(19)
(11)EP 3 429 806 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
24.06.2020 Bulletin 2020/26

(21)Application number: 17713884.9

(22)Date of filing:  17.03.2017
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B25J 9/16(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/DK2017/050079
(87)International publication number:
WO 2017/157402 (21.09.2017 Gazette  2017/38)

(54)

A ROBOT AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING A ROBOT

ROBOTER UND VERFAHREN ZUR STEUERUNG EINES ROBOTERS

ROBOT ET PROCÉDÉ DE COMMANDE DE ROBOT


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 17.03.2016 DK 201670155

(43)Date of publication of application:
23.01.2019 Bulletin 2019/04

(73)Proprietor: Flow Robotics A/S
2400 Copenhagen NV (DK)

(72)Inventors:
  • STØY, Kasper
    1402 Copenhagen K (DK)
  • FAÍÑA RODRÍGUEZ-VILA, Andrés
    2400 Copenhagen NV (DK)
  • NEJATIMOHARRAMI, Farzad
    Toronto ON, M2J 3B9 (CA)

(74)Representative: Plougmann Vingtoft a/s 
Strandvejen 70
2900 Hellerup
2900 Hellerup (DK)


(56)References cited: : 
US-A- 6 088 628
US-A1- 2013 065 797
US-B1- 6 353 774
US-A1- 2011 039 709
US-A1- 2013 205 920
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a robot comprising a horizontal or horizontally slanted transparent experiment layer being adapted to support items at arbitrary positions on or in the experiment layer, and a moveable sensor arranged below the transparent experimental layer said sensor being configured for providing a sensor signal indicative of item(s)' location on or in the experiment layer, an actuator arranged for being moved into different positions above the horizontal transparent layer a display device being configured for visually representing located item(s) a user input device configured for receiving information as to operation of the actuator.

    [0002] The invention also relates to a method of controlling such a robot and to the use of such a robot.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0003] Robots are known for manipulating contents in e.g. containers see US 6353774. Such robots reside in the concept of pre-informing the controller of the robot with a set of instructions to be carried out in order to manipulate the content of containers and the prior knowledge of the location of the containers in the robots. The prior knowledge of the locations of the containers in the robots are defined by trays having a plurality of receptacle for receiving a container, thus a container needs to fit into a receptacle with a fixed location in the tray.

    [0004] While the robot disclosed in US 6353744 is well suited for repeated and automated operations, the robot residence in an automation of repeated operations makes it less versatile to handling e.g. one-of-kind operations.

    [0005] Another robotic system is described in US2013/205920 for automated visual pipetting on a machine such as a three dimensional fabrication device like a 3D printer or other computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, for improved speed, accuracy and reliability in pipetting procedures. A camera is mounted on a pipette or another type of tool that may be a deposition or non-deposition tool (e.g., milling). A camera feed and recognition software can enable users to replace existing micro-pipetting techniques with a computerized process that may be controlled with a few simple mouse clicks, while the user can directly visualize a live experimental setup. While the system is well suited for automated visual pipetting, the system residence in a specific camera mounted which makes it less versatile to handling e.g. one-of-kind operations.
    Hence, an improved robot and use of such a robot would be advantageous.

    OBJECT OF THE INVENTION



    [0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

    [0007] In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a robot, control of a robot and a use of a robot that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0008] Thus, the above described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a robot (1) comprising
    • a horizontal or horizontally slanted, experiment layer preferably being transparent and preferably being adapted to support items preferably at arbitrary positions on or in the experiment layer;
    • a moveable sensor arranged below the transparent experimental layer, said sensor being configured for providing a sensor signal indicative of item(s)' location on the experiment layer;
    • an actuator arranged for being moved into different positions above the horizontal transparent layer;
    • a display device being configured for visually representing located item(s);
    • a user input device.


    [0009] A robot according to the present invention further comprises a processor configured to
    • on the basis of the sensor signal locate an item on the transparent experiment layer;
    • display the located item(s) or a graphical presentation thereof on the display device;
    • receive a manipulation input through the user input device; , and
    • in response to said manipulation input, control the actuator to manipulate the content of the displayed item(s).


    [0010] By horizontal or horizontally slanted transparent experiment layer is preferably meant that the surface of the experiment layer is horizontal or is angled (slanted horizontal experimental layer) with respect to horizontal in an amount less than 45 degrees, such as less than 30degress, preferably less than 15 degrees, such as less than 5 degrees.

    [0011] The manipulation may comprise a number of different types of manipulation, such as substance exchange, such as liquid addition and/or removal , movement of one or more item, stacking of the items or the like.

    [0012] By arranging the sensor below the experimental layer and the actuator above the experimental layer, the present invention provides the advantage that the sensor and actuator can be operated independently of each other, such as being operated in parallel.

    [0013] This has, inter alia, the effect that the sensor can be used to monitor an experiment carried out on the experiment layer and can thereby signal if something moves, such as moves unintentionally, in the experimental set-up (e.g. by an operator pushes to the robot or the actuator pushes to a container on the experimental layer). Further, mistakes where for instances an operator relocate an item on the experimental layer without informing the robot can be avoided as the sensor may keep track of such movements.

    [0014] The preferred three layer organization of the present invention may make it possible for the sensor after calibration to instantly detect and calculate the position of an item in the robots frame of reference. Hence, this information may be available to the system without input from the user.

    [0015] One further advantage of the present invention, is that the actuator may move without obscuring the view of the sensor and hence the sensor always have direct access to monitor the movement and placement of an item(s) and the actuator itself.

    [0016] In the present context terms are used in a manner being ordinary to skilled person and some of the terms used are detailed below:
    Actuator layer is preferably used to mean the space section of a robot being bordered by the extreme positions of one or more actuators of the robot.

