Connectivity Driver Message Translation for Analytical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) face challenges in efficiently communicating with multiple analytical instruments without the need for specialized hardware interface cards or specific software, and require knowledge of the instruments' logical location and operational parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system using a client component and a management component with a connectivity driver that translates messages from a standardized command set in a first message format to a second message format, allowing communication with remote analytical instruments without the need for hardware interface cards or specific software, and using the logical location of the instruments for direct communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware interface cards are used for each analytical instrument, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal gateway that can communicate with multiple different analytical instruments through a single interface. The gateway translates between the standardized message format from the LIMS and the instrument-specific message formats, eliminating the need for separate hardware interface cards for each instrument type while maintaining reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary component between the LIMS and various analytical instruments. It receives standardized messages from the LIMS, translates them into instrument-specific formats, and forwards them to the appropriate instruments. This mediator approach simplifies the system architecture by centralizing translation functionality rather than requiring direct specialized interfaces at each instrument.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized software is written for each analytical instrument, then communication precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway employs a universal translation mechanism that handles multiple instrument types through a single software platform. Instead of writing specialized software for each instrument, the gateway uses configurable translation rules and message format definitions that can be adapted to different instruments without requiring custom software development for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves instrument-specific communication precision by dynamically changing message format parameters rather than using fixed specialized software. The gateway can configure message structures, delimiters, and protocols based on the target instrument type, allowing precise communication adaptation through parameter adjustment rather than software rewriting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If message format translation is implemented, then adaptability between different systems is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all message format translation operations. By concentrating translation functionality in a single component rather than distributing it across multiple systems, the patent manages software complexity centrally while maintaining high adaptability to different message formats and instrument types.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation functionality is segmented into modular components including message format definitions, translation rules, and protocol handlers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adaptability to various instruments while managing complexity through organized, reusable modules rather than monolithic complex code.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for allowing communication between a remote analytical instrument and a client component is provided. The method includes communicating a first software message in a first message format from a client component to a first connectivity driver, translating the first software message from the first message format to the second message format using the first connectivity driver, and communicating the software messages in the second message format directly to the first remote analytical instrument from the first connectivity driver. The first software message relates to the operation of a first remote analytical instrument. The first software message is selected from a standardized command set. The first remote analytical instrument is configured to receive messages in a second message format different than the first message format which are capable of inducing operation of the first remote analytical instrument.