EP3335887A1 - Labelling system for lab vessels, labelling system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

A labware labeling system (1) includes a graphical user interface (10) adapted to receive information to be output on a label from a user and to display a preview image of the label. A label printing unit is designed to create the label corresponding to the preview image. The graphical user interface (10) and the label printing unit are arranged splash-proof in a common housing (20).

Description

Technical area

Embodiments are concerned with a labeling system for laboratory vessels by means of which labels for mounting on vessels containing chemicals can be created.

background

Every day in laboratories, a large number of chemicals or samples are filled in vessels of various sizes. The correct labeling of these samples represents an essential aspect of the central laboratory safety and order. Relevant information that should be noted on filled samples, for example, the content of the sample (or name), the easily recognizable representation of the potential hazard, the date the creation of the sample and the name of the creator as the responsible person. Practice in the lab shows that labeling with this essential information often does not take place.

This is due, among other things, to a lack of labeling systems or to labeling systems that combine simple and very fast handling with flexibility tailored to everyday laboratory work. Therefore, the labeling of samples / chemicals is perceived as an annoying and time-consuming activity and is therefore often omitted. Furthermore, common labeling systems are little or not suitable for use in laboratories, so that they are typically operated outside laboratories, which in turn reduces the frequency of their use. There is a need for a labeling system that is suitable for use in a laboratory environment.

Summary

One embodiment of a labware labeling system includes a graphical user interface that is configured to display information on a label Receive user and display a preview image of the label and a label printing unit, which is designed to create the label corresponding to the preview image. The graphical user interface and the label printing unit are arranged splash-proof in a common housing. The splash-proof arrangement allows immediate use in a laboratory environment without the risk of destroying the labeling system or contaminating the laboratory environment with leaking materials. In addition, the graphical user interface enables intuitive and fast label creation.

According to some embodiments, the splash protection is at least IPx4 according to the IEC standard 60529, so it is protected against splashing water from all directions or has better protection, so even a spill of liquids in the laboratory can not affect the labeling.

According to some embodiments, the labeling system has a shell, which is not directly accessible from an upper side of the housing, in the housing into which the created labels are output from the label printing unit. Even if a large amount of liquid spills over the labeling system through an accident, it is thus possible to prevent liquid from entering the housing through the opening for the transfer of a finished label to the environment outside the housing.

In some embodiments, a touch-sensitive display of the graphical user interface is disposed on an upper surface of the housing to facilitate easy and quick creation of a label.

According to some embodiments, at least the housing and the graphical user interface are chemical resistant. This can prevent destruction or degradation of the labeling system, even if it should come in contact with chemicals. Also, a contamination of a laboratory could be prevented, for example, if otherwise the housing or the likewise externally accessible graphical user interface is partially dissolved or by chemical contact in another way material enters the laboratory environment.

According to some embodiments, the housing is made of a stainless material. This too can prevent contamination of the environment.

According to some embodiments, an exchangeable, chemical-resistant protective film is located on a touch-sensitive display of the graphical user interface. As a result, for example, by replacing the protective film, even with mechanical damage to the touch-sensitive display or the previous chemical-resistant protective film, the secure functionality can be ensured. Further, an intrinsically non-chemical resistant touch-sensitive display may be used within the labeling system, which may, for example, reduce costs.

According to some embodiments, the label printing unit is designed to create labels of different sizes, which makes it possible to label different vessels flexibly and quickly. The different size may consist in a difference in horizontal and / or vertical extent.

According to some embodiments, the labeling system includes a wireless communication interface configured to wirelessly receive the information to be output on the tag. This may make it possible to use other devices that are little or unsuitable for permanent operation in a laboratory environment, such as mobile phones with an associated app, to receive the information to be output on a label from a user and then via the labeling issue. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless communication interface used to communicate the data is a Bluetooth interface.