    [0017] Experimental layer is preferably used to mean the space section of a robot defined by the space at which experiments and/or analysis is carried out. Experimental layer may be in the form of or deliminited downwardly by one or more plates, which may be transparent or comprising one or more openings, which may be through going.

    [0018] Sensor layer is preferably used to mean the space section of a robot below the experiment layer, in which the sensor moves.

    [0019] Field of view is preferably used to mean that the position within the robot of image obtained by a camera is known.

    [0020] Support items at arbitrary positions is preferably considered to mean that the position of an item on a surface of the experimental layer or in an opening of the experimental layer is arbitrary in the sense that the processor locates the item on or in the experimental layer, thus, the item does not have to be placed in a predefined position in the robot. The positions at which an item can be positioned may be pre-defined or pre-determined, e.g. by a number opening and/or selected areas. Typically and preferably the upper surface of the experiment layer on which the items repose is an even surface.

    [0021] Support items (at arbitrary positions) on the experiment layer is preferably used to mean that an item's weight repose on the experiment layer (e.g. on a plate) and that no cavities or openings may be provided in the experiment layer to receive the items; alternatively, openings or cavities may be provided in the experiment layer. In such cases, the experiment layer may preferably be a horizontal or horizontally slanted transparent plate on which the items can be placed.

    [0022] Support items at arbitrary positions in the experiment layer is preferably used to mean that an item is placed in a cavity or opening in the experiment layer (e.g openings in a plate). In such cases, the experimental layer may be a horizontal or horizontally slanted plate, which comprise one or more openings for receiving item(s) and means of supporting the item's weight in the opening(s).

    [0023] Adapted to support an item preferably means that the items weight repose either on a plate or in an opening in a plate, on or in the experiment layer respectively.

    [0024] Transparent is preferably used to mean that e.g. the experiment layer is a plate made from a transparent material such glass, plastic or the like allowing light to pass through the transparent layer to allow items located on the layer to be imaged (or in general sensed) from below through the layer.

    [0025] Experiment is preferably to be considered in broad terms including also repeated experiments and production.

    [0026] In preferred embodiments according to the first aspect, the robot comprising
    • a horizontal or horizontally slanted experiment layer being adapted to support items at arbitrary positions on or in the experiment layer, wherein said experiment layer being transparent and/or comprising one or more openings adapted to receive one or more items or to display the at least a part of the bottom of the item, said openings being either through going the experiment layer or comprising a transparent bottom;
    • a moveable sensor arranged below the experimental layer said sensor being configured for providing a sensor signal indicative of item(s)' location on the experiment layer;
    • an actuator arranged for being moved into different positions above the horizontal transparent layer;
    • a display device being configured for visually representing located item(s);
    • a user input device;
    wherein the robot further comprising a processor configured to
    • on the basis of the sensor signal locate an item on the experiment layer;
    • display the located item(s) or a graphical presentation thereof on the display device;
    • receive a manipulation input through the user input device, and
    • in response to said manipulation input, control the actuator to manipulate the content of the displayed item(s).


    [0027] In some preferred embodiments, the location of an item may comprise determining the relative position in the robot of the item.

    [0028] In some preferred embodiments, the sensor may further be adapted to determine the content of an item.

    [0029] In some preferred embodiments, the transparent experiment layer may extend in one horizontal plane.

    [0030] In some preferred embodiments, the manipulation may comprise exchange content between items supported by the experiment layer.

    [0031] In some preferred embodiments, the robot may comprise rails and slides arranged below the transparent experiment layer and on which the sensor may be arranged so to move the sensor horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer.

    [0032] In some preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise a camera, such as an digital camera, such as an optical coherence tomography camera, with a field of view covering at least a section of the experimental layer.

    [0033] In some preferred embodiments, the robot may comprise rails and slides arranged above the transparent experiment layer and on which the actuator may be arranged so to move the actuator horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer and vertically.

    [0034] In some preferred embodiments, the robot may comprise a robotic arm on which the actuator may be arranged.

    [0035] In some preferred embodiments, the actuator may comprise an electronically operated suction and dispensing device, such as a syringe, pipette or the like.

    [0036] In some preferred embodiments, one or more of the items may be containers, such as petri dish, well-plate or the like.

    [0037] In some preferred embodiments, one or more of the items may be receptacles having an at least partially transparent bottom and/or a non-transparent marker.

    [0038] In some preferred embodiments, the robot may further comprise an item dispenser configured for dispensing items onto and/or into the experimental layer.

    [0039] In some preferred embodiments, the display device and input device together may be a touch sensitive display device.

    [0040] In some preferred embodiments, the experiment layer may be adapted to support items in the experiment layer by comprising a horizontal or horizontally slanted plate comprising openings adapted to receive items. In combination thereto, the size, shape and number of openings in a plate may define a plate pattern so as to allow one plate pattern to be exchanged with another plate with another plate pattern. Alternatively or in combination thereto, the plate may comprise one or more openings made in material such as metal, plastic or glass, preferably said plates is produced by moulding.

    [0041] In some preferred embodiments, the robot may further comprise a protective transparent plate positioned, preferably parallel to and, below the experiment layer, such as below the plate comprising one or more openings.

    [0042] In some preferred embodiments, the at least one, such as all openings may have a bottom to repose the weight of an item wherein at least the bottom(s) may be transparent to allow the moveable sensor to provide a sensor signal indicative of the items location in the experimental layer.

    [0043] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a receptacle for use in a robot according to the first aspect. Such a receptacle may preferably be adapted to receive a container and having an open or transparent bottom and/or a non-transparent marker.

    [0044] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of controlling the robot according the first aspect of the invention.

