Patent ID: 6909974

Claim:
A control and communications system for a biological laboratory having at least one sample analyzer and a biological data processor, the system comprising: a client component having a user interface that allows a user to gain access and control or monitor the operation of a plurality of biological instruments in the biological laboratory; a plurality of instrument components associated with each of the plurality of biological instruments, wherein the plurality of instrument components include an instrument component for the at least one sample analyzer that receives commands selected from at least one pre-set list of commands from the client component and translates the commands into a format that induces the at least one sample analyzer to obtain identification information about a biological sample, wherein the plurality of instrument components further include an instrument component for the biological data processor that receives commands selected from the at least one pre-set list of commands from the client component and translates the commands into a format that induces the biological data processor to analyze the identification information obtained by the at least one sample analyzer and provides signals indicative of the analysis; at least one directory that provides information to the client component as to the logical location of the plurality of instrument components such that the client component can determine how to access the plurality of instrument components by reference to the at least one directory, wherein the at least one directory includes information about the at least one pre-set list of commands that the client component can use to send signals to the plurality of instrument components to induce the sample analyzer to obtain the identification information and to induce the biological data processor to analyze the identification information; a messaging service that transmits messages to and from the plurality of instrument components and the client component in a standardized format wherein the messaging service, the at least one directory and the client component are configured such that an additional instruments can be added to the laboratory by associating an instrument component with the additional instrument and updating the at least one directory with information about the logical location of the additional instrument component associated with the additional instrument so that the client component can become aware of the additional instruments by accessing the at least one directory.