According to some embodiments, the labeling system has no mechanical buttons for inputting the information to be output on the label, which may reduce the susceptibility to dirt due to the then lack of small-scale structuring of the surface of the labeling system. Furthermore, this can reduce the effort for cleaning and thus contribute to the maintenance of proper laboratory conditions.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is configured to re-present to a user a selection of labels that the user has created in the past. This can speed up the creation of labels, increasing the frequency of use of the system and thus lab safety.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is configured to provide a user with a list of chemical substances for incorporation in the label. This, too, can help accelerate the creation of labels, increasing the frequency of system use and thus lab safety.

According to some embodiments, the graphical user interface is configured to offer a user the hazard symbols corresponding to a chemical substance for incorporation into the label. By simply adopting and clearly displaying the danger symbols on the label, for example, laboratory safety can be increased since it is immediately apparent from the label which dangers can emanate from the container labeled with the label.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is configured to display a preview image of the label to a user in the size to be created by the label engine. This may allow the size of the label to be intuitively adjusted to the size of the vessel to be labeled in order to avoid too small labels or a partially self-overlapping label, which could affect the visibility of the label.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is configured to simultaneously display a plurality of thumbnails of the label to a user corresponding to different sizes that can be created by the label engine. This can make it easier to intuitively tailor the size of the label to the size of the vessel to be labeled.

Brief Description

• Fig. 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Etikettiersystems für Laborgefäße in einer isometrischen Darstellung;
• Fig. 2 das Ausführungsbeispiel des Etikettiersystems der Fig. 1 in einer Seitenansicht;
• Fig. 3a - 3h Ansichten einer grafischen Benutzerschnittstelle eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Etikettiersystems;
• Fig. 4a- 4j Ansichten einer grafischen Benutzerschnittstelle zum Erstellen eines Etiketts für ein Laborgefäß, die auf einem mobilen Endgerät ausgeführt wird; und
• Fig. 5 ein Flussdiagram eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Erstellen eines Etiketts, das mittels eines Prorammcodes durchgeführt werden kann.

Embodiments are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• Fig. 1 an embodiment of a labeling system for laboratory vessels in an isometric view;
• Fig. 2 the embodiment of the labeling of the Fig. 1 in a side view;
• Fig. 3a - 3h Views of a graphical user interface of an embodiment of a labeling system;
• Fig. 4a-4j Views of a graphical user interface for creating a label for a lab vessel running on a mobile terminal; and
• Fig. 5 a Flußdiagram of an embodiment of a method for creating a label that can be performed by means of a Prorammcodes.

description

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers and / or regions may be exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

In the following description of the attached figures, which show only some exemplary embodiments, like reference characters may designate the same or similar components. Further, summary reference numerals may be used for components and objects that occur multiple times in one embodiment or in a drawing but are described together in terms of one or more features. Components or objects which are described by the same or by the same reference numerals may be the same, but possibly also different, in terms of individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly stated in the description.

Although embodiments may be modified and changed in various ways, exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures as examples and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but that embodiments are intended to cover all functional and / or structural modifications, equivalents and alternatives that are within the scope of the invention. Like reference numerals designate like or similar elements throughout the description of the figures.

Note that an element referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "a," "an," and "the" are also meant to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms such as e.g. "including," "including," "having," and / or "having," as used herein, indicates the presence of said features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but the presence or addition of a resp one or more features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly assigned to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Further, it should be understood that terms, e.g. those as defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, unless expressly defined otherwise herein.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a labeling system 1 for laboratory vessels in an isometric view. The labeling system 1 includes a graphical user interface 10 that is configured to display the information to be output on a label from a user to receive and display a preview image of the label. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 10 includes a touch-sensitive display for inputting the user data and simultaneously displaying the graphics and controls of the interface. Furthermore, the labeling system 1 comprises a label printing unit, which is designed to create the label corresponding to the preview image. The label printing unit, together with the graphical user interface 10, is disposed in a common housing 20 in a splash-proof manner, so that the label printing unit in the isometric view of FIG Fig. 1 is not visible. How out Fig. 2 As can be seen, the illustrated embodiment of the labeling system 1 as the only wired interface to the outside a power connector 30, which reduces the susceptibility of the labeling 1 and at the same time improves the cleanability of the system. The graphical user interface 10 may be implemented, for example, by means of a touch-sensitive display and a display-controlling, display-separated programmable hardware component disposed within the housing 20. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive display and the hardware component controlling it may also be arranged within a common housing of the touch-sensitive display, for example in the form of a tablet computer.