    [0045] In some preferred embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of:
    • obtaining by use of the sensor the location of one or more items, if any present, at the experiment layer,
    • displaying on the display device, an image representing the one or more located items,
    • receiving manipulation input through the user input device indicative of desired exchange of content between the displayed items,
    • controlling the actuator in accordance with the received manipulation input.


    [0046] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the sensor may be a camera providing a digital image and the step of obtaining the location of one or more items may comprise
    • obtaining the field of view used for providing the digital image;
    • for at least one item (8), recognising in the digital image a pre-defined pattern representing the item (8) and the pattern's position in the field of view.


    [0047] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the pre-defined pattern may be a projected contour of an item on the experimental layer.

    [0048] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the pre-defined pattern may be an object, preferably not resembling the shape of the item, such as bar-code, a QR-code, a polygon, a circle, an ellipse.

    [0049] In some preferred embodiments of the method the manipulation input may comprise:
    • selecting one or more items to obtain a manipulated content
    • instructing the robot to provide the manipulated content.


    [0050] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the step of obtaining the location of one or more items may be repeated a number of time during the time at which a manipulation is carried out and the thereby obtained locations for each item may be compared to identify movements of the items during manipulation.

    [0051] In some preferred embodiments, the method may further comprise generating an error signal if a movement of an item is identified as being larger than a predefined threshold.

    [0052] In some preferred embodiments, the method may comprise
    • obtaining by use of the sensor for an item a signal representing the content of the item, such as a number of bacteria colonies in a petri dish.


    [0053] In some preferred embodiments of the method, the obtaining by use of the sensor for an item a signal representing the content of the item may be repeated a plurality of times so as to obtain a plurality of consecutive signals each representing the content of the item at different time instances.

    [0054] The individual aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the described embodiments.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES



    [0055] The present invention and in particular preferred embodiments thereof will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show ways of implementing the present invention and are not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set. In the figures having a coordinate system shown, the orientation according thereto relates to preferred orientations.

    Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a gantry robot according to a first embodiment of the invention,

    Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a the gantry robot of fig. 1,

    Figure 3 is a schematic view of a combined display device and input device (touch sensitive device) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

    Figure 4 is a schematic system-chart representing an out-line of/in detail the operations of the controlling of the gantry robot according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

    Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a receptacle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

    Figure 6 is a schematic view of an item being placed in an experiment layer and a protective transparent plate that in some embodiments of the invention is arranged below the experiment layer, and

    Figure 7 illustrates an experiment layer comprising openings adapted to support items in the experiment layer.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT



    [0056] Reference is made to fig. 1 which schematically illustrates a robot according to a first embodiment of the invention. It is noted that the embodiment of fig. 1 illustrates the robot as being a gantry robot, but the invention is not limited to such gantry robots as will be elucidated below. In the following x,y refers to horizontal coordinates and z refers to vertical coordinates.

    [0057] As illustrated in fig. 1, the robot 1 comprises a horizontal transparent experiment layer 3 being adapted to support items 21, 8 at arbitrary positions at the experiment layer 3. In many practical embodiments, the transparent experiment layer 3 is a plate 22 made from a transparent material such glass, plastic or the like allowing light to pass through the transparent layer 3 to allow items 8 located on the layer 3 to be imaged (or in general sensed) from below through the layer 3. In some preferred embodiments, the term "at arbitrary position" refers to that the transparent layer 3 is a straight plate with no cavities/openings or with cavities/openings, indentations or the like for receiving the items 5. Items 8, 21 can either be placed arbitrarily on the surface or by using a fixture be restricited to a fixed pre-determined position.

    [0058] The robot further comprising a moveable sensor 5 arranged below the transparent experimental layer 3. The sensor 5 is typically arranged so that it can be moved horizontally in an x,y-plane and the sensor 5 is preferably configured for providing a sensor signal indicative of item(s)' 8 location, e.g. the x,y position, at the experiment layer 3.

    [0059] The robot further comprising an actuator 7 arranged for being moved into different positions above the horizontal transparent layer 3. Typically, the actuator is moveable in all three directions x,y,z of the robot, so as to allow the actuator to e.g. extract a sample from one item 8, and deliver the sample to another item 8 both items being located on the transparent layer 3.

    [0060] Thus, a characteristic of a robot according to the present invention is that the actuator 7 is located above the transparent layer 3 and the sensor 5 is located below the transparent layer 3.

    [0061] The sensor 5 is disclosed above as being configured for determining the position of an item 8; however, the sensor 5 may also be configured for determining a content in an item. For instance the sensor 5 may be configured - assisted by suitable software and hardware - to determining e.g. a bacteria colony count in an item 10.

    [0062] Further, the robot has a display device 12 being configured for visually representing located item(s) 8. This typically means that the sensor 5 determines the position of an item 8 and an image is shown on the display device 12 illustrating the position of the item 8 on the transparent layer 3 and/or the items relative position to another item 8 located on the transparent layer 3 (see also fig. 3).

    [0063] In fig. 1 data connections used e.g. for instructing elements of the robot and/or receiving data from such elements are illustrated by dotted lines. It is noted that the processor(s) 19 used in the control of the robot and the display device is(are) in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 built into the display device 12 but may be arranged differently.

    [0064] Instruction of the robot to carry out a manipulation of items 8 and/or content in the items 5 is typically carried out by use of a user input device 13. Preferably, and as illustrated in fig. 1, the user input is a touch sensitive screen of the display device and the instruction to be carried out by the robot is typically provided by a drag-and-drop (see fig. 3) action. Alternatively or in combination thereto the input device may be a computer mouse (not shown).

