EP0999432B2 - Method of operating an electronic dosing system and dosing system for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an electronic dosing system with an electronic hand dosing device and to a dosing system for carrying out the method.

Electronic dosing devices are used in laboratories for dosing liquids. They are known in different versions. Dosing devices operating on the principle of the air cushion have an integrated piston-cylinder unit, by means of which an air column can be displaced in order to suck in and eject sample liquid into a dosing tip. In this case, the piston-cylinder unit does not come into contact with the liquid. Only the dosing tip, which is usually made of plastic, is contaminated and can be replaced after use.

In direct displacement metering, however, a syringe is filled directly with sample liquid. Piston and cylinder of the syringe are so contaminated by the liquid, so that the syringe usually has to be replaced or cleaned by a new syringe before changing the liquid. The syringe is usually made of plastic.

Microdosing devices may have a micromembrane pump and / or a free jet dispenser, wherein at least one of these components is designed microsystem technology, in particular in silicon, glass, plastic injection molding and / or plastic embossing technique. The dosage is achieved by deformation of a wall of a chamber which is filled with liquid. The electric drive for deforming the wall may be piezoelectric, thermoelectric, electromagnetic, electrostatic, electromechanical, magneto-restrictive, etc.

Air-cushion, direct-displacement, piston-less and micro-metering devices may have a fixed or variable metering volume. A change in the metering volume is achieved by adjusting the displacement of the displacement device, d. H. the displacement of the piston or the degree of deformation of the balloon-like end portion or the chamber wall.

Dispensers are dosing devices that can deliver a recorded volume of liquid repetitively in small quantities.

In addition, there are multichannel dosing devices which have several "channels" by which they are dosed simultaneously.

All dosing devices can be designed as handsets.

All of the aforementioned metering devices may be electronic metering devices of an electronic metering system in the sense of this application. In this case, they have a drive device with an electric drive for driving the displacement device. In addition, they have an electronic control and / or regulating device, in particular for the drive, which may be an electric drive motor, an electric linear drive or one of the drives mentioned in connection with microdosing devices. In addition, they have an electrical voltage source for supplying control and / or regulating device and drive, which can be rechargeable. Electronic metering devices have the advantage of high reproducibility of dosages. In particular, pre-set dosing speeds (μ / s) can achieve more accurate results than with manually driven devices. In addition, they can have the benefit of multi-functionality, as they can perform pipetting, dispensing, titration, mixing, etc. functions.

Applicants' known electronic hand dispensers Response® operate on the air-cushion principle and are available in single-channel or multi-channel designs. Four models cover the dosing range from 0.5 μl to 5 ml. This metering device can operate in various modes, i.a. pipette and dispense. Dispensing is possible in up to 25 steps. The user can choose between three different dosing speeds. The metering device can be used for charging the battery cells in a charging station.

EP 0 864 364 A2 discloses a similar electronic manual dosing device with rechargeable batteries and a charging station for charging them. The handheld dosing device may be operated in various modes including hands-free operation other than pipetting and dispensing. Therein, the manual dosing device is programmed to control the aspiration, dispensing, and time delays to exchange or treat the dosing tip. It executes these program steps over a specified number of cycles.

The previously known electronic manual dosing devices have the disadvantage that the specific operating parameters (eg step widths of the piston feed, metering speeds, state of charge criteria, display outputs) and the program are predefined. Namely, the electronic control device comprises a microcomputer which operates according to a permanently stored program in which these parameters are contained. Thus, a special software is required for each model and a subsequent change of the parameters hardly possible. In addition, it is disadvantageous that the programming of the freehand operation must be carried out laboriously on the keyboard of the manual dosing and that in the freehand mode, the programmed steps are executed rigidly and the operation is not influenced.

Dosing devices are test equipment within the meaning of the GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) guidelines and comparable QA standards (ISO 9000 ff, EN 45000 ff). According to the GLP guidelines, the error limits published by the manufacturer must be checked at regular intervals. By the applicant, a system has become known, with which the calibration of metering devices can be done quickly, conveniently and inexpensively.

