Power-Off Delay Control for Known Slide Position Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pathology sample processing devices face issues with unknown states during power failures, requiring manual intervention to reposition samples and slides upon power restoration, and delayed failures when uninterruptible power supplies run out, leading to potential damage to samples and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A power off delay system that controls the pathology sample processing device to place systems and samples into known states before power termination, allowing for automatic resumption of operation and protection of samples and equipment upon power restoration, using a processor to manage the delay and positioning of slides and samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If power is immediately terminated during a power failure, then the power failure is handled quickly, but the pathology sample processing device ends up in an unknown state requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting power failure conditions and automatically repositioning pathology samples and glass slides to known positions before power is completely terminated. This preliminary positioning action ensures the device is in a predictable state when power is restored, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining quick power failure response.
2Reliability
If an uninterruptible power supply is added to continue operation during power failure, then operation continuity is improved, but the device still experiences delayed catastrophic failure when UPS runs out and samples may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by detecting when the UPS is depleted and automatically repositioning all pathology samples and glass slides to known positions before the catastrophic power failure occurs. This ensures that even when the UPS runs out, the samples are in a safe, predictable state rather than being in unknown positions that could lead to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective buffer period between UPS depletion and complete power loss. During this buffer period, the system automatically positions samples to safe states, cushioning against the harmful effects of the upcoming catastrophic power failure and preventing sample damage.
3Reliability
If the system manually repositions samples upon power restoration, then the device returns to a known state, but productivity is reduced due to manual intervention time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting power failures and autonomously repositioning pathology samples and glass slides to known positions without requiring human intervention. This automated self-positioning capability maintains reliable known state restoration while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary repositioning actions during the power failure period rather than waiting for power restoration. By completing the positioning action beforehand, the system ensures the device is already in a known state when power returns, eliminating post-restoration downtime and maximizing productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.