    [0065] The control of the various functions of the robot is carried out by a processor 19 included in the robot or in a computer connected to the robot, e.g. built into the display device 12 as disclosed above. Such a processor - or computer in general - is typically configured to on the basis of the sensor signal(s) to locate an item 8 on the transparent experiment layer 3, to provide e.g. the x,y-coordinates of an item 8.

    [0066] After the item is located, the processor 19 produces a graphical representation of the located item(s) on the display device 12.

    [0067] The processor 19 then receives a manipulation input through the user input device 13, and in response to said manipulation input, controls the actuator 7 to manipulate the content of the displayed item(s) 8.

    [0068] It is noted that although focus in the above have been put in disclosing the system as being user driven, the robot may operate in a fully automated manner if so desired. This could for instance be implemented by the user input being pre-input as a general instruction to perform a given manipulation with a pre-selected set of items 8 such as containers.

    [0069] An item's 8 location may be described in different reference systems, and it is generally preferred that the location of an item 8 comprising determining the relative position in the robot. This means for instance the an x-y-coordinate system is assigned with a fixed origo on surface of the transparent experimental layer 3 and a position of an item 8 is referenced within this coordinate system. Further, as an item 8 typically has a horizontal extension, the position of the item may be selected either as a projection of the horizontal extension on the experimental layer 3 (whereby the position may be a set of x,y coordinates parametric representation of the projection) and/or a geometrical centre of the item 8.

    [0070] As disclosed above the sensor 5 may further be adapted to determine the content of an item 8. This means that the sensor 5 may be comprised by a composite sensor having a number of different sensors 5' for sensing different characteristics and being assembled to form the composite sensor 5. Such different sensors 5' may be thermographic sensors, magnetism sensors, microscope, full view camera, laser scanners, web-cam and/or the like.

    [0071] Although the invention is not limited to a transparent experiment layer 3 extending in one horizontal plane, this is generally preferred e.g. as items 8 can be moved around on the horizontal plane by a simple push-pull operation. However, if for instance a slanted transparent layer 3 is preferred, the items 8 can be maintained a position on the layer e.g. by use of magnetic force. If the items 8 is not magnetisable, a magnetisable element, such as a sheet of metal, may be applied to the item. If a receptacle 17 is used, this receptacle can be made of metal or other magnetisable material or a magnetisable element, such as a sheet of metal may be applied to the receptacle 17.

    [0072] The manipulation may comprise a number of different actions and in a preferred embodiment, the manipulation comprising exchange content between items 8 supported by the experiment layer 3. In such embodiments, the actuator 7 may preferably comprising a pump such as an actuated syringe for sucking up liquid from an item 8, and deliver the liquid into another item 8 (if the item is a well plate, the actuator may also deliver to another well in the same item).

    [0073] In a preferred embodiments as illustrated in fig. 1, the robot 1 comprising rails 14 (extending horizontally - see fig. 2) and slides 15 arranged on the rails 14 to provide an x-y-movement; the sensor 5 is arranged on one of the slide 15 and this arrangement is arranged below the transparent experiment layer 3 so as to move the sensor 5 horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer 3.

    [0074] In many preferred embodiments, the sensor 5 comprises or is formed by a camera 9, such as a standard web camera, with a field of view covering at least a section of the experimental layer 3. As will be elucidated further below, locating of an item by a camera included determining the position of the item 8 in the field of view of the camera and determining the position of the camera, the latter being determined e.g. by keeping track of the movement of the camera or by a calibration step that provides the position of the camera.

    [0075] In embodiments where the robot 1 is in the form of a gantry robot, the robot has rails 14 and slides 15 arranged above the transparent experiment layer 3 as illustrated in fig. 2. The actuator 5 is arranged on a slide so as to move the actuator 5 horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer 3 and vertically.

    [0076] Alternatively to the gantry robot - or in combination thereto - the robot has a robotic arm 6 on which the actuator 7 is arranged. Such a robotic arm 6 is typically a multi axis robotic arm with a pivot position arranged away from the plane defined by the transparent layer 3; that is typically beside extremities of the sensor layer 4 and at the same vertical level as the sensor layer 4.

    [0077] Common for both the gantry robot and the robotic arm - or a robot in general - is typically, that the actuator 5 may comprise an electronically operated suction or dispensing device, such as a syringe, pipette or the like.

    [0078] A robot according to the present invention is considered highly versatile as it may handle and manipulate content of item 8 of many different types, and it is has proven to be specially useful for robotic handling of item being containers, such as petri dish, well-plate or the like.

    [0079] While many such items 8 can be characterised as containers having an at least partially transparent bottom and/or a non-transparent marker 16. Such non-transparent marker 16 may be applied to the item 8 in order to solve visibility issues stemming from a camera having difficulties in locating transparent items and/or may be applied to identify a certain item 8. Such a marker 16 may be in the form of e.g. a bar code or another unique identifier, e.g. a physical element arranged inside and/or outside the item 8.

    [0080] As illustrated in fig.s 1 and 2, a robot 1 according to the present invention may further comprise an item dispenser 11 configured for dispensing items onto the experimental layer 3. As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 the item dispenser has a storage for storing a stack of item and a pusher configured to push an item 8 from the stack (typically the lowest item in the stack) and onto the experimental layer 3. If further positioning of an item 8 on the experimental layer is desired, the actuator 8 may be equipped with a device configured for moving the item 8 along around on the experimental layer 3.

