diagnostic laboratory system, the carriers move on the transport surface of the laboratory transport system to distribute the containers and vessels to connected pre-analytical stations, analytical stations, and post-analytical stations that can perform different sample processing steps such as preparation, analysis, or archiving of test samples.

[0003] With the improvement of throughput, the reduction of required time, and the expansion of the test portfolio of automated diagnostic laboratory systems, the number of payloads transported and the complexity of the transport routes of laboratory transport systems have increased. Furthermore, the time to transport a test sample to an analytical station must not be a limiting factor in the laboratory workflow so that test results or verification results are provided on time and with the quality required for further diagnosis. To transport a specific carrier from a pre-defined starting position to a pre-defined destination on time, highly reliable identification and positioning of the carrier in the laboratory transport system are required.

[0004] European Patent No. 2566787 discloses a laboratory transport system and an identification means such as an RFID reader for identifying and positioning carriers in a laboratory transport system based on triangulation.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 9567167 discloses a laboratory transport system and a monitoring system for detecting the position of each carrier on a transport surface.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 9567167 further discloses that after switching the carrier position, the control unit issues an error message for manual inspection. However, depending on the number of carriers on the transport surface, re-identifying the carriers by manual inspection takes time and is prone to errors.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to re-identify carriers in a laboratory transport system in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner after a system failure, thereby better meeting the needs of automated in vitro diagnostic laboratory tests. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a method for re-identifying carriers in a laboratory transport system, a laboratory transport system, a computer program product, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a method for re-identifying carriers in a laboratory transport system. The carriers are associated with identifiers, and the carriers are configured to move on a transport surface of the laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system includes a monitoring system configured to monitor the movement position of the carriers on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is operated. The laboratory transport system includes a control unit, and the method includes the following steps: a) monitoring, by the monitoring system, the movement position of the carriers on the transport surface; b) A step of generating the carrier's log data and associated identifiers based on the monitored movement position by the control unit; c) A step of predicting the position of the identifier based on the log data generated after a system failure of the laboratory transport system by the control unit, wherein the system failure causes the separation of the identifier from the carrier, and after the system failure, the carrier continues to move on the transport surface; d) A step of detecting the actual position of the carrier by the monitoring system after the restart of the laboratory transport system; e) A step of comparing the predicted position of the identifier with the actual position of the carrier by the control unit; f) A step of assigning the identifier to the carrier by the control unit when the predicted position of the identifier matches the actual position of the carrier.

[0010] The present disclosure also relates to a laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system includes a carrier, a transport surface, a monitoring system, and a control unit. The carrier is associated with an identifier and is configured to move on the transport surface. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the movement position of the carrier on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is operated. The laboratory transport system is configured to execute steps a) to f) of the method for re-identifying the carrier in the laboratory transport system.

[0011] The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for causing the laboratory transport system described herein to execute the steps of the method for re-identifying the carrier in the laboratory transport system described herein.

[0012] The present disclosure further relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program product comprising instructions for causing the laboratory transport system described herein to execute the steps of the method for re-identifying the carrier in the laboratory transport system described herein.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a method for re-identifying carriers in a laboratory transport system. The carriers are associated with identifiers and are configured to move on the transport surface of the laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system comprises a monitoring system configured to monitor the movement position of the carriers on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is operated. The laboratory transport system comprises a control unit, and the method comprises the following steps: a) monitoring, by the monitoring system, the movement position of the carriers on the transport surface; b) generating, by the control unit, log data of the carriers and the associated identifiers based on the monitored movement positions; c) predicting, by the control unit, the position of the identifiers based on the log data generated after a system failure of the laboratory transport system, wherein the system failure causes the separation of the identifiers from the carriers, and the carriers continue to move on the transport surface after the system failure; d) detecting, by the monitoring system, the actual position of the carriers after the restart of the laboratory transport system; e) comparing, by the control unit, the predicted position of the identifiers with the actual position of the carriers; f) including, by the control unit, assigning the identifiers to the carriers when the predicted position of the identifiers coincides with the actual position of the carriers.

[0014] As used herein, the term "carrier" relates to an apparatus configured to receive, hold, transport, and / or release a payload, such as a test sample container, a test reagent container, or a test consumable container. Here, a test sample container is configured to receive, hold, transport, and / or release a test sample or a mixture of a test sample and a test reagent. Here, a test reagent container is configured to receive, hold, transport, and / or release a test reagent. Here, a test consumable container is configured to receive, hold, transport, and / or release test consumables, such as pipetting tips, as non-limiting examples. To transport or move a test sample container, a test reagent container, or a test consumable container on a laboratory transport system, the test sample container, the test reagent container, or the test consumable container is inserted into a holder of the carrier. In further embodiments, the carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device that interacts with a magnetic field such that a magnetic force is applied to the carrier to move the carrier on a transport surface. In further embodiments, the carrier further comprises a bottom plate on which the carrier slides on the transport surface of the laboratory transport system. Thus, the carrier slides on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is actuated, or the carrier slides in the same direction of movement on the transport surface after a system failure due to remaining kinetic energy. A carrier comprising at least one magnetically active device that interacts with a magnetic field and a bottom plate for sliding on a transport surface is well known in the art and can be designed as described in reference numeral 10 and the corresponding description of FIG. 1 of European Patent Application Publication No. 2988134, or as described in reference numeral 1 and the corresponding descriptions of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of European Patent Application Publication No. 3070479.

