WO2024133291A1

WO2024133291A1 - Access point device, pipette device, system, methods and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2024133291A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/086682
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin Förthmann
Original assignee: Eppendorf Se
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2024-06-27

Abstract

The invention is related to an access point device and pipette devices interacting in a system, and methods related thereto. The access point device comprises a wireless network adapter for connecting the access point device with a wireless network adapter of a pipette device, a computing device programmed to - provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier, - authenticate the pipette device, which has the network identifier stored in a data storage of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, - provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

Description

ACCESS POINT DEVICE, PIPETTE DEVICE, SYSTEM, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

The invention is related to an access point device, a pipette device, a system and methods related thereto.

Hand-held pipetting devices are commonly used in medical, biological, biochemical, chemical and other laboratories. They are used for transport and transfer of fluid samples with small volumes, especially for precise dispensing of samples, in particular for precisely dosing and distributing liquid volumes ranging between several microliters and tens of milliliters. Two known classes of such hand-held pipetting devices differ in the respective physical principle of liquid aspiration or dispensing. Either the liquid is dispensed by the air cushion principle or the direct displacement principle is used. The first class of devices is called air cushion pipettes, the second class is called direct displacement pipettes or “dispenser”.

Air cushion pipettes use a piston-cylinder system to perform the actual measurement. An air cushion separates the sample aspirated into a plastic tip from the piston inside the pipette. When the piston slides up, a vacuum is created in the tip, which causes the liquid to rise into the tip. The air cushion moved by the piston acts like an elastic spring from which the volume of liquid in the tip hangs. In hand-held pipetting devices that operate according to the direct displacement principle, tips with an integrated piston are used as transfer vessels. This piston is coupled to the piston rod of the dispensing device during the pipetting process and takes over the actual dispensing operation. Since the piston in this case can displace the entire internal volume of the tip, essentially no air cushion is formed between the aspirated sample and the end of the piston. Both classes of handheld pipetting devices, the air cushion pipettes and the direct displacement pipettes, are also referred to as piston stroke pipettes.

There are hand-held pipetting devices whose piston system is driven manually and those with electric drive. An electrically driven hand-held piston-stroke pipette is often controllable by at least one pipetting program in order to perform at least one type of pipetting operation in an automated or semi-automated manner. Mechanical pipettes do not use electrical energy for their operation.

Hand-held pipettes are designed for one-handed use by human users. However, there are also laboratory automats with robotic gripper arms, whose gripper tools simulate the activities of a human hand for operating a hand-held pipette and which are set up for handling and operating a hand-held pipette.

In a pipetting device, the amount of sample dispensed by a single actuation may correspond to the amount of sample aspirated into the device. However, it can also be provided that a sample quantity corresponding to several dispensing quantities is dispensed again step by step. In addition, a distinction is made between single-channel pipetting devices and multi-channel pipetting devices, wherein single-channel pipetting devices comprise only a single dispensing/receiving channel and multi-channel pipetting devices comprise a plurality of dispensing/receiving channels which, in particular, permit the parallel dispensing or receiving of a plurality of samples.

An example of a hand-held, electronic air cushion pipette is the Eppendorf Xplorer® and Xplorer® plus from Eppendorf AG, Germany, Hamburg; examples of hand-held, electronic dispensers are the Multipette® E3 and Multipette® E3x from Eppendorf AG, Germany, Hamburg.

Electric pipetting devices offer advantages over non-electric pipetting devices, as a variety of functions can be implemented in a simple manner. In particular, electric pipetting devices can simplify the execution of certain program-controlled pipetting operations by automating or partially automating them. Typical pipetting parameters for controlling such pipetting operations by means of corresponding pipetting programs concern the volume when aspirating or dispensing liquid, their sequence and repetitions, and, if applicable, their temporal parameters in the temporal distribution of these operations. Data exchange, in particular for use in the process of calibration or calibration management, with external devices can be easily implemented with electric pipetting devices. The pipetting devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “pipettes”) described in the context of the present invention are hand-held pipetting devices of any of the aforementioned kind, which require maintenance and calibration in order to preserve the measurement and dosing accuracy over the course of time. The invention is not limited to pipettes from a single manufacturer but can be applied to pipettes from any manufacturer.

The precision and accuracy of pipettes are important for the quality of all laboratories’ work results. Regular maintenance and calibration services of pipettes by a service provider assures a consistent result quality for the customer. Pipettes are precision instruments with parts subject to normal wear and tear leading to imprecision over the time. Month to month over a yearlong testing period, a pipette in standard lab use is calibrating within the error limits as shown in the graph of figure 1. However, wear and tear is causing this pipette’s calibration to continuously just trend towards the upper limit. Without any maintenance, calibration or adjustment measures, this pipette will eventually fall out of calibration, potentially causing questionable and unreliable results.

Therefore, regular maintenance and calibration of pipettes are fundamental to their precision and accuracy. Calibration is usually applied following industrial standards. ISO 8655 provides for calibrating with three volumes to compensate for the non-linear correlation of error and volume. Within each test, the weight of a pipetted volume is determined under standard conditions. More confidence in the calibration is produced and the results become statistically more accurate when using ten measurements as recommended by ISO 8655. Calibration processes may be performed by ISO 17025 accredited service centers.