The labeling system 1 further includes a switch 30 for turning on and off the system and a tray 50 (or output tray) within the housing 20 that is not directly accessible from the top of the housing 20. In the shell 50, the created labels are output from the label printing unit. The design of the shell 50 prevents a spilled liquid from entering the housing through the opening for the transfer of a finished label to the environment outside the housing. Im in Fig. 1 As shown, this feature is further supported by the optional additional use of a roof 60 above the shell.

The labeling system 1 further includes a wireless communication interface that can wirelessly receive information to be output on a label. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface 70 is furthermore implemented, by means of which the wireless communication required for transmitting the information can be initiated. The transmission of the information to be output on the label itself can also take place with any other wireless communication technology, For example, by means of Bluetooth or wireless LAN (WLAN), for example via a Wi-Fi direct connection.

• Isopropanol technisch, Ethanol reinst, Ethanol vergällt, Sterilium (Desinfekt.), Wasser, 1-Propanol, 1-Butanol, Bacilliol (Desinfekt.), Essigsäure 99%, Essigsäure 30%, Ameisensäure 10%, Zitronensäure 10%, Orangensaft, Spülmittel, Aceton reinst, Schwefelsäure verdünnt, Balistol, Natronlauge verdünnt, Benzin normal, Diesel, Rapsöl, Olivenöl, Butter, Toilettenreiniger, Glasreiniger, Haushaltsreiniger, Antischimmellösung (1,8 %ige Natriumhypochloritlösung).

Zur Überprüfung der Chemikalienresistenz wird bei Raumtemperatur (zwischen 19°C und 23°C) ein 100 mm x 100 mm großes, mit der Testsubstanz getränktes Küchentuch ohne großen Druck 180 Sekunden leicht reibend gleichmäßig über die jeweiligen Oberflächen bewegt und dieser Test wird nach etwa 120 Sekunden Pause einmalig wiederholt. Sofern dann das getestete Material keine oder lediglich eine leichte Veränderung in der Struktur zeigt, gilt es als chemikalienresistent im hierin beschriebenen Sinn.In other words shows Fig. 1 a housing 20 of a laboratory-suitable labeling 1 in isometric view. This may include a PC in assembly with an upwardly directed touch screen 10, as well as the label printer in a lower part of the housing 20. The labels are ejected into a drip tray 50 which is accessible through the opening at the front of the housing 20. In addition, there is a button or switch 50 for switching on the system at the front, as well as a symbol indicating that a wireless transmission of data by means of NFC technology is possible at this point. For example, the housing itself may be made of stainless steel and therefore resistant to most chemicals. In other embodiments, the housing may also be made of another stainless metal, such as aluminum. Generally, it is advantageous if at least the housing and the graphical user interface or their externally accessible components are resistant to chemicals. Chemical resistance can mean, for example, that the material shows no or only a slight change in the structure upon contact with the following chemicals or substances:

• Isopropanol technical, ethanol purest, ethanol denatured, Sterilium (disinfect.), Water, 1-Propanol, 1-Butanol, Bacilliol (disinfect.), Acetic acid 99%, Acetic acid 30%, Formic acid 10%, Citric acid 10%, Orange juice, Dish soap , Pure acetone, sulfuric acid diluted, balistol, caustic soda diluted, gasoline normal, diesel, rapeseed oil, olive oil, butter, toilet cleaner, glass cleaner, household detergent, antifreeze solution (1.8% sodium hypochlorite solution).

To check the resistance to chemicals at room temperature (between 19 ° C and 23 ° C) a 100 mm x 100 mm large, soaked with the test cloth kitchen towel without great pressure for 180 seconds rubbing rubbed evenly over the respective surfaces and this test is after about 120 Seconds pause repeated once. If then the tested material shows no or only a slight change in the structure, it is considered to be resistant to chemicals in the sense described herein.