[0015] A carrier is associated with an identifier. As used herein, the term "identifier" relates to an identifier for uniquely identifying a carrier and / or its payload. Thus, the identifier can depend on the payload of the carrier. In one embodiment, the identifier relates to an identifier of a test sample when the carrier holds a test sample container containing the test sample. In another embodiment, the identifier relates to an identifier of a control sample when the carrier holds a control sample container containing the control sample. In a further embodiment, the identifier relates to an identifier of a test reagent when the carrier holds a test reagent container containing the test reagent. In a further embodiment, the identifier relates to an identifier of a consumable when the carrier holds a consumable container containing the consumable. In an alternative embodiment, the identifier is a carrier identifier when the carrier does not hold a test sample container containing the test sample. When the carrier does not hold any other payload such as a control sample container containing a control sample, a test reagent container containing a test reagent, or a consumable container containing a consumable, the identifier is also a carrier identifier.

[0016] As used herein, the term "associated or associated identifier" means that the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload is assigned or linked to the position of the carrier on the transport surface. For example, the carrier and / or its payload can comprise a barcode tag or an RFID tag with an identifier of the carrier and / or its payload. The carrier and / or its payload can be placed at a specific position on the transport surface, such as the starting position. At the starting position, a carrier identification unit connected to the laboratory transport system can determine the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload. And the determined identifier of the carrier and / or its payload is associated with the carrier by assigning the determined identifier of the carrier and / or its payload to the carrier position on the transport surface. Alternatively, the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload can be associated with the carrier by assigning the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload to the position of the carrier on the transport surface within a database record. Thus, the carrier can be placed at a position on the transport surface, and the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload, and the carrier position can be manually entered into a cross-table of the database. When the carrier moves to an adjacent position on the transport surface, the associated identifier is assigned to the adjacent position where the carrier is placed. Or, in other words, the associated identifier moves with the carrier on the transport surface. Thus, the associated identifier can be located on the transport surface by only monitoring the movement position of the carrier on the transport surface without repeatedly determining the identifier of the carrier and / or its payload by the carrier identification unit. However, as soon as the movement position of the carrier is no longer monitored, the associated identifier is lost or separated from the carrier. Since only the carrier, not the identifier, is detected or sensed over time on the transport surface by the monitoring system, system failures result in the separation of the identifier from the carrier.

[0017] In one embodiment, the identifier is associated with information about the carrier and / or its payload. In certain embodiments, this information includes carrier characteristics and / or payload characteristics. Alternatively, this information is related to information from which the carrier characteristics and / or payload characteristics are derived. Carrier and payload characteristics are related to the physical properties of the carrier and / or its payload, and can determine the movement behavior of the carrier after a system failure as the carrier continues to move on the transport surface. The identifier can be associated with carrier characteristics such as, by way of non-limiting example, the weight of the carrier, the dimensions of the carrier, and / or the geometric shape. And / or, the identifier can be associated with payload characteristics such as, by way of non-limiting example, the weight of the test sample container, the dimensions and / or geometric shape of the test sample container, the volume of the test sample, the weight of the test sample. Information from which carrier characteristics or payload characteristics can be derived includes, by way of non-limiting example, carrier type, carrier on-board time, payload type, payload expiration date, and the like.

[0018] In one embodiment, additional information related to the transport of carriers in a laboratory transport system is associated with the identifier. Such information includes information about the ordered test of the test sample, the transport route of the carrier on the transport surface, and / or the corresponding starting position, destination position, and the like.

[0019] As used herein, the term "laboratory transport system" relates to a system designed to transport or distribute payloads, such as test sample containers, test reagent containers, or test consumable containers, to an analytical pre-station, an analytical station, or an analytical post-station of a connected diagnostic laboratory system. The analytical pre-station can typically be used for the pretreatment of test samples or test sample containers. The analytical station can be designed to use a test sample or a portion of the test sample and test reagents, for example, to generate a measurable signal that can determine whether an analyte is present and, if necessary, at what concentration. The analytical post-station is used for the post-treatment of test samples or test sample containers, such as archiving of test samples or test sample containers. Such analytical pre-stations, analytical stations, analytical post-stations, and devices are well known in the art.

[0020] The laboratory transport system comprises a transport surface on which a carrier can be transported or moved. The carrier can move along a transport route on the transport surface. As used herein, the term "transport route" relates to the path by which a carrier moves from a starting position to a destination position on the transport surface. The carrier can move directly from the starting position to the destination position or via one or more intermediate positions between the starting position and the destination position. In the latter case, the transport route defines the order of the intermediate positions through which the carrier passes along the path from the starting position to the destination position. Usually, the starting position, the destination position, and one or more intermediate positions between the starting position and the destination position are arranged at connected pre-analysis stations, analysis stations, and post-analysis stations such that test sample processing steps according to a predefined laboratory workflow are carried out. For example, the starting position can be arranged at a connected pre-analysis station comprising a cap removal / attachment device for removing the cap from the test sample container and / or the carrier identification unit. The destination position can be arranged at a connected post-analysis station comprising a cap removal / attachment device for attaching a cap to the test sample container and / or the carrier identification unit. One or more intermediate positions between the starting position and the destination position can be arranged at one or more connected analysis stations where the test sample is aspirated from the test sample container for analysis of the test sample. In one embodiment, one or more analysis stations comprise a carrier identification unit. Additionally, one or more intermediate positions can be arranged at a dedicated area (buffer area) on the transport surface for temporary placement or parking of the carrier.

