Patent Description:
In a laboratory environment, a number of units may often be running samples and collecting data at the same time. In many instances, multiple rows of units may be managed and monitored by a limited number of laboratory technicians or personnel.

Some current units have indicator lights that indicate the unit's status. Such status indicators are usually provided as a small button on the front of the unit. In examples in which the status indicator light has been made more prominent, the status indicator light structure <NUM> may be a raised, curved arch made of a translucent material that protrudes above the upper surface of the unit. An LED light associated with the status indicator light structure may cause the translucent material to glow the desired color. In some examples, a single point of light <NUM> may be emitted. One example is illustrated by <FIG>.

Document <CIT> discloses a status indicator system which is designed to project a light beam onto a surface.

One challenge presented by the current laboratory indicator light standard is that although the lights are positioned on the unit and although they indicate the status of the unit, they are not easily viewable unless the laboratory technician or personnel is looking directly at the unit, often standing directly in front of the unit or in a direct line of sight of the unit. However, in a laboratory with multiple rows of machines/instruments/units, a single person may be running a number of units at one time, without a direct line of sight to the status indicator of a particular unit. Factors that present challenges to the view of status indicator may depend upon the height of the unit, the height of the status indicator itself, and/or the height of the person attempting to read the status indicator. Improvements are thus desirable.

Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for a status indicator system for a laboratory unit, the system comprising: a plurality of indicator lights; a light cover positioned above the plurality of indicator lights, the light cover comprising an optically clear upper surface and frosted front and side surfaces; wherein the optically clear upper surface defines a convex lens that projects a visible light beam through the light cover onto a ceiling above the status indicator system, wherein a distance between the plurality of indicator lights and the light cover is optimized to provide a projected visible light image onto the ceiling.

Embodiments also provide a method of projecting a status indicator, the method comprising projecting a colored light of sufficient brightness and focus to be visible to the unaided human eye in a lit room within +/- <NUM>% of the footprint of a machine projecting the colored light.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a status indicator system <NUM> designed to be mounted on a laboratory machine, instrument, or unit. The unit may be a cellular analyzer, a slide-making machine, a flow cytometer, an automated or semi-automated imaging device, a centrifuge, a shaker/mixer, or any other type of machine used in research or medical laboratories.

The status indicator system <NUM> uses a plurality of indicator lights to indicate the status of the unit. Although specific colors options are described, it should be understood that any type of indicator lights may be used with the system described herein. For example, a green light may indicate that the unit is running smoothly, processing samples as intended, and otherwise does not need any attention. A red light may indicate that the unit has stopped running, is having a problem, or that samples are not currently being processed although the unit is powered/on/intended to be running. A yellow or amber light may indicate that the unit needs attention, but is still currently working. For example, the unit may be low on reagents, may be ready for reloading shortly, or otherwise needs attention from a laboratory technician soon in order to continue running at its current pace. A blue light may indicate that the unit is off-line/not currently processing, but is ready for samples and does not otherwise have a problem. Alternate and/or additional indicator lights are of course possible. These status indicator lights usually emit a constant beam of color, but it should be understood that it is possible to provide blinking or rotating indicator lights as well.

Laboratories are usually well-lit. In order to ensure that the status light is viewable, the status indicator system is designed to be bright/focused in order to compete with ambient room lights and/or daylight. In other words, the system is easily viewable in daylight, not only in darkness or in a darkened atmosphere.

One primary feature of the status indicator system <NUM> is the light cover <NUM>. Below or otherwise associated with the light cover <NUM> is a series of lights <NUM> configured to direct light into and onto surfaces of the light cover <NUM>. The light cover <NUM> is configured with at least one surface that allows light to pass through the light cover <NUM> to create an indicating light or line on an external surface (such as a ceiling or wall), and other surfaces that contain or scatter the light in order to illuminate the light cover <NUM> itself. According to the claims, a distance between a plurality of indicator lights and the light cover is optimized to provide a projected visible light image onto the ceiling.

