Scientific Instrument Digital Twin for Uniform Remote Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in computational resource configurations of scientific instruments poses challenges in enabling remote access and uniform connection processes across different instruments.

Innovation Solution

A digital representation of scientific instruments is generated, incorporating a discovery subcomponent that broadcasts a communication beacon for automatic discovery and connection across a network, along with configuration, tuning, operations, and monitoring subcomponents to facilitate remote operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If scientific instruments use varied computational resource configurations, then each instrument can be optimized for its specific function, but remote access and connection uniformity become difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument configuration flexibilityVSAvoidremote connection uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital twin (virtual representation) of each scientific instrument that captures its computational resource configuration. This digital copy enables standardized remote access interfaces while preserving the unique characteristics of each physical instrument, resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and connection uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between diverse physical instruments and remote access points. This intermediary translates varied instrument configurations into unified communication protocols, enabling consistent remote access while maintaining instrument-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual connection processes are used for scientific instruments, then connection security can be controlled, but connection time and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and configuration setup before actual instrument connection is needed. Security credentials and connection parameters are pre-validated and stored in the digital twin, allowing rapid connection initiation without compromising security through pre-established trust mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The virtualization system enables instruments to present their own digital identities and configurations automatically. The connection process becomes self-service oriented where the system autonomously handles authentication, resource allocation, and communication setup based on pre-configured digital twins, reducing manual intervention time while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If complex digital representations are created for each instrument, then remote operation capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digital representation is segmented into modular components including digital twin, virtualization layer, and communication interface. Each module handles specific functions independently, making the overall complex system more manageable and easier to implement while enabling comprehensive remote operation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4708818A1Digital device interface for scientific instruments
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 THERMO ELECTRON NORTH AMERICA LLC
  • EP4708818A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4708818A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4708818A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems or techniques are provided for remote connection and operation of scientific instruments are provided. In various embodiments, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a modeling component that generates a digital representation of a scientific instrument, wherein the digital representation of the scientific instrument comprises: a discovery subcomponent that generates a communication beacon for the scientific instrument, wherein the communication beacon enables automatic discovery and connection of a remote device to the scientific instrument across a network.