Abstract:
Provided are a system and method for checking a state of a rotator. The system includes: a position recognition sensor that senses a position of a rotator and generates a position synchronization signal corresponding to the position of the rotator; a control unit that detects a position of a detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the position synchronization signal and generates an image photographing control signal corresponding to the detected position of the detection specimen; and a camera system that photographs an image of the detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the image photographing control signal. Accordingly, movement of a detection specimen existing in the rotator when the rotator stops rotating or whether a detection specimen being rotated is centrifuged, moved, or dried is monitored and controlled, thereby checking a change in a state of the detection specimen in the process of development of the rotator and checking whether each of operations of the system is completed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0029059, filed on Apr. 3, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    An embodiment relates to a system and method for checking a state of a rotator, and more particularly, to a system and method for checking a state of a rotator by using a position synchronization signal and/or a rotational speed synchronization signal. 
         [0003]    In a conventional system for checking a state of a rotator, while a material to be detected, e.g., blood, which is included in the rotator, is being rotated, it cannot be verified whether centrifuging of the material is completed, whether the material is moved to a predetermined position, or whether an operation of drying the material is completed. Accordingly, every operation conducted in the system for checking a state of a rotator needs to be controlled by a time setting. Thus, the system is not capable of controlling the rotator until the setting of the time is finished. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
         [0005]    The embodiment provides a system and/or method for checking a state of a rotator, wherein a position synchronization signal and/or a rotational speed synchronization signal are used to monitor: movement state of a detection specimen existing in the rotator when the rotator stops rotating; a centrifugal condition, a movement state, or a drying condition of a detection specimen being rotated; or an operation of the system. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect a system for checking a state of a rotator, including: a position recognition sensor that senses a position of a rotator and generates a position synchronization signal corresponding to the position of the rotator; a control unit that detects a position of a detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the position synchronization signal and generates an image capturing control signal corresponding to the detected position of the detection specimen; and a camera system that captures an image of the detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the image capturing control signal is provided. 
         [0007]    The system may further include a rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit that generates a rotational speed synchronization signal having a frequency in proportion to a rotational speed of the rotator, wherein the control unit detects a position and a rotational speed of a detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the position synchronization signal and the rotational speed synchronization signal and generates an image capturing control signal corresponding to the detected position and the detected rotational speed of the detection specimen. 
         [0008]    The camera system may include: an illumination unit that emits light to the detection specimen; a camera module that captures an image of the detection specimen; an instrument unit that fixes the camera module; a supporting unit, to which the instrument unit is connected so that the instrument unit is capable of sliding in a diameter direction of the rotator; and a feeding motor that transmits motive power to the instrument unit to move the instrument unit. 
         [0009]    At least one chamber, in which a detection specimen is stored, may be disposed on a surface of the rotator and a recognition mark that displays data of the chamber is respectively attached on the surface of the rotator, and the position recognition sensor senses the recognition mark to generate the position synchronization signal. 
         [0010]    The position recognition sensor may include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the light emitting unit emits light to the recognition mark, and the light receiving unit may receive the light that is either reflected by or transmitted through the recognition mark to generate the position synchronization signal. 
         [0011]    The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be disposed below the rotator and generate the position synchronization signal corresponding to an amount of reflected light. 
         [0012]    The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be disposed opposite each other, having the rotator interposed therebetween, and generate the position synchronization signal corresponding to an amount of transmitted light. 
         [0013]    The light emitting unit may be one of an infrared ray sensor, a light emitting diode (LED), and a laser, and the light receiving unit is a photo-detector. 
         [0014]    The recognition mark may include at least a mark representing an initial start position of the chamber. 
         [0015]    The recognition mark may include at least a mark that represents an image capturing position. 