As illustrated by <FIG>, one example of a light cover <NUM> is an elongated light pipe having a front surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM>, side surfaces <NUM>, and an upper surface <NUM>. The front surface <NUM> may have a forward and downward slope. The rear surface <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with an optional backing plate <NUM>. The backing plate <NUM> can block light from exiting the rear surface of the light cover <NUM>. (Optional backing plate <NUM> may also be used for mounting the status indicator to a unit. Additionally or alternatively, a separate mounting bracket <NUM> (described further below) may be provided. The mounting bracket <NUM> generally supports the lightboard <NUM> and mounts the completed system <NUM> to a unit).

Although a particular shape of the light cover <NUM> is shown and described, it should be understood that the light cover may be any appropriate shape or dimension. For example, the light cover <NUM> may be an extended oval or circular tube, a square or rectangle, may have a triangular cross sectional shape, an arc shape, or any other desired shape. In a specific but non-limiting example, the light cover is about <NUM> inches long, about <NUM> inches deep, and about <NUM> inches tall (such that it extends about <NUM> inches above the unit).

The front, rear and side surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) of the light cover <NUM> are configured such that they scatter light and illuminate the light cover <NUM>. In a specific example, these surfaces are frosted, textured, or otherwise treated to be opaque such that they cause projected light to diffuse. This frosting is shown in schematic dotted lines in <FIG>, and <FIG>. The upper surface <NUM> (and the lower surface <NUM>, if provided) are configured such that they are optically clear in order to allow light to pass through. For example, the surface(s) (<NUM> and/or <NUM>) may be transparent, clear, or otherwise untreated material such that they allow light to pass directly through. In certain examples, the light cover <NUM> is made of a solid material throughout its entire body. The internal material of the body is translucent. The upper surface <NUM> of the light cover body is similarly clear, translucent material that allows direct passage of light. The front and sides are frosted, being a type of opaque. According to the claims, the light cover comprises frosted front and side surfaces. In other examples, it is possible for the light cover <NUM> to be a hollow structure, such that it has a curvature with a hollow interior space and no lower surface, as example of which is illustrated by <FIG>.

The upper surface <NUM> is generally provided with a convex shape. In some examples, upper surface <NUM> functions as a lens to help direct and focus light in a particular direction. If provided, the lower surface <NUM> of the light cover <NUM> may be a flat surface. In other examples, the lower surface <NUM> of the light cover may have a lens with a curvature (as described below). The upper surface <NUM> is convex with a fixed cross-section in the direction of the length of the light cover. It has been found that this shape allows the light cover <NUM> to act as a cylindrical plano-convex lens.

The plano-convex lens focuses the light exiting the top of the status indicator system <NUM> into a visible horizontal beam <NUM> that projects onto the ceiling <NUM> above the unit. An illustrative example of this projection is provided by <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown, this creates a bright, focused band of light/color over a particular unit--on the ceiling <NUM> directly above the unit. By providing the upper surface <NUM> of light cover <NUM> with a convex shape and translucent/light transmitting qualities, light entering the light cover <NUM> is projected directly upward and out of the light cover <NUM>, away from the front surface <NUM> and side surfaces <NUM> of the light cover <NUM>. Front <NUM> and side surfaces <NUM> are illuminated, but due to being frosted, light does not project outwardly therefrom. This disclosed light cover design projects light upward and away from the light cover <NUM> itself, which is counterintuitive to what is considered the conventional viewing surface of status indicators.

