Virtual Robotic Lab Simulation for Multi-Interface Protocol Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lab automation systems face challenges due to non-standardized communication languages, operator unfamiliarity with automation systems, varying robot and equipment interfaces, and increased latency in determining how to communicate with different interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A lab automation system that renders a virtual representation of a lab to simulate and perform protocols, allowing for the identification and modification of robot positions and equipment interactions within the virtual environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a lab system automates protocols using multiple robots and equipment with different interfaces, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to determine how to communicate with each different interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a standardized communication interface that acts as an intermediary layer between the lab system controller and various robots/equipment. This interface translates between the standardized protocol and device-specific protocols, eliminating the need for the controller to directly handle multiple different interfaces. The intermediary layer absorbs the complexity while maintaining simple, uniform communication endpoints for the lab system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication interface that can handle multiple types of devices through a single standardized protocol. The interface is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various robot and equipment types without requiring separate communication pathways for each device type. This universality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of operation
If operators work manually with equipment and reagents, then ease of operation is maintained for those familiar with traditional methods, but loss of time increases due to manual labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical lab environment that mirrors the actual lab layout, equipment positions, and protocol steps. This virtual representation allows operators to simulate and verify protocols before execution, and enables automated systems to plan and optimize robot movements. The virtual model serves as a digital twin that reduces real-world execution time while maintaining operational accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary simulation and planning of protocols in the virtual environment before actual execution. Robot paths, equipment interactions, and protocol steps are pre-validated and optimized in the virtual lab, allowing for more efficient real-world execution. This preliminary action in the virtual domain reduces the time required for actual protocol execution while maintaining ease of operation through familiar interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lab system uses non-standardized communication languages for robots and equipment, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but loss of information increases due to difficulty in correctly parsing communications
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized communication interface acts as a mediator that receives information from various devices using their native protocols, translates it into a standardized format, and forwards it to the lab system controller. This intermediary layer prevents information loss by ensuring consistent data formatting and validation, while still allowing the system to work with diverse, non-standardized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enforces homogeneity in the communication protocol at the system level, requiring all devices to communicate through a unified standardized interface. While devices may have different native protocols, the standardized interface ensures that all communications are normalized to a consistent format, eliminating parsing errors and information loss. This homogeneity is achieved through translation layers that convert device-specific protocols into the standardized format.
Data Source
AI summary
A lab system identifies a set of steps associated with a protocol for a lab meant to be performed by a robot within the lab using equipment and reagents. The lab system renders, within a user interface, a virtual representation of the lab, a virtual robot, and virtual equipment and reagents. Responsive to operating in a first mode, the lab system simulates the identified set of steps identify virtual positions of the virtual robot within the lab as the virtual robot performs the steps and modifies the virtual representation of the lab to mirror the identified positions of the virtual robot in real-time. Responsive to operating in a second mode, the lab system identifies positions of the robot within the lab as the robot performs the identified set of steps and modifies the virtual representation of the lab to mirror the identified positions of the robot in real-time.