[0021] In one embodiment, the laboratory transport system comprises a plurality of electromagnetic actuators that are arranged stationary below the transport surface and adapted to generate a magnetic field for moving the carrier. The carrier comprises a magnetically active device that can interact with the magnetic field such that a magnetic force is applied to the carrier to move it on the transport surface. Such laboratory transport systems are well known in the art and can be designed as described in reference numeral 100 of FIG. 1 and the corresponding description of European Patent No. 2566787.

[0022] As used herein, the term "control unit" encompasses any physical or virtual processing device comprising a processor configured to re-identify a carrier in a laboratory transport system after a system failure. The control unit receives the monitored movement positions from a monitoring system and generates log data of the carrier and its associated identifiers based on the monitored movement positions. The control unit predicts the position of the identifier based on the generated log data. In one embodiment, to predict the position of the identifier, the control unit determines a vector based on the log data, simulates the movement position of the carrier based on the determined vector, and predicts the position of the identifier based on the simulated movement position of the carrier. The control unit further receives the detected actual positions of the carrier from the monitoring system after a restart of the laboratory transport system and compares them with the predicted positions of the identifiers. If the predicted position of the identifier matches the actual position of the carrier, the control unit assigns the identifier to the carrier.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to receive an identifier determined by a carrier identification unit and assign the determined identifier to the carrier.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the control unit is further configured to control the laboratory transport system such that the carrier moves from a starting position on the transport surface to a target position. In a more specific embodiment, the control unit is stationary and disposed below the transport surface and controls a plurality of electromagnetic actuators adapted to generate a magnetic field to move the carrier from the starting position to the target position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the control unit receives information regarding the carrier and / or payload that needs to be transported from the starting position to the target position from the management unit.

[0026] In one embodiment, the control unit defines a transport route or a part of the transport route of the carrier. In a more specific embodiment, the control unit determines a plurality of transport positions to define a transport route or a part of the transport route of the carrier.

[0027] In one embodiment, the control unit further comprises a user interface for displaying and / or inputting information regarding the carrier and / or the corresponding payload that needs to be transported.

[0028] The laboratory transport system comprises a monitoring system configured to monitor the movement position of the carrier on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is operated. As used herein, the term "monitoring" relates to the process by which the movement of the carrier on the transport surface is tracked by detecting the movement position of the carrier on the transport surface over time when the laboratory transport system is operated. Such a monitoring system is well known in the art and can be designed as described in reference numeral 130 and the corresponding description in FIG. 1 of U.S. Patent No. 9,567,167. The monitoring system does not determine the identifier on the transport surface over time, but since the identifier is associated with the carrier, the spatio-temporal information of the carrier and the identifier on the transport surface are obtained. Based on this spatio-temporal information, the "log data" of the carrier and the identifier are generated before a system failure occurs.

[0029] In one embodiment, the transport surface includes a plurality of transport positions. The monitoring system includes sensors at each transport position to detect the carrier when the carrier is above or at one of the plurality of transport positions. In step b), the log data of the carrier and the associated identifier is generated based on the time when the carrier is detected by the sensors at or on the plurality of transport positions.

[0030] In a more specific embodiment, the sensor is an electromagnetic sensor constituted by the transport surface. As non-limiting examples, an inductive sensor, a HALL sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor, and an optical sensor can be used. Alternatively, the sensor is a thermal sensor or a pressure sensor.

[0031] In one embodiment, the transport surface includes a plurality of transport positions, the plurality of transport positions define a transport route on the transport surface, and the carrier can move along the transport route. For example, the transport surface can include 36 transport positions arranged in a rectangular grid. In one embodiment, the 36 transport positions can define a first set of 6 adjacent parallel transport paths each including 6 transport positions. In one embodiment, the 36 transport positions can define a first set of 6 adjacent parallel transport routes each including 6 transport positions and a second set of 6 adjacent parallel transport routes each including 6 transport positions. Here, the first set of 6 parallel movement routes is perpendicular to the second set of 6 parallel movement routes. In a further embodiment, the sequence of adjacent transport positions of the 36 transport positions can define a transport route along which the carrier can move along a non-linear transport route including, for example, one or more direction changes.

[0032] As used herein, the term "system failure" relates to a situation or state of a laboratory transport system where reliable transport of carriers in the laboratory transport system is no longer guaranteed due to the occurrence of hardware or software errors in the laboratory transport system. Thus, a system failure occurs due to a hardware failure, software problem, or both in the laboratory transport system, including the monitoring system, and stops the functioning of the laboratory transport system. A system failure also causes the separation of identifiers from the carrier because only the carrier is monitored over time by the monitoring system on the transport surface. Furthermore, after a system failure, the carrier continues to move in the same direction of movement on the transport surface. Thus, the position of the carrier deviates from the position of the identifier, and for reliable transport of the carrier on the transport surface after a system failure, the carrier needs to be re-identified after restarting.

[0033] As used herein, the term "re-identify or re-identification" relates to the process by which a separated identifier is assigned to or re-associated with a carrier after a system failure by predicting the position of the separated identifier, detecting the actual position of the carrier, comparing the predicted position of the separated identifier with the actual position of the carrier, and assigning the separated identifier to the carrier if the predicted position of the separated identifier matches the actual position of the carrier.