This light projection configuration is in contrast to prior art status indicator lights. Previous lights illuminated light out toward side surfaces of the status indicator. In some examples, they project only a small pinpoint of light upwardly or outwardly. Any reflection or extension of the light was solely due to accidental reflections (e.g., reflection in glass cabinet doors or windows in the laboratory). Such light reflections were uncontrolled, not associated with a particular unit, and might only be visible in the direct line of sight of the machine. Now, by focusing a bright beam of light directly above a particular unit, laboratory personnel can clearly see--from nearly anywhere in the room-- the status of a particular machine, with confidence that a particular light is being projected by a particular machine, and is not a reflection of a reflection, or light "pollution" from other electronics, such as computers, printers, cell phones, fax machines, etc. that may also be in the laboratory or testing environment. In a specific example, the light band may be slightly less than the width of the footprint of the instrument (~<NUM>% or). This length can prevent the lights of adjacent units from overlapping.

The light cover <NUM> may be made of any appropriate material that displays the above-described properties. In a specific example, the light cover <NUM> is manufactured of an acrylic material. It should be understood, however, that the light cover may be formed of acrylic, glass, polyurethane, other types of clear or translucent materials, or any combination thereof.

The light to be projected toward the light cover <NUM> may come from below the light cover. As illustrated by <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a series of lights <NUM> may be mounted on a lightboard <NUM>. The upper surface of the lightboard <NUM> supports the lights <NUM>. Although not shown, a lower surface of the lightboard <NUM> may support a series of electrical connections that deliver power to the lights. In other embodiments, it is possible for the lights to be battery-operated or to have a backup battery system in the event of loss of electrical power. The light may be individually powered or powered as a group/per pod or powered as a lightboard comprising two or more groups/pods.

Referring back to <FIG>, as shown, it has been found useful to provide a lightboard <NUM> having a length that is similar to the length of the light cover <NUM>. In a specific example, the lightboard <NUM> is provided with a plurality of light pods <NUM>. It has been found that providing multiple lights helps increase the brightness of the beam and increases the uniformity of the status indicator's direct illumination. Each light pod <NUM> has one or more lights that correspond to a unit status. For example, as described above, if a particular unit is provided with status indicators that are green, red, yellow, and blue, then each light pod <NUM> may have at least one green light 36a, at least one red light 36b, at least one yellow light 36c, and at least one blue light 36d. In another example, each pod <NUM> may be a collection of lights of a similar color, with each pod displaying a different color. For this example, the geometry of the upper surface should be designed to allow appropriate spread of projected light. A circular lens may be used in this instance. In a further example, a pod may be replaced with a single color-changing LED.

The lights may be provided as any appropriate light source. In a specific example, use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is particularly effective. LEDs emit a strong and bright light, while also being energy efficient. It is also possible, however, for the lights to be laser lights, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, or any other appropriate light source. It is generally expected that only a single light (36a, 36b, 36c, or 36d) will be illuminated at one time, although that corresponding color of light from each light pod <NUM> may be activated. If desired, combinations of light colors could be used, either as a multi-color signal or to create additional colors (e.g., using yellow and red lights to create an orange projection).

As shown by <FIG>, a particular light color exiting the lights <NUM> on the lightboard <NUM> reaches the light cover <NUM>. The light projects up through the light cover <NUM> and exits the optically clear upper surface <NUM>. Some light is also scattered within the light cover <NUM> due to frosted surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> so that the front surface <NUM> and side surfaces <NUM> of the light cover <NUM> are also allowed to "glow" the selected color. The light exiting the light cover <NUM> is projected onto the surface above, which in most instances, is ceiling <NUM>. According to the claims, a distance between a plurality of indicator lights and the light cover is optimized to provide a projected visible light image onto the ceiling.

This single lens design (in which upper surface <NUM> defines the first lens) shapes the beam in one direction. However, in connected systems or crowded laboratories, beams from adjacent units may extend beyond the dimensions of a particular machine and/or overlap with one another. This could render it difficult to discern the status of adjacent machines from a distance, because the status beams <NUM> that are projected may overlap with one another. Accordingly, in such a case, an alternative design incorporates a second lens on the bottom of the light cover. The curvature of this lens may be perpendicular to the top lens <NUM>.