         [0016]    The recognition mark may include at least a mark that represents a chamber type. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect a method of checking a state of a rotator, the method including: sensing a position within a rotator and generating a position synchronization signal corresponding to the position within the rotator; generating a rotational speed synchronization signal having a frequency in proportion to a rotational speed of the rotator; detecting a position and a rotational speed of a detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the position synchronization signal and the rotational speed synchronization signal; and capturing an image of the detection specimen existing in the rotator based on results of the detecting is provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a system for checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a system for checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a rotator used in a system for checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of a position of a chamber included in a rotator that is recognized by using a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit of a position recognition sensor which are disposed below the rotator by using reflected light, according to an embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views of a position of a chamber included in a rotator that is recognized by using transmitted light, wherein the rotator is disposed between a light emitting unit and a receiving unit of a position recognition sensor in a symmetrical configuration, according to an embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a structural diagram of a recognition mark included in a rotator, according to an embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view illustrating a chamber and a recognition mark disposed in a rotator used in a system for checking a state of a rotator, according to an embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  is an extended view of a fourth chamber and a fourth recognition mark illustrated in  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method of checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
         [0029]    The attached drawings for illustrating embodiments of the inventive concept are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of the inventive concept, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation of the inventive concept. 
         [0030]    Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail by explaining preferred embodiments of the inventive concept with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
         [0031]    The embodiment relates to a system for checking a state of a detection specimen that is included in a rotator, and particularly, to monitoring a state of a detection specimen, such as blood, that is disposed in a predetermined chamber of a bio disc that is used as a rotator, or to any technology that may use the state of the detection specimen as a feedback signal. The rotator in embodiments of the inventive concept is not limited to a bio disc but may be any rotator including therein a specimen at a predetermined position, for checking the state of the specimen. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a rotator state checking system  1  according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a rotator state checking system for checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment. 
         [0033]    The rotator state checking system  1  detects a position and a rotational speed of a detection specimen in a rotator  10  based on a position synchronization signal and a rotational speed synchronization signal, and allows a photographic image to be taken of the detection specimen in the rotator  10  based on the detected position and the detected rotational speed thereof. 
         [0034]    The rotator state checking system  1  includes a chamber  70  in which the detection specimen is stored, the rotator  10  including a recognition mark  80  for recognizing the chamber  70 , and a spindle motor  40  that is capable of mounting the rotator  10  and rotating the same at high speed. 
         [0035]    A position recognition sensor  20  that generates a position synchronization signal to adjust synchronization with a predetermined position of the detection specimen is associated with the rotator  10 . In detail, at least one chamber  70  in which a detection specimen is stored and at least one recognition mark  80  marking data of the chamber  70  are disposed on a surface of the rotator  10 , and the position recognition sensor  20  senses the recognition mark  80  attached to the rotator  10 , to generate a position synchronization signal. 
         [0036]    A control unit  30  receives the position synchronization signal generated by the position recognition sensor  20 , and detects a position of the detection specimen existing in the rotator  10  based on the received position synchronization signal. Also, the control unit  30  generates an image photographing control signal corresponding to the detected position of the detection specimen so that a camera system  60  is synchronized with a predetermined position of the rotator  10 , and the camera captures an image of the detection specimen existing at the predetermined position of the rotator  10 . 
         [0037]    The control unit  30  may be a micro-controller. 
         [0038]    The rotator state checking system  1  according to the embodiment of the inventive concept further includes a rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit  51  included in a motor drive integrated circuit (IC)  50 , which generates a rotational speed synchronization signal for synchronizing with the rotational speed of the rotator  10 . 
         [0039]    The rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit  51  generates a rotational speed synchronization signal having a frequency in proportion to a rotational speed of the rotator  10 . 
         [0040]    The control unit  30  receives the rotational speed synchronization signal that is generated by the rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit  51  and detects a rotational speed of the detection specimen existing in the rotator  10  based on the received rotational speed synchronization signal. 
         [0041]    Also, the control unit  30  generates an image photographing control signal corresponding to the detected rotational speed of the rotator  10  so that the camera system  60  is synchronized with the rotational speed of the rotator  10  and the camera captures an image of the detection specimen existing at a predetermined position of the rotator  10 . 
         [0042]    In detail, the motor drive IC  50  controls the rotational speed of the rotator  10  by controlling the spindle motor  40 , and the rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit  51  generates a rotational speed synchronization signal from the rotational speed of the rotator  10  and transmits the same to the control unit  30 . The control unit  30  detects a rotational speed of a detection specimen based on the received rotational speed synchronization signal and generates an image photographing signal corresponding to the detected rotational speed of the detection specimen and controls the camera system  60  to capture several images per rotation of the rotator  10  according to the performance of the camera system  60 . 