This system is based on a calibration software PICASO®, which runs on a PC. In addition, a measuring structure is required, which includes weighing containers, adapters and carrier sleeves as well as an evaporation trap and a semi-microbalance. All relevant data of the dosing devices to be tested are stored in the software. Deviations from these nominal values are determined immediately after transfer of the weighing values to the computer. A series of measurements covers up to 15 individual weighings. From this mean value, incorrectness, imprecision and standard deviation are determined and compared with predetermined target values. All measurement and reference data can be logged in accordance with GLP-DIN.

During calibration, the dosing data are entered and their operation is controlled via the control panel of the electronic manual dosing device. The weighing values are typed into the PC. This is troublesome and can lead to mistakes.

From US 5,343,769 A a method for filling and emptying a pipette with quantitative accuracy is known, in which the distance traveled by a piston path is measured during the movement of the piston and the piston is stopped when a distance corresponding to the desired amount of liquid has been achieved has been achieved. Furthermore, from this document a pipette with elements for measuring the piston stroke and elements for controlling the movements of the piston is known. The pipette has a data input device, such as a keyboard, a display and an interface. The data input device serves to supply the control device with data or commands. The display is used to display the entered data and / or the steps performed. The interface allows the controller to be connected to an external device, for example for data transmission or data processing.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a method for operating an electronic dosing system in which the ability to influence programs is improved. In addition, advantageous metering systems are to be provided for carrying out the method.

A task solving method is given in claim 1. Embodiments thereof as well as advantageous metering systems for its implementation are the subject of the following claims.

• einer elektronischen Handdosiervorrichtung, die
• eine einen elektrischen Antrieb aufweisende Antriebseinrichtung,
• mindestens eine von der Antriebseinrichtung antreibbare Verdrängungseinrichtung zum Dosieren von Flüssigkeit,

wobei die Verdrängungseinrichtung einen in einem Zylinder verschieblichen Kolben zum Verschieben einer Luftsäule aufweist und der Zylinder über einen Kanal mit einer Dosierspitze verbunden ist, um Probenflüssigkeit in die Dosierspitze einzusaugen und aus dieser auszustossen, oder die Verdrängungseinrichtung eine einen Kolben und einen Zylinder aufweisende Spritze ist, die direkt mit Probenflüssigkeit befüllt wird,

• eine programmgesteuerte elektronische Steuer- und/oder Regeleinrichtung für den Antrieb,
• mindestens einen nicht-flüchtigen Schreib-LeseSpeicher
• eine elektrische Spannungsquelle insbesondere für den elektrischen Antrieb und die elektronischen Steuer- und/oder Regeleinrichtung und
• eine mit der elektronischen Steuer- und/oder Regeleinrichtung verbundene Datenschnittstelle aufweist,
  mit
• einer externen Datenverarbeitungsanlage,
  und mit
• einer Datentransfereinrichtung, die eine Datenschnittstelle zum Verbinden der Datenschnittstelle der Dosiervorrichtung mit der Datenverarbeitungsanlage aufweist,

wobei mittels der Datenverarbeitungsanlage über die Datenschnittstellen Routinen für die Durchführung von Betriebsabläufen der Handdosiervorichtung, auf die die programmgesteuerte elektronische Steuer- und/oder Regeleinrichtung zurückgreift, in den Schreib-LeseSpeicher eingeschrieben werden.The object is achieved by a method for operating an electronic dosing system with

• an electronic handheld dosing device that
• a drive device having an electric drive,
• at least one driven by the drive means displacement means for metering liquid,

wherein the displacing means comprises a piston displaceable in a cylinder for displacing an air column and the cylinder is connected to a metering tip via a channel for sucking and discharging sample liquid into the metering tip, or the displacing means is a syringe having a piston and a cylinder, which is filled directly with sample liquid,

• a program-controlled electronic control and / or regulating device for the drive,
• at least one non-volatile random access memory
• an electrical voltage source in particular for the electric drive and the electronic control and / or regulating device and
• has a data interface connected to the electronic control and / or regulating device,
  With
• an external data processing system,
  and with
• a data transfer device having a data interface for connecting the data interface of the dosing device with the data processing system,

wherein by means of the data processing system via the data interfaces routines for carrying out operations of the Handdosiervorichtung, which is accessed by the program-controlled electronic control and / or regulating device, are written into the random access memory.

