ELECTRONIC LABORATORY METERING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRONIC LABORATORY METERING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS

Abstract

An electronic laboratory metering system for liquids includes an electrical hand-held metering device (2) having at least one operation sensor unit (5) that detects operation of the hand-held metering device (2) and generates operating data and stores same in a storage apparatus (6), wherein the hand-held metering device (2) has an interface module (7) for connecting the hand-held metering device (2) to an external network access apparatus (4) for transferring the operating data; the metering system (1), specifically a data processing system (3), has a comparison unit (9) to compare operating data with target operating data and/or to compare context parameter data from the context parameter sensor unit (8) with target context parameter data and to generate a comparison result. The metering system (1) includes a documentation unit (10) designed to generate and store log data records including at least the operating data and/or the context parameter data. The documentation unit (10) is connected to the comparison unit (9) to transmit the comparison results from the comparison unit (9) to the documentation unit (10) and the documentation unit (10) stores the comparison results as part of the log data records to be assigned to the relevant operating data and/or context parameter data, to add to same after operation of the hand-held metering device (2) has ended.

Claims

1. An electronic laboratory metering system for liquids comprising at least one electrical handheld metering device (2) having at least one operation sensor unit (5) detecting the operation of the handheld metering device (2) and generating corresponding operating data and, the handheld metering device (2) having an interface module (7) by means of which the handheld metering device (2) can be connected to an external network access device (4) via a data connection, the network access device (4) being data-connectable to an external data processing system (3), the data processing system (3) being data-connectable to at least one context parameter sensor unit (8) at least indirectly detecting the operation of the handheld metering device (2) and/or detecting environmental operating conditions of the handheld metering device (2) and generating context parameter data therefrom, the metering system (1), having a comparison unit (9) configured at least to compare operating data of the operation sensor unit (5) with target operating data and/or to compare context parameter data of the context parameter sensor unit (8) with target context parameter data and to generate a comparison result, wherein the metering system (1) comprises a documentation unit (10) which is configured to generate and to store protocol data sets relating to the operation of the at least one handheld metering device (2), the documentation unit (10) being connected to the comparison unit (9) in such a manner that the comparison results of the comparison unit (9) can be transmitted to the documentation unit (10) and the documentation unit (10) is configured to store the comparison results as part of the protocol data sets.

2. The metering system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one output unit (17), comprised by the handheld metering device (2), for outputting user instructions and/or user information, the output unit (17) being connected to the comparison unit (9) in such a manner that comparison results, comprising a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison, are directly outputted.

3. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein at least one context parameter sensor unit (8) is configured to detect static and/or dynamic context parameters.

4. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein at least one context parameter sensor unit (8) is connected to a classification unit (16) which is configured to classify the detected operation of the handheld metering device (2) and/or the detected environmental operating conditions, wherein a context parameter can be derived from the classification and/or context parameter data can be generated by means of the classification.

5. The metering system according to claim 1, further comprising a documentation storage device (18) which is configured to store and/or to catalog protocol data sets.

6. The metering system according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion device (19) which is configured to convert protocol data sets into a data format of an electronic laboratory journal or to embed the protocol data sets into laboratory information management systems.

7. The metering system according to claim 5, further comprising at least one evaluation unit (20) which is connected to the documentation storage device (18) and which is configured to evaluate protocol data sets and/or to compare protocol data sets and which can output results from the evaluation via an output interface (21), for further processing by the metering system.

8. The metering system according to claim 1, further comprising a programming unit (22), comprised by the data processing system (3), for defining work routines and/or for defining device parameters of a parameter unit (23) of the handheld metering device (2), the programming unit (22) being configured to generate and to store target operating data and/or target context parameter data based on defined work routines and/or device parameters.

9. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein the network access device (4) is comprised by a fastening device (13) for the detachable fastening of at least one handheld metering device (2).

10. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein the context parameter sensor unit (8) is configured to duplicate or to detect a measured value or an output signal of a laboratory liquid measuring device (24).