         [0043]    By repeating the above operations, changes in the state of the detection specimen included in the rotator  10 , which is being rotated, may be automatically monitored over time. 
         [0044]    The camera system  60  used in the rotator state checking system  1  captures an image of the detection specimen disposed at a predetermined position, and includes a camera module  61 , an illumination unit  62 , an instrument unit  63 , a supporting unit  64 , and a feeding motor  65 . 
         [0045]    The illumination unit  62  emits light to or toward a detection specimen, and the camera module  61  captures an image of the detection specimen by using light that is reflected by or transmitted through the detection specimen. The camera module  61  needs to photograph the detection specimen included in the rotator  10  while the rotator  10  is rotating, and thus requires a high performance photographing method. Examples of the camera module  61  include a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and other various types of camera modules. 
         [0046]    The instrument unit  63  is used to fix the camera module  61 . The instrument unit  63  may be connected to the supporting unit  64  and to slide in a radial direction of the rotator  10 . Meanwhile, the feeding motor  65  transmits motive power to the instrument unit  63  so that the instrument unit  63  including the camera module  61  can move to the chamber  70  in which the detection specimen to be photographed is positioned. 
         [0047]    As described above, the camera module  61  is not fixedly positioned but is capable of moving in the diameter direction of the rotator  10 , and thus the control unit  30  controls the camera system  60  to be synchronized with a position synchronization signal and/or a rotational speed synchronization signal of the rotator  10  and thus captures an image of the detection specimen that is being rotating at a predetermined position of the rotator  10  at a particular rotational speed. 
         [0048]    Accordingly, the rotator state checking system  1  according to the embodiment may monitor movement conditions of the detection specimen included in the chamber  70  of the rotator  10  or various states of the detection specimen while the rotator  10  is rotating, thereby checking whether each of the operations performed on the detection specimen is completed and how the detection specimen is changed. Also, according to the current embodiment of the inventive concept, a rotational speed synchronization signal and a position synchronization signal are received, and thus images of a plurality of detection specimens included in the rotator  10  at the predetermined position are photographed in automatic synchronization with a speed of the rotator  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a rotator  10  used in a system for checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0050]    One or more chambers, in each of which a detection specimen is stored, are disposed on or in a surface of the rotator  10 , and a recognition mark representing each of the chambers may be respectively attached. In  FIG. 3 , four first through fourth chambers  70 _ 1 ,  70 _ 2 ,  70 _ 3 , and  70 _ 4  are disposed on the rotator  10 , but more chambers may also be disposed. 
         [0051]    Different detection specimens are respectively included in the first chamber  70 _ 1 , the second chamber  70 _ 2 , the third chamber  70 _ 3 , and the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 . Thus, when a user wants to check a state of a detection specimen in one of the plurality of the chambers, the chamber needs to be identified. 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first chamber  70 _ 1 , the second chamber  70 _ 2 , the third chamber  70 _ 3 , and the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  are formed on the rotator  10 , and a first recognition mark  80 _ 1 , a second recognition mark  80 _ 2 , a third recognition mark  80 _ 3 , and a fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  are respectively positioned between the first through fourth chambers  70 _ 1 ,  70 _ 2 ,  70 _ 3 , and  70 _ 4  and a center of the rotator  10 . 
         [0053]    Meanwhile, a position recognition sensor senses the first through fourth recognition marks  80 _ 1 ,  80 _ 2 ,  80 _ 3 , and  80 _ 4  included in the rotator  10  to generate a position synchronization signal of a predetermined chamber in which a detection specimen to be detected exists. Hereinafter, a method of generating a signal by using the position recognition sensor by sensing a recognition mark will be described. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views for explaining recognition of a position of a chamber included in a rotator that is recognized by using a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit of a position recognition sensor, which are disposed below the rotator, by using reflected light, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0055]    The position recognition sensor  20  includes a light emitting unit  21  and a light receiving unit  22 . 