As illustrated by <FIG>, this alternate configuration provides a lower surface lens <NUM>. Introduction of this secondary lens within the light cover <NUM> can help to focus the light band side-to-side, reducing potential overlap with nearby machines. This configuration may also provide a brighter projection due to the light being concentrated in a smaller area. As shown in <FIG>, a single lens beam <NUM> may project a wide beam to the ceiling <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the double lens beam <NUM> may be narrowed to project a more limited, narrow beam to the ceiling <NUM>. The lower surface lens <NUM> may be convexly shaped. The lower surface lens <NUM> may be designed using the below-described equations.

The following equations may be used to determine the radius of curvature for the upper surface <NUM> and/or the lower surface lenses. <MAT> <MAT> Where:.

In this equation, the focal length is the distance from the LED to the principal plane of the lens. This is illustrated by the schematic of <FIG>. These equations can be used to define a configuration that will give the narrowest/most focused beam. Depending upon the physical parameters of the light cover lens (the upper surface <NUM>), the resulting beam may be too small to be easily discernible from a distance by users. The focal length or mounting distance of the LEDs can thus be adjusted, e.g., ± <NUM>%, to define an effective beam size.

It should be understood that these paremeters can be manipulated in order to achieve desired results based on physical constraints or user preferences. It may be desirable for a particlar light reflection to have a particular length or thickness, depending upon the lighting conditions in the laboratory. The ceiling height between various laboratories may vary, the height of the machine relative to the ceiling (e.g., using free-standing or bench-top units, or due to installation conditions, such as uneven or varied flooring at different locations in the laboratory) may vary, and the refractive index may vary. Laboratory technicians may desire a brighter projection image. In these instances, it is possible to adjust the distance between the light (LED) and the lens (upper surface <NUM>). Mounting and adjustability options are described further below.

Another way to alter the projecting beam may be to provide an adjustable bracket system <NUM>. Without adjustability, the status indicator system <NUM> may be mounted to a unit via mounting bracket <NUM>. The light cover <NUM> may have one or more connection features <NUM> that extend from sides of the lights cover <NUM>, as shown. The connection features <NUM> are configured to cooperate with bracket connections <NUM> that extend from sides of the mounting bracket <NUM>. In the specific example shown, the bracket connections <NUM> have a flat inner surface <NUM> with a fastener receiving portion <NUM>. In use and as shown in labeled <FIG> and <FIG>, the connection feature(s) <NUM> (one of each side of the light cover <NUM>) rest in between the surface(s) <NUM> (one of each side of the bracket). A fastener (not shown) may be positioned through the connection feature <NUM> and through the fastener receiving portion <NUM>. In many embodiments, this connection is stable and not intended to be adjustable.

In other embodiments, however, it may be desirable to change the distance between the lower surface <NUM> of the light cover <NUM> and the lightboard <NUM>. This may be accomplished via an adjustable bracket system <NUM>, shown by <FIG>. It may be desirable to alter the distance between the light cover <NUM> and the lightboard <NUM>. The height of the lightboard <NUM> may be adjusted (e.g., raised or lowered) and/or the height of the light cover <NUM> may be adjusted. Either the LED lightboard <NUM>, the light cover <NUM>, or both may be mounted in such a fashion that the distance between the lens <NUM> and/or the light source <NUM> can be adjusted by the user to achieve a desired focus. This can be via any common mechanism such as screws, slots, holes with spring plungers, clamps, or any other appropriate adjustable mechanism, including, without limitation, motorized or automated adjustment mechanisms.

Claim 1:
A status indicator system for a laboratory unit, the system comprising:
a plurality of indicator lights (<NUM>);
a light cover (<NUM>) positioned above the plurality of indicator lights, the light cover comprising an optically clear upper surface (<NUM>) and frosted front and side surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein the optically clear upper surface defines a convex lens that projects a visible light beam through the light cover onto a ceiling (<NUM>) above the status indicator system,
wherein a distance between the plurality of indicator lights and the light cover is optimized to provide a projected visible light image onto the ceiling (<NUM>).