Thus, according to the invention, the external data processing system can be used to access the read-write memory of the manual dosing device. This opens up the possibility of placing routines for the execution of operating sequences in the read-write memory of the manual dosing device by means of the external data processing system so that the program-controlled electronic control and / or regulating device makes use of it. These routines can be created by the user and serve to control operations composed of multiple operations, especially if they are to be repeated. For example, by means of such a "short program" it is possible to control the picking, mixing and dispensing of specific quantities of liquid or a series of dilutions in which the dispensing volume dispensed is halved from one dilution step to the next. This facilitates the use of routines for the user.

There is also the possibility of overwriting routines stored in the data processing system in the manual dosing device.

Furthermore, by means of the external data processing system, the program of the program-controlled electronic control and / or regulating device inscribed in the read-write memory and possibly read out of this. For this, the memory is preferably a flash memory of a processor. A flash memory processor has implemented a proprietary program that can initiate communication for data exchange over an interface. This makes it possible to load a partially or completely different program from the outside via the data interfaces into each hand-dose device or to change the program completely or partially.

Furthermore, it is possible to change operating parameters that are used by the program-controlled electronic control and / or regulating device when carrying out operating processes.

These may be device-type-specific parameters, in particular those that are intended for carrying out operating procedures. For example, these may be the parameters of the movement of the piston of a displacement device (eg acceleration characteristic, piston speed, driving force, holding torque). Furthermore, these may be, for example, quantity-determining parameters (for example: basic values and limit values of metered quantities, possible numbers of metering steps, overspill volume for discharging residual liquid). In particular, other device-type specific parameters may relate to the monitoring of operating conditions (eg, evaluation criteria for the state of charge of an accumulator, for the actuation of a limit switch or for the duration of a rest in order to switch off to a "sleep state"). Device-specific parameters can be, in particular, an identification of the device, an identification code for a respectively stored parameter set, etc.

User parameters are data that can also be input manually by the user via a keyboard of the manual dosing device. These include, in particular, the metering volume, metering rates, etc. Further application parameters relate to the calibration of the manual metering device. In a simple case, this may be a correction factor for the conversion of the set dosing amounts to the actually dispensed dosing quantities. In particular, these may also be coefficients of a function which includes the deviation of the set metering quantities actually delivered with different quantity settings.

In addition, by means of the external data processing system, a remote control of the manual dosing device is possible. This favors, in particular, the calibration by transferring the respective dosing data to the manual dosing device by means of the data processing system and, if appropriate, by completely controlling the operation by means of the data processing system. In addition, the data processing system can log the respective dosing data. Optionally, this can be done together with the respective measured values, if they are detected and recorded in the data processing system. In addition, by means of the data processing system, a wired or a wireless remote control of the manual dosing device take place. This favors, in particular, an automation of the dosing operations, the use of the manual dosing device in a higher-level automation process or a safe dosing in a contaminated environment.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to determine the specific parameters of the metering device only after the device assembly, even if this includes the installation of a block with permanently programmed software. This makes it possible to use the same software and electronic hardware for different device models. The respective parameters can be set as required or even changed. In extension of this idea even a device-type-specific or device-specific definition or modification of program parts or of the entire program is possible. The storability of user parameters by means of an external data processing system creates an additional, advantageous operating option. Also, the invention favors automation of calibration and final inspection in manufacturing. The service will be able to easily update to new operating parameters. The OEM customer can in turn carry out a parameterization for special OEM metering parts. The user is facilitated the GLP parameter documentation and a simplified calibration with a PC software is made possible. It also facilitates integration into automation processes and enables remote control.

