Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100253437 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A MEMS STRUCTURE AS A TIMING SOURCE - A system and method is disclosed that provides a technique for generating an accurate time base for MEMS sensors and actuators which has a vibrating MEMS structure. The accurate clock is generated from the MEMS oscillations and converted to the usable range by means of a frequency translation circuit. | 10-07-2010 |
20120086446 | INTEGRATED MEMS DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - An integrated MEMS device is disclosed. The system comprises a MEMS resonator; and a MEMS device coupled to a MEMS resonator. The MEMS resonator and MEMS device are fabricated on a common substrate so that certain characteristics of the MEM resonator and MEMS device track each other as operating conditions vary. | 04-12-2012 |
20120176128 | MICROMACHINED RESONANT MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS - A micromachined magnetic field sensor comprising is disclosed. The micromachined magnetic field comprises a substrate; a drive subsystem, the drive subsystem comprises a plurality of beams, and at least one anchor connected to the substrate; a mechanism for providing an electrical current through the drive subsystem along a first axis; and Lorentz force acting on the drive subsystem along a second axis in response to a magnetic field along a third axis. The micromachined magnetic field sensor also includes a sense subsystem, the sense subsystem comprises a plurality of beams, and at least one anchor connected to the substrate; wherein a portion of the sense subsystem moves along a fourth axis; a coupling spring between the drive subsystem and the sense subsystem which causes motion of the sense subsystem in response to the magnetic field; and a position transducer to detect the motion of the sense subsystem. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176129 | MICROMACHINED RESONANT MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS - A micromachined magnetic field sensor is disclosed. The micromachined magnetic field sensor comprises a substrate; and a drive subsystem partially supported by the substrate with a plurality of beams, and at least one anchor; a mechanism for providing an electrical current through the drive subsystem along a first axis; and Lorentz force acting on the drive subsystem along a second axis in response to a magnetic field vector along a third axis. The micromachined magnetic field sensor also includes a position transducer to detect the motion of the drive subsystem and an electrostatic offset cancellation mechanism coupled to the drive subsystem. | 07-12-2012 |
20120200362 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING A MEMS STRUCTURE AS A TIMING SOURCE - A system and method is disclosed that provides a technique for generating an accurate time base for MEMS sensors and actuators which has a vibrating MEMS structure. The accurate clock is generated from the MEMS oscillations and converted to the usable range by means of a frequency translation circuit. | 08-09-2012 |
20120235670 | DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MICROMACHINED MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS - Described herein are systems, devices, and methods that provide a stable magnetometer. The magnetometer includes a drive element that facilitates flow of a drive current through a node and a sense element operable to detect a magnetic field operating on the drive current. To reduce offset in the detection of the magnetic field, a voltage detector, electrically coupled to the drive element through the node, determines a variation between a node voltage and a target voltage. The voltage detector facilitates suppression of the variation and thereby minimizes the offset in the sense element. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242400 | HIGH-VOLTAGE MEMS APPARATUS AND METHOD - A high-voltage MEMS system compatible with low-voltage semiconductor process technology is disclosed. The system comprises a MEMS device coupled to a high-voltage bias generator employing an extended-voltage isolation residing in a semiconductor technology substrate. The system avoids the use of high-voltage transistors so that special high-voltage processing steps are not required of the semiconductor technology, thereby reducing process cost and complexity. MEMS testing capability is addressed with a self-test circuit allowing modulation of the bias voltage and current so that a need for external high-voltage connections and associated electro-static discharge protection circuitry are also avoided. | 09-27-2012 |
20140118073 | CANCELLATION OF DYNAMIC OFFSET IN MOS RESISTORS - A circuit utilizes a MOS device in a triode mode of operation and includes a biasing circuit and a MOS device. The MOS device has a drain, a source, and a gate terminal, and is coupled to the biasing circuit. The source terminal, drain terminal, and gate terminal each has a potential and the drain and the source terminals have a resistance. The biasing circuit couples the drain and source terminals of the MOS device to the gate terminal of the MOS device. The biasing circuit couples a DC potential to the gate terminal to adjust the resistance between the source and drain terminals of the MOS device. The resistance between the source and drain terminals is a non-linear function of voltage potentials at the source and drain terminals. The biasing circuit reduces the non-linearity of the resistance between the drain and source terminals by modulating the potential at the gate terminal by a combination of source and drain terminal potentials. | 05-01-2014 |
