Eric M Hansen

US Patent:

20040218804, Nov 4, 2004

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/769150

Inventors:

Rhett Affleck - Poway CA, US
Robert Levin - San Diego CA, US
John Lillig - Ramona CA, US
Robert Neeper - Ramona CA, US
William Ewing - Encinitas CA, US
Duane DeSieno - La Jolla CA, US
Eric Hansen - San Luis Obispo CA, US
Mike Bodnar - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G06K009/00

US Classification:

382/141000

Abstract:

An image analysis system and related methods for automation of the monitoring of samples to determine crystal growth. Samples are imaged from time to time using a set of imaging parameters. The resulting images are evaluated to determine the contents of the samples. If the evaluation of the image indicates the presence of crystals, the sample may be re-imaged using a different set of imaging parameters, and the resulting image analyzed to determine its contents. The sample may also be evaluated by generating multiple images of a sample using various sets of imaging parameters, identifying pixels that depict regions of interest in a plurality of images, merging the pixels from each region of interest into a composite image and analyzing the composite image. An image of a sample can also be evaluated by classifying the pixels of the image based on the contents of the sample that they depict, color-coding the pixels using the classifications, and displaying the colored image for analysis.

US Patent:

20040260782, Dec 23, 2004

Filed:

Jan 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/769470

Inventors:

Rhett Affleck - Poway CA, US
Eric Hansen - San Luis Obispo CA, US
John Lillig - Ramona CA, US
Robert Neeper - Ramona CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/208000, 436/164000, 709/200000

Abstract:

A system for controlling the operation a one or more crystallography laboratory comprises a user interface coupled to an input device. The laboratories each house test samples and include imaging devices and automated machinery configured to retrieve specific samples for imaging. A controller is configured to receive scheduling information from the user interface indicating one or more samples to be imaged and one or more times to image the samples, wherein the controller communicates the scheduling information to each laboratory housing at least one of the test samples to be imaged. The laboratory devices may communicate asynchronously via a server configured to receive messages, determine process(es) to be executed based on the type of the received message, the source of the message, and/or the destination of the message. A transmit message may then be generated, through execution of the process(es), and transmitted to the determined destination device when available.