Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a plurality of sample container carriers, each adapted to carry one or more sample containers, each carrier comprising at least one magnetically active device and at least one electrically conductive member, a transport plane adapted to support the carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the actuators being adapted to move the carriers on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carriers, a plurality of inductive sensors distributed over the transport plane, a control unit configured to control the movement of the carriers using an output signal provided by the inductive sensors by driving the actuators such that the carriers move along corresponding transport paths, and an evaluation unit configured to linearize the output signal from an inductive sensor by means of a linearization algorithm.

Abstract: A method for operating a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, comprising: providing a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, the transport device having an arrangement of transport modules, wherein each transport module is provided with a transport surface; a drive device configured to move sample vessel carriers on the transport surface; a module control device configured to control operation of the drive device; and a module network interface connected to the module control device and configured for data communication in a control network; a transport plane; and a controller device connected to the control network through a controller network interface; and assigning a network address to each of the transport modules in the control network; for each transport module, in the module control device storing its own network address and the network address of neighboring transport modules located adjacent to the transport module.

Abstract: A method for operating a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, comprising: providing a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, the transport device having an arrangement of transport modules, wherein each transport module is provided with a transport surface; a drive device configured to move sample vessel carriers on the transport surface; a module control device configured to control operation of the drive device; and a module network interface connected to the module control device and configured for data communication in a control network; a transport plane; and a controller device connected to the control network through a controller network interface; and assigning a network address to each of the transport modules in the control network; for each transport module, in the module control device storing its own network address and the network address of neighboring transport modules located adjacent to the transport module.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a plurality of sample container carriers, each adapted to carry one or more sample containers, each carrier comprising at least one magnetically active device and at least one electrically conductive member, a transport plane adapted to support the carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the actuators being adapted to move the carriers on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carriers, a plurality of inductive sensors distributed over the transport plane, a control unit configured to control the movement of the carriers using an output signal provided by the inductive sensors by driving the actuators such that the carriers move along corresponding transport paths, and an evaluation unit configured to linearize the output signal from an inductive sensor by means of a linearization algorithm.