Specimen Transport Device Bar Code Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In specimen transferring systems, variability in rotational stopping positions and label orientations makes it difficult to accurately read bar codes on specimen containers, especially when multiple containers are involved, leading to misalignment and recognition issues.
Innovation Solution
A specimen transferring device with a holder, transport means, bar code reading means, rotating means, and control means that aligns bar code orientations by determining success or failure of reading, performing intermittent and continuous rotations to identify printed and non-printed regions, and adjusting the orientation relative to the transfer destination rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bar code reader reads the bar code while the specimen container is rotated, then the bar code can be read, but the rotational stopping position varies depending on the reading start position, causing variability in label surface orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the printed region's orientation on the label surface before the actual bar code reading. By identifying the orientation of the printed region in advance, the system can adjust the rotational stopping position to ensure both accurate bar code reading and consistent label surface alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between reading accuracy and orientation alignment.
2Measurement precision
If the specimen container is rotated to align the bar code with the reader, then reading accuracy improves, but it becomes difficult to align orientations of label surfaces of multiple specimen containers consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the orientation of the printed region on the label surface and uses this feedback information to control the rotational stopping position. By establishing a relationship between the detected printed region orientation and the required stopping position, the system ensures that multiple specimen containers are rotated to consistent orientations, enabling both accurate bar code reading and uniform label surface alignment across all containers.
3Quantity of substance
If a rack type holding multiple specimen containers is used, then transport capacity increases, but the bar code reading becomes unreliable when the bar code region does not face the reader direction
Solution Approach 1:
Before transferring specimen containers to the rack, the system performs preliminary detection and alignment of the printed region orientation. This preliminary action ensures that when containers are placed in the rack, their label surfaces are properly oriented, making subsequent bar code reading reliable even though the rack holds multiple containers in fixed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces rotational movement to the otherwise static rack positioning. By rotating individual specimen containers within the rack to align their label surfaces with the reader, the system maintains reliable bar code reading capability while preserving the high-capacity storage advantage of the rack structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
In the prior art, variability arises in a rotational stopping position depending on the location in which reading of a bar code begins, and it is possible to conceive of situations in which there is inadequate orientational alignment of the bar code relative to the slit after rack transfer, as a result of which it is not possible for the bar code to be read by an analysis system. Accordingly, a first rotation is performed, in which a specimen container having a non-printed region and a printed region on a side surface thereof is rotated intermittently, each time through a certain angle. Additionally, information printed on the printed region on the side surface of the specimen container is read while the first rotation is being performed, and the location of the non-printed region of the specimen container is identified on the basis of the success or failure of said reading. Next, a second rotation is performed, in which the specimen container is rotated continuously. Additionally, the information printed on the printed region on the side surface of the specimen container is read while the second rotation is being performed, and the location of the printed region of the specimen container is identified on the basis of the success or failure of said reading. By this means, the location of an end portion of the printed region is identified, and control is implemented to align the orientation of the specimen bar code relative to the transfer destination rack.