The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 2019
Filed:
May. 13, 2016
Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US);
Tobias Huber, Backnang, DE;
Achim Sinz, Waiblingen, DE;
Namitha Mallikarjunaiah, Kornwestheim, DE;
Oliver Denninger, Karlsruhe, DE;
Mohammadreza Mahmudimanesh, Griesheim, DE;
Timo Fleischmann, Esslingen, DE;
Domenic Jenz, Esslingen, DE;
Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is disclosed. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by a plurality of laboratory stations. The system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane supports the sample container carriers. The transport plane comprises a plurality of transfer locations. The transfer locations are assigned to corresponding laboratory stations. The system also comprises a drive. The drive moves the sample container carriers on the transport plane. The method comprises, during an initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, pre-calculating routes depending on the transfer locations and, after the initialization of the laboratory sample distribution system, controlling the drive such that the sample container carriers move along the pre-calculated routes.