[0034] In one embodiment of this method, predicting the position of the identifier comprises the following sub-steps: i) determining, by a control unit, a vector based on log data, the vector including the direction of movement of the carrier at the time of system failure, ii) simulating, by the control unit, the movement position of the carrier based on the determined vector, iii) predicting, by the control unit, the position of the identifier based on the simulated movement position of the carrier.

[0035] For example, the log data can include at least two subsequent movement positions of the carrier on the transport surface before the system failure. Two subsequent detection positions of the carrier define a line or movement direction along which the carrier continues to move after the system failure. Therefore, based on the two subsequent movement positions of the carrier, a vector including the movement direction can be determined. Thus, the vector defines only the movement direction. This information can be sufficient, for example, to simulate the subsequent movement positions of the carrier and predict the positions of the separated identifiers when the transport surface includes only a parallel transport route on which only one carrier has moved at the time of the system failure. In one embodiment of this method, simulating the movement positions of the carrier uses pre-defined transport rules on the transport surface of the laboratory transport system. In a more specific embodiment, the transport rules define one or more parallel transport routes on the transport surface on which the carrier is moved. In another embodiment, the transport rules define that the carrier can move only in two dimensions or directions perpendicular to each other on the transport surface. For example, the carrier can move only in two dimensions perpendicular to each other on a transport surface including transport positions arranged in a right-angled grid.

[0036] In one embodiment of this method, the vector further includes the movement speed of the carrier during a system failure. In addition to the movement direction, the movement speed can also be determined based on log data including at least two subsequent movement positions of the carrier on the transport surface before the system failure. If the log data includes at least three subsequent movement positions of the carrier, it can also determine whether the movement speed was constant, increasing (when the carrier was accelerating), or decreasing (when the carrier was decelerating) before the system failure occurred. Thus, the vector includes the movement direction and movement speed of the carrier, which are used to simulate the movement position of the carrier after the system failure and determine the position where the carrier stops on the transport surface. And the position where the carrier stops is the predicted position of the identifier. Depending on the number of carriers moving on the transport surface and their positions on the transport surface, the vector including the movement direction and movement speed is sufficient to simulate the movement position of the carrier. For example, if there are only a few carriers moving on the transport surface, they are not close to each other, and not close to the edge of the transport surface, the carriers will not collide with each other or with the edge of the transport surface. Thus, the carrier continues to move straight forward a certain distance based on the speed of the carrier during the system failure.

[0037] In one embodiment of this method, simulating the movement position of a carrier uses a collision algorithm. For example, when a carrier is close to another carrier and / or close to the edge of the transport surface during a system failure, the carrier may collide with the other carrier or the edge of the transport surface. Based on the log data of the carrier and the log data of other carriers, the proximity or distance to each other can be determined. Furthermore, the log data of the carrier can also be used to determine the proximity or distance to the edge of the transport surface. Therefore, in order to determine the position where the carrier stops after a system failure, one or more collisions of the carrier with one or more other carriers and / or one or more edges of the transport surface can be simulated. In particular, a 2D collision algorithm is used for the simulation. Such 2D collision algorithms are well known in the art. In a specific embodiment, the collision algorithm is only used to simulate the movement position of the carrier when the proximity of the carrier to the edge of another carrier or the transport surface is below a predefined threshold.

[0038] In one embodiment of this method, simulating the movement position of a carrier uses a predefined transport route. Each transport route defines a path or part of a path for the carrier to move from a defined start position on the transport surface of the laboratory transport system to a defined destination position. As described above, the transport route can be defined by a plurality of transport positions on the transport surface. In one embodiment, all transport positions of the entire transport route from the start position to the destination position are predefined. In an alternative embodiment, only the start position, the destination position, and the sequence of transport positions of a part of the transport route are defined at a specific point in time. Depending on the number of carriers at a specific point in time and the corresponding transport routes, a part of the transport route of one or more carriers can be redefined in order to optimize the transport routes of all carriers on the transport surface. This can be advantageous when a very large number of carriers are moving on the transport surface simultaneously.

[0039] The transport position of a transport route or a part of a transport route can be used to simulate the movement position of a carrier. For example, if the log data of the carrier contains gaps in the movement position or unreliable movement positions, the transport position of the transport route or a part of the transport route can be used to fill the gaps or replace the unreliable movement positions in order to determine a vector. This can be advantageous when a single sensor fails or makes an error before a system failure occurs.

[0040] In one embodiment of this method, simulating the movement position of a carrier has the following characteristics: - Carrier characteristics, - Transport surface characteristics, - Test sample container characteristics, - One or more of the test sample characteristics are used.

[0041] Carrier characteristics, transport surface characteristics, and payload characteristics such as test sample container characteristics and test sample characteristics can affect the movement of the carrier after a system failure, so these characteristics can be used to simulate the movement position of the carrier. Carrier characteristics are related to the physical properties of the carrier, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the weight of the carrier, the dimensions of the carrier, and / or the geometric shape. Transport surface characteristics are related to the physical properties of the transport surface, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the texture or contamination of the transport surface. Test sample container characteristics are related to the physical properties of the test sample container, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the weight of the test sample container, the dimensions of the test sample container, and / or the geometric shape. Test sample characteristics are related to the physical properties of the test sample, such as, by way of non-limiting example, the volume of the test sample, the weight of the test sample. In one embodiment, after initially determining a vector based on log data, carrier characteristics, transport surface characteristics, and payload characteristics are used to correct the movement direction and / or movement speed of the vector.