11. A method for operating an electronic laboratory metering system for liquids, the system comprising at least one electrical handheld metering device (2) having at least one operation sensor unit (5) detecting the operation of the handheld metering device (2) and generating corresponding operating data and, storing said operating data in a storage device (6) of the handheld metering device (2), the handheld metering device (2) having an interface module (7) by means of which the handheld metering device (2) is connected to an external network access device (4) via a data connection, for transmitting the operating data, the network access device (4) being data-connectable to an external data processing system (3), the data processing system (3) being data-connectable to at least one context parameter sensor unit (8) at least indirectly detecting the operation of the handheld metering device (2) and/or detecting environmental operating conditions of the handheld metering device (2) and generating context parameter data therefrom, the data processing system (3), having a comparison unit (9) configured at least to compare operating data of the operation sensor unit (5) with target operating data and/or to compare context parameter data of the context parameter sensor unit (8) with target context parameter data and to generate a comparison result, comprising a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison, wherein the metering system (1) comprises a documentation unit (10) which generates and stores protocol data sets relating to the operation of the at least one handheld metering device (2), comprising at least the operating data and/or the context parameter data, the documentation unit (10) being connected to the comparison unit (9) in such a manner that the comparison results of the comparison unit (9) are transmitted to the documentation unit (10) and the documentation unit (10) stores the comparison results as part of the protocol data sets, in a manner assigned to the corresponding operating data and/or context parameter data, to add to said comparison results after an operation of the handheld metering device (2) has ended.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the output of user instructions and/or user information by means of at least one output unit (17) comprised by the handheld metering device (2), the output unit (17) being connected to the comparison unit (9) in such a manner that comparison results, comprising a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison, are directly outputted.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the detection of static and/or dynamic context parameters via at least one context parameter sensor unit (8).

14. The method according to any one of claim 11, further comprising the classification of the detected operation of the handheld metering device (2) and/or the detected environmental operating conditions by means of at least one classification unit (16) which is connected to the context parameter sensor unit (8), a context parameter being derived from the classification and/or context parameter data being generated by means of the classification.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the storage and/or cataloging of protocol data sets by means of a documentation storage device (18).

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the conversion of protocol data sets into a data format of an electronic laboratory journal or the embedding into a laboratory information management system by means of a conversion device (19).

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the evaluation of protocol data sets and/or the comparison of protocol data sets by means of an evaluation unit (20) which is connected to the documentation storage device (18) and the output of the results from the evaluation via an output interface (21), for further processing by the metering system (1).

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the definition of work routines and/or the definition of device parameters of a parameter unit (23) of the handheld metering device (2) by means of a programming unit (22), comprised by the data processing system (3), the programming unit (22) generating and/or storing target operating data and/or target context parameter data based on defined work routines or device parameters.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the duplication or the detection of a measured value or an output signal of a laboratory liquid measuring device (24) by means of the context parameter sensor unit (8).

20. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein the operation sensor unit (5) stores said operating data in a storage device (6) of the handheld metering device (2), wherein the handheld metering device (2) can be connected to the external network access device (4) for transmitting the operating data, wherein the data processing system (3) has the comparison unit (9), wherein the comparison result is a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison, wherein the protocol data sets comprised at least the operating data and/or the context parameter data, and wherein the documentation unit (10) is configured to store the comparison results as part of the protocol data sets in a manner assigned to the corresponding operating data and/or context parameter data to add to said comparison results after an operation of the handheld metering device (2) has ended.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawings.

[0046] In the drawings,

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a metering system according to the invention;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a process of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a metering system 1 which has a plurality of handheld metering devices 2, a data processing system 3 and a network access device 4. Handheld metering devices 2 each comprise an operation sensor unit 5 which detects the operation of handheld metering devices 2 and generates corresponding operating data and stores said operating data in a storage device 6 of handheld metering devices 2. Additionally, handheld metering devices 2 each comprise an interface module 7 by means of which handheld metering devices 2 can be connected to network access device 4 via a data connection, in particular for transmitting operating data, network access device 4 being data-connectable to data processing system 3, and data processing system 3 being data-connectable to at least one context parameter sensor unit 8 at least indirectly detecting the operation of handheld metering devices 2 and/or detecting environmental operating conditions of handheld metering devices 2 and generating context parameter data therefrom, metering system 1, in particular data processing system 3, having a comparison unit 9 configured at least to compare operating data of operation sensor unit 5 with target operating data and/or to compare context parameter data of context parameter sensor unit 8 with target context parameter data and to generate a comparison result, in particular a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison.

[0050] Furthermore, metering system 1, for example data processing system 3 of metering system 1, comprises a documentation unit 10 which is configured to generate and to store protocol data sets relating to the operation of at least one handheld metering device 2, in particular comprising at least the operating data and/or the context parameter data, documentation unit 10 being connected to comparison unit 9 in such a manner that the comparison results of comparison unit 9 can be transmitted to documentation unit 10 and documentation unit 10 is configured to store the comparison results as part of the protocol data sets, in particular in a manner assigned to the corresponding operating data and/or context parameter data, in particular to add to said comparison results after an operation of handheld metering devices 2 has ended.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 1, data processing system 3 is realized as a server-client system which comprises a server 11 and a plurality of clients 12 which are also data-connected to one another. In the example of the illustration of FIG. 1, server 11 comprises comparison unit 9 and documentation unit 10. For example, clients 12 can be realized as mobile electronic devices, such as tablets or the like. Clients 12 can allow for a corresponding access to server 11, in particular via one or several graphical user interfaces.