The data interfaces of the manual dosing device and the data transfer device may be interconnected temporarily or permanently. It may be data interfaces that can only be connected to each other when the hand-held dosing device is inserted into the data transfer device. However, the data interfaces can also be connected to one another independently of whether the manual dosing device is inserted in the data transfer device.

The data interfaces of the manual dosing device and the data transfer device may be connected by radio transmitters and radio receivers communicating with each other. Also, the data interfaces may include communicating IR transmitters and IR receivers. This promotes a permanent connection of the data interfaces or a wireless remote control. In addition or instead, the data interfaces may have interconnectable electrical contacts that may be connectable by inserting the handheld dosing device into the data transfer device.

Preferably, the electronic control device a microcomputer, in particular a microcontroller on. The data transfer device can be connected to a separate data processing system, for example with a PC, or have an integrated data processing system, in particular a microcomputer or Mikrocontoller

The electronic control and / or regulating device and / or the data processing system may have conventional input and output and memory devices, including an exchangeable storage medium. A program for the remote control and / or the calibration of the manual dosing device can be present on the exchangeable storage medium. This favors the equipment of the dosing system with software as needed and their update.

The manual dosing device can work independently of the mains. In particular, it may be provided with a rechargeable voltage source, for example one or more rechargeable batteries. In this case, it may have a charging interface connected to the rechargeable voltage source, and the data transfer device may comprise a charging part for charging the voltage source and a charging interface connected to the charging part for connecting to the charging interface of the hand metering device. The charging interfaces of the hand-held meter and the data transfer device may have cooperating electrical charging contacts. These can coincide with the contacts of the data interfaces. The data transmission can be carried out in particular on the charging voltage or the charging current of the charging part. By modulating the charging voltage or charging current, data transmission can be realized on the same physical channel.

The data transfer device can be designed as a stationary device. In particular, in this case, the manual dosing device can also be used as a stationary device or as a dosing machine when it is inserted into the data transfer device. Then the power supply of the manual dosing device can be ensured via the charging part.

Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1

Handdosiervorrichtung für Dosiersysteme gemäß Fig. 2 bis 5 im detaillierten Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 2

ein Dosiersystem mit Funk-Datenschnittstellen im Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 3

ein Dosiersystem mit IR-Datenschnittstellen im Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 4

ein Dosiersystem mit Kontakt-Datenschnittstellen im Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 5

ein Dosiersystem mit Kontakt-Datenschnittstellen und in die Ladestation integrierter Datenverarbeitungsanlage im Blockschaltbild;

Fig. 6

Kommunikation zwischen Dosiersystem und Datenverarbeitungsanlage im schematischen Blockablaufdiagramm.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

Hand metering device for dosing according to Fig. 2 to 5 in the detailed block diagram;

Fig. 2

a dosing system with radio data interfaces in block diagram;

Fig. 3

a dosing system with IR data interfaces in block diagram;

Fig. 4

a dosing system with contact data interfaces in the block diagram;

Fig. 5

a dosing system with contact data interfaces and in the charging station integrated data processing system in a block diagram;

Fig. 6

Communication between dosing system and data processing system in the schematic block flow diagram.

In discussing the various embodiments, the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding inventive elements. In that regard, the description is valid for all embodiments.

According to Fig. 1 the electronic hand-held meter essentially consists of six functional areas, namely a drive device 1, a displacement device 2, an electronic control and / or regulating device 3, an electrical voltage source 4, an operating device 5 and a display device 6.

The drive device 1- has an electric drive motor, which is designed as a stepping motor 7. By means of the stepping motor 7, an axis 8 is linearly displaceable back and forth. In addition, the drive device includes an engine stage in the form of two H-bridges 9, which serves to control the stepping motor 7. This includes, in a manner known to those skilled in eight H-connected power transistors with which the stepper motor, 7 can be operated via supply lines 10 in the forward and reverse directions.