         [0056]    The light emitting unit  21  emits light to or toward a recognition mark  80  of a rotator  10 , and the light receiving unit  22  receives the light emitted to and reflected by the recognition mark  80  to generate a position synchronization signal. 
         [0057]    The light emitting unit  21  and the light receiving unit  22  may be disposed below the rotator  10 . In other words, the light emitted by the light emitting unit  21  to the recognition mark  80  may be reflected, and the light receiving unit  22  may receive the reflected light to generate a position synchronization signal corresponding to the recognition mark  80 . Meanwhile, the light emitting unit  21  and the light receiving unit  22  may be disposed on different printed circuit boards (PCBs)  23  as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  or on one PCB  23  as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0058]    The light emitting unit  21  may preferably be one of an infrared ray emitter, a light emitting diode (LED), and a laser. The light receiving unit  22  may be a photo-detector. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views illustrating a position of a chamber included in a rotator  10  that is recognized by using transmitted light, wherein the rotator is disposed between a light emitting unit  21  and a light receiving unit  22  of a position recognition sensor  20  in a symmetrical configuration, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the light emitting unit  21  and the light receiving unit  22  may be disposed opposite each other while having a rotator  10  disposed therebetween. That is, light emitted by the light emitting unit  21  to a recognition mark  80  may be transmitted through the recognition mark  80 , and the light receiving unit  22  may receive the transmitted light to generate a position synchronization signal of a chamber  70  corresponding to the recognition mark  80 . 
         [0061]    Meanwhile, the light emitting unit  21  may be disposed below the rotator  10  and the light receiving unit  22  may be disposed above the rotator  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , or the light emitting unit  21  may be disposed above the rotator  10  and the light receiving unit  22  may be disposed below the rotator  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  is a structural diagram of a recognition mark  80  included in a rotator  10 , according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0063]    The recognition mark  80  includes a chamber&#39;s initial start position mark  80   a , an image photographing synchronization mark  80   b , and a chamber type mark  80   c.    
         [0064]    The chamber&#39;s initial start position mark  80   a  represents an initial start position of a predetermined chamber. The position recognition sensor  20  senses an initial start position of a predetermined chamber provided by the chamber&#39;s initial start position mark  80   a  to generate an initial chamber start signal. The initial chamber start signal is transmitted to the control unit  30 , and the control unit  30  may control the camera system  60  to prepare for capturing of an image of a detection specimen included in a predetermined chamber. 
         [0065]    The image capturing synchronization mark  80   b  represents an image capturing position of a predetermined chamber. 
         [0066]    The position recognition sensor  20  senses an image capturing position of a predetermined chamber provided by the image capturing synchronization mark  80   b  to generate a position synchronization signal. The position synchronization signal is transmitted to the control unit  30 , and the control unit  30  synchronizes the camera system  60  with a position of the image capturing synchronization mark  80   b  included for the predetermined chamber so that the camera may capture an image of the detection specimen included in the predetermined chamber. 
         [0067]    The chamber type mark  80   c  represents a type of a predetermined chamber, which is used to identify a plurality of chambers. 
         [0068]    The position recognition sensor  20  senses a chamber type indication provided by the chamber type mark  80   c  to generate a chamber type signal. The chamber type signal is transmitted to the control unit  30 . The control unit  30  may control the camera system  60  such that the camera system  60  identifies a predetermined chamber to be photographed and captures an image of the detection specimen included in the predetermined chamber. 
