Patent ID: 6456944
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An automatic analyzer for the assay of liquid samples, said analyzer comprising:a pipetting device for removing said liquid sample from a container and for transferring the sample, a mixing chamber having a reaction cuvette for receiving said sample, means for controlling the operation of the analyzer, sensors for monitoring the function of the analyzer, means for evaluating possible monitoring results and for delivering possible error messages, said means including at least one program-controlled processor, a plurality of operation and monitoring control units which are independent from each other, a central processing unit for activating each of said control units by a start command and for carrying out a process which ends with the delivery of a corresponding mode signal (S1 to S7) to said central processing unit, and a combinatory logic circuit which is connected to at least two of said control units, said logic circuit combining messages delivered by said control units as a logical AND and delivering to said central processing unit an output mode signal which corresponds to the combinatory result, and reactions of the analyzer each of which corresponds to each one of the mode signals (S1 to S7) being provided in said central processing unit.