20140167789 | MODE-TUNING SENSE INTERFACE - A MEMS capacitive sensing interface includes a sense capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, and having associated therewith a first electrostatic force. Further included in the MEMS capacitive sensing interface is a feedback capacitor having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the feedback capacitor having associated therewith a second electrostatic force. The second and the fourth terminals are coupled to a common mass, and a net electrostatic force includes the first and second electrostatic forces acting on the common mass. Further, a capacitance measurement circuit measures the sense capacitance and couples the first terminal and the third terminal. The capacitance measurement circuit, the sense capacitor, and the feedback capacitor define a feedback loop that substantially eliminates dependence of the net electrostatic force on a position of the common mass. | 06-19-2014 |
20140264652 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR WITH INTEGRATED PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRONIC INTERFACE - An integrated MEMS acoustic sensor has a MEMS transducer and a programmable electronic interface. The programmable electronic interface includes non-volatile memory and is coupled to the MEMS transducer. Using programmable electrical functions, the programmable electronic interface is operable to sense variations in the MEMS transducer caused by application of an acoustic pressure to the MEMS transducer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266256 | LINEAR CAPACITIVE DISPLACEMENT SENSOR - A method and system for measuring displacement of a structure is disclosed. The method and system comprise providing a first capacitance and providing a second capacitance. The first and second capacitances share a common terminal. The method and system further include determining a difference of the inverses of the value of the first and second capacitances when the structure is displaced. The first capacitance varies in inverse relation to the displacement of the structure. | 09-18-2014 |
20150125004 | MULTI-FUNCTION PINS FOR A PROGRAMMABLE ACOUSTIC SENSOR - A programmable acoustic sensor is disclosed. The programmable acoustic sensor includes a MEMS transducer and a programmable circuitry coupled to the MEMS transducer. The programmable circuitry includes a power pin and a ground pin. The programmable acoustic sensor also includes a communication channel enabling data exchange between the programmable circuitry and a host system. One of the power pin and the ground pin can be utilized for data exchange. | 05-07-2015 |
20150195665 | BACK CAVITY LEAKAGE TEST FOR ACOUSTIC SENSOR - An acoustic sensor system has an acoustic sensor with a cavity, a cavity leakage, and a cavity pressure. The acoustic sensor system further has a test controller coupled to the acoustic sensor that causes a change in the cavity pressure. A response of the acoustic sensor to the change in the cavity pressure is used to measure the cavity leakage. | 07-09-2015 |
20150214912 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR RESONANT PEAK REDUCTION - A MEMS acoustic sensor includes a transducer with a frequency response with a gain peak, and a peak reduction circuit with a frequency response and coupled to the transducer. The frequency response of the peak reduction circuit causes attenuation of the gain peak. | 07-30-2015 |
20150217991 | MEMS DEVICE WITH SPLIT PAD PACKAGE - A device and a microphone are disclosed. The device comprises a circuit board and a plurality of pads on the circuit board, wherein at least one of the plurality of pads is split into at least two portions that are electrically isolated from each other. The microphone comprises a circuit board, a seal structure on the circuit board, and a plurality of pads on the circuit board, wherein at least one of the plurality of pads is split into at least two portions that are electrically isolated from each other. | 08-06-2015 |
20150264263 | IMAGE STABILIZATION USING LIGHT SENSORS - A method and system for image stabilization is disclosed. The image stabilization system includes a first pair of light sensors placed along an axis relative to a first axis, each light sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of intensity of light received by the light sensor. The image stabilization system further includes a first directional light filter configured to selectively permit passage of incident light to the first pair of light sensors based on an angle of the incident light with reference to the first axis. An image stabilization circuit is configured to receive a pair of signals from the first pair of light sensors and generates a first signal indicative of a change in the angle of incidence of the incident light with reference to the first axis. | 09-17-2015 |
20150289073 | ELECTRICAL TESTING AND FEEDTHROUGH CANCELLATION FOR AN ACOUSTIC SENSOR - A method and circuit for testing an acoustic sensor are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises using electro-mechanical features of the acoustic sensor to measure characteristic of the acoustic sensor. In a second aspect, the method comprises utilizing an actuation signal to evaluate mechanical characteristics of the acoustic sensor. In a third aspect, the method comprises using a feedthrough cancellation system to measure a capacitance of the acoustic sensor. In the fourth aspect, the circuit comprises a mechanism for driving an electrical signal into a signal path of the acoustic sensor to cancel an electrical feedthrough signal provided to the signal path, wherein any of the electrical signal and the electrical feedthrough signal are within or above an audio range. | 10-08-2015 |
