METHOD OF CONFIGURING A LABORATORY AUTOMATION SYSTEM, LABORATORY SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND LABORATORY AUTOMATION SYSTEM

摘要

A method of configuring a laboratory automation system is presented. The position of a laboratory station is detected automatically. A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system adapted to perform such a method are also presented.

主权项

1. A method of configuring a laboratory automation system, the laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system and at least one laboratory station, wherein the laboratory station has a handover position and the laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers adapted to carry one or more sample containers, wherein each sample container carrier comprises at least one magnetically active device, a transport plane adapted to support the sample container carriers, a number of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the electro-magnetic actuators adapted to move sample container carriers on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the sample container carriers, a number of position sensors distributed over the transport plane and adapted to sense magnetic fields generated by the magnetically active devices, and a control device configured to control the movement of the sample container carriers on top of the transport plane by driving the electro-magnetic actuators such that the sample container carriers move along corresponding transport paths, wherein the laboratory station is placed adjacent to the transport plane, the method comprising:
placing a reference magnet in a specified position relationship with the handover position of the laboratory station over the transport plane; detecting the position of the reference magnet on the transport plane using the position sensors; and determining one of the electro-magnetic actuators as a handover electro-magnetic actuator based on the detected position.