The small roof 60 and the otherwise closed housing 20 allow the protection of the internal printer components with respect to the top and obliquely upwardly incident spray water and particles. The display as well as the top of the device are also sealed against liquids. An interchangeable film placed on the display protects the display from common chemicals. At the back of the device is the power supply for the entire system. The power supply is also designed in such a way that splash water falling in at an angle does not damage the device. The created labels are ejected from the printer at the forward and covered opening or tray 50 and fall into a drip tray. This allows easy removal of the label. The labels themselves are also resistant to typical laboratory chemicals (eg acetone, or the chemicals mentioned above). According to some embodiments, the splash protection corresponds at least to the degree of protection IPx4 according to the IEC standard 60529, but may also be worse depending on the requirement, for example corresponding to the degree of protection IPx3 or IPx2.

The following is based on the FIGS. 3a to 3g a graphical user interface provided by the labeling system. The term "click" in this case refers to the tapping of the finger on the touchscreen, which follows the idea of using the mouse. In the case of Fig. 4a-4j For example, the graphical user interface is implemented on a mobile data processing device that can wirelessly transmit the information to be output on the label to the labeling system 1. An example of this is a software (app) running on a mobile computing device or a smartphone. Embodiments thus also include a program code which, when the program code is executed on a programmable processor, performs a method comprising: receiving information to be output from a user; Creating a preview image of the label; and wirelessly transferring the information to be output on the label to a labeling system

Fig. 3a shows the login screen, which is permanently displayed in the non-use state. Here, by clicking on the input field 301, the digital keyboard is displayed and the user name or an abbreviation assigned to the user can be entered. This abbreviation serves as a login name and also allows the assignment of history entries. After this simplified registration you get to the main menu of the Fig. 3b , New labels can be entered either by means of the database-assisted input of substances (»Input substances«) or the function »Research substance«. In addition, it is possible to view the labels already created under the respective registered user in the "History". Fig. 3c shows an example of the input of substances, wherein individual substances can be selected as part of the substance list. For example, four separate input fields 302 exist for this purpose. Clicking on one of the fields displays a virtual screen keyboard for entering data. The entry is database-assisted. This means that when entering letters, an automatic search in the deposited substance database searches for suitable substances and offers them for direct selection in a list, as described in Fig. 3d is shown. It also shows the associated with a substance Hazard symbols. If the substance to be searched for or to be entered is not available in the database, the input can also be completely manual. Here, the substance is added to the user's personal database and can be easily selected from the list later. After all desired substances have been entered, the size and the pictured hazardous substance symbols are selected in the next step, as in Fig. 3e shown. The labels 304 are displayed in their actual printed size on the screen, giving the user an immediate impression of the size, which greatly facilitates the selection. In addition, the list of the hazardous substance symbols 305 to be printed can be adapted. The pressure can then be started directly by means of the pushbutton 306. The labels are automatically cut to the selected size by the cutting device integrated in the label printer.

Fig. 3f shows the graphical user interface after selecting the "Research Material" option, which allows you to enter data describing a sample or mixture of chemicals that is not exactly definable. A caption can be made via the input fields »Label« 307 and »Comment« 308. This does not use an automatic database query, so the input is manual only. After confirming, you will be given the choice of the size and the symbols of the hazardous substance. The symbol "unchecked research material" is selected by default.

Fig. 3g shows the graphical user interface after selecting the option »History«. The list shows the last 10 created labels of the logged in user. Clicking on the label will take you over the page described above to select the size as well as the hazardous substance symbols.

By default, the current date is selected in the program. This is printed on the labels. By clicking on the date on all program pages, a date selection field 309 can be opened to manually select the date to be printed, as in Fig. 3h shown.

After pressing the print command or clicking the "Logout" icon 310 next to the user name (see fig. 3g ) opens a window which gives the user the option to log out of the system. When logging out, the program jumps to the login page and is thus available to other users.