[0042] In one embodiment of this method, simulating the movement position of the carrier uses environmental parameters such as the temperature or humidity of the laboratory space where the laboratory transport system is installed, as a non-limiting example.

[0043] In one embodiment of this method, if the actual position of the carrier is within a pre-defined perimeter of the predicted position of the identifier, or if the predicted position of the identifier is within a pre-defined perimeter of the actual position, the predicted position of the identifier coincides with the actual position of the carrier. Thus, if the actual position of the carrier deviates from the predicted position of the identifier, it may be possible to reliably re-identify the carrier. The pre-defined perimeter can depend on the number of carriers moving on the transport surface and / or their relative positions before a system failure occurs. For example, the closer the positions of the carriers are to each other, the smaller the perimeter needs to be.

[0044] In another embodiment, if the predicted position of the identifier and the actual position of the carrier are within a pre-defined perimeter of the transport position of the carrier's transport route or a part of the transport route, the predicted position of the identifier coincides with the actual position of the carrier. Thus, if the actual position of the carrier deviates from the predicted position of the identifier, the transport position of the carrier's transport route or a part of the transport route is used for reliable re-identification of the carrier. In another embodiment, the transport position of the carrier's transport route or a part of the transport route is used to confirm the coincidence between the predicted position of the identifier and the actual position of the carrier when the actual position of the carrier does not deviate from the predicted position of the identifier. This further improves the reliability of carrier re-identification.

[0045] In one embodiment, the laboratory transport system is connected to a carrier identification unit. This method includes the following steps: g) Transporting the carrier to the carrier identification unit by the laboratory transport system if the predicted position of the identifier does not coincide with the actual position of the carrier; h) Determining the identifier of the carrier by the carrier identification unit; i) including the step of assigning the determined identifier to a carrier by a control unit.

[0046] Depending on the number of carriers and their transport routes, and the proximity of each other on the transport surface in the event of a system failure, it may happen that not all carriers can be re-identified by the above method. For example, if the actual positions of two carriers are within the pre-defined perimeter of the predicted positions of the identifiers and outside the perimeter of the transport positions of their corresponding transport routes, re-identification by the above method may not be possible. However, only the carriers for which the identifier cannot be assigned need to be identified by the carrier identification unit so that the determined identifier can be assigned to the carriers. Thus, the carriers can resume their transport to the destination more quickly after a system failure, which leads to a reduction in the downtime of the laboratory system. The carrier identification unit can be a barcode or RFID tag reader. In one embodiment, carrier identification can be included by a pre-analysis station, an analysis station, or a post-analysis station connected to the laboratory transport system.

[0047] The present disclosure also relates to a laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system includes carriers, a transport surface, a monitoring system, and a control unit. The carriers are associated with identifiers and are configured to move on the transport surface. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the movement positions of the carriers on the transport surface when the laboratory transport system is operated. The laboratory transport system is configured to execute steps a) to f) of the method for re-identifying carriers in the laboratory transport system.

[0048] In one embodiment of the laboratory transport system, the laboratory transport system is connected to a carrier identification unit. The laboratory transport system is configured to execute steps g) to i) of the above method.

[0049] The present disclosure further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for causing the laboratory transport system described herein to perform the steps of a method for re-identifying carriers in the laboratory transport system described herein.

[0050] The present disclosure further relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program product comprising instructions for causing the laboratory transport system described herein to perform the steps of a method for re-identifying carriers in the laboratory transport system described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0052] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a laboratory system (13) comprising a laboratory transport system (12). The laboratory transport system (12) comprises a transport surface (16), a monitoring system (18), and a control unit (20). In the embodiment shown, the transport surface (16) has a quadratic form and comprises 36 transport positions A1 to F6 (38) arranged in a rectangular grid. However, the transport surface (16) can have any geometric shape and can comprise more or fewer transport positions. In the embodiment shown, a carrier identification unit (36) is connected to transport position D1 which is the starting position (30). An analysis station (37) is connected to transport position A4 which is the target position (32). Thus, the laboratory transport system (12), the carrier identification unit (36), and the analysis station (37) form the laboratory system (13). As shown in Figure 1, a carrier (10) associated with an identifier (14) is arranged at the starting position D1 (30). A non-linear transport route (31) of the carrier (10) from the starting position D1 (30) to the target position A4 (32) is shown in Figure 2. As further shown in Figure 1, the monitoring system (18) comprises 36 sensors (40) arranged at each of the 36 transport positions A1 to F6 (38). The sensors (40) are configured to detect the carrier (10) when the carrier (10) is located on or at one of the plurality of transport positions A1 to F6 (38). The control unit (20) is communicatively connected to the monitoring system (16). In the embodiment shown, the control unit (20) is also communicatively connected to the carrier identification unit (36).

[0053] Figures 2A - 2B show an example of the transport route (31) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16) and the corresponding log data (22) when the laboratory transport system (12) is operated. Figure 2A shows the same secondary transport surface (16) and the 36 transport positions A1 to F6 (38) as shown in FIG. 1. The carrier (10) associated with the identifier (14) moves along a predefined transport route (31) on the transport surface (16) as indicated by the solid - line arrows. For example, the carrier (10) can be moved by applying a magnetic force to the carrier (10). In the example shown, the transport route (31) is defined by seven consecutive transport positions D1, D2, D3, D4, C4, B4, and A4, where the first transport position D1 is the starting position (30) and the last transport position A4 is the destination position (32). Thus, the carrier (10) moves along the seven consecutive transport positions D1, D2, D3, D4, C4, B4, and A4 to move from the starting position (30) to the destination position (32), and at transport position D4, the carrier (10) turns left at a right - angle. On the way from the starting position (30) to the destination position (32), a monitoring system (not shown) monitors the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16).

