Patent ID: 9297821
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: G01J,G01N,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method for testing a capability of an analytical instrument to perform a predetermined analytical function, the analytical instrument comprising at least one sensor, a control unit and an output unit, the method comprising the steps of: activating a test program configured in the analytical instrument; selecting a first and a second blind sample, each blind sample comprising a test substance of a composition unknown to a user, with each blind sample having an identification means associated therewith that provides a unique identification to the respective blind sample; using the test program to determine whether a selected one of the at least one sensors, the control unit and output unit are configured for performing the predetermined analytical function; acquiring at least one first measurement value by using the selected sensor to measure the first blind sample; acquiring at least one second measurement value by using the selected sensor to measure the second blind sample; transferring, to a test unit, the respective measurement values and the associated unique identifications for the first and second blind samples; associating, in a database of the test unit, the unique identifications of each blind sample with a set value and a threshold value that is stored therein for the blind sample, the set value representing an expected measurement value for the blind sample and the threshold value representing a permitted deviation from the set value; determining, in the test unit, a test result for each blind sample, by comparing the measurement value to the stored set and threshold values for the blind sample; transferring the test result to the output unit; and outputting the test result by means of the output unit.