[0052] For example, network access device 4 can be realized as a fastening device 13 for the detachable fastening of at least one handheld metering device 2. The data connection or the communication between handheld metering devices 2 and network access device 4 can be realized via WLAN or Bluetooth, for example. Alternatively, network access device 4 can have contact means 4 which are realized in a complementary manner to contact means 15 of handheld metering devices 2, allowing a wired connection to be established between handheld metering devices 2 and network access device 4 in addition or as an alternative to a wireless connection. The connection can be used to transmit energy to an energy storage (not shown in FIG. 1) of handheld metering devices 2. Additionally, the connection established via contact means 14, 15 can be used for the data connection between network access device 4 and handheld metering devices 2.

[0053] In exemplary metering system 1, data processing system 3, in particular server 11, can have a classification unit 16 which is connected to context parameter sensor unit 8 and which is configured to classify the detected operation of handheld metering device 2 and/or the detected environmental operating conditions, wherein a context parameter can be derived from the classification and/or context parameter data can be generated by means of the classification. For example, a user can be identified via context parameter sensor unit 8 and can be assigned to a user class via classification unit 16.

[0054] Handheld metering devices 2 of metering system 1 can also comprise an output unit 17 for outputting user instructions and/or user information, output unit 17 being connected to comparison unit 9 in such a manner that comparison results, in particular a deviation of the data from the target data identified in the course of the comparison, are directly outputted. As described above, handheld metering devices 2 can have a comparison unit 9 themselves in order to avoid or to reduce energy-intensive communication between handheld metering devices 2 and network access device 4, said comparison unit 9 comparing at least the operating data detected by operation sensor 5 with target operating data and outputting a deviation as the comparison result via output unit 17, if applicable.

[0055] Additionally, data processing system 3 can have a documentation storage device 18 which is configured to store and/or to catalog protocol data sets. Data processing system 3, in particular server 11, can also comprise a conversion device 19 which is configured to convert protocol data sets into a data format of an electronic laboratory journal or to embed the protocol data sets into a laboratory information management system. Furthermore, metering system 1 according to the embodiment of the illustration of FIG. 1 can comprise an evaluation unit 20 which is connected to documentation storage device 18 and which is configured to evaluate protocol data sets and/or to compare protocol data sets and which can output results from the evaluation via an output interface 21, in particular for further processing by the metering system. Additionally, data processing system 3, in particular server 11, can comprise a programming unit 22 which is configured to define work routines and/or to define device parameters of a parameter unit 23 of handheld metering device 2, programming unit 22 being configured to generate and to store target operating data and/or target context parameter data based on defined work routines and/or device parameters.

[0056] In the example of the illustration of FIG. 1, metering system 1 comprises a second context parameter sensor unit 8 which is configured to duplicate or to detect a measured value or an output signal of a laboratory liquid measuring device 24.

[0057] In addition to said components, the metering system can have a plurality of other advantageous components, of which just a few representative components are to be described below.

[0058] Metering system 1, in particular the handheld metering devices and the data processing system, can have means and devices for the reliable localization of handheld metering device 2. Additionally, data processing system 3 can have means and devices which allow for a reservation or a booking of handheld metering devices 2. Users can preferably reserve handheld metering devices 2 for use via clients 12 and the corresponding access to server 11. Furthermore, data processing system 3 can process the detected operating data and/or the context parameter data by means of other devices of the metering system. For example, the operating data can be stored and processed by data processing system 3 in such a manner that a maintenance and/or administration unit detects a current state of handheld metering devices 2 and predicts a future state, in particular future signs of wear and/or fatigue, of handheld metering devices 2, if applicable.

[0059] Metering system 1 can also comprise additional units, in particular comprised by data processing system 3, which use the abovementioned registered and classified or categorized users and the corresponding data. For example, a functionality of clients 12 which is tiered on the basis of user classes can be provided, said tiered functionality being reflected in a use depending on user classes or in access rights to programming unit 22, evaluation unit 20 and/or documentation storage device 18 depending on user classes.

[0060] For example, operating data sensor unit 5 of handheld metering devices 2 can detect stroke movements of a piston unit of handheld metering device 2 or the state of a drive unit of handheld metering device 2. Alternatively or additionally, operation sensor unit 5 can detect the movement and accelerations of handheld metering device 2 itself. Context parameter sensor units 8 can detect different environmental conditions which can be relevant within the scope of the use of metering system 1. These environmental conditions include liquid properties of the processed liquid, environmental parameters and the like.

