Sample Transport Monitoring With One Camera for Parallel Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample handling systems in medical or chemical laboratories lack efficient and cost-effective methods for continuous and simultaneous monitoring of multiple samples during movement, leading to gaps in tracking and increased costs due to the need for multiple cameras.
Innovation Solution
A sample handling system comprising multiple sample holders, a sample transport device, and a monitoring system with a camera module that captures continuous images of the transport device, processed by a processor to determine information about the samples, containers, and transport device, allowing for real-time monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors are located on the carrier to monitor samples, then monitoring capability is provided, but live monitoring of the sample container is not achieved and only single carriers are tracked
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on the moving carriers to monitor samples, the patent inverts the approach by placing a stationary camera system that monitors all carriers passing through its field of view. This allows simultaneous tracking of multiple carriers and live monitoring of sample containers, resolving the contradiction between monitoring reliability and parallelization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary camera system serves multiple functions: it tracks multiple carriers simultaneously, monitors sample container positions, and provides continuous observation of the entire transport system. This multi-functional approach enables both reliable monitoring and high parallelization without requiring separate systems for each function.
2Reliability
If a very high number of cameras are installed to achieve gapless monitoring of sample holders, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial monitoring by positioning a single camera to monitor a specific section of the transport system where critical operations occur. Rather than installing cameras along the entire track for gapless coverage, the system focuses monitoring resources on key areas, achieving effective continuous monitoring of sample holders without the prohibitive cost of comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the monitoring functions of multiple potential cameras into a single stationary camera system that uses image processing algorithms to track and monitor multiple carriers simultaneously. This merging approach achieves continuous monitoring capability while dramatically reducing the number of physical cameras required, thereby lowering installation costs.
3Measurement precision
If cameras are positioned close to the sample transport device for detailed monitoring, then image quality improves, but the field of view is limited and extensive camera installations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the camera in a elevated or distant location, utilizing the third dimension (height or distance) to expand the field of view. This dimensional change allows a single camera to capture a broad overview of multiple carriers and sample holders simultaneously while maintaining sufficient image quality through appropriate lens selection and image processing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample handling system for handling samples is disclosed. The sample handling system comprises sample holders, each receives a sample container; a sample transport device for moving the sample holders; a control unit for controlling functionality of the sample handling system, and a monitoring system for monitoring the samples during movement. The monitoring system comprises a camera module for continuously capturing images of a part of the sample transport device, wherein the camera module is at a distance from the sample transport device such that the camera module has a free field of view to the sample transport device, and a processor for processing the captured images and determining an item of information about the sample transport device and/or the sample container and/or the sample from the captured images. The control unit retrieves the item of information from the processor. The controlling is based on the retrieved item of information.