Electric pipetting devices usually are controlled by a control software. Like many other complex and software-controlled devices, there are numerous reasons why software of the electric pipetting device should be updated regularly. Amending the control software may be useful to modify or supplement any functions of the electric pipetting device related, for example, to the pipetting processes, user interaction or administrative tasks performed by the electric pipetting device, or to any functions requiring a data exchange with devices external to the electric pipetting device. Basically, updated software can have the following changes in any combination: Changed functionality, in particular the implementation of new functions, the modification of existing functions, for example, in terms of usability or execution speed, removal of old functions; Changed operational reliability in connection with programming errors, in particular an improvement through the correction of known programming errors; Changed data security by security gaps, in particular an improvement due to the closing of recognized security gaps.

One typical kind of control software of an electric pipetting device is firmware. In general, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware. The firmware, similar as the BIOS of a personal computer, may contain basic functions of a device, and may provide hardware abstraction services to higher-level software such as operating systems. Firmware may also act as the device's complete operating system, performing all control, monitoring and data manipulation functions. Firmware is typically held in a non-volatile memory device of an electric pipetting device, such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and Flash memory. Updating firmware requires ROM integrated circuits to be physically replaced, or PROM or flash memory to be reprogrammed through a special procedure. Common reasons for updating firmware include fixing bugs or modifying/adding features to the device.

Maintenance of an electric pipetting device (also: “pipette”), in particular a calibration, is usually performed by a service provider following a maintenance schedule ordered by a customer. In case that the customer ordered a software update service at the service provider, any steps of a software update may be performed on premises of the customer or on premises of the service provider, in general. A software update is a time-consuming work process. Typically, a plurality of working steps have to be performed manually by a personal being responsible for the software update, including

• connecting the electric pipetting device, for example by means of a USB cable connection, to a computer, which provides an updated software or provides a data connection for obtaining the updated software, said connecting typically including authenticating a service personal at the computer; • selecting a suitable software file from a list of suitable software updates presented to the responsible personal on a display of the computer;

• initiating the software update;

• disconnecting the electric pipetting device from the computer.

A similar sequence of work steps is required when exchanging data between a computer and a pipette during tasks of downloading statistical data from a pipette, in particular a list or history list of error events, usage data related to pipetting processes performed by the specific pipette, sensor data obtained by a sensor of the pipette, energy data containing a history of data related to energy consumption, for example battery status data.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to reduce the service time required to exchange service data between a service computer and an electric pipetting device.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of each of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matters of the dependent claims and are described by the following description of embodiments, the figures and the figure description.

The invention offers the advantage that service efforts for future electronic wireless network enabled pipettes, in particular dispensers, are reduced by automatic wireless transfers of service data, in particular by automatic updates and the automatic transfer of error reports to service facilities of a service provider. This way, service times of wireless network enabled pipettes, in particular dispensers, will be shortened. A standardized WLAN-access point device on premises of the service provider, in particular the laboratories being responsible for the calibration, may automatically connect the pipettes to the Internet allowing the pipettes to download a firmware update file and upload error reports. The installation of the latest firmware could then be confirmed at the pipette, so that several devices could receive updates at the same time without tying up working time and PCs/notebooks. The invention provides a time saving in service when updating future electronic pipettes, in particular dispensers, with wireless network enabled modules. An automatic upload of error messages from the devices to record the error frequency of the specific device may be implemented, for example. In addition, after customer approval using the at least one condition parameter, anonymized data on pipette usage such as number of piston strokes, frequency of volume ranges used and special functions and battery capacity development could be collected. This may allow a service provider to analyze the usage and failure frequency of the electronic pipettes, in particular dispensers, adapt lifetime tests in development, and revise the battery requirements of future handheld devices.

While the access point device is usually located on premises of the service provider, it may also be located on premises of the customer. The customer may arrange both, the access point device and the pipette device, on premises of the customer. The step of sending service data to the access point device and/or receive service data from the access point device may, accordingly, be performed on premises of the customer - as an alternative to the case, where those steps are performed on premises of the service provider, which may then, for example, provide additional service steps of calibrating the pipetting device or other steps requiring the physical presence of the pipette device. The service data form, preferably, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device. The service data may be hosted by a server located on premises of the service provider. However, the service data may also be provided by a server, or the access point device itself, on premises of the customer, after it was transferred to said server or access point device by the service provider. The service data are generally originally generated by the manufacturer of the pipette device, which may be identical to the service provider. The service provider may be authorized by the manufacturer by license, for example, to provide such service data.

A system according to the invention comprises an access point device according to the invention and at least one pipette device according to the invention, the system being configured for exchanging service data between the access point device and the at least one pipette device.

An access point device according to the invention serves for exchanging service data with a handheld pipette device, and comprises - a wireless network adapter for connecting the access point device with a wireless network adapter of a pipette device,

- a computing device programmed to o provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier, o authenticate the pipette device, which has the network identifier stored in a data storage of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, and in particular, using a passphrase, o provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

In this context, it is clear that multiple pipettes may be connected in this way to the access point device and forming part of the wireless network, at the same time or subsequently, for the purpose of exchanging service data via the access point device.