[0061] As indicated above, access to programming unit 22 can be granted via clients 12 in order to generate and/or to change work routines or device parameters. After a corresponding generation or change of the work routines or device parameters, they can be transmitted to one or several handheld metering devices 2 depending on an authorization class of a user, if applicable. Target data can be generated and stored automatically or semi-automatically together with the generation or change of work routines or device parameters by the data processing system, in particular by server 11, particularly preferably by programming unit 22. In the course of the method, said target data can be compared to the detected operating data and context parameter data and the comparison result can be stored together with the operating data and context parameter data in documentation unit 10. However, the target data can also be defined and stored in another manner, in particular by manual specification by the user via clients 12, for example.

[0062] In order to establish wireless communication between handheld metering devices 2 and network access device 4, a transmission according to a standard, such as Bluetooth or WLAN, can be realized. JSON-RPC or MQTT can be used as an interface protocol, for example. In a particularly preferred manner, it is guaranteed that interface modules 7 of handheld metering devices 2 allow for a secure login and authentication in a wireless network of metering device 1.

[0063] In FIG. 2, an exemplary method for operating an electronic laboratory metering system is shown. For example, the method can start with a user selecting a liquid or liquid class and determining a work routine to be performed at handheld metering device 2 in a first method step S.sub.1. The liquid or liquid class can be defined by device parameters which are stored in parameter unit 23 and which were transmitted from programming unit 22 to handheld metering device 2 in advance, if applicable. The data relating to a workflow to be performed or a work routine to be performed can be stored by a storage device of the handheld metering device and can also have been defined by means of programming unit 22 and transmitted to a storage device of handheld metering device 2 prior to method step S.sub.1. The selection of the liquid or liquid class and the selection of the work routine in step S.sub.1 can already be subject to authorization or access control, said control—possibly with the help of data processing system 3—checking, for example, whether a user currently registered for or logged in at handheld metering device 2 has a corresponding authorization or authorization class for handling a liquid or liquid class, whether the logged-in or registered user has a sufficient competence or training class for performing the selected workflow or for performing the selected work routine, whether the handheld metering device to be used has a calibration, currentness of the calibration and/or device class which corresponds to the work routine or which is required for the performance of the work routine.

[0064] In a subsequent method step S.sub.2, the user starts to perform the respective activities, in particular to process a work routine using handheld metering device 2. Instructions and information which facilitate compliance with and/or adherence to the work routine can be outputted via an output unit 17. Furthermore, operation sensor unit 5 and context parameter sensor units 8 can detect and store operating data and can detect and store context parameter data during step S.sub.2. In the example of FIG. 2, the method is to be realized in such a manner that, at first, the operating data and context parameter data are only collected or detected during method step S.sub.2. After completion of method step S.sub.2, an additional method step S.sub.3.1 follows in which the detected operating data and context parameter data are supplied to a documentation unit 10 via the respective data connections and are stored in protocol data sets or in one protocol data set. In a method step S.sub.3.2 which runs in parallel with method step S.sub.3.1 in the example of FIG. 2, but which can also take place before or after method step S.sub.3.1, the operating data and the context parameter data are supplied or made available to a comparison unit 9. In addition to the operating data and context parameter data, comparison unit 9 is also supplied with target operating data and target context parameter data in method step S.sub.3.2.

[0065] Additionally, a comparison between the data and the target data is realized in method step S.sub.3.2, wherein comparison results are obtained which reflect, in particular, a deviation between the data and the target data. In a subsequent method step S.sub.4, the comparison results obtained in method step S.sub.3.2 are assigned to the protocol data sets generated in method step S.sub.3.1.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0066] 1 metering system [0067] 2 handheld metering device [0068] 3 data processing system [0069] 4 network access device [0070] 5 operation sensor unit [0071] 6 storage device [0072] 7 interface module [0073] 8 context parameter sensor unit [0074] 9 comparison unit [0075] 10 documentation unit [0076] 11 server [0077] 12 client [0078] 13 fastening device [0079] 14 contact means [0080] 15 contact means [0081] 16 classification unit [0082] 17 output unit [0083] 18 documentation storage device [0084] 19 conversion device [0085] 20 evaluation unit [0086] 21 output interface [0087] 22 programming unit [0088] 23 parameter unit [0089] 24 liquid measuring device [0090] S.sub.1 method step [0091] S.sub.2 method step [0092] S.sub.3.1, S.sub.3.2 method step [0093] S.sub.4 method step