    [0081] In some preferred embodiment, the items 8 (or in general container 10) are received in a receptacle 17. Such a receptacle 17 is adapted to receive e.g. a container and has an open or transparent bottom and/or a non-transparent marker 16. This concept is illustrated in fig. 5. which illustrates in a schematically manner a receptacle 17 having an open bottom 18 - or an at least partially transparent bottom part 18. In the upper part of fig. 5, the receptacle 17 is shown as seen from above and in the lower part of fig. 5, the receptacle 17 is shown in a cross sectional view along line A-A in the upper part of fig. 5. The receptacle may be applied with a non-transparent marker 16 as illustrated in right hand side of fig. 5 illustrating the receptacle as seen from below. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the non-transparent marker is a 4-point star which may be used to indicate the receptacle type or identify the receptacle, which in the latter case often requires that the non-transparent marker is unique for a given receptacle. Other graphical presentations of the non-transparent marker 16, such as bar-codes or the like, can be applied and the actual position on the bottom of the receptacle 17 of the non-transparent marker may be different from what is shown in fig. 5 - for instance the non-transparent marker may be arranged on a transparent bottom of a receptacle.

    [0082] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a robot 1 according to the present invention. Such a method comprises the steps of:
    • obtaining by use of the sensor 5 the location of one or more items 8, if any present, at the experiment layer 3,
    • displaying on the display device 12, an image representing the one or more located items 8,
    • receiving manipulation input through the user input device 13 indicative of desired exchange of content between the displayed items 8,
    • controlling the actuator 7 in accordance with the received manipulation input.


    [0083] The displaying and manipulation input is schematically illustrated in fig. 1. This figure illustrates a display device imaging two items, a petri dish and a well plate. The manipulation input is illustrated by the "drag and drop" operation where a user e.g points at the petri dish and drags the petri dish onto the well plate. This is translated by the processor 19 of the robot to a manipulation where content of the petri dish is transferred to one of the wells of the well plate.

    [0084] The sensor is preferably a camera providing a digital image and the step of obtaining the location of one or more items 8 typically comprises
    • obtaining the field of view used for providing the digital image;
    • for at least one item 8, recognising in the digital image a pre-defined pattern representing the item 8 and the pattern's position in the field of view.


    [0085] Typically, the pre-defined pattern is a projected contour of an item on the experimental layer 3. Alternatively, or in combination thereto, the pre-defined pattern is or includes an object, preferably not resembling the shape of the item 8, such as bar-code, a QR-code, a polygon, a circle, an ellipse.

    [0086] In some situation, the manipulation or other externally influences may shift the position of an item during the manipulation and the step of obtaining the location of one or more items 8 may be repeated a number of time during the time at which a manipulation is carried out and the thereby obtained locations for each item 8 are compared to identify movements of the items during manipulation. This can be used to generate an error signal if a movement of an item is identified as being larger than a predefined threshold. If such an error signal is generated, the manipulation may be changed or aborted so as e.g. to assure that the manipulation is carried out as instructed.

    [0087] While the above disclosure of the method according to the invention focus of the locating of items the method may advantageously also comprise the step of obtaining by use of the sensor 5 for an item 8 a signal representing the content of the item 8, such as a number of bacteria colonies in a petri dish. Thereby the robot can be used both as a manipulation device and as a measuring device in broad terms.

    [0088] The obtaining by use of the sensor 5 for an item 8 a signal representing the content of the item 8 is repeated a plurality of time so as to obtain a plurality of consecutive signals each representing the content of the item 8 at different time instances. Thereby time series may be obtained representing e.g. a process occurring in an item 8.

    [0089] Also the actuator 7 may be devised with a sensor for sensing one or more properties in or of items 8 arranged on the experimental layer 3.

    [0090] The invention can be implemented by means of hardware, software, firmware or any combination of these. The invention or some of the features thereof can also be implemented as software running on one or more data processors and/or digital signal processors.

    [0091] The individual elements of an embodiment of the invention may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way such as in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of separate functional units. The invention may be implemented in a single unit, or be both physically and functionally distributed between different units and processors.

    [0092] Reference is made fig. 4 being a flow chart schematically illustrating preferred steps carried out in connection with the present invention. As illustrated in fig. 4, the sensor 5, provides the location of items - in the embodiment of fig. 4, the items are containers - on the experimental layer 3. The location is send to the input device and to the actuator.

    [0093] On the input device, the user is presented with the information provided by or related to the information provided by the sensor, that is typically an image showing the item identified and the items position relative to another item. It is noted if for instance a digital image is obtained, the image shown on the input device may be the digital image but may alternatively be another graphical presentation of the item.

    [0094] The input device is typically as disclosed above, a touch sensitive screen and the user may instruct the robot to carry out operations on the items by a drag-and-drop operation as illustrated in fig. 3.

    [0095] In some embodiments of the invention, the experiment layer is adapted to support items 21 on the experiment layer, that is what is disclosed e.g. in fig. 1 and 2, wherein the experimental layer is formed by the plate at which the items repose, such as on a horizontal or horizontally slanted transparent plate 22, with or without one or more cavities/openings 20.

    [0096] The experiment layer 3 may comprise one or more openings 20 adapted to receive one or more items 8, 21 as disclosed below with reference to fig.s 6 and 7. Alternatively to receiving one or more items 8, 21 in the openings 20, the openings 20 may be smaller than the item allowing the items to repose on the plate 23 so as to display at least a part of the bottom of the item (8, 21) through the opening(s) 20; said openings being either through going the experiment layer 3 or comprising a transparent bottom.

    [0097] In some embodiments (see fig. 6 and 7), the experiment layer is adapted to support items 21 in the experiment layer, such as in a horizontal or horizontally slanted plate 23 comprising openings 20 adapted to receive items 21.

    [0098] Reference is made to fig. 6, which illustrates an item 21 (In this case a well plate with twelve receptacles) which is about to be positioned (indicated by the vertical arrow pointing towards one of the openings 20) in an experiment layer 3 in a plate 23 comprising four openings 20 for receiving items 21, such as well plates.

    [0099] The plate may theoretically comprise any number of openings in any desired size and shape, however the most preferred shape are square openings to receive well-plates.