A pipette device (hereinafter also: “pipette”) according to the invention is configured for handheld use and for exchanging service data with an access point device, and comprises

- a wireless network adapter for connecting the pipetting device with a wireless net-work adapter of an access point device, which provides a wireless network being identified by a network identifier,

- a data storage device which has stored data including the network identifier, and in particular, a passphrase,

- a computing device programmed to o authenticate the pipette device at the access point device using the network identifier, and in particular, using the passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, o send service data to the access point device and/or receive service data from the access point device, the service data forming, preferably, a firm-ware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device. An access point device may be a stand-alone device being configured to exchange service data with the pipette, and in particular, being exclusively dedicated to only exchange service data with the pipette.

In a preferred embodiment of the access point device, the access point device is additionally configured to perform additional functions, in particular other functions than only exchanging service data with the pipette, in particular, to exchange additional data, in particular other data than only service data with the pipette. The access point device may be a general-purpose computer including the computing device of the access point device according to the invention, in particular a computing device programmed to o provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier o authenticate the pipette device, which has the network identifier stored in a data storage of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, and in particular, using a passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, o provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

An access point device is, in particular, a networking hardware device that allows other devices, which are enabled for wireless data communication, to connect to a wired network. As a standalone device, the access point device may have a wired connection to a router, but, in a wireless router, it can also be an integral component of the router itself. Moreover, the access point device may contain a router.

An access point device preferably connects directly to a wired network, preferably WLAN, typically Ethernet, and the access point device then preferably provides wireless connections using wireless LAN technology, typically Wi-Fi, for other devices, in particular pipette devices, to use that wired connection. The access point device preferably supports the connection of multiple wireless devices, in particular pipette devices, through their one wired connection. The access point device preferably comprises a housing, which encases one or more of the following components: the wireless network adapter; the computing device; preferably encasing also a data storage device; preferably firmly holding also a user interface device, which preferably includes a display, preferably a touch screen, and or at least one input device for detecting a user input, for example a key, button, switch, contact sensor or a keyboard; electronics and/or electronic circuitry, in particular an integrated circuit, a CPU, wherein one or more of said components preferably represent the computing device or are comprised by the same.

The access point device may comprise a data storage device for storing service data and/or other data. The access point device may comprise a data connection for exchanging, i.e. receiving and/or sending, the service data with a data storage external to the access point device.

The access point device preferably also is configured to include the functionality of a pipette manager. The access point device preferably is configured to exchange data including pipetting parameters for controlling pipetting processes I operations with at least on pipette according to the invention. Typical pipetting parameters for controlling such pipetting operations by means of corresponding pipetting programs of the pipette concern the volume when aspirating or dispensing liquid, their sequence and repetitions, pipetting speed, and, if applicable, their temporal parameters in the temporal distribution of these operations. The pipette, in particular the computing device of the pipette, is preferably programmed to receive data containing at least one pipetting parameter from the access point device and perform a pipetting process, which utilizes the at least one pipetting parameter, in particular, for setting the pipetting volume and/or a pipetting speed and/or a number of steps of a pipetting process. A pipetting manager is useful for programming a pipetting process or a pipetting method, which defines a sequence of pipetting processes to be automatically or substantially automatically performed by the pipette. For example, the user interface of a pipetting manager may be more comfortable than the user interface of a pipette, which has limited space for presenting information or receiving user input. An access point device preferably comprises a user interface apparatus, in particular a touch screen, for receiving input data entered by a user to the user interface apparatus, the input data including, in particular, at least one pipetting parameter for defining a pipetting process being controlled by a control program executed by a computing device of the pipette device.

The wireless network adapter of the access point device is configured for connecting the access point device with a wireless network adapter of a pipette device. The wireless network adapter is a hardware, including, in particular, integrated circuitry, which is configured for exchanging data within a wireless network, in particular a WLAN network ,in particular a WiFi network, implementing, for example, WFi STA, WFi AP or WFi STA+AP. The wireless network adapter may be a stand-alone module connectable to a computing device, or may be integrated into a computing device, in particular into a microcontroller.

A wireless network is a computer network that uses wireless data connections between network nodes. Wreless networking is a method by which data processing instances avoid the costly and, often, unsuitable use of cables. Examples of wireless networks include cell phone networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs), ad-hoc networks. A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using wireless communication to form a local area network (LAN) within a limited area such as a laboratory, campus, or office building. This gives users the ability to move around within the area and remain connected to the network. Through a gateway, a WLAN can also provide a connection to the wider Internet. Wreless LAN (WLAN) network is preferably based on the IEEE 802.11 standards, as is typically the case. These are commonly called W-Fi, which is a trademark belonging to the Wi-Fi Alliance. They are also used for home and small office networks that link together laptop computers, printers, smartphones with a wireless router, which links them to the internet.

The access point device and/or the at least one pipette device connected to the access point device within the same wireless network preferably represent a so-called service set. In IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networking standards (including W-Fi), a service set is a group of wireless network devices which share a service set identifier (SSID) — typically the natural language label that users see as a network name. For example, all of the devices that together form and use a Wi-Fi network called “company-net” are a service set. A service set forms a logical network of nodes operating with shared link-layer networking parameters; they form one logical network segment. The service set identifier (SSID) defines a service set or extended service set. An SSID is preferably customizable. These SSIDs can preferably be zero to 32 octets (32 bytes) long, and are, for convenience, usual preferably in a natural language, such as English.

