Dynamic Color Overlay for Diagnostic Analyzer Layout Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale diagnostic laboratories face challenges in efficiently managing workload disruptions and maintaining operational efficiency due to unforeseen circumstances, such as STAT tests and equipment maintenance, which affect overall throughput and performance across multiple laboratory analyzers and ancillary test processing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic laboratory system that provides real-time visualization of performance parameters using a dynamically-changeable color overlay on a display, allowing rapid understanding of how changes affect the overall performance of laboratory analyzers and ancillary test processing equipment, facilitating improved workload balancing and response to disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time monitoring of multiple laboratory analyzers is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the laboratory analyzer layout on a display device, overlaying performance data onto this graphical representation. This allows operators to monitor multiple analyzers simultaneously through a simplified visual interface rather than complex individual monitor screens, reducing the perceived system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a visual overlay layer as an intermediary between the complex analyzer system and the human operator. This overlay translates complex performance data into intuitive visual representations (colors, graphs, icons) that can be quickly interpreted, improving operational efficiency without requiring the operator to directly interact with complex system interfaces.
2Loss of information
If dynamic color overlay is used to indicate performance, then performance visualization is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different colors to the overlay representation of analyzers based on their performance status (e.g., green for normal, yellow for warning, red for critical). This color-coding system allows operators to instantly grasp the performance state of multiple analyzers at a glance, significantly improving performance visualization while using simple, intuitive visual cues rather than complex data presentations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes visual parameters (color, intensity, size) of the overlay elements based on real-time performance data. When analyzer performance deviates from normal ranges, the corresponding visual elements change to alert operators, providing immediate performance information without requiring complex data analysis or multiple display screens.
3Productivity
If continuous performance monitoring is implemented, then throughput is improved, but time consumption for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors analyzer performance and maintains the visual overlay updated in real-time, allowing operators to continuously track system status without periodic interruptions. This continuous visualization enables immediate detection and response to performance issues, maintaining high throughput while automating the data collection and presentation process to minimize manual time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system automatically collects, processes, and displays performance data without requiring manual intervention. The overlay dynamically updates itself based on incoming data from analyzers, and the system automatically identifies and highlights performance issues, freeing operators from manual data collection and analysis tasks while maintaining continuous monitoring for throughput optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Methods of visualizing performance of a diagnostic laboratory system are provided. The methods include displaying on a display, an image representing a layout of a plurality of laboratory analyzers included within the diagnostic laboratory system, and overlaying the image with a dynamically-changeable color overlay that indicates a performance for the plurality of laboratory analyzers over a period of time via using changeable colors. Systems including color-changeable overlays are provided as are other aspects.