Specimen Analyzer RFID Write Error Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional specimen analyzers using RFID tags for reagent management face a high risk of write errors due to frequent writing operations, especially when reagents are dispensed with every dispensing process, which can lead to inaccurate reagent remaining amount calculations.
Innovation Solution
A specimen analyzer with a reagent dispenser, a reagent container holder, a measurement unit, a memory for storing reagent information, and a wireless communication unit that updates the memory and writes to the storage medium only after continuous aspiration is completed, reducing the frequency of write operations to the RFID tag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the reagent remaining amount is updated and written to the RFID tag for every reagent dispensing process, then the reagent management accuracy is improved, but the risk of write errors to the RFID tag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic writing to the RFID tag at predetermined intervals (e.g., every N dispensing processes or when remaining amount reaches threshold values) rather than after every single dispensing. This reduces the frequency of write operations while still maintaining adequate tracking of reagent remaining amounts, thereby lowering the risk of write errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediate storage mechanism (local memory or buffer) that temporarily holds reagent remaining amount data. Multiple dispensing operations are accumulated in this intermediate storage, and only after a predetermined number of operations or time interval does the system write to the RFID tag. This intermediary layer reduces the direct coupling between frequent dispensing operations and RFID tag writes.
2Loss of information
If the reagent remaining amount is updated for every dispensing process, then the data accuracy is improved, but the number of write operations to the storage medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system updates the RFID tag with reagent remaining amount information at periodic intervals rather than after every dispensing operation. This reduces the total number of write operations to the storage medium, improving write operation efficiency while still maintaining adequate information accuracy for reagent management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a local copy of reagent remaining amount data in fast memory during frequent dispensing operations. This local copy is updated for every dispensing process to ensure data accuracy, but only selectively copied to the RFID tag storage medium at predetermined intervals. This copying approach preserves information accuracy in the operational memory while reducing writes to the slower, more error-prone storage medium.
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 approach minimizes the risk of write errors on the RFID tag and ensures accurate reagent remaining amount management by reducing the number of write operations, while maintaining continuous measurement functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the storage medium using radio wave
Data Source
AI summary
A sample analyzing method of a sample analyzer for measuring samples, using a reagent container which comprises a writable and readable storage medium, the sample analyzing method including: storing information regarding a remaining amount of a reagent in the reagent container to a memory of the analyzer read from the storage medium; updating the information in the memory in response to an aspiration of the reagent; and writing updated information in the memory to the storage medium when an aspiration of the reagent in a plurality of measurements is completed. The writing of the updated information is postponed until the aspiration of the reagent in the plurality of measurements is completed.