The computing device of the access point device is programmed to provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier. The network identifier unambiguously may identify the wireless network within a possible plurality of other wireless networks. The network identifier may be any code suitable for identifying the wireless network.

The computing device of the access point device, preferably, is programmed to automatically connect a pipette device, which is configured according to the invention, to the wireless network using the network identifier and, in particular, using a passphrase, without the need for any user interaction for establishing said connection. The computing device of the pipette device, preferably, is programmed to automatically connect the pipette device, which is configured according to the invention, to the wireless network provided by the access point device according to the invention using the network identifier and, in particular, using a passphrase, without the need for any user interaction for establishing said connection. Such a configuration of the system is suitable for enabling an automated exchange of service data between the pipette and the access point device.

The computing device of the access point device is programmed to authenticate the at least one pipette device, which has the network identifier stored in a data storage of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, and in particular, using a passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network. Authentication, in the context of the invention, is a process of proving that a pipette device has the right to access the wireless network at the access point device. It is preferably a Single-Factor authentication. On this authentication system, the pipette device has to know the network identifier and, preferably, the respective passphrase (password), to allow the pipette device entering the wireless network. Now if the correct network identifier is not known by the pipette device or if the password is wrong, then the pipette device will not be allowed to access the wireless network. A password is a secret string that is supposed to be known only to the pipette device being allowed to access the wireless network and to the access point device verifying said access.

The network identifier may be advertised by the access point device or may be not advertised. In case of a service set, the access point device may advertise its presence several times per second by broadcasting beacon frames that carry the network identifier (SSID). Pipettes may discover an access point device by passively listening for beacons, or they can send probe frames to actively search for an access point device with the desired SSID. Once the pipette locates an appropriately-named access point device, it can send an associate request frame containing the desired SSID. The access point device may reply with an associate response frame, also containing SSID.

The access point device may use any authentication type and can use more than one at the same time, for example: Open Authentication to the Access Point; Shared Key Authentication to the Access Point; EAP Authentication to the Network; MAC Address Authentication to the Network; Combining MAC-Based, EAP, and Open Authentication; Using CCKM for Authenticated Clients; Using WPA Key Management. Preferably it is a shared key authentication to comply with the IEEE 802.11 b standard.

The computing device of the access point device is programmed to provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device. Preferably the service data are stored on a data storage device being part of the access point device or being connected to the access point device by a local cable connection, as a network device or as a part of a network device of the wireless network, in particular as a part of a service set. In another preferred embodiment, the data storage device hosting the service data is connected to the access point via an external network, preferably by way of a router. The external network is different from the wireless network. The external network preferably is the Internet (synonyms used herein: world wide web, the web).

Service data to be transferred by way of the access point device to the pipette device are stored physically away from the pipette device. The location of the service data to be transferred to the pipette device is preferably coded and available as a location link, which is suitable to make the service data directly available for the pipette device. This means that the pipette device may retrieve the service data by way of the URL once the pipette device has successfully accessed the wireless network, without any further input or information, for example another user input, being required.

Service data to be transferred from the pipette device to the access point device are transferred to a location being physically remote to the pipette device. The location of the remote storage to the pipette device is preferably coded and available as a location link, which is suitable to make the service data directly available for the pipette device. This means that the pipette device may provide the service data to be transferred to the location of the URL once the pipette device has successfully accessed the wireless network, without any further input or information, for example another user input, being required.

The location link is preferably stored in a data storage device of the pipette device and/or of the access point device. The location link may be, in particular, an URL. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL), colloquially termed a web address, is a reference to a web resource that specifies its location on a computer network and a mechanism for retrieving it. The URL may refer to a reference web page (HTTP) but does preferably, alternatively, refer to a file transfer protocol (FTP), email (mailto), database access (JDBC), or other applications.

The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to upload the service data to the pipette device, and, in particular, to upload the service data from the location coded by the location link. The computing device of pipette device is preferably programmed to download the service data by way of the access point device, and, in particular, to download the service data from the location coded by the location link.

The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device in dependence on at least one condition parameter. The transfer of service data may then be performed only if the at least one condition parameter equals a predetermined reference value, for example “1” in case that a transfer of service data, or of a specific type of service data, is desired, or “0” in case that the respective transfer is not desired.

A condition parameter may be a subscription parameter, which stores the information indicating whether or not the owner of a pipette device agreed on the transfer of service data, which in particular may be a fully automated process. For example, the owner may agree to allow regularly automated software updates for the pipette to occur via the connection to the wireless network provided by the access point device, but, for example, the owner may disagree to transfer usage data from the pipette device to the access point device or the location of the location link, respectively. In another example, the condition parameter may contain the information whether or not the owner of a pipette device agreed on the automatic conduction of a backup of user data of the pipette.

Another condition parameter may be that the pipette’s battery status guarantees sufficient energy required for the transfer of service data and, in particular, a software update.

