Laboratory Device Access Control for Simultaneous Multi-User Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laboratory devices lack efficient access control mechanisms, limiting simultaneous user access and productivity in laboratory settings, especially during device-controlled treatments.

Innovation Solution

A laboratory device with integrated access control that allows multiple users to access functions simultaneously, using a control device with data processing capabilities to manage access rights and user authentication, enabling separate authorization for each user through a database and communication network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access control is implemented to secure device-controlled treatment, then security and reliability are improved, but user access flexibility and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser access flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system segments user access into multiple independent sessions, where each user receives a unique session identifier and can operate independently. The control unit manages multiple session data structures separately, allowing simultaneous access from multiple users without interference, thus maintaining security while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access control system dynamically creates and manages multiple user sessions during device operation. Instead of a static single-user access model, the system dynamically assigns session identifiers, manages session-specific parameter sets, and allows flexible entry and exit of users during treatment, enhancing both security and access flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If single-user access control is used during treatment, then treatment security is improved, but laboratory productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment securityVSAvoidlaboratory productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the user access model into multiple independent sessions, each with its own session identifier and parameter set. This allows multiple users to simultaneously access the device during treatment with proper isolation, maintaining treatment security while enabling parallel productivity through multiple users working concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access control system provides universal access capability that serves multiple functions: it maintains treatment security through controlled access while simultaneously enabling multi-user productivity. The system universally applies session management rules to all users, allowing the same device to securely serve multiple users and multiple purposes concurrently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple users can access simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but access control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous user accessVSAvoidaccess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates simplified copies of user sessions rather than managing complex individual user profiles. Each user receives a session identifier that references a session data structure containing necessary parameters. This copying approach allows multiple simultaneous users while keeping the access control logic relatively simple, as the system manages references rather than complex user states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The access control system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining session parameters and user rights before actual user access. User sessions are prepared with predetermined parameter sets and access levels, which simplifies the real-time access control logic. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity of runtime access management while enabling multi-user productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2857842B1Access control for a laboratory device, laboratory device with access control, and method for treatment of laboratory specimens controlled by devices
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 EPPENDORF AG
  • EP2857842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857842B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2857842B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an access control system for a laboratory device used for the device-controlled processing of a laboratory sample, and to this laboratory device, as well as a method for controlling access to functions of the laboratory device by means of the access control system, wherein the access control system comprises: a first interface device and a second interface device; and a control device; wherein the control device is configured: a) to establish one or more first data connections with one or more user interface devices via the first interface device; b) to establish a second data connection with the laboratory device via the second interface device; and c) to control authorizations and/or access rights for users accessing functions of the laboratory device via the first and second data connections.