20150321906 | INTEGRATED PACKAGE CONTAINING MEMS ACOUSTIC SENSOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR AND METHODOLOGY FOR FABRICATING SAME - An integrated package of at least one environmental sensor and at least one MEMS acoustic sensor is disclosed. The package contains a shared port that exposes both sensors to the environment, wherein the environmental sensor measures characteristics of the environment and the acoustic sensor measures sound waves. The port exposes the environmental sensor to an air flow and the acoustic sensor to sound waves. An example of the acoustic sensor is a microphone and an example of the environmental sensor is a humidity sensor. | 11-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130248250 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF LANDING A WELL IN A TARGET ZONE - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to land a well in a target zone with minimal or no overshoot of target zone. The well may be directed to a target in the target zone based on the separation distance between a transmitter sensor ( | 09-26-2013 |
20140222344 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire multiple output values provided by at least one elongated, unitary acoustic sensor operating as a secondary propagation medium. The sensor has multiple mechanical-to-electrical conversion probe points along its length, to provide corresponding multiple output values proportional to mechanical movement along the length of the sensor, the mechanical movement being induced by acoustic waves in a primary propagation medium comprising a geological formation and borehole fluid. Further activity may include processing the output values to determine slowness in an acoustic wave propagating between at least two of the probe points. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20150091577 | DOWNHOLE GRADIOMETRIC RANGING FOR T-INTERSECTION AND WELL AVOIDANCE UTILIZING TRANSMITTERS & RECEIVERS HAVING MAGNETIC DIPOLES - A ranging system utilizes gradiometric data to determine the direction to and distance between a first and second well without any knowledge or involvement of the borehole or formation characteristics in order to intersect and/or avoid the second well. In general, this is achieved by deploying a downhole assembly comprising transmitters and receivers having magnetic dipoles, along with bucking receivers positioned between the transmitters and receivers. | 04-02-2015 |
20150177412 | CALIBRATION METHOD FOR MULTI-COMPONENT INDUCTION TOOLS - Calibration tools and procedures that provide one or more calibration methods for multi-component induction tools can include use of a tilted elliptical loop and a circular loop. Measurement signals may be used for analytic calibration of a multicomponent induction tool. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 06-25-2015 |
20150300158 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO FIND A POSITION IN AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods related to finding a position in an underground formation. Apparatus and methods can include receiving signals from a receiver in an underground formation in response to signals generated from transmitting sources, each of the transmitting sources located at a known position; and processing the received signals, based on the signals generated from the transmitting sources, to determine the position of the receiver. A number of techniques can be applied to processing the received signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
20150301215 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO FIND A POSITION IN AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods related to finding a position in an underground formation. Apparatus and methods can include receiving signals from a receiver in an underground formation in response to signals generated from transmitting sources, each of the transmitting sources located at a known position; and processing the received signals, based on the signals generated from the transmitting sources, to determine the position of the receiver. A number of techniques can be applied to processing the received signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140029382 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING OPTIMIZED BOREHOLE ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS - A system and method for measuring a formation property in a wellbore is disclosed. In the method, an acoustic measurement tool is introduced into a wellbore. The acoustic measurement tool may include a transmitter and a plurality of sensors. At least one of the plurality of sensors may be positioned in a non-uniform spacing configuration. The transmitter may transmit energy into the formation. The plurality of sensors may measure energy received from the formation. Additionally, a time semblance of the formation may be determined using at least one time semblance algorithm generalized for non-uniform sensor spacing. | 01-30-2014 |
20140032116 | MULTICOMPONENT BOREHOLE RADAR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed herein are multicomponent borehole radar tools and methods. At least some tool embodiments employ at least two antennas that receive reflections of electromagnetic pulses transmitted from the tool. A processor processes the receive signals to identify reflection signals and to determine a direction and/or distance to the sources of the reflection signals. Possible sources include formation boundaries, fluid boundaries, cased wells, and other features that cause contrasts in electromagnetic properties. In addition to reflection signals, the measured responses may include direct signal measurements that are useful for determining formation resistivity and permittivity. Each of the antennas may transmit and receive, and they may be collocated to reduce tool size and reduce processing complexity. Disclosed logging tool examples employ both electric and magnetic dipole antennas. | 01-30-2014 |