Another condition parameter may be a pipette identification number, in particular a serial number of the pipette. The pipette identification number may be required to fulfil a predefined condition. For example, one or more individual pipettes, or specific sub-groups or types of pipettes, may be excluded or included from the transfer of service data. For example, pipettes of a certain production year may be included or excluded from the transfer of service data. Another condition parameter may be a service parameter, which carries information from the pipette owner or the service provider why the transfer of service data should be provided or be prohibited. For example, in case that a previous transfer of service data was not successfully completed and resulted in an error status, this error information may be used to define a service parameter, which prevents another transfer of service data to be conducted. For example, the data storage of the pipette may be full, or impaired and not be available as required.

The at least one condition parameter may be stored in a data storage device of the pipette, or in a database, which is stored in a data storage device of the access point device, or available for the access point device via a data connection and stored in a data storage device being remote from the access point device, for example, being accessible for the access point device via a router. In general, the at least one condition parameter preferably is a part of the system according to the invention, and may be stored in a data storage device of the system.

The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device and to additionally provide the transfer of backup data from the pipette device to the access point device. The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to transfer the backup data to the location coded by a link location, which may be the location of the service data or another location. The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device under the condition that a transfer of backup data from the pipette device to the access point device was performed before. Such a configuration may be useful for avoiding a loss of user data during the process of a software update performed for the pipette. For example, users of a pipette often have their own usage history stored in a data storage device of the pipette, or, in case of a pipette, which allows the programming of user-defined pipetting methods (a pipetting method including a sequence of different pipetting steps to be automatically or-semi-automatically performed by the pipette, for example, the pipetting steps comprising: a procedure of prewetting the pipetting tips, a pipetting process for diluting a sample, a multi-step process of dispensing a sample stepwise to target locations), the method data representing such pipetting methods may be stored as user data in a data storage device of the pipette. Such user data may be stored, in particular, in dependence on user identification data, which unambiguously identify a specific user.

The computing device of the access point device is preferably programmed to provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device and the access point device in dependence on the result of a compatibility check. A compatibility check, whether a firmware update can be installed on a pipette, can be achieved by a unique firmware and a unique hardware versioning. Each pipette may have a unique hardware version. Each firmware version may include a list of supported hardware versions. The list of supported hardware versions may be compared with the existing hardware version. This allows a compatibility check to be performed directly on the pipette. Current firmware may be made available on a freely accessible FTP server from the service provider. A potential upload of "lifetime/usage data" could also be done via this FTP server. An anonymized server access or also a server access via user name and password could be used to exchange data.

The pipette device (also: pipetting device or pipette) has one or more, or each of the following components: a pipette body, forming a housing for other components and forming a grip for the hand of a user for holding the pipette in one hand; one or more input devices like a switch, in particular a rocker switch, a button, a wheel, a capacity sensor, a touch screen; a display, in particular a touch screen; a movable element for being moved by a motor, the movable element being a rod or a piston, for example; a piston chamber capable to receive the piston to be moved along a length axis of the piston chamber and being connected to a pipetting channel, which leads to a working cone for connecting pipette tips to the same; a control device for controlling the pipetting processes by means of a control software, the control device including the computing device of the pipette; the control device including, preferably, electric circuitry, in particular integrated circuits, for controlling the electric motor and further electric components; a microcontroller; an electric motor; a sensor; a current sensor; a battery, in particular a secondary battery, for supplying voltage to the electric components of the pipette, in particular the electric motor and the electronics. The wireless network adapter of the pipetting device is configured for connecting the pipetting device with a wireless network adapter of an access point device. The wireless network adapter is a hardware, including, in particular, integrated circuitry, which is configured for exchanging data within a wireless network, in particular a WLAN network ,in particular a WiFi network, implementing, for example, WFi STA, WFi AP or WFi STA+AP. The wireless network adapter may be a stand-alone module connectable to a computing device, or may be integrated into a computing device, in particular a microcontroller of the pipette.

The computing device of the pipette is programmed to o authenticate the pipette device at the access point device using the network identifier, and preferably a passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, o send service data to the access point device and/or receive service data from the access point device.

The computing device of the pipette is preferably programmed to update a control software, in particular a firmware, using the service data, which have been transferred to the pipette by way of the access point device.

The computing device of the pipette is preferably programmed to * automatically download once the pipette device is connected to the wireless network, or * download upon a user input performed by way of a user interface of the pipette device, the at least one data file from the location defined by the link address -being a location link, the at least one data file, in particular, comprising a firmware update for a firmware of the pipette device.

The computing device of the pipette and/or of the access point device is preferably programmed to evaluate whether the version of the data file -being a form of service data- , in particular the firmware update, is suitable for the hardware of the pipette. Preferably, the computing device of the pipette and/or of the access point device is programmed to evaluate whether the version of the data file, in particular the firmware update, is a newer version compared to a data file, which was previously installed on the pipette device.

Preferably, a data storage device of the pipette has stored data including usage data of the pipette device, including, in particular, information on errors encountered and recorded during the operation of the pipette device, a number of piston strokes performed by the pipette device during a time period, volume parameter values applied by pipetting processes during the operation of the pipette device, battery related data, and wherein the computing device of the pipette is programmed to * upload the usage data to another device via the wireless network, or allow the usage data to be downloaded by another device via the wireless network.