The displacement device 2 has a piston 11 which is fixed to the axis 8. The piston 11 is displaceable in a cylinder 12. This is connected via a channel 13 with a metering tip 14 which is separable from the device.

The electronic control and / or regulating device 3 includes a microcontroller 15, which in particular has integrated a timer, a main memory and a nonvolatile memory. The microcontroller controls the H-bridges via control lines 16.

The electronic control and / or regulating device 3 includes a bidirectional serial interface 17 which has electrical sliding contacts 18 and is connected to the microcontoller 15 via data lines 19. Furthermore, this includes an EEPROM 20, which is connected via data lines 21 to the microcontroller 15.

In addition, the electronic control and / or regulating device 3 has an up-converter 22 for generating the supply voltage of the stepping motor 7, which feeds the H-bridges 9 via supply lines 23. Control lines 24 connect the microcontroller 15 to the boost converter 22.

Another component of the control and / or regulating device 3 is another boost converter 25 which supplies the microcontroller 15 via further supply lines 26.

The axis 8 of the stepping motor 7 is associated with a limit switch 27 which is monitored by a control line 28 from the microcontroller 15 to allow a zero point adjustment.

The electrical voltage source 4 comprises two NiMH batteries 29, whose supply voltage is fed via feed lines 30 to the up-converter 22 and the further boost converter 25. The supply voltage of the two batteries 29 is supplied via control lines 31 to the microcontroller 15. In addition, the electrical voltage source 4 includes a charging current control 32 which is connectable to an external power source via charging contacts 33, which are designed as sliding contacts, and is connected to the batteries 29 via charging lines 34. The charge current controller 32 is also connected to the microcontroller 15 via control lines 35 for the charging voltage and via charging current control lines 36, respectively.

The operating device 5 comprises an input keyboard 37, which is connected via lines 38 to the microcontroller 15. It also includes release buttons 39, which is connected via lines 40 to the microcontroller 15.

The display device 6 is an LCD display, which is connected via lines 41 to the microcontroller 15, which contains a display control

The execution of the functional areas 1 to 6 and the associated functional blocks is familiar to the person skilled in the art. All functional areas 1 to 6 are formed in or on a pipette housing (not shown) of a manual dosing device, which will be referred to as 42 in the following. Basically, this handheld dosing device 42 works as follows:

The control software is stored in the microcontroller 15. Dosing data can be entered before dosing by means of the input keyboard 37. By means of the release buttons 39 individual dosing operations are triggered. The display 6 displays input data, control commands and operating states of the manual dosing device 42.

The total supply voltage of the two battery cells 29 is 2.4 volts. This is regulated by the further boost converter 25 to 3.3 volts supply voltage for the microcontroller 15.

Depending on the control via the control lines 24 of the boost converter 22 switches the supply voltage of the battery 29 as a supply voltage to the supply lines 23 or increases it to 6 or 8 volts. Since the microcontroller 15 controls the operation of the stepper motor 7 via the control lines 16, it knows its respective voltage requirement and controls the boost converter 22 accordingly.

The supply voltage is controlled by the microcontroller 15 via the control lines 31. If it jumps below a permissible value, the display 6 outputs a corresponding information. By connecting the charging contacts 33 to an external power supply can be done in case of need, a charge of the battery 29. About the charging current control lines 36, the charging current is controlled according to the determined via the control lines 31 state of charge of the battery 29.

Manual dosing devices 42 of the above type are used - in some cases somewhat modified - in the dosing systems discussed below.

According to Fig. 2 For example, a manual dosing device 42 'cooperates with a charging station 43'. The charging contacts 33 of the manual dosing device 42 'are associated with corresponding charging contacts 44 of the charging station 43.

