Optical Cassette Position Detection and Error Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling and storage of tissue and cell sample cassettes lead to errors and inefficiencies, particularly with increasing quantities, resulting in potential loss and inadequate storage capacity in medical and research settings.
Innovation Solution
A computerized and automated system for storing and referencing biological sampling cassettes using optical detection and reading technology, allowing for systematic detection of cassettes, reading of identification codes, and automatic referencing of their positions within a drawer system, with the ability to reiterate detection and reading at specific locations to optimize scanning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and storage of cassettes is used, then storage operations are simple to perform, but errors increase and efficiency decreases with increasing quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated optical-mechanical system. A light scanner automatically scans barcodes on cassettes, and a robotic mechanism positions and stores them in drawers without human intervention. This substitution eliminates manual errors while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated scanner and robotic arm independently perform cassette identification, positioning, and storage without requiring trained operators. The system autonomously manages the entire storage process, improving both efficiency and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If automated optical detection and reading system is implemented, then traceability and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light scanner serves multiple functions: it reads barcodes for identification, detects cassette presence through optical sensing, and provides positioning information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The barcode on each cassette acts as an intermediary that simplifies the detection process. Instead of using complex direct identification methods, the system reads the simple barcode code, which then provides all necessary identification and positioning information through a centralized control system.
3Reliability
If systematic scanning of all compartments is performed, then complete detection is ensured, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of all compartments to establish a complete inventory map before any retrieval or storage operations. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent operations can be performed efficiently without repeating full scans, reducing overall time consumption while maintaining detection completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm and scanner operate continuously without idle movements. After scanning one cassette, the system immediately positions the next target, eliminating wasted time. The continuous operation maintains complete detection coverage while minimizing total scanning time through optimized motion paths and seamless transitions between tasks.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system ensures accurate and efficient traceability and management of large quantities of cassettes, reducing errors and optimizing storage operations by enabling automatic identification and positioning of cassettes, thus enhancing storage capacity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an optical target (3) emitting a light beam, in particular a laser beam, allowing the distance between its point of emission and the point of reflection to be measured
Implementation Method 2
a light scanner provided as a unit, mobile relative to said drawer, and ensuring the reading of the codes present on each cassette
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of detecting and referencing the two-dimensional position of a cassette (1) in a drawer (2) comprising compartments (22) distributed according to columns (23) and rows (24), in which at least one inserted cassette (1) is positioned, the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment (22) of said drawer (2); systematic detection of all the compartments (22) is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette (1); systematic detection of all the compartments (22) is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette (1) within each of said compartments (22), the detection being optical and consisting in displacing an optical sight (3) relatively with respect to the top of said drawer (2) according to at least one trajectory passing through all the compartments (22); characterized in that: in the event of detection of a cassette (1) within its compartment (22), a reading of data present on said upper face is performed and said cassette (1) is identified; the two-dimensional position of said cassette (1) identified by way of the co-ordinates of its compartment (22) is referenced, according to its column (23) and its row (24); and in that: in the event of an error in detection or reading during a first pass, the detection and reading means are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection and/or a reading of all the other compartments (22).