20140244175 | COMPENSATED CROSSWELL TOMOGRAPHY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A method and system to compensate for inaccuracies in crosswell tomography is presented. The method includes obtaining data from at least two receivers in response to transmissions from at least two transmitters. Next, at least one compensated value is derived based on the responses of the receivers to the transmitters. Finally, an inversion is performed based at least in part on the compensated value derived. This method eliminates inaccuracies that can be caused by sensor gain and phase variations in the inversion process. Inversion results with gain and phase compensation produce better imaging results that can better help determine the shape and boundaries of the reservoir. | 08-28-2014 |
20150309201 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DEEP RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS WITH MULTI-COMPONENT ANTENNAS - According to aspects of the present disclosure, systems and methods for optimizing deep resistivity measurements are described herein. The method may include obtaining one or more first multi-component measurements from a downhole tool disposed in a bore-hole. The downhole tool may comprise multi-component antennae. A relative structural dip angle, Φ, of the downhole tool relative to formations may be determined, for example, through the use of an additional downhole tool, or computationally using the one or more first multi-component measurements. A tilt angle of at least one of the multi-component antenna may be adjusted, with the adjusted tilt angle being based on the dip angle. The method may further include obtaining one or more second multi-component measurements associated with the adjusted tilt angle, and determining a formation characteristic based, at least in part, on the one or more second multi-component measurements, without including or considering formation anisotropy effects. | 10-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110163797 | POWER SWITCH WITH REVERSE CURRENT BLOCKING CAPABILITY - A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output. | 07-07-2011 |
20120326773 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER TRANSFER BASED ON RESONANCE COUPLING OF INDUCTORS - An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second resonator circuits and an isolation barrier. The first resonator circuit includes first and second inductors, wherein the first resonator circuit is connected to a supply voltage. The second resonator circuit includes third and fourth inductors, wherein the second resonator circuit is matched to the first resonator circuit. The isolation barrier separates the first and second resonator circuits. The first and second inductors are inductively coupled to the third and fourth inductors, respectively, thereby providing for transfer of power from the first resonator circuit across the isolation barrier to the second resonator circuit. | 12-27-2012 |
20130033791 | FAILSAFE GALVANIC ISOLATION BARRIER - A system includes a transmitter, a receiver, a isolation barrier, and a fuse. The isolation barrier is connected to the transmitter. The fuse is connected between the isolation barrier and the receiver. The isolation barrier prevents current flow from the transmitter to the receiver when a voltage across the isolation barrier is less than a first breakdown voltage. The isolation barrier short circuits when the voltage across the isolation barrier is greater than or equal to the first breakdown voltage. The fuse opens when the isolation barrier short circuits. When open, the fuse has a second breakdown voltage that is greater than the first breakdown voltage. | 02-07-2013 |
20130301175 | POWER SWITCH WITH REVERSE CURRENT BLOCKING CAPABILITY - A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output. | 11-14-2013 |
20150035380 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER TRANSFER BASED ON RESONANCE COUPLING OF INDUCTORS - An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first resonator circuit that includes: a first switching device that connects and disconnects a supply voltage to and from a first node; a first inductor that is connected between the first node and a first ground potential; and a second inductor that is connected between the first node and the first ground potential. The IC also includes a second resonator circuit that includes: a third inductor that is inductively coupled to the first inductor across an isolation barrier and that is connected between a second node and a second ground potential; a fourth inductor that is inductively coupled to the second inductor across the isolation barrier and that is connected between the second node and the second ground potential; and a second switching device that connects and disconnects the second node to and from a load. The second ground potential is different than the first ground potential. | 02-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080212899 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCH PORTIONS OF OBJECTS IN IMAGES AND FEATURES THEREOF - Embodiments enable searching of portions of objects in images, including programmatically analyzing each image in a collection in order to determine image data that, for individual images in the collection, represents one or more visual characteristics of a portion of an object shown in that image. A user is enabled to specify one or more search criteria that includes image data, and a search result may be determined based on one or more images in the collection that show a corresponding object that has a portion that satisfies a threshold. The threshold is defined at least in part by the one or more search criteria. | 09-04-2008 |
