WITH RESPECT TO OPTICAL READER

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/543,691, filed August 10, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure and embodiments thereof are in the field of mechanical structures and implements for processing containers, particularly vials containing a fluid, in an automated fashion. More particularly, the present disclosure and embodiments thereof relate to supporting and carrying apparatus for containers as widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

[0003] In the pharmaceutical industry, vials of a fluid are routinely established. Typically, the vials bear identifying indicia indexed to be representative of the identity of the vial, which in turn is indexed to information in an external database representative of one or more of an identifying sample number, the type of the fluid in the vial, characteristics of the fluid in the vial, date of creation and/or storage, and/or other characteristics of the fluid in the vial. Typically, the vials are adapted for transport from point to point via a robotic transport system. Conventionally, such vials are typically in the form of glass cylinders with a hemispherical base at one end and a closure at the other end.

[0004] Often, selected vials of fluids are transported to a workstation for processing, where a human or a machine is required to access the fluid within the vials, for example, to extract a sample for testing or to add a desired component to the fluid within the vials. Generally, any such processing, whether by a human or a machine, requires at a workstation, confirmation that the desired vials have been presented, acquisition of information enabling the desired processing to take place, and generation and storage information representative of the processing that takes place at the workstation.

[0005] So far, these operations are performed with difficulty. For example, for a human, a vial to be processed is typically removed from the transport apparatus and placed in a suitable support assembly in an upright position. Subsequently, the vial is scanned to confirm

presentation of the desired vial. Subsequently, the desired processing is effected, followed by remounting of the vial to the transport apparatus for further processing or for returning the vial to storage. The placement of the hemispherical-bottom vial and scanning of the vial are

particularly difficult, such that special assemblies are required for the support of the

hemispherical-bottom vial and the placement of the vial for the purpose of performing automated scanning.

[0006] Thus, there exists a need in the industry for providing an improved methodology and apparatus, which is capable of overcoming the deficiencies and limitations described

hereinabove with respect to the conventional apparatus.

SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a supporting and carrying apparatus for a container is provided. The apparatus includes a base structure, which includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a body extending between the top surface and the bottom surface along a central axis. The base structure further includes a central void, which is provided along and about the central axis and extends between the top surface and the bottom surface of the base structure. The apparatus further includes an optical imaging lens assembly provided in the central void. The optical imaging lens assembly is adapted to provide, at a plane of the bottom surface of the base structure, an image of an object associated with the container when the container is moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure. The apparatus also includes a top structure connected to the top surface of the base structure. The top structure includes a through passageway extending along and about the central axis. The through passageway is adapted to receive the container and allow the container to be moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for reading information of a container is provided. The system includes an electronic device and a supporting and carrying apparatus. The electronic device includes a front-facing planar surface and a rear-facing planar surface. The electronic device further includes electronic circuits disposed between the front- facing planar surface and the rear-facing planar surface. The electronic circuits include a camera adapted to selectively generate a camera image of an object associated with the container, a display circuit adapted to selectively display the camera image of the object, and a controller adapted to selectively operate the camera and the display circuit and to scan the camera image to extract information associated with the object. The supporting and carrying apparatus includes a base structure