[0054] FIG. 2B shows corresponding log data (22) when a carrier (10) associated with an identifier ABC123(14) moves from a starting position (30) to a destination position (32) along a transport route (31), as described in FIG. 2A. The shown log data (22) of the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123(14) represents the spatio-temporal information of the carrier (10) and the identifier (14) on the transport surface (16) when the identifier (14) is associated with the carrier (10). The log data (22) of the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123(14) includes the movement position (39) at each time point (41) when the carrier (10) is detected at a transport position of the transport route (31). Thus, at the first time point TP 1(41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123(14) is detected at a transport position D1, which is the first movement position (39) of the carrier (10). At the second time point TP 2(41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123(14) is detected at a transport position D2, which is the second movement position (39) of the carrier (10), and so on.

[0055] FIGS. 3A-3B show an example of how a carrier (10) moves on a transport surface (16) before and after a system failure (23) and the corresponding log data (22) of the carrier (10). FIGS. 3C-3E show embodiments of a method for re-identifying the carrier (10) after the system failure (23). FIG. 3A shows the same transport surface (16) as shown in FIG. 2 and 36 transport positions A1 to F6(38). The transport route (31) shown in FIG. 2 is indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3A. As indicated by the solid arrow, when the laboratory transport system is activated, the carrier (10) moves from the starting position D1(30) to the transport position D4. For example, the carrier (10) can be moved by applying a magnetic force to the carrier (10). Then, after the time point TP 4(41) when the carrier (10) is located at the transport position D4, a system failure (23) occurs. Based on the system failure (23), the magnetic force is no longer applied to the carrier (10), and the movement position is no longer monitored by the monitoring system (18).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3A, instead of turning left at a right angle at the transport position D4 and moving along a predefined transport route (31), the carrier continues to move straight on the transport surface (16) and moves to the transport position D6 as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0057] Figure 3B shows the corresponding log data (22) of the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) before and after the system failure (23) that occurred between time point TP 4 (41) and time point TP 5 (41), as indicated by the arrow on the left side of the log data (22). The log data (22) of the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) includes the movement positions (39) of the first four time points TP 1 to TP 4 (41) when the carrier (10) was detected at the transport positions D1, D2, D3, and D4 (38). Therefore, at the first time point TP 1 (41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) was detected at the transport position D1 (38), which is the first movement position (39) of the carrier (10) in the log data (22). At the second time point TP 2 (41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) was detected at the transport position D2 (38), which is the second movement position (39) of the carrier (10). At the third time point TP 3 (41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) was detected at the transport position D3 (38), which is the third movement position (39) of the carrier (10). At the fourth time point TP 4 (41), the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) was detected at the transport position D4 (38), which is the fourth movement position (39) of the carrier (10). Due to the system failure (23), no further movement positions were monitored at later time points. At the time point TP 4 before the system failure (23) occurred, the associated identifier (14) was located at the transport position D4 (38). After time point TP 4, the carrier (10) continued to move straight towards the transport position D6, and since no further movement positions were monitored, the associated identifier (14) was separated from the carrier (10), as indicated by the asterisk in the log data (22).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3C, the vector (28) based on the log data (22) is determined by the control unit (20). For example, to determine the movement direction indicated by the direction of the shown vector (28) and the movement speed indicated by the length of the shown vector (38), the last two monitored movement positions D3 and D4 (39) and the corresponding time points TP 3 and TP 4 (41) were used. As indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3C, the determined vector (28) was used to simulate the movement positions D5 and D6 (39) of the carrier (10) to predict the position of the identifier ABC123 (14). The predicted position (24) of the identifier ABC123 (14) is the transport position D6 as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3E.

[0059] FIG. 3D shows the same transport surface (16) and transport positions A1 to F6 (38) as shown in FIG. 3C. The actual position (26) of the carrier (10) is detected by the monitoring system (18) after the restart (25) of the laboratory transport system (12), as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E. In the example shown, the carrier (10) was detected at the transport position D6 at time point TP 6 (41). Since the predicted position (24) of the identifier ABC123 (14) shown in FIG. 3C is the same as the actual position (26) of the carrier (10) shown in FIG. 3D, the control unit (20) assigns the identifier ABC123 (14) to the carrier (10). Thus, the carrier (10) is again associated with the identifier ABC123 (14), and the log data (22) of the carrier (10) associated with the identifier ABC123 (14) includes the movement position (39) at time point TP 7 as shown in FIG. 3E.