20100135582 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCH PORTIONS OF OBJECTS IN IMAGES AND FEATURES THEREOF - Embodiments enable searching of portions of objects in images, including programmatically analyzing each image in a collection in order to determine image data that, for individual images in the collection, represents one or more visual characteristics of a portion of an object shown in that image. A user is enabled to specify one or more search criteria that includes image data, and a search result may be determined based on one or more images in the collection that show a corresponding object that has a portion that satisfies a threshold. The threshold is defined at least in part by the one or more search criteria. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135597 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING IMAGE SEARCHING USING MANUAL ENRICHMENT, CLASSIFICATION, AND/OR SEGMENTATION - Embodiments described herein provide for a system for creating a data collection of recognized images. The system includes an image analysis module that is configured to programmatically analyze individual images in a collection of images in order to determine information about each image in the collection. The system may also include a manual interface that is configured to (i) interface with one or more human editors, and (ii) displays a plurality of panels concurrently. Individual panels may be provided for one or more analyzed images, and individual panels may be configured to display information that is at least indicative of the one or more images of that panel and/or of the information determined from the one or more images. Additionally, the manual interface enables the one or more human editors to view the plurality of panels concurrently and to interact with each of the plurality of panels in order to correct or remove any information that is incorrectly determined from the image of that panel. | 06-03-2010 |
20100166339 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING IMAGE RECOGNITION AND SEARCHING OF IMAGES - Embodiments programmatically analyze each of a plurality of images in order to determine one or more visual characteristics about an item shown in each of the plurality of images. Data is stored corresponding to the one or more visual characteristics. An interface in is provided for which a user is able to specify one or more search criteria. In response to receiving the one or more search criteria, a search operation is performed to identify one or more items that have a visual characteristic that satisfies at least some of the one or more search criteria. | 07-01-2010 |
20120323738 | System and Method for Using Image Analysis and Search in E-Commerce - Embodiments described herein provide a system and method for providing merchandise items at a network site. According to an embodiment, an image of a merchandise item is obtained. The image is programmatically analyzed to determine information about the merchandise item. The information is used to generate a presentation that includes the merchandise item. | 12-20-2012 |
20130121571 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCH PORTIONS OF OBJECTS IN IMAGES AND FEATURES THEREOF - Embodiments enable searching of portions of objects in images, including programmatically analyzing each image in a collection in order to determine image data that, for individual images in the collection, represents one or more visual characteristics of a portion of an object shown in that image. A user is enabled to specify one or more search criteria that includes image data, and a search result may be determined based on one or more images in the collection that show a corresponding object that has a portion that satisfies a threshold. The threshold is defined at least in part by the one or more search criteria. | 05-16-2013 |
20130127893 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING IMAGE SEARCHING USING MANUAL ENRICHMENT, CLASSIFICATION, AND/OR SEGMENTATION - A system includes an image analysis module that is configured to programmatically analyze individual images in a collection of images in order to determine information about each image in the collection. The system may also include a manual interface that is configured to (i) interface with one or more human editors, and (ii) displays a plurality of panels concurrently. Individual panels may be provided for one or more analyzed images, and individual panels may be configured to display information that is at least indicative of the one or more images of that panel and/or of the information determined from the one or more images. | 05-23-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140373747 | POWER SOURCE FOR AN AUTOMATION SYSTEM MECHANISM - Power systems for an independent carrier for transport of payloads in an automation system for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. The independent carrier may include an onboard power source and an onboard electrical system electrically connected to the onboard power source for controlling movement of the carrier. The independent carrier may include an onboard propulsion system electrically connected to the onboard power source for propelling the carrier and electrically connected to the onboard electrical system for receiving a command to control the movement of the carrier. Onboard power sources may include: replaceable batteries, rechargeable batteries, induction battery charging, photovoltaic power, Peltier effect power, and external combustion engines. | 12-25-2014 |