    [0100] The size, shape and number of openings 20 in a plate 23 define a plate pattern. Different plate patterns can be designed and inserted into the experiment layer 3 so as to allow versatile use of the robot of the invention. More specifically this means, that one plate with one plate pattern can be exchanged with another plate with another plate pattern.

    [0101] The plate 23 comprising one or more openings 20 can be made in material such as metal, plastic or glass. Preferably, plates with different plate patterns can produced by moulding.
    The experimental layer 3 may comprise a protective transparent plate 24 positioned parallel below the plate 23 comprising one or more openings, e.g. to repose the weight of an item and/or protect the moveable sensor located below the transparent plate. Figure 6 illustrates such a transparent protective plate 24. It is noted that such an protective transparent plate 24 may also be used in case the transparent experiment layer of fig. 1 is used.

    [0102] The transparent protective plate 24 and the plate 23 with one or more openings may or may not touch each other. The transparent protective plate 24 and the plate 23 with one or more openings 20 may be merged/fused together, so to form cavities or openings with a bottom.

    [0103] The openings 20 may have a bottom (not illustrated) to repose the weight of an item 8, 21 and in such embodiments, at least the bottoms are transparent to allow the moveable sensor 5 to provide a sensor signal indicative of the items location in the experimental layer.
    Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of an (seen from below) comprising a plate 23 with three openings, separated by protrusions 25 to form fiftheen openings 20 configured to receive and support the weight of fifhteen items 21, in this case well-plates, wherein two well-plates have been received in the openings 20 at abitrary positions. In fig. 7, the weight of the two items 21 are supported by semi or quarter circular protrusions 25 in the plate 23, each quarter circular protrusion configured to support one fourth of an items weight. Thus the semicircular protrusions can support one fourth of two different items weights.

    [0104] The protrusions 25 have to be configured in a way that allows an item 21 to be placed in an opening 20 and repose its weight upon the protrusions 25.

    [0105] The protrusions 25 can be in any form and shape, as long as they support the weight of an item and still allow the moveable sensor 5 to provide a sensor signal indicative of the receptacles 17 location in an item 21.

    [0106] Using figure 7 as a reference, it is apparent that one opening can support more than one item.

    [0107] In fig. 7, the items are placed at arbitrary positions and could have been placed in any other opening without any effect on the robot.

    List of reference symbols used:



    [0108] 
    1
    Robot
    2
    Actuator layer
    3
    Experimental layer
    4
    Sensor layer
    5
    Sensor
    6
    Robotic arm
    7
    Actuator
    8
    Item
    9
    Camera
    10
    Container
    11
    Item dispenser
    12
    Display device
    13
    User input device
    14
    Rail
    15
    slide
    16
    Non-transparent marker
    17
    Receptacle
    18
    Opening in receptacle
    19
    Processor
    20
    Opening
    21
    Item comprising one or more receptacles, such as a well plate
    22
    Transparent plate
    23
    Plate comprising one or more opening
    24
    Optional protective transparent plate
    25
    Protrusion



    Claims

    1. A robot (1) comprising

    - a horizontal or horizontally slanted experiment layer (3) being adapted to support items (8, 21) at arbitrary positions on or in the experiment layer (3), wherein said experiment layer (3) being transparent and/or comprising one or more openings (20) adapted to receive one or more items (8, 21) to display the at least a part of the bottom of the item (8, 21), said openings being either through going the experiment layer (3) or comprising a transparent bottom;

    - a moveable sensor (5) arranged below the experimental layer (3) said sensor being configured for providing a sensor signal indicative of item(s)' (8) location on the experiment layer (3);

    - an actuator (7) arranged for being moved into different positions above the horizontal transparent layer (3);

    - a display device (12) being configured for visually representing located item(s) (8);

    - a user input device (13);

    wherein the robot further comprising a processor (19) configured to

    - on the basis of the sensor signal locate an item (8) on the experiment layer (3);

    - display the located item(s) or a graphical presentation thereof on the display device (12);

    - receive a manipulation input through the user input device (13), and

    - in response to said manipulation input, control the actuator (7) to manipulate the content of the displayed item(s) (8).


     
    2. A robot (1) according to claim 1, wherein the location of an item (8) comprising determining the relative position in the robot of the item (8).
     
    3. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the manipulation comprising exchange content between items (8) supported by the experiment layer (3)
     
    4. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the robot comprising rails (14) and slides (15) arranged below the transparent experiment layer (3) and on which the sensor (5) is arranged so to move the sensor (5) horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer (3).
     
    5. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (5) comprising a camera (9), such as an digital camera, such as an optical coherence tomography camera, with a field of view covering at least a section of the experimental layer (3).
     
    6. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the robot comprising rails (14) and slides (15) arranged above the transparent experiment layer (3) and on which the actuator (5) is arranged so to move the actuator (5) horizontally in a plane parallel-displaced to the experimental layer (3) and vertically.
     
    7. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (5) comprising an electronically operated suction and dispensing device, such as a syringe, pipette or the like.
     
    8. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the items are containers (8), such as petri dish, well-plate or the like.
     
    9. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, preferably claims 1-7, wherein one or more of the items are receptacles (17) having an at least partially transparent bottom and/or a non-transparent marker (16).
     
    10. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (12) and input device (13) together is a touch sensitive display device.
     
    11. A robot (1) according to any of the preceding further comprising a protective transparent plate (24) positioned, preferably parallel to and, below the experiment layer (3), such as below the plate (23) comprising one or more openings.
     