[0060] Figure 4A shows an example of how carrier (10) and additional carrier (11) move on the transport surface (16) before a system failure occurs, and Figure 4B shows an example of how carrier (10) and additional carrier (11) move on the transport surface (16) after the system failure. Figures 4A - B show the same transport surface (16) and transport positions A1 to F6 (38) as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 4A, the transport route (31) of carrier (10) associated with identifier (14) is shown by a dashed arrow. As shown by the solid arrow, when the laboratory transport system is activated, carrier (10) moves from the starting position D1 (30) to transport position D3 (38). Carrier (10) can be moved by applying a magnetic force to carrier (10). An additional carrier (11) associated with an additional identifier (15) is moving on the transport surface (16). The additional transport route (33) of the additional carrier (11) is shown by a dashed arrow. As shown by the solid arrow, when the laboratory transport system is activated, the additional carrier (11) moves from an additional starting position A4 (29) to transport position C4. Also, the additional carrier (11) can be moved by applying a magnetic force to the additional carrier (11). For simplicity, carrier (10) and additional carrier (11) have equal speed, carrier characteristics, sample tube characteristics, and test sample characteristics. Therefore, both carriers exhibit equal movement behavior on the transport surface (16). When carrier (10) is located at transport position D3 (38) and the additional carrier (11) is located at transport position C4 (38), a system failure occurs. Based on the system failure, the magnetic force is no longer applied to carrier (10) and the additional carrier (11). Also, the movement positions of both carriers are not monitored by the monitoring system (18). As shown in Figure 4A, instead of turning left at a right angle at transport position D3 (38) and moving along the predefined transport route (31), carrier (10) continues to move straight on the transport surface (16). Similarly, the additional carrier (11) continues to move straight on the transport surface (16) instead of turning left at a right angle at transport position C4 (38).As a result, carrier (10) and a further carrier (11) collide at transport position D4 (38). Based on this collision, both carriers (10, 11) change their directions of movement such that, as indicated by the dashed arrows, carrier (10) moves to transport position F4 (38) and the further carrier (11) moves to transport position D6 (38).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4B, a vector (28) and a further vector (27) based on the log data of carrier (10) and the further carrier (11) are determined by the control unit (20). As shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 4B, the determined vectors (27, 28) are used to simulate the movement positions of carrier (10) and the further carrier (11) in order to predict the position F4 (24) of identifier (14) and the position D6 (21) of the further identifier (15). A collision algorithm is used to simulate the movement positions of carrier (10) and the further carrier (11). After restarting the laboratory transport system (12), the actual position F4 (26) of carrier (10) and the actual position D6 (35) of the further carrier (11) are detected by the monitoring system (18). Since the predicted position F4 (24) of identifier (14) is the same as the actual position F4 (26) of carrier (10), the control unit (20) assigns identifier (14) to carrier (10). The control unit (20) can also assign identifier (14) to carrier (10) if the actual position of carrier (10) is within a predefined periphery (34) of the predicted position F4 (24) of identifier (14). Furthermore, since the predicted position D6 (35) of the further identifier (15) is the same as the actual position D6 (35) of the further carrier (11), the control unit (20) assigns the further identifier (15) to the further carrier (11). The control unit (20) can also assign the further identifier (15) to the further carrier (11) if the actual position of the further carrier (11) is within a further predefined periphery (19) of the predicted position D6 (21) of the further identifier (15).

[0062] Figures 5A - 5B show a flowchart of an embodiment of a method (42) for re - identifying a carrier (10) in a laboratory transport system (12). As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier (10) is associated with an identifier (14) and is configured to move on a transport surface (16) of the laboratory transport system (12). The laboratory transport system (12) comprises a monitoring system (18) configured to monitor the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16) when the laboratory transport system (12) is activated. The laboratory transport system (12) also comprises a control unit (20). FIG. 5A shows a first embodiment of the method (42). In step a) (44) of the method (42), the monitoring system (18) monitors the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16). Then, in step b) (46) of the method (42), the control unit (20) generates log data (22) of the carrier (10) and the associated identifier (14) based on the monitored movement position (39). After a system failure (23) of the laboratory transport system (12), since the system failure (23) causes the separation of the identifier (14) from the carrier (10), in step c) (48) of the method (42), the control unit (20) predicts the position (24) of the identifier (14) based on the log data (22) generated. After the system failure (23), the carrier (10) continues to move on the transport surface (16). In step d) (50) of the method (42), after the restart of the laboratory transport system (12), the monitoring system (18) detects the actual position (26) of the carrier (10). Steps c) (48) and d) (50) of the method (42) can be executed simultaneously. Subsequently, in step e) (52) of the method (42), the control unit (20) compares the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) with the actual position (26) of the carrier (10). In step f) (54) of the method (42), if the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) matches the actual position (26) of the carrier (10) to re - identify the carrier (10) in the laboratory transport system (12), the control unit (20) assigns the identifier (14) to the carrier (10).

[0063] FIG. 5B shows a second embodiment of method (42) when the predicted position (24) of identifier (14) does not match the actual position (26) of carrier (10) and the laboratory transport system (12) is connected to the carrier identification unit (36). Steps a) through f) (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) of the second embodiment of method (42) are the same steps a) through f) (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) as described above for the first embodiment. However, if the predicted position (24) of identifier (14) does not match the actual position (26) of carrier (10) in step f) (54) of method (42), the laboratory transport system (12) transports carrier (10) to the carrier identification unit (36) in step g) (56) of method (42). The carrier identification unit (36) determines the identifier (14) of carrier (10) in step h) (58) of method (42). Then, in step i) (60) of method (42), the control unit (20) assigns the determined identifier (14) to carrier (10).

[0064] In the foregoing description and figures, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the present teachings. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0065] In particular, modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are surely possible in light of the above description. Accordingly, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in ways other than specifically described in the above examples.

[0066] Also, throughout this specification, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example" or "an illustration" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment. Accordingly, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "an example" or "an illustration" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example.