The following is based on the FIGS. 4a to 4j By way of example, a smartphone software (app) is described which supplements the labeling system 1 and which can be used to collect the information to be output on the label and to transmit it wirelessly to the labeling system 1. The structure of the graphical user interface of the app is almost identical to the software of the main system. This speeds up the creation process for the user, since no new processes have to be learned.

Fig. 4a shows the login screen. The lower button 411 allows the direct login with the last registered user. Since smartphones are usually only used by the respective owner, no new manual input is required at each startup. However, upper text entry field 412 also allows entry of another user. After logging in you get to the main menu of the Fig. 4b , Analogous to the graphical user interface of the labeling system 1, the three menu options »Input substances«, »Research substance« and »History« are available here. In addition, a stylized Icon 413 with a number indicates how many labels are prepared for the transfer and thus the printing on the labeling system 1. Also in the app it is possible to enter a user-specific date, as in Fig. 4c is apparent. To do this, click on the date symbol. Clicking on »Input substances« leads to the input mask, shown in Fig. 4d , The input takes place analogously to the labeling system 1, that is to say with the aid of auto-completion mechanisms for a faster search of the respective substances, as in US Pat Fig. 4e is shown. After confirmation one reaches the in Fig. 4f shown print preview in which the size of the label, as well as the hazardous substance symbols to be displayed can be selected. Clicking on the "Edit" button 414 opens a window in which the respective symbols can be selected and deselected by simply clicking on them can, as in Fig. 4g is shown. The second option in the main menu, »Research Substance«, leads to the corresponding input mask for designation and comment, which is displayed in Fig. 4h is shown. This is likewise constructed analogously to the main system. The connected is also here in Fig. 4i illustrated print preview. The pictogram »Unchecked Research Substance« 415 is already selected by default. The third option in the main menu leads to the "History" screen, which is located in Fig. 4j is shown. Here are the last labels released for printing. They can be individually selected and then edited either by means of pictogram 416 or by means of pictogram 41 again put into the cart for printing. After sending the print command, you will return to the main menu. The shopping basket displayed in the main menu, or the number shown above, indicates how many labels are ready for printing. Clicking on the shopping cart opens a list of these labels, structured in the same way as the history.

To print out the created labels, you can, for example, hold an NFC-enabled smartphone to the NFC marked position of the labeling system 1. Here, the app can be opened on the smartphone and the display of the smartphone should be on. This then starts the transfer of the labels stored in the shopping cart and then directly the printer which generates the desired labels.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a flowchart of a method, for example, the basis of the Fig. 4a to 4j described software can be executed on a smartphone. The method includes receiving information from a user 502 to be output on a label. The method further includes creating a preview image of the label 504 and transmitting the information to be output on the label to a labeling system 506.

In summary, a requirement of a printer system or labeling system used in laboratory environments is to provide, in as short a time as possible, a label of all data relevant to laboratory safety, which has sufficient resistance to commonly used laboratory-type substances. The label should also be as uniform as possible in order to increase the reading speed and readability. In addition to the sheer speed of creation, easy handling is also very important. Embodiments meet both these requirements by means of a suitably designed graphical user interface (possibly software-based) with z. As a flexible switchable input language and stored substance lists, as well as hardware-supported improvements, for example, the implementation of new interfaces such as NFC, which allow integration of smartphones in the overall system. In addition, the printing system is easily and centrally accessible to all laboratory workers, as the site can be located centrally within the laboratory premises. This is achieved by a resistance to relevant chemicals (mainly organic solvents), splash protection, as well as a design designed for easy cleaning of the surfaces. The labeling system is also capable of making labels for containers of different sizes, for example by using a flexible label cutting device within the label printing unit. Conventional solutions or labeling systems are only adapted in individual aspects to the requirements of a laboratory environment. None of these systems offers an overall concept that solves the challenges of availability, speed, and flexibility in everyday laboratory work. The time necessary to produce a label made for the specific sample or chemical plays an essential role, at least for two reasons. A reduced creation time means less distraction for the user from the lab work, which has a positive impact on safety at work due to the improved focus. The reduced creation time also significantly increases the "labeling moral", since a label with previous solutions means a significantly higher cost, the labeling process is therefore perceived as unpleasant and as a result often safety-relevant information on the chemicals / samples are neglected.