A computing device is, in particular, a programmable device for automatically executing functions which are controllable by a (program) software. A computing device generally comprises, in particular, a data processing apparatus, in particular a computer unit (CPU) for processing data and/or a microprocessor, or said computing device is a data processing apparatus. A computing device may be part of a microcontroller.

The data storage device is configured, in particular, for non-volatile (permanent) storage of data. A data storage device may also be configured for volatile data storage.

Service data may include one or more of the following data:

• one or more software update file, in particular firmware update file;

• data, in particular usage data, related to the operation of the pipette, in particular o error data generated by the pipette, the error data containing information related to error events logged by the pipette and stored in a data storage device of the pipette; o calibration data, in particular a number of calibrations performed with the respective pipette, a value representing a deviation of a measurement parameter from a suitable reference parameter, time and/or date of at least one calibration, data proofing the authenticity of a calibration, in particular a calibration certificate; o sensor data obtained by a sensor of the pipette, in particular an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor; o usage data related to one or more pipetting processes performed by the specific pipette, in particular -preferably individualized to an individual user and performer of a pipetting process, or preferably, statistical data- data related to multiple pipetting processes, including information on: pipetting parameters used for the pipetting processes, for example, a pipetting volume, a pipetting speed, a number of pipetting steps repeated during a pipetting process; preprogrammed pipetting methods used by the pipette; o energy data containing a history of data related to energy consumption, for example battery status data.

Any of said service data may be carrying a time stamp and may thus for a data history. For example, error data carrying a time stamp represent an error history of errors and their respective occurrence in time. A software update file may carry a time stamp, which, in particular represents the time and date when the update was released.

The invention is also related to a method of a service customer or a service provider for exchanging service data between a handheld pipette device and a wireless network, comprising the computer implemented steps of providing a wireless network being identified by a network identifier, in particular by means of an access point device, authenticating a pipette device, which has the network identifier stored in a data storage of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, and in particular a passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, providing the exchange of service data between the pipette device and the wireless network, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

The invention is also related to a method of a service customer or a service provider for exchanging service data between a handheld pipette device and a wireless network, comprising the computer implemented steps of providing a network identifier, and in particular a passphrase, being stored in a data storage of the pipette device, authenticate the pipette device to a wireless network being identified by the network identifier, by using the network identifier, and in particular a passphrase, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, exchanging service data via the wireless network, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device.

Any aspects of features or steps of a method according to the invention may be derived from the description of the access point device and the pipette according to the inventions, including each description of optional embodiments.

The invention is also related to a computer program code including instructions, which, when executed by a computing device, in particular the computing device of the access point device or of the pipette device, cause the computing device to execute a method according to the invention.

The system, the pipette device, the access point device and the methods according to the invention are applicable, for example, in research or industry related to pharmacy, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, in particular plant biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry or nanotechnology.

Further preferred configurations of the system, the access point device and the pipette device according to the invention and the methods according to the invention emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures and the description thereof. If nothing else is described or if nothing else emerges from the context, the same components of the exemplary embodiments are substantially characterized by the same reference signs. In detail: Fig. 1 contains a chart showing the measurement of accuracy for a specific pipette, the measurement being repeated over time.

Fig. 2 shows a system, an access point device and a pipette device according to an example of the invention, and its components.

Fig. 3a and 3b schematically show an exemplary process overview of the method according to the invention using an access point device according to the invention and a pipette device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of the method according to the invention using an access point device according to the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an example of the method according to the invention using a pipette device according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a pipette device used in Fig. 2 to 5, in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a chart showing the measurement of accuracy for a specific pipette, the measurement being repeated over time, the chart illustrating the need for a periodic repetition of pipette calibration, and the usefulness of the tracking of pipette status and renewal of calibration.

Fig. 2 shows a system 100 according to an example of the invention, the system 100 including an access point device 50 according to an example of the invention and a pipette device 1 according to an example of the invention, and their respective components.

The access point device 50 for exchanging service data with a handheld pipette device 1 , comprises

- a wireless network adapter 51 for connecting the access point device 50 with a wireless network adapter 6 of the pipette device 1 , - a user interface apparatus 52;

- a computing device 53 programmed to o provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier (here: SSID), o authenticate the pipette device 1 , which has the network identifier (SSID) and a passphrase stored in a data storage device 5 of the pipette device 1 and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device 1 to the wireless network, o provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device 1 and the access point device 50 via a router 20, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

The wireless network is a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and the network identifier is a Service Set Identifier (SSID) forming the name of the network, the SSID being configured according to IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networking standards.

The access point device is connected to a router 20 for allowing the handheld pipette device 1 connecting to the Internet. Alternatively, the router 20 may be a part of the access point device 50. In the example, the access point device is located on premises of the service provider. It may also be located on premises of the service customer.

The access point device 50 comprises a user interface apparatus 52 for receiving input data entered by a user to the user interface apparatus, the input data including, in particular, at least one pipetting parameter for defining a pipetting process being controlled by a control program executed by a computing device of the pipette device. The access point device 50 is thereby a pipette manager at the same time.