Explanation of Signs

[0067] 10 Carrier 11 Further Carrier 12 Laboratory Transport System 13 Laboratory System 14 Identifier 15 Further Identifier 16 Transport Surface 18 Monitoring System 19 Further Predetermined Boundary 20 Control Unit 21 Predicted Position of Further Identifier 22 Log Data 23 System Failure 24 Predicted Position of Identifier 25 Restart of Laboratory Transport System 26 Actual Position of Carrier 27 Further Vector 28 Vector 29 Further Starting Position 30 Starting Position 31 Transport Route 32 Destination Position 33 Further Transport Route 34 Surroundings 35 Actual Position of Further Carrier 36 Carrier Identification Unit 37 Analysis Station 38 Transport Position 39 Movement Position 40 Sensor 41 Time Point 42 Method 44 Step a) of Method Step b) of the method Step c) of the method Step d) of the method Step e) of the method Step f) of the method Step g) of the method Step h) of the method Step i) of the method

Claims

1. A method (42) for re-identifying a carrier (10) on a laboratory transport system (12), wherein the carrier (10) is associated with an identifier (14), the carrier (10) is configured to move on a transport surface (16) of the laboratory transport system (12), and the laboratory transport system (12) is configured with a monitoring system (18) that monitors a movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16) when the laboratory transport system (12) is operated, the laboratory transport system (12) comprises a control unit (20), and the method comprises the following steps (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54): a) Monitoring, by the monitoring system (18), the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16); b) Generating, by the control unit (20), log data (22) of the carrier (10) and the associated identifier (14) based on the monitored movement position (39); c) Predicting, by the control unit (20), a position (24) of the identifier (14) based on log data (22) generated before a system failure (23) of the laboratory transport system (12), wherein the system failure (23) causes separation of the identifier (14) from the carrier (10), and after the system failure (23), the carrier (10) continues to move on the transport surface (16); d) Detecting, by the monitoring system (18), an actual position (26) of the carrier (10) after a restart of the laboratory transport system (12); e) Comparing, by the control unit (20), the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) with the actual position (26) of the carrier (10); f) Assigning, by the control unit (20), the identifier (14) to the carrier (10) if the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) matches the actual position (26) of the carrier (10).

2. The method (42) according to claim 1, wherein predicting the position (24) of the identifier (14) comprises the following sub-steps: i) a step of determining a vector (28) by the control unit (20) based on the log data (22), wherein the vector (28) includes a movement direction of the carrier (10) at the time of the system failure (23); ii) a step of simulating a movement position (39) of the carrier (10) by the control unit (20) based on the determined vector (28); iii) a step of predicting the position (24) of the identifier (14) by the control unit (20) based on the simulated movement position (39) of the carrier (10).

3. The method (42) according to claim 2, wherein the vector (28) further includes a movement speed of the carrier (10) at the time of the system failure (23).

4. The method (42) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein simulating the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) uses predefined transport rules on the transport surface (16) of the laboratory transport system (12).

5. The method (42) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein simulating the movement position (39) of the carrier uses a collision algorithm.

6. The method (42) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein simulating the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) uses a predefined transport route, and each transport route defines a route or a part of a route of the carrier (10) moving from a defined start position (30) to a defined target position (32) on the transport surface (16) of the laboratory transport system (12).

7. The method (42) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein simulating the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) uses one or more of the following features: - Carrier features; - Transport surface features; - Sample tube features; - Test sample features.

8. The method (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actual position (26) of the carrier (10) is within a predefined periphery (34) of the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14), or the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) is within a predefined periphery of the actual position (26) of the carrier (10), and the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) coincides with the actual position (26) of the carrier (10).

9. The method (42) according to claim 1, wherein the laboratory transport system (12) is connected to a carrier identification unit (36), and the method further includes the following steps (56, 58, 60): g) when the predicted position (24) of the identifier (14) does not coincide with the actual position (26) of the carrier (10), transporting the carrier (10) to the carrier identification unit (36) by the laboratory transport system (12); h) determining the identifier (14) of the carrier (10) by the carrier identification unit (36); i) assigning the determined identifier (14) to the carrier (10) by the control unit (20).

10. The method (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the laboratory transport system (12) includes a plurality of electromagnetic actuators that are stationary and arranged below the transport surface (16) and are adapted to generate a magnetic field to move the carrier (10), and each carrier (10) includes a magnetically active device capable of interacting with the magnetic field such that a magnetic force is applied to the carrier (10) to move the carrier (10) on the transport surface (16).

11. The conveying surface (16) includes a plurality of conveying positions (38), and the monitoring system (18) includes sensors (40) for detecting the carrier (10) when the carrier (10) is located above or at one of the plurality of conveying positions (38). In step b), the log data (22) and the associated identifier (14) of the carrier (10) are generated based on the time (41) when the carrier (10) is detected by the sensors (40) above or at the plurality of conveying positions (38). The method (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The method (42) according to claim 11, wherein the sensor (40) is an electromagnetic sensor constituted by the conveying surface.

13. A laboratory transport system (12) comprising a carrier (10), a conveying surface (16), a monitoring system (18), and a control unit (20). The carrier (10) is associated with an identifier (14), and the carrier (10) is configured to move on the conveying surface (16). When the laboratory transport system (12) is operated, the monitoring system (18) is configured to monitor the movement position (39) of the carrier (10) on the conveying surface (16). The laboratory transport system (12) is configured to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. The laboratory transport system (12) according to claim 13, wherein the laboratory transport system (12) is connected to a carrier identification unit (36) and is configured to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing the laboratory transport system (12) according to claim 13 to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program product according to claim 15.

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