Labware inventory tracking and positioning device
US10650347B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/10366
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A labware inventory tracking and positioning device includes a plurality of labware carriers placed on the top surface of a deck. Each carrier has a permanent magnet therein or thereon. Below the deck, a cursor has a top part that is movable with respect to its bottom part. A permanent magnet, surrounded by a coil, is held in a compartment of the bottom part. Applying current through the coil in a first direction pushes up the cursor permanent magnet to push up the cursor top part into contact with the bottom of the deck, magnetically coupling one of the carrier magnets to the cursor magnet. Once so coupled, the carrier follows the X- and Y-direction movement of the cursor. Applying current in the opposite direction pulls the cursor permanent magnet down to decouple the cursor magnet from the carrier magnet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.