The pipette device 1 is a device for handheld use and serves for exchanging service data with the access point device 50. The pipette 1 comprises

- a wireless network adapter 6 for connecting the pipetting device 1 with the wireless network adapter 51 of an access point device 50, which provides a wireless network being identified by a network identifier, - a data storage device 5 which has stored data including the network identifier and a passphrase,

- a computing device 7 programmed to o authenticate the pipette device 1 at the access point device 50 using the network identifier (SSID) and the passphrase for permitting the connection of the pipette device 1 to the wireless network, o send service data to the access point device 50 and receive service data from the access point device 50, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device 1 .

The pipette device 1 comprises the wireless network adapter 6 being a WLAN adapter, and the network identifier being a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of the WLAN provided by the access point device 50.

The data storage device 5 has stored data, here including a passphrase for authenticating the pipette device at the access point device using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device 1 to the wireless network.

The data storage device 5 has stored data including a long-term accessible internet address, in particular a permanent URL, which defines a location where at least one data file is hosted for being downloaded by the pipette device 1 via the wireless network.

The computing device 7 of the pipette device 1 is programmed to

* automatically download the service data once the pipette device 1 is connected to the wireless network, or

* download the service data upon a user input performed by way of a user interface 2 of the pipette device 1 , the at least one data file from the location defined by the URL, the at least one data file, in particular, comprising a firmware update for a firmware of the pipette device 1 . The computing device 7 of the pipette device 1 is programmed to evaluate whether the version of the data file, in particular the firmware update, is a newer version compared to a data file, which was previously installed on the pipette device.

The data storage device 5 has stored data including usage data of the pipette device, including, in particular, information on errors encountered and recorded during the operation of the pipette device, a number of piston strokes performed by the pipette device during a time period, volume parameter values applied by pipetting processes during the operation of the pipette device, battery related data, and wherein the computing device 7 is programmed to allow the usage data to be downloaded by the access point device 50 via the wireless network.

Fig. 4: The method 300 is preferably a method of a service provider, which means performed at a service provider, or respectively, on premises of a service provider, for exchanging service data between the handheld pipette device 1 and a wireless network. However, the method may also be a method of a service customer, which means performed at a service customer, or respectively, on premises of a service customer. The method comprises the computer implemented steps of

- providing a wireless network being identified by a network identifier (SSID), (301), in particular using an access point device (50),

- authenticating a pipette device 1 , which has the network identifier stored in a data storage device 5 of the pipette device 1 and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device 1 to the wireless network, (302)

- providing the exchange of service data between the pipette device 1 and the wireless network, the service data including here in particular a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device. (303)

The service data are provided, in this example, by the manufacturer of the pipette device 1 , which is also the service provider offering data updates for the pipette device, pipette calibration and testing. The pipette device 1 may be property of the customer, but it may also be property of the service provider and be used by the customer by renting or leasing, respectively.

Fig. 5: The method 400 is preferably performed at a service provider under the responsibility of a service customer, who subscribed for exchanging service data between the handheld pipette device 1 and a wireless network, or the method is performed at a service customer under the responsibility of the service customer, who subscribed for exchanging service data between the handheld pipette device 1 and a wireless network. The method comprises the computer implemented steps of

- providing the network identifier (SSID) being stored in a data storage device 5 of the pipette device 1 , (401)

- authenticate the pipette device 1 to a wireless network being identified by the network identifier and the wireless network being provided, in particular, by the access point 50, by using the network identifier for permitting the connection of the pipette device 1 to the wireless network, (402)

- exchanging service data via the wireless network, the service data including in particular, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device, (403)

- automatically updating the firmware of the pipette 1 using the service data. (404)

No user interaction is required for performing the methods 300 and 400, which are performed automatically by the pipette 1 , which automatically connects to the wireless network provided automatically by the access point device 50.

The procedure of exchanging service data between a WiFi enabled pipette 1 and the WiFi access point device (APD) 50 comprises the following steps, which are performed subsequentially and are, in particular, computer implemented steps conducted by a computing device having a control program being configured to implement the respective steps: - first, a WiFi enabled pipette 1 is brought into range of the WiFi access point device 50 by a user or service personal.

- the pipette 1 connects with the APD 50 via a concrete SSID and passphrase. This is provided by data communication between the pipette 1 and the APD 50.

- a connectivity status is shown to the service personal by a display of the pipette.

- the pipette 1 reads a Firmware version code from the location link, which is stored in the pipette 1 and which may be a service website for software download.

- the pipette 1 compares the actual Firmware version with the Firmware version found under the location link.

- if the result of the comparison is that the pipette already has the newest version (being the version found at the location link), then an update state of the pipette 1 is set to "success".

- if the result of the comparison is that the pipette does not yet have the newest version, then the pipette automatically downloads the actual firmware from the location link, provided that "automatic update service" is activated at the pipette 1 .

- (Fig. 3b:) in case that "automatic update service" is not activated at the pipette 1 , i.e. is declined by the user, the update may be manually activated via settings provided at the pipette, and this option for "updated on demand" may be shown on a display of the pipette 1.

- in case that "automatic update service" is activated at the pipette 1 , a battery status of the pipette 1 may be first checked, before the update is automatically performed at the pipette using the data file obtained from the location link.