• Empfänger 46 und eine damit verbundene Antenne 47 für eine Funkverbindung mit der Handdosiervorrichtung 42' auf.

In deviation from Fig. 1 However, the serial interface 17 includes an RF transmitter and receiver coupled to an antenna 45. The charging station 43 'has a corresponding RF transmitter and

• Receiver 46 and an associated antenna 47 for a radio link with the hand meter 42 'on.

The RF transmitter and receiver 46 is connected to an external PC 49 via a serial interface 48 of the charging station 43.

This configuration allows the accumulators 29 to be charged by inserting the hand meter 42 'into the charging station 43'. Data can be exchanged between the PC 49 and the manual dosing device 42 'via the radio connection between the antennas 45, 47, both when the manual dosing device 42' is inserted into the charging station 43 'and when it is spatially separated therefrom. By means of the PC 49, operating parameters, routines, programs or program parts can be written into the EEPROM 20 of the manual dosing device 42 and possibly read out from this. Also, by means of the PC 49, a remote control of the manual dosing device 42 'possible.

According to Fig. 3 the hand-dose device 42 "and the charging station 43" again have connectable charging contacts 43, 44. In contrast to the previous example, however, the data interface 17 has an IR transmitter 49 and an IR receiver 50. In a further deviation, the data interface 46 of the charging station 43 "comprises an IR receiver 51 and an IR transmitter 52.

Via the IR transmitters 49, 52 and IR receivers 51, 50, the PC 49 and the manual dosing device 42 "can in turn exchange data, in principle both when the manual dosing device 42" is inserted into the charging station 43 °, and when they are outside of the same located.

According to Fig. 4 comes a hand meter 42 according to Fig. 1 for use. Charging contacts 43 of the charging station 43 are in turn associated with the charging contacts 43 of the charging station 43. The electrical contacts 18 of the data interface 17 are associated with electrical contacts 53 of the data interface 46 of the charging station 43.

In this embodiment, the data transfer between PC 49 and Handdosiervorrichtung 42 then works when the latter is inserted into the charging station 43. This design is relatively simple and very reliable.

The execution according to Fig. 5 differs from the according to Fig. 4 in that the charging station 43 "'has an integrated micro-controller system 54 with a non-volatile memory 55 and a keyboard 56, a display 57, a serial interface 58 and a removable storage medium 59. The removable storage medium 59 may be an EEPROM card, a SMART Card, a FLASH card, a disk, etc.

In particular, it can control the data traffic to the handheld dosing device 42, initiate dosing functions of the hand dosing device 42, store data in internal and external memories 55, 59, 20 of the charging station 43 "'and the hand-held dosing device 42, the data input and release of the Häriddosienrorrichtung 42 via the keyboard 56, the display of data on the display 57 and the communication with an external controller (PC) via the serial interface 58 are used.

The serial communication between dosing system and data processing system is described below with reference to Fig. 6 explained in more detail.

There is an agreement between the data processing system and the dosing system regarding the implemented commands and the transmission frame in the form of a protocol. This establishes a common language by means of which communication takes place between the dosing system and the data processing system.

1. 1. Manipulation des nicht-flüchtigen Speichers (z. B. EEPROM 20):
   • Schreiben eines Wertes an eine beliebige Adresse des nicht-flüchtigen Speichers.
   • Lesen des Inhaltes einer beliebigen Adresse des nicht-flüchtigen Speichers.

In principle, the following command types are possible:

1. 1. Manipulation of non-volatile memory (eg EEPROM 20):
   • Writing a value to any address of the non-volatile memory.
   • Reading the contents of any address of the non-volatile memory.

