Automated Adjustment System for Analysis Devices Using Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic analysis devices face challenges in ensuring consistent adjustment quality and efficiency across experienced and inexperienced personnel, with varying adjustment times due to the manual visual confirmation of adjustment positions.
Innovation Solution
An automated adjustment system that uses a camera and computer to calculate adjustment values based on the comparison of current and predetermined positions, allowing precise adjustments of mechanisms such as suction/discharge nozzles and reagent aliquot pipetters, reducing human error and time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual confirmation method is used for adjustment, then adjustment quality depends on operator experience, but adjustment time varies significantly between experienced and inexperienced personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual confirmation method with an automated image processing system. A camera captures images of the adjustment object, and a computer automatically calculates adjustment values by comparing current position with predetermined position, eliminating dependence on operator experience and visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-adjustment through automated image capture, processing, and calculation. The adjustment object's position is automatically detected and corrected without requiring human operators to visually assess and manually adjust, making the process independent of operator skill level.
2Reliability
If automated image processing system is implemented, then adjustment quality becomes consistent, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of the adjustment object, and a computer as a processing intermediary to calculate adjustment values. These intermediaries mediate between the physical adjustment object and the operator, providing consistent automated measurement and calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the adjustment object's physical position. This optical copy is then processed by the computer to determine adjustment values, replacing direct visual inspection with indirect image-based measurement that provides consistent results.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technique for adjusting various mechanisms of an automatic analysis device, which can suppress the occurrence of a difference in adjustment quality between an experienced person and an inexperienced person, is provided. An adjustment system 100 includes a current position information acquiring unit 3a for acquiring information indicating a current position of an adjustment object, a predetermined position information storage unit 25a preliminary storing information indicating a predetermined position where the adjustment object should be located and an adjustment value calculation unit 3c which, by comparing the information indicating the current position of the adjustment object acquired by the current position information acquiring unit 3a with information indicating the predetermined position of the adjustment object that has been stored in the predetermined position information storage unit 25a, calculates an adjustment value that is required for adjusting the position of the adjustment object from the current position to the predetermined position.