- in case that the battery status is found "not ok", then the user is informed on a display of the pipette 1 to "please load the battery of the pipette".

- in case that the battery status is found ok", the software update is started.

- the result of the software update (success or no success) may be shown in a display of the pipette 1 .

Fig. 6 shows a pipette 1 , which may be part of the system 100. The pipette 1 is an electronic pipette, having a control device 4, in particular a microcontroller, including a computing device 7, which is connected with a data storage device 5 of the pipette 1 for storing a network identifier, here a SSID, and a passphrase, for identifying the WiFi network. The pipette 1 , in particular the control device 4, contains a wireless network adapter 6, in particular using WLAN/Ethernet, for incorporating the pipette 1 into the wireless Ethernet network, which connects the access point device 50 and the pipette 1 of the system 100. The pipette 1 has a user interface part 3 including a display 2, and a handling part 8, which contains an electric motor driving a pipetting piston inside the handling part 8 for applying a vacuum to an air cushion inside an air chamber of the pipette 1 , thereby aspirating a liquid into the pipette tip 9.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Access point device (50) for exchanging service data with a handheld pipette device (1), comprising

- a wireless network adapter (51) for connecting the access point device (50) with a wireless network adapter (6) of a pipette device (1),

- a computing device (53) programmed to o provide a wireless network being identified by a network identifier o authenticate the pipette device (1 ), which has the network identifier stored in a data storage (5) of the pipette device (1) and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device (1) to the wireless network, o provide the transfer of service data between the pipette device (1) and the access point device (50), the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device (1).

2. Access point device according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless network is a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and the network identifier is a Service Set Identifier (SSID) forming the name of the network, the SSID being configured, in particular, according to IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networking standards.

3. Access point device according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises or is connected to a router (20) for allowing the handheld pipette device (1) connecting to an external network, in particular the Internet.

4. Access point device according to any of the previous claims, which comprises a user interface apparatus (52) for receiving input data entered by a user to the user interface apparatus, the input data including, in particular, at least one pipetting parameter for defining a pipetting process being controlled by a control program executed by a computing device (7) of the pipette device (1).

5. Pipette device for handheld use and for exchanging service data with an access point device, comprising

- a wireless network adapter (6) for connecting the pipetting device (1 ) with a wireless network adapter of an access point device (50), which provides a wireless network being identified by a network identifier,

- a data storage device (5) which has stored data including the network identifier,

- a computing device (7) programmed to o authenticate the pipette device (1) at the access point device (50) using the network identifier for permitting the connection of the pipette device (1) to the wireless network, o send service data to the access point device (50) and/or receive service data from the access point device (50), the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device (1).

6. Pipette device according to claim 5, the wireless network adapter (6) being a WLAN adapter, and the network identifier being a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of the WLAN provided by the access point device.

7. Pipette device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the data storage device (5) has stored data including a password for authenticating the pipette device (1 ) at the access point device (50) using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device (1) to the wireless network.

8. Pipette device according to any of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the data storage device (5) has stored data including a link address, in particular an internet address, in particular a permanent URL, which defines a location where at least one data file is hosted for being downloaded by the pipette device via the wireless network.

9. Pipette device according to claim 8, wherein computing device (7) is programmed to

* automatically download once the pipette device (1) is connected to the wireless network, or

* download upon a user input performed by way of a user interface (3) of the pipette device, the at least one data file from the location defined by the link address, the at least one data file, in particular, comprising a firmware update for a firmware of the pipette device (1).

10. Pipette device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the computing device (7) is programmed to evaluate whether the version of the data file, in particular the firmware update, is a newer version compared to a data file, which was previously installed on the pipette device.

11 . Pipette device according to any of the claims 5 to 10, wherein the data storage device (5) has stored data including usage data of the pipette device, including, in particular, information on errors encountered and recorded during the operation of the pipette device, a number of piston strokes performed by the pipette device during a time period, volume parameter values applied by pipetting processes during the operation of the pipette device, battery related data, and wherein the computing device is programmed to

* upload the usage data to another device via the wireless network, or allow the usage data to be downloaded by another device via the wireless network.

12. System (100) comprising the access point device (50) according to any of the previous claims and at least one pipette device (1) according to any of the previous claims, the system being configured for exchanging service data between the access point device and the at least one pipette device.

13. Method of a service provider or of a service customer, for exchanging service data between a handheld pipette device (1) and a wireless network, comprising the computer implemented steps of providing a wireless network being identified by a network identifier, authenticating a pipette device (1), which has the network identifier stored in a data storage (5) of the pipette device and which is connecting to the wireless network using the network identifier, for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, providing the exchange of service data between the pipette device and the wireless network, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating the control software of the pipette device.

14. Method of a service customer or of a service provider for exchanging service data between a handheld pipette device (1) and a wireless network, comprising the computer implemented steps of providing a network identifier being stored in a data storage (5) of the pipette device, authenticate the pipette device to a wireless network being identified by the network identifier, by using the network identifier for permitting the connection of the pipette device to the wireless network, exchanging service data via the wireless network, the service data forming, preferably, a firmware update file for updating a control software of the pipette device.

15. Computer program code including instructions, which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to execute the method according to claim 13 or 14.