Accordingly, the proposed labeling system is completely designed to make the creation of a customized label easy, pleasant and quick for the user. The focus on speed of the presented system therefore represents a safety-relevant advantage over the prior art. The significantly reduced duration for the creation of labels, with all the information relevant for everyday laboratory work, is, inter alia, through the optimization of the graphical user interface for the touch screen. Input achieved, which is based on the operating concept of modern smartphones and thus easily accessible even to inexperienced users. The accessibility of labeling devices is also an important safety-relevant aspect. The design of conventional Systems are limited in their ability to be installed or used in a direct laboratory environment, as the devices are susceptible to contact with liquids and solids due to the use of mechanical keyboards and controls. The proposed labeling offers due to the closed structure without mechanical controls for a protection against penetrating spray. On the other hand, the labeling system is resistant to a variety of typical, occurring in laboratory environments substances and also offers due to the optimized design a very good cleanability. The combination of these properties allows for unrestricted use within a laboratory environment, which is a significant advantage over previously available labeling solutions. There is no separate device such as a PC required for operation and the installation area is therefore low, which in turn accommodates the small space available in laboratories. The labeling system is equipped with an interface for the wireless transmission of data. Various wireless systems such. As NFC, Bluetooth and WLAN are suitable for coupling with smartphones. Such an interface allows transfer of all necessary data for the creation of labels from external devices. Among other things, smartphones are relevant. The embodiments provide that in addition to the direct input of data on the touch screen of the device and smartphone apps are available, which allow an input directly on the smartphone. By means of the wireless interface, the information for creating the label can then be transmitted directly to the labeling system. Thus, every laboratory employee can make a note of all relevant information without leaving the workplace. In this way, the advantages of purely mobile handsets (especially accessibility) are combined with the advantages of stationary systems (flexible, large labels with graphics). This represents a further advantage of the proposed solution.

The printing system or a labeling solution consists of a labeling system suitable for the production of laboratory labels. This includes in a common housing a graphical user interface (for example with a touch screen or a touch screen computer system) and a label printing unit. According to some embodiments, software is installed on a computer system which is likewise arranged within the housing, which software takes over the control of the installed and a label printing unit and permits the input of data on a touchscreen. The housing that encloses the components provides protection against the ingress of contaminants such as liquids and particles. In or on the outside of the housing is an interface for wireless communication with external devices installed. The software used is specifically optimized for use with a touchscreen in conjunction with a graphical user interface. At startup, it allows the entry of a distinctive name or user, which is noted on the label to be created. The entry of this "user name" also allows the previously created under this name labels in a history record. This allows quick access to past input already made and speeds up the label creation process in case labels need to be reprinted. The date is specified by the system with the current date, but can also be changed by means of a simple date selection. The main menu, which appears after logging in as "user name", allows access to the history, the creation of a label based on various individual substances and the creation of a label labeled as research material. The last alternative - labeled as research material - offers the option of giving a title as well as a comment on the substance. For the option to create a label on the basis of different individual substances, a simple selection of the substances by means of stored databases is available. If substances searched by the user are not contained in the database, they can simply be inserted via an input mask and are then available in the database of the respective user for later labels. In the last creation step, the size of the label can be specified. Various sizes are available, which are suitable for almost all typical in the laboratory vessel sizes. In addition, you can select the hazardous substance symbols that should be displayed on the label. From here, the print command can be made directly. Another option for creating a label is given by means of a wireless interface. The input data mentioned above are not entered directly on the labeling system but via an app installed on the (private) smartphones of the laboratory staff. This app is based on the same principles and also optically strongly adapted to the input software of the labeling, so that a recognition value is given. Since smartphones are now very widespread, effectively has every employee with an input device, which he can easily use in his workplace. Once the data has been entered into the app, the smartphone may pass the data to the printer via the wireless interface (eg, by going to the location marked on the housing), thereby directly initiating a printing process.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the appended claims and the appended figures may be taken to be and effect both individually and in any combination for the realization of an embodiment in its various forms.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it will be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

Depending on particular implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or FLASH memory, a hard disk, or other magnetic disk or optical memory are stored on the electronically readable control signals, which can cooperate with a programmable hardware component or cooperate such that the respective method is performed.

