Operation Command Generation for Automated Biochemistry Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automating biochemistry and biotechnology experiments using robots are hindered by the lack of a standardized protocol format, requiring human expertise and being impractical for format changes, which affects reproducibility and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An operation command generation device that automatically generates commands for robots based on protocol charts, using job generation, priority instructions, and execution order determination to execute processes on containers, while issuing warnings for potential interference between consecutive and iterative processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standardized protocol format is introduced for automating experiments, then reproducibility and reliability are improved, but the complexity of the system increases due to the need for protocol chart conversion and execution order determination
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol chart is segmented into discrete process symbols, each representing a specific process to be performed on containers. The execution order determination unit further segments the determination into multiple conditions (condition [1] for container-based repetition, condition [2] for protocol chart arrangement order, and condition [3] for iterative processes), allowing complex protocols to be broken down into manageable, independently determinable units that maintain overall reliability without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The execution order determination unit acts as an intermediary between the protocol chart (standardized format) and the robot's actual execution. It translates the standardized protocol symbols into actionable job sequences by applying the three conditions, thereby mediating between the standardized input format and the robot's operational requirements, which resolves the contradiction by providing a clear translation layer that maintains reliability while managing complexity
2Ease of operation
If manual input of experimental protocols is used, then the system is easier to operate for format changes, but productivity decreases due to the need for human expertise and time-consuming input
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the operation command collection from the standardized protocol chart without requiring manual input or human expertise for format conversion. The job generation unit and execution order determination unit work autonomously to translate protocol symbols into executable robot commands, thereby eliminating the need for human operators to manually input protocols while maintaining the ability to handle format changes through the standardized chart structure, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of human experts inputting and interpreting protocol formats is replaced by an automated computational system. The execution order determination unit uses algorithmic logic (applying conditions [1], [2], and [3]) to automatically determine job execution orders, substituting human cognitive and manual operations with automated processing, which dramatically increases productivity while maintaining operational flexibility through the standardized protocol chart interface
3Ease of operation
If jobs are executed in the arrangement order of process symbols in the protocol chart, then the execution order is easier to determine, but adaptability decreases when container-based repetition or iterative processes are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The execution order determination is made dynamic by implementing a hierarchical conditional system. Condition [2] (arrangement order) serves as the base dynamic, allowing easy determination when protocols are simple. When protocols require container-based repetition (condition [1]) or iterative processes (condition [3]), the system dynamically adjusts by applying the appropriate condition with higher priority. This dynamic conditional framework allows the system to adapt to different protocol complexities while maintaining ease of determination through a structured decision-making process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the determination parameters based on protocol requirements. For standard protocols, it uses arrangement order (condition [2]) as the primary parameter. When protocols involve multiple containers, it switches to container count (condition [1]) as the primary parameter. For iterative processes, it uses iteration count (condition [3]). This parameter changing capability allows the system to maintain ease of operation by selecting the most appropriate determination parameter for each specific protocol type, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of determination and adaptability
4Manufacturing precision
If the system generates jobs for each process symbol in the protocol chart, then manufacturing precision of the operation command is improved, but the quantity of information to be processed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple process symbols that represent the same process type into a single job definition. When the same process symbol appears multiple times in the protocol chart (across different containers or iterations), the job generation unit creates one master job definition and then replicates it according to the determined execution order. This merging approach maintains manufacturing precision by ensuring each process is correctly defined, while reducing information volume by avoiding redundant job definitions, thus resolving the contradiction
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an operation command generation device, which is configured to generate an operation command, which is a collection of jobs to be performed by a process system (200) including a robot (3), based on a protocol chart including a plurality of process symbols. The operation command generation device includes: a priority instruction unit (15) configured to instruct a priority of a condition for determining a job execution order; and an execution order determination unit (14) configured to determine, when there are a plurality of containers, an execution order of the jobs generated by the job generation unit based on the priority instructed by the priority instruction unit (15) by using a condition [1]: that each job corresponding to each of the plurality of process symbols is to be repeatedly executed the same number of times as a count of the containers; and a condition [2] : that each job corresponding to each of the plurality of process symbols is to be executed in an order corresponding to an arrangement order of each of the plurality of process symbols in the protocol chart. With the operation command generation device, an operation command for causing a process system including a robot to perform an experiment based on a protocol is automatically generated.