VIRTUAL SAMPLE QUEUES

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of implementing queues for an automation system comprised of a plurality of modules connected to one another by a transport mechanism, each of the plurality of modules configured to process samples, the transport mechanism configured to transport the samples between the plurality of modules within a system cycle time, the method comprising:
determining a desired queue for a module, wherein the desired queue comprises an ordering of at least one sample to be processed by the module; determining a module cycle time for the module, wherein the module cycle time comprises a length of time needed by the module for processing one of the at least one sample; facilitating placement of the at least one sample in the automation system to satisfy the desired queue for the module, wherein the at least one sample is placed to reach the module at a determined time based on the ordering of the at least one sample in the desired queue and the module cycle time; and providing the at least one sample to the module at the determined time.