Virtual Pod Control for Remote Biological Reagent Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory instrument control systems are isolated, lacking communication and data sharing between pods, requiring users to physically attend each location for operation and necessitating independent connections to Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
Innovation Solution
A server computer system connected to a communications network that enables control of biological reagent instruments through a user interface, allowing users to log in and control virtual pods representing multiple instruments remotely, with authentication and dynamic grouping of instruments and peripherals, facilitating centralized management and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated computer system directly controls a pod of biological reagent instruments at a specific location, then the control is localized and simple to implement, but the system becomes isolated from other pods and requires physical attendance at each location for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server computer system as an intermediary between users and biological reagent instruments. The server receives user requests, authenticates credentials, and translates them into instrument control commands, enabling remote operation without direct physical presence at instrument locations
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates control functions into distinct components: user interface layer (client devices), authentication layer (credential verification), and instrument control layer (virtual pod management). This segmentation allows users to access instruments remotely through client devices while the server mediates all control operations
2Reliability
If each pod is controlled by an independent dedicated computer system, then the control architecture is simple and reliable, but data sharing and communication between pods is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent pod control systems into a unified server-based architecture. The server consolidates control of multiple virtual pods, enabling centralized data management and inter-pod communication while maintaining reliable control of each individual pod through standardized interfaces
3Reliability
If Laboratory Information Systems are independently connected to each pod's control system, then each connection is straightforward and reliable, but the system complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal server interface that multiple Laboratory Information Systems can connect to simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate connections to each pod, LIS systems connect to the centralized server which routes communications to appropriate virtual pods, reducing the number of connections from N pods × M LIS to a single server connection
Data Source
AI summary
A server computer system connected to a first communications network. The server computer includes an instrument communications component configured to communicate with and control a plurality of biological reagent instruments using the first communications network and a user interface component configured to cause user interface (UI) instances to be displayed by a client computer device connected by a second communications network to said server computer system. The UI instances control respective virtual pods representing one or more of said biological reagent instruments.