A programmable hardware component may be integrated by a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a computer, a computer system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) Circuit (IC = Integrated Circuit), a system on chip (SOC) system, a programmable logic element or a field programmable gate array with a microprocessor (FPGA = Field Programmable Gate Array) may be formed.

The digital storage medium may therefore be machine or computer readable. Thus, some embodiments include a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of being connected to a programmable computer system or a programmable computer Hardware component such that one of the methods described herein is performed. One embodiment is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer readable medium) on which the program is recorded for performing any of the methods described herein.

In general, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a program, firmware, computer program, or computer program product having program code or data, the program code or data operative to perform one of the methods when the program is run on a processor or a programmable processor Hardware component expires. The program code or the data can also be stored, for example, on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier. The program code or the data may be present, inter alia, as source code, machine code or bytecode as well as other intermediate code.

Yet another embodiment is a data stream, signal sequence, or sequence of signals that represents the program for performing any of the methods described herein. The data stream, the signal sequence or the sequence of signals may be configured, for example, to be transferred over a data communication link, for example via the Internet or another network. Embodiments are also data representing signal sequences that are suitable for transmission over a network or a data communication connection, the data representing the program.

A program according to an exemplary embodiment may implement one of the methods during its execution, for example by reading out or writing into these memory locations one or more data, whereby switching operations or other operations in transistor structures, in amplifier structures or in other electrical, optical, magnetic or other processes caused by another working principle working components. Accordingly, by reading a memory location, data, values, sensor values or other information can be detected, determined or measured by a program. A program can therefore acquire, determine or measure quantities, values, measured variables and other information by reading from one or more memory locations, and an action by writing to one or more memory locations cause, initiate or carry out and control other devices, machines and components.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

Claims (18)

Labeling system (1) for laboratory vessels, comprising: a graphical user interface (10) adapted to receive information to be output on a label from a user and to display a preview image of the label; a label printer configured to create the label corresponding to the preview image; in which the graphical user interface (10) and the label printing unit are disposed in a common housing (20) splash-proof. Labeling system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the splash water protection meets at least the degree of protection IPx4. A labeling system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a shell not directly accessible from an upper side of the housing (20) in the housing (20) into which the created labels are output from the label printing unit. A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a touch-sensitive display of the graphical user interface (10) is disposed on an upper surface of the housing (20). A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the housing (20) and the graphical user interface (10) are chemical resistant. Labeling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) consists of a stainless material. Labeling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a removable, chemical-resistant protective film on a touch-sensitive display of the graphical user interface (10). A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the label printing unit is adapted to produce labels of different sizes. Labeling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a wireless communication interface configured to receive the information to be output on the tag wirelessly. The labeling system (1) of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication interface is a Bluetooth interface. Labeling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the labeling system (1) has no mechanical keys for inputting the information to be output on the label. A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface (10) is adapted to re-present to a user a selection of labels that the user has created in the past for creation. A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface (10) is adapted to provide a user with a list of chemical substances for incorporation in the label. Labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface (10) is adapted to offer a user the corresponding to a chemical substance danger symbols for acceptance in the label. A labeling system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface (10) is adapted to display to a user a preview image of the label in the size to be created by the label printing unit. The labeling system (1) of claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface (10) is adapted to simultaneously display a plurality of thumbnails of the label to a user corresponding to different sizes that can be created by the label engine. A computer program having a program code which, when the program code is executed on a programmable processor, performs a method comprising: Receiving information to be output on a label from a user (502); Creating a preview image of the label (504); and Cordless transfer (506) of the information to be output on the label to a labeling system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 16. Labeling solution comprising: A labeling system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16; and A mobile computing device configured to receive information to be output on a label from a user; to display a preview image of the label; and to transmit the information to be output on the label cordless to the labeling system (1).

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