    12. A method for controlling a robot (1) according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:

    - obtaining by use of the sensor (5) the location of one or more items (8), if any present, at the experiment layer (3),

    - displaying on the display device (12), an image representing the one or more located items (8),

    - receiving manipulation input through the user input device (13) indicative of desired exchange of content between the displayed items (8),

    - controlling the actuator (7) in accordance with the received manipulation input.


     
    13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is a camera providing a digital image and the step of obtaining the location of one or more items (8) comprising

    - obtaining the field of view used for providing the digital image;

    - for at least one item (8), recognising in the digital image a pre-defined pattern representing the item (8) and the pattern's position in the field of view.


     
    14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the pre-defined pattern is a projected contour of an item on the experimental layer (3).
     
    15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the pre-defined pattern is an object, preferably not resembling the shape of the item (8), such as bar-code, a QR-code, a polygon, a circle, an ellipse.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Roboter (1), umfassend

    - eine horizontale oder horizontal geneigte Experimentschicht (3), die dazu angepasst ist, Objekte (8, 21) an beliebigen Positionen auf oder in der Experimentschicht (3) zu halten, wobei die Experimentschicht (3) transparent ist und/oder eine oder mehrere Öffnungen (20) umfasst, die dazu angepasst sind, ein oder mehrere Objekte (8, 21) aufzunehmen, um zumindest einen Teil des Bodens des Objekts (8, 21) zu zeigen, wobei die Öffnungen entweder durch die Experimentschicht (3) hindurchverlaufen oder einen transparenten Boden umfassen;

    - einen beweglichen Sensor (5), der unter der Experimentschicht (3) angeordnet ist, wobei der Sensor zum Bereitstellen eines Sensorsignals, das einen Standort eines Objekts/von Objekten (8) auf der Experimentschicht (3) angibt, konfiguriert ist;

    - ein Betätigungselement (7), das dazu angeordnet ist, in unterschiedliche Positionen über der horizontalen transparenten Schicht (3) bewegt zu werden;

    - eine Anzeigevorrichtung (12), die zum visuellen Darstellen von lokalisierten Objekten (8) konfiguriert ist;

    - eine Benutzereingabevorrichtung (13);

    wobei der Roboter ferner einen Prozessor (19) umfasst, der für Folgendes konfiguriert ist:

    - auf der Grundlage des Sensorsignals, ein Objekt (8) auf der Experimentschicht (3) zu lokalisieren;

    - das lokalisierte Objekt/die lokalisierten Objekte oder eine grafische Darstellung davon auf der Anzeigevorrichtung (12) anzuzeigen;

    - eine Bearbeitungseingabe über die Benutzereingabevorrichtung (13) zu empfangen, und

    - als Reaktion auf die Bearbeitungseingabe das Betätigungselement (7) zu steuern, um den Inhalt der angezeigten Objekte (8) zu bearbeiten.


     
    2. Roboter (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Standort eines Objekts (8) Bestimmen der relativen Position des Objekts (8) in dem Roboter umfasst.
     
    3. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Bearbeitung Austausch von Inhalten zwischen Objekten (8), die durch die Experimentschicht (3) gehalten werden, umfasst.
     
    4. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Roboter Schienen (14) und Schlitten (15) umfasst, die unter der transparenten Experimentschicht (3) angeordnet sind und auf denen der Sensor (5) so angeordnet ist, dass der Sensor (5) horizontal auf einer Ebene, die zu der Experimentschicht (3) parallel versetzt ist, bewegt wird.
     
    5. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Sensor (5) eine Kamera (9), wie etwa eine Digitalkamera, wie etwa eine Kamera für optische Kohärenztomografie, mit einem Sichtfeld, das zumindest einen Abschnitt der Experimentschicht (3) abdeckt, umfasst.
     
    6. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Roboter Schienen (14) und Schlitten (15) umfasst, die über der transparenten Experimentschicht (3) angeordnet sind und auf denen das Betätigungselement (5) so angeordnet ist, dass das Betätigungselement (5) horizontal auf einer Ebene, die zu der Experimentschicht (3) parallel versetzt ist, und vertikal bewegt wird.
     
    7. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Betätigungselement (5) eine elektronisch betriebene Saug- und Abgabevorrichtung, wie etwa eine Spritze, Pipette oder dergleichen, umfasst.
     
    8. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei eines oder mehrere der Objekte Behälter (8) sind, wie etwa eine Petrischale, eine Well-Platte oder dergleichen.
     
    9. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bevorzugt der Ansprüche 1-7, wobei eines oder mehrere der Objekte Behältnisse (17) mit einem zumindest teilweise transparenten Boden und/oder einer nichttransparenten Markierung (16) sind.
     
    10. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Anzeigevorrichtung (12) und die Eingabevorrichtung (13) zusammen eine berührungsempfindliche Anzeigevorrichtung sind.
     
    11. Roboter (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine schützende transparente Platte (24), die, bevorzugt parallel zu und, unter der Experimentschicht (3) angeordnet ist, wie etwa unter der Platte (23), umfassend eine oder mehrere Öffnungen.
     
    12. Verfahren zum Steuern eines Roboters (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

    - Erhalten, durch Verwendung des Sensors (5), des Standorts von einem oder mehreren Objekten (8), falls vorhanden, auf der Experimentschicht (3),

    - Anzeigen, auf der Anzeigevorrichtung (12), eines Bildes, das das eine oder die mehreren lokalisierten Objekte (8) darstellt,

    - Empfangen von Bearbeitungseingabe über die Benutzereingabevorrichtung (13), die einen gewünschten Austausch von Inhalten zwischen den angezeigten Objekten (8) angibt,

    - Steuern des Betätigungselements (7) gemäß der empfangenen Bearbeitungseingabe.


