Labeling machine for blood-sampling tube automatic preparation device
Inventors
Matsumoto, Toshikazu • Hirasawa, Yoshimi • Mashiko, Junya • Nakamura, Ichiro • Morishima, Syunji
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8622108-B2
Publication Date
2014-01-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is a labeling device for an automatic test-tube setting-up device wherein an identification label can be pasted over a product label with a simple structure. A labeling device for an automatic blood-sampling-tube setting-up device comprises a means for taking out a blood-sampling tube based on patient information and supporting the blood-sampling tube at a labeling position, a blood-sampling tube driving means for rotary driving the blood-sampling tube at the labeling position, a label printing means for creating an identification label by printing test information and/or patient information and outputting the identification label to the labeling position, a product label position detecting means for detecting the edge of a product label previously pasted to the outer surface of the blood-sampling tube, and a controller for controlling the operation of the label printing means and the blood-sampling tube driving means such that the identification label is pasted over the product label with a continuous gap left in the axial direction of the blood-sampling tube on the outer surface of a blood-sampling tube based on information about the diameter of a blood-sampling tube corresponding to the blood-sampling tube at the labeling position, and information about the edge of the product label obtained from the product label position detecting means.
Core Innovation
A blood-sampling tube automatic preparation device selectively automatically picks up a blood-sampling tube required for the examination of the patient from blood-sampling tube containing sections on the basis of information related to one patient that includes examination information, patient information, or both. The labeling machine prints the examination information and/or patient information on a label based on the information related to one patient so as to make an identification label, and the identification label is pasted on the blood-sampling tube picked up from the blood-sampling tube containing sections. The collected blood-sampling tube on which the identification label is pasted is collected into a container for every patient.
The labeling machine supports the blood-sampling tube at a label pasting position and rotates the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position. A label printing means prints the examination information and/or patient information on the label to make the identification label and outputs the identification label to the label pasting position, and a production label position detection means detects an edge of a production label pre-pasted on the surface of the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position.
To paste the identification label in a controlled position, the control means controls the operations of the label printing means and the blood-sampling tube drive means so as to paste the identification label on the production label remaining a clearance gap continuously extended along the axis direction of the blood-sampling tube. The placement is controlled on the basis of diameter information of the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position and the edge information of the production label detected by the production label position detection means.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed claim set centers on one independent claim covering a labeling machine that pastes an identification label onto a pre-pasted production label using production-label edge detection and tube-diameter-based positioning, while leaving a clearance gap. Dependent claims further refine the source or acquisition of diameter information and specify alternative production-label edge detection implementations, including bar-code reader/optical scanning and multiple edge-processing logics.
Selective tube picking based on patient-related information and label generation
The labeling machine selectively automatically picks up a blood-sampling tube required for the examination of the patient from blood-sampling tube containing sections on the basis of information related to one patient that includes examination information, patient information, or both, and prints the examination information, patient information, or both on a label based on the information related to one patient to make an identification label.
Identification label pasting onto pre-pasted production label with clearance gap
The labeling machine supports the blood-sampling tube at a label pasting position, rotates the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position, and controls label printing and tube driving so as to paste the identification label on the production label remaining a clearance gap continuously extended along the axis direction of the blood-sampling tube.
Production label edge detection at label pasting position
The labeling machine includes production label position detection means for detecting an edge of a production label pre-pasted on the surface of the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position.
Position control based on tube diameter information and detected production-label edge information
The labeling machine controls the operations of the label printing means and the blood-sampling tube drive means so as to paste the identification label on the production label based on diameter information of the blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position and the edge information of the production label detected by the production label position detection means.
Diameter information acquisition and use by the control means
The labeling machine further includes at least one of: control means comprising a memory storing diameter information for each blood-sampling tube, control means receiving diameter information for each blood-sampling tube from a host computer, or measuring means measuring the diameter of each blood-sampling tube at the label pasting position and control means receiving that diameter information.
Barcode reader based production label position detection and optical scanning
A labeling machine includes a bar-code reader that checks an identification label pasted on a blood-sampling tube, where the production label detection means is the bar-code reader.
Edge detection by averaged scanned signals per revolution with maximal difference
The bar-code reader optically scans the outer surface of the blood-sampling tube along its axis while the tube is rotated at the label pasting position, averages scanned signals per tube revolution and forms data rows for each revolution, and detects the edge position of the production label by finding a difference between consecutive data in which a difference is maximal.
Overall, the claim coverage fixes the labeling machine architecture and then refines how tube diameter information is obtained and how the production-label edge position is detected, including bar-code reader/optical scanning and multiple signal-processing edge detection logics.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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