         [0069]    In addition, the chamber type mark  80   c  may be used after the camera system  60  finishes capturing images, when the user analyzes the photographed image, to check, among a plurality of captured images, the chamber in which the detection specimen exists and a state of the detection specimen existing in the chamber. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view of a plurality of chambers and recognition marks disposed in a rotator  10  used in a rotator state checking system, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, and  FIG. 7B  is an extended view of a fourth chamber and a fourth recognition mark illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0071]    The rotator  10  may include a plurality of chambers, and different detection specimens may exist in the chambers. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 7A , recognition marks in the form of recognition bars are attached to the rotator  10 . In detail, a first chamber  70 _ 1 , a second chamber  70 _ 2 , a third chamber  70 _ 3 , and a fourth chamber  70 _ 4  are respectively formed radial distances r 1 , r 2 , r 3 , and r 4  away from a center of the rotator  10 . The recognition marks are attached between the first through fourth chambers  70 _ 1 ,  70 _ 2 ,  70 _ 3 , and  70 _ 4  and the center of the rotator  10 . A first recognition mark  80 _ 1  for the first chamber  70 _ 1 , a second recognition mark  80 _ 2  for the second chamber  70 _ 2 , a third recognition mark  80 _ 3  for the third chamber  70 _ 3 , and a fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  for the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  are respectively attached. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 7B , an extended view of the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  for the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  is illustrated, wherein the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  includes recognition bars, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0074]    A chamber&#39;s initial start position mark  80 _ 4   a  of the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  marks a position where the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  is started, and a position recognition sensor  20  generates an initial chamber start signal as the chamber&#39;s initial start position mark  80 _ 4   a  senses an initial start position of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 . The initial chamber start signal is transmitted to a control unit  30 , and the control unit  30  controls a camera system  60  to prepare photographing of a detection specimen included in the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 . 
         [0075]    An image capturing synchronization mark  80 _ 4   b  of the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  marks an image capturing position of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 , and the position recognition sensor  20  senses the image capturing position of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  provided by the image capturing synchronization mark  80 _ 4   b  to generate a position synchronization signal. The position synchronization signal is transmitted to the control unit  30 , and the control unit  30  synchronizes the camera system  60  with a position of an image capturing synchronization mark  80 _ 4   b  included in the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  to capture an image of the detection specimen included in the predetermined chamber. 
         [0076]    A chamber type mark  80 _ 4   c  of the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  includes four recognition bars arranged in a row. In detail, four recognition bars are arranged to identify the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 . Referring to  FIG. 7A  again, a chamber type mark  80 _ 1   c  of the first chamber  70 _ 1  includes only one recognition bar, a chamber type mark  80 _ 2   c  of the second chamber  70 _ 2  includes two recognition bars arranged in a row, and a chamber type mark  80 _ 3   c  of the third chamber  70 _ 3  includes three recognition bars arranged in a row. 
         [0077]    The chamber type mark  80 _ 4   c  of the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  indicates a type of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  and is used to distinguish the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  from the first chamber  70 _ 1 , the second chamber  70 _ 2 , and the third chamber  70 _ 3 . 
         [0078]    The position recognition sensor  20  senses a chamber type indication provided by the chamber type mark  80 _ 4   c  to generate a chamber type signal of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4 . The chamber type signal is transmitted to the control unit  30 . The control unit  30  controls the camera system  60  such that the camera system  60  identifies the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  that is to be photographed and captures an image of the detection specimen included in the predetermined chamber. 
         [0079]    The recognition mark  80  may be arranged in the rotator  10  in various ways, and the arrangements illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  may also be modified in other various forms. 
         [0080]    Also, as described above, the fourth recognition mark  80 _ 4  of the fourth chamber  70 _ 4  includes recognition bars, and so may be the first recognition mark  80 _ 1  of the first chamber  70 _ 1 , the second recognition mark  80 _ 2  of the second chamber  70 _ 2 , and the third recognition mark  80 _ 3  of the third chamber  70 _ 3 . Herein, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0081]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method of checking a state of a rotator according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in operation S 1 , a position recognition sensor  20  senses a particular position within a rotator  10  based on a recognition mark  80  attached to a rotator  10  to generate a position synchronization signal corresponding to the particular position in the rotator  10 , and in operation S 2 , the position recognition sensor  20  generates a rotational speed synchronization signal having a frequency in proportion to a rotational speed of the rotator  10  by using a rotational speed synchronization signal generating unit  51 . 
         [0083]    Meanwhile, in operation S 3 , a control unit  30  detects a position and a rotational speed of a detection specimen existing in the rotator  10  based on the position synchronization signal and the rotational speed synchronization signal, and in operation S 4 , a camera system  60  captures an image of the detection specimen existing in the rotator  10  based on results of the detection. 
         [0084]    Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.