20150010437 | ENCODING SCHEME EMBEDDED INTO AN AUTOMATION TRACK SURFACE - An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central scheduler can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer. The distance encoding can include optical marks repeated at regular intervals (pitch), where the intervals are conveyed to the carriers wirelessly or via optical encoding. The pitch of the encoding can differ for different sections of track depending on the position precision desired. | 01-08-2015 |
20150025678 | INTELLIGENT BIDIRECTIONAL MULTIFUNCTIONAL CARRIER AND INTEGRATED AUTOMATION SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION - An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central management controller can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers control local motion and navigate decision points, such as forks in the track, to reach the appropriate testing station independently. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example, within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer. | 01-22-2015 |
20150064802 | MODULE TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT CAN BE COMBINED INTO AN AUTOMATION SYSTEM - An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system can include a plurality of modules configured to be connected to one another for processing samples, each of the plurality of modules having an internal transport system. Each internal transport system includes one or more periphery track portions integrated within a respective module, each of the periphery track portions having two ends and one or more transverse track portions integrated within the respective module, the one or more transverse track portions intersecting at least one of the one or more periphery track portions. The internal transport systems can be configured to connect to one another via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming a continuous periphery track running through and connecting the plurality of modules. Samples are transported along the continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions. The continuous periphery track and the one or more transverse track portions form a plurality of paths along which the samples are transported. | 03-05-2015 |
20150079695 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING PRIORITY SAMPLES THAT PRESERVES A FIFO PROCESSING QUEUE - Methods and systems for processing samples in an analyzer utilizes a track system with a plurality of track portions. A queue of samples for processing can be handled on a first portion, while priority samples may be handled on another portion. An instrument in a module may process samples in queues and priority samples. The instrument may process priority samples while a queue of samples remains on the first portion and resumes processing the queue of samples along the first portion upon completion of processing the priority sample. | 03-19-2015 |
20150118756 | VIRTUAL SAMPLE QUEUES - Methods and systems can implement queues for an automation system that services a plurality of modules connected to one another by a transport mechanism, a processor can determining a desired queue for a module. An IVD analyzer can include an automation system, a plurality of stations configured to interact with objects transported by the automation system, and one or more processors that maintain a plurality of queues for at least a subset of the plurality of stations in memory and assign a plurality of the objects to each of the plurality of queues. Objects assigned to each of the plurality of queues need not be located physically proximate to a station associated with each of the plurality of queues. | 04-30-2015 |
20150140668 | NON-CONTACT OPTICAL ENCODING SCHEME FOR INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION PUCK - An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory. | 05-21-2015 |
20150276775 | MODULAR WORKCELLS FOR LAB AUTOMATION - Systems and methods are provided for performing a work-flow, which may be in an IVD environment. A plurality of workcells can be used to perform tasks, while vessels can be automatically transported between the workcells using bulk transport trays along an inter-cell track, allowing each workcell to be independently adapted to one or more tasks in the work-flow. | 10-01-2015 |
20150338427 | THROUGHPUT OPTIMIZING REAGENT DISTRIBUTION - Methods and systems for performing tests in an in vitro diagnostic environment provide for a substantially optimized distribution of testing reagents amongst a plurality of analyzers. The system and method can include steps of identifying a plurality of expected tests to be performed by a plurality of analyzer modules, determining information about the capabilities of the plurality of analyzer modules, and receiving, at the processor, data reflecting which of the plurality of tests are incompatible. Further steps can include calculating a substantially optimal distribution of the plurality of expected tests amongst the plurality of analyzer modules, allocating reagents to each of the plurality of analyzer modules by facilitating distribution of a plurality of reagents to selected analyzer modules in response to the step of calculating, and automatically scheduling a plurality of samples to undergo tests at the plurality of analyzer modules. | 11-26-2015 |