     
    13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, wobei der Sensor eine Kamera ist, die ein digitales Bild bereitstellt, und der Schritt des Erhaltens des Standorts von einem oder mehreren Objekten (8) Folgendes umfasst:

    - Erhalten des Sichtfelds, das zum Bereitstellen des digitalen Bildes verwendet wird;

    - für zumindest ein Objekt (8), Erkennen, in dem digitalen Bild, eines vordefinierten Musters, das das Objekt (8) darstellt, und der Position des Musters in dem Sichtfeld.


     
    14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei das vordefinierte Muster eine projizierte Kontur eines Objekts auf der Experimentschicht (3) ist.
     
    15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, wobei das vordefinierte Muster ein Objekt ist, das bevorzugt nicht der Form des Objekts (8) ähnelt, wie etwa ein Strichcode, ein QR-Code, ein Polygon, ein Kreis, eine Ellipse.
     


    Revendications

    1. Robot (1) comprenant

    - une couche d'essai horizontale ou inclinée horizontalement (3) adaptée pour supporter des articles (8, 21) dans des positions arbitraires sur ou dans la couche d'essai (3), ladite couche d'essai (3) étant transparente et/ou comprenant une ou plusieurs ouvertures (20) adaptées pour recevoir un ou plusieurs articles (8, 21) pour afficher l'au moins une partie de la partie inférieure de l'article (8, 21), lesdites ouvertures traversant la couche d'essai (3), ou comprenant une partie inférieure transparente ;

    - un capteur mobile (5) agencé au-dessous de la couche d'essai (3), ledit capteur étant configuré pour fournir un signal de capteur indiquant l'emplacement du ou des articles (8) sur la couche d'essai (3) ;

    - un actionneur (7) agencé pour être déplacé dans différentes positions au-dessus de la couche transparente horizontale (3) ;

    - un dispositif d'affichage (12) configuré pour représenter visuellement le ou les articles repérés (8) ;

    - un dispositif d'entrée d'utilisateur (13) ;

    ledit robot comprenant en outre un processeur (19) configuré pour

    - sur la base du signal de capteur, repérer un article (8) sur la couche d'essai (3) ;

    - afficher le ou les articles repérés ou une présentation graphique de ceux-ci sur le dispositif d'affichage (12) ;

    - recevoir une entrée de manipulation par l'intermédiaire du dispositif d'entrée utilisateur (13), et

    - en réponse à ladite entrée de manipulation, commander à l'actionneur (7) de manipuler le contenu du ou des articles affichés (8).


     
    2. Robot (1) selon la revendication 1, ledit emplacement d'un article (8) comprenant la détermination de la position relative dans le robot de l'article (8).
     
    3. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ladite manipulation comprenant l'échange de contenu entre des articles (8) supportés par la couche d'essai (3).
     
    4. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit robot comprenant des rails (14) et des glissières (15) agencés au-dessous de la couche d'essai transparente (3) et sur lequel le capteur (5) est agencé de façon à déplacer le capteur (5) horizontalement dans un plan déplacé parallèlement à la couche d'essai (3).
     
    5. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit capteur (5) comprenant une caméra (9), telle qu'une caméra numérique, telle qu'une caméra de tomographie à cohérence optique, avec un champ de vision couvrant au moins une section de la couche d'essai (3).
     
    6. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit robot comprenant des rails (14) et des glissières (15) disposés au-dessus de la couche d'essai transparente (3) et sur lesquels l'actionneur (5) est agencé de façon à déplacer l'actionneur (5) horizontalement dans un plan déplacé parallèlement à la couche d'essai (3) et verticalement.
     
    7. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit actionneur (5) comprenant un dispositif d'aspiration et de distribution actionné électroniquement, tel qu'une seringue, une pipette ou similaire.
     
    8. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, un ou plusieurs des articles étant des récipients (8), tels qu'une boîte de Pétri, une plaque microtitre ou similaire.
     
    9. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, de préférence les revendications 1 à 7, un ou plusieurs des articles étant des réceptacles (17) possédant une partie inférieure au moins partiellement transparente et/ou un marqueur non transparent (16).
     
    10. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit dispositif d'affichage (12) et ledit dispositif d'entrée (13) étant ensemble un dispositif d'affichage tactile.
     
    11. Robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une plaque de protection transparente (24) positionnée, de préférence parallèle à la couche d'essai (3) et au-dessous de celle-ci, par exemple au-dessous de la plaque (23) comprenant une ou plusieurs ouvertures.
     
    12. Procédé permettant la commande d'un robot (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, le procédé comprenant les étapes de :

    - obtention par l'utilisation du capteur (5) de l'emplacement d'un ou plusieurs articles (8), si l'un quelconque est présent, au niveau de la couche d'essai (3),

    - affichage sur le dispositif d'affichage (12), d'une image représentant le ou les articles repérés (8),

    - réception d'une entrée de manipulation par l'intermédiaire du dispositif d'entrée utilisateur (13) indiquant un échange souhaité de contenu entre les articles affichés (8),

    - commande de l'actionneur (7) selon l'entrée de manipulation reçue.


     
    13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, ledit capteur étant une caméra fournissant une image numérique et ladite étape d'obtention de l'emplacement d'un ou plusieurs articles (8) comprenant

    - l'obtention du champ de vision utilisé pour fournir l'image numérique ;

    - pour au moins un article (8), la reconnaissance dans l'image numérique d'un motif prédéfini représentant l'article (8) et la position du motif dans le champ de vision.


     
    14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, ledit motif prédéfini étant un contour projeté d'un article sur la couche d'essai (3).
     
    15. Procédé selon la revendication 13, ledit motif prédéfini étant un objet, de préférence ne ressemblant pas à la forme de l'article (8), tel qu'un code-barres, un code QR, un polygone, un cercle, une ellipse.
     




    Drawing




















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description