• 2. Lesen von internen Statusmeldungen des Dosiersystems:
  • Z. B. ist der Endschalter (z.B. Endlageschalter 27) betätigt?
  • Welcher Fehler wird gemeldet?
  • Ist der Motor aktiv?
• 3. Auslösung von internen Vorgängen im Dosiersystem:
  • Z.B. Löschen aller Fehlermeldungen,
  • Auslösen von Speicherinitiaiisierungen,
  • Prüfroutinen für die Fertigung, .
  • Auslösung von Motoraktionen und somit Fernauslösung von Dosierfunktionen,
  • Simulation von Tastendrücken,
  • Definition von eigenen Abläufen etc.
• 4. Flashloader:
  • Lesen und Programmieren eines neuen Programmes (oder eines Teiles davon) in einen nicht-flüchtigen Programmspeicher (z.B. FLASHPROM).

This is used to exchange the device type-specific, device-specific and user parameters

• 2. Reading internal status messages of the dosing system:
  • For example, is the limit switch (eg limit switch 27) actuated?
  • Which error is reported?
  • Is the engine active?
• 3. Triggering of internal processes in the dosing system:
  • For example, delete all error messages,
  • Trigger memory initiation,
  • Test routines for production,.
  • Triggering of motor actions and thus remote triggering of dosing functions,
  • Simulation of keystrokes,
  • Definition of own processes etc.
• 4. Flashloader:
  • Reading and programming a new program (or a part of it) into a non-volatile program memory (eg FLASHPROM).

Claims (24)

1. A method for operating an electronic proportioning system comprising:

   • an electronic manual proportioning device (42) which has

   • a driving device (1) having an electric drive (7),

   • at least one displacement device (2) adapted to be driven by the driving device (1) to proportion liquids, whereas the displacement device has a piston (11) being slidable within a cylinder (12) for displacing an air column and the cylinder (12) is connected via a channel (13) to a proportioning tip (14) in order to draw a sample liquid into a proportioning tip and eject it therefrom or the displacement device is a syringe having a piston and a cylinder and being directly filled with a sample liquid,

   • a controlled-program electronic control and/or regulation device (3) for the drive (7),

   • at least one nonvolatile read/write memory (20),

   • an electric voltage source (29), particularly for the electric drive (7) and the electronic control and/or regulation device (3), and

   • a data interface (17) connected to the electronic control and/or regulation device (3),

   including

   • an external data processing plant (49), and including

   • a data transfer device (43) which has

   a data interface (46) for connecting the data interface (17) of the proportioning device (42) to the data processing plant (49),
   characterized in that the data processing plant (49), via the data interfaces (17, 46), is used as a means to write routines for the performance of operational sequences of the manual proportioning device (42), which are resorted to by the controlled-program electronic control and/or regulation device (3), into the read/write memory (20).
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the data processing plant (49), via the data interfaces (17, 46), is used as a means to additionally write device type specific and/or device-specific parameters and/or application parameters into the read/write memory (20) or to read them therefrom and/or the manual proportioning device (42) can be remotely controlled.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the data interfaces (17, 46) communicate with each other by being bonded via contacts.
4. The method according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the data interfaces (17,46) communicate with each other in a wireless manner.
5. The method according to claim 5 wherein the data interfaces (17, 46) communicate with each other by radio, optically, inductively and/or capacitively.
6. A proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

   • an electronic manual proportioning device (42) which has a driving device (1) having an electric drive (7),

   • at least one displacement device (2) adapted to be driven by the driving device (1) to proportion liquids, whereas the displacement device has a piston (11) being slidable within a cylinder (12) for displacing an air column and the cylinder (12) is connected via a channel (13) to a proportioning tip (14) in order to draw a sample liquid into a proportioning tip and eject it therefrom or the displacement device is a syringe having a piston and a cylinder and being directly filled with a sample liquid,

   • a controlled-program electronic control and/or regulation device (3) for the drive (7),

   • at least one nonvolatile read/write memory (20),

   • an electric voltage source (29), particularly for the electric drive (7) and the electronic control and/or regulation device (3), and

