Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving instruction data relating to a sample in a sample container. The method includes generating, by at least one processor using a workflow management layer, a process plan for the sample, and providing the process plan to a process control layer. The process plan comprises a plurality of possible routes. The method also comprises selecting, by the at least one processor using the process control layer, an optimized route within the plurality of possible routes in the process plan, and providing the optimized route to a middleware control layer. The at least one processor and middleware control layer are operable to cause a transport system to proceed along the selected route.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving instruction data relating to a sample in a sample container. The method includes generating, by at least one processor using a workflow management layer, a process plan for the sample, and providing the process plan to a process control layer. The process plan comprises a plurality of possible routes. The method also comprises selecting, by the at least one processor using the process control layer, an optimized route within the plurality of possible routes in the process plan, and providing the optimized route to a middleware control layer. The at least one processor and middleware control layer are operable to cause a transport system to proceed along the selected route.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a conveyance system and method for conveying a plurality of object carriers. The conveyance system comprises at least one first conveyor lane section, and at least, two second conveyor lane sections. The conveyance system further comprises a rotatable diverting element for diverting an object carrier of the plurality of object carriers between the at least one first conveyor lane section and one of the at least two second conveyor lane sections of the conveyance system.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to a conveyance system and method for conveying a plurality of object carriers. The conveyance system comprises at least one first conveyor lane section, and at least two second conveyor lane sections. The conveyance system further comprises a rotatable diverting element for diverting an object carrier of the plurality of object carriers between the at least one first conveyor lane section and one of the at least two second conveyor lane sections of the conveyance system. The diverting element comprises at least one sensor element for detecting the object carrier when the object carrier is: being conveyed toward the diverting element, or contacting the diverting element, or being transported away from the diverting element by the conveyance system, The conveyance system further comprises an axis of rotation adjacent to the first conveyor lane section and one of the second conveyor lane sections.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of glow plugs of a combustion engine is described, wherein all glow plugs are heated up for an engine start by the input of electrical energy according to a profile which is uniformly specified for all glow plugs of the engine, a change in resistance ?R is ascertained for each of the glow plugs for at least one specified time span, and a target resistance value is calculated for each glow plug from the associated change in resistance ?R, this value being expected for the glow plug when it has reached its target temperature, and the target resistance value is used to control the temperature of the glow plug to the target temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of glow plugs of a combustion engine is described, wherein all glow plugs are heated up for an engine start by the input of electrical energy according to a profile which is uniformly specified for all glow plugs of the engine, a change in resistance ?R is ascertained for each of the glow plugs for at least one specified time span, and a target resistance value is calculated for each glow plug from the associated change in resistance ?R, this value being expected for the glow plug when it has reached its target temperature, and the target resistance value is used to control the temperature of the glow plug to the target temperature.

Abstract: A method for creating a laboratory automation system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of subgraphs that correspond to a plurality of system blocks. The system blocks are chosen and the subgraphs are stitched together to form a site graph for the laboratory automation system.

Abstract: A sample container cap is disclosed. The sample cap container includes a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body. The centrifugation status indicator device includes: a first substance having a first density and a first color, and a second substance having a second density and a second color. The centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged. The first substance can be a gel, and the second substance can include a plurality of particles. The second density is higher than the first density and the second color is different from the first color.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting a glow plug replacement of an engine, wherein a first value of a temperature-dependent variable is measured at a first glow plug of the engine and, simultaneously, a second value of the temperature-dependent variable is measured at a second glow plug of the engine. The first value of the temperature-dependent variable is compared with a stored reference value of the first glow plug and a glow plug replacement is detected if the difference of the first value from the reference value exceeds a threshold value. According to this disclosure, it is provided that the reference value is a value which, in an earlier measurement, was measured at the first glow plug simultaneously with the measurement of a value at the second glow plug which corresponds to the second value within a predefined tolerance.

Abstract: What is described is a method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of an engine, wherein a pencil, which is electrically insulated with respect to walls of the combustion chamber and contains a heating resistor, is electrically heated to a temperature of at least 800° C. in the combustion chamber of the engine by applying a heating voltage, and a high voltage of at least 500 V, which is different from the heating voltage, is applied to the pencil and thereby ions are generated in the combustion chamber by field emission of electrons. The invention additionally relates to an ignition system and a glow plug.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes an aliquotter module. The aliquotter module includes a track including: a travel lane; a first loop; and a second loop configured to transport sample carriers with primary sample containers. The aliquotter module can further include a pipettor that can aspirate a first aliquot volume of a sample in a primary sample container located in an aspiration position and dispense the first aliquot volume of the sample in a secondary sample container located in a dispensing position. The aliquotter module can cause the secondary sample container to leave the aliquotter module before the primary sample container.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A method for creating a laboratory automation system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of subgraphs that correspond to a plurality of system blocks. The system blocks are chosen and the subgraphs are stitched together to form a site graph for the laboratory automation system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the surface temperature of any glow plug in an internal combustion engine. A glow plug control device carries out an initialization at the installed and connected glow plug to adapt the temperature model to the behavior of the connected glow plug before the engine is started. Upon initialization, the glow plug is acted on by at least two different voltages and the resistances of the glow plug with these voltages are measured. A resistance gradient is calculated therefrom and the temperature model is adapted to the behavior of the connected glow plug. During the control process during operation of the engine, the momentary surface temperature of the glow plug is estimated by a model temperature, which is established using the temperature model. The effective voltage acting on the glow plug is changed in accordance with the deviation of the model temperature from a target temperature.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes at least one image acquisition device configured to obtain one or more images of sample containers in a sample container holder. It also includes an image analysis device coupled to the at least one image acquisition device. The image analysis device is configured to analyze, by a processor, the one or more images of the sample containers in the sample container holder, to determine (a) a presence or absence of sample containers at sample container holder locations in the sample container holder, and (b) sample container characteristics of the sample containers in the sample container holder, wherein the sample container characteristics include one or more of cap color, cap shape, labels and markers associated with the sample containers, or one or more sample container holder characteristics.