   • a data interface (17) connected to the electronic control and/or regulation device (3),

   including

   • an external data processing plant (49),

   and including

   • a data transfer device (43) which has
   a data interface for connecting the data interface (17) of the proportioning device (42) to the data processing plant (49),

   characterized in that the controlled-program electronic control and/or regulation device (3) is designed so as to allow the data processing plant (49), via the data interfaces (17, 46), to be used as a means to write routines for the performance of operational sequences of the manual proportioning device (42), which are resorted to by the controlled-program electronic control and/or regulation device (3), into the read/write memory (20).
7. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, wherein the data interfaces (17, 46) of the proportioning device (42) and those of the data transfer device (43) have radio transmitters and radio receivers and/or IR transmitters (49, 52) and IR receivers (50,51) which communicate with each other.
8. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the data interfaces (17, 46) of the proportioning device (42) and those of the data transfer device (43) are serial data interfaces.
9. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of -daim.6, particularly according to anyone of claims 6 to 8, wherein the electronic control and/or regulation device (3) has a microcomputer or microcontroller (15).
10. The proportioning system according to claim 9 wherein the nonvolatile read/write memory is a flash memory of the microcomputer or microcontroller.
11. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to anyone of claims 6 to 10, wherein the data processing plant (49) connected to the data interface (46) of the data transfer device (43) has a PC which is connected to the data transfer device (43).
12. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to anyone of claims 6 to 11, wherein the data interface (46) of the data transfer device (43) is connected to a data processing plant (54) integrated in the transfer device (43).
13. The proportioning system according to claim 12 wherein the data processing plant (49, 54) comprises microcomputer or microcontroller.
14. the proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to anyone of claims 6 to 13, wherein the electronic control device (3) and/or the data processing plant (49, 54) have a nonvolatile memory (20, 55) and/or a keyboard (37, 39; 56) and/or a display (6, 57) and/or a serial interface (17, 58) and/or an exchangeable storage medium (59).
15. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to anyone of claims 6 to 14, wherein the manual proportioning device (42) has a charging interface (33) connected to a chargeable voltage source (29) and the data transfer device (43) has a charging part for charging the voltage source (29) and a charging interface (44) connected to the charging part (43) for a connection to the charging interface (33) of the manual proportioning device (42).
16. The proportioning system according to claim 15 wherein the proportioning device (42) and the data transfer device (43) each have common charging (33, 44) and data interfaces (17,46).
17. The proportioning system according to one of claim 15 or 16 wherein the electronic control and/or regulation device (3) interacts with a charging current control (32) of the proportioning device (42) to control the charging current in accordance with the charging condition of the voltage source (29).
18. The proportioning system according to claim 17 wherein the electronic control and/or regulation device (3) determines the charging condition by monitoring the electric supply voltage of the voltage source (29).
19. the proportioning system for performing the method according to anyone of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the data transfer device (43) has a plurality of charging interfaces (44) for simultaneously charging the voltage sources (29) of several proportioning devices (42) and/or several data interfaces (46) for a simultaneous communication with the data interfaces (17) of several proportioning devices (42).
20. The proportioning system according to anyone of claims 15 to 19 wherein the data transfer device (43) has at least one charging interface (44) for a chargeable electric voltage source (29) withdrawable from the proportioning device (42).
21. the proportioning system according to anyone of claims 15 to 20 wherein the charging interfaces (33, 44) of the proportioning device (42) and data transfer device (43) and/or withdrawable voltage source (29) have interconnectable electric charging contacts.
22. The proportioning system for performing the method according to anyone of claims I to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to claims 6 to 21, wherein the manual proportioning device (42) is independent on the mains.
23. The proportioning system, suited for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 according to the preamble of claim 6, particularly according to claims 6 to 22, wherein the data transfer device is a stationary device.
24. The proportioning system according to anyone of claims 6 to 23 wherein the data processing plant (49) or the data interfaces are used as a means to write device type specific and/or device-specific parameters and/or user parameters into the read/write memory (20) or to read them therefrom and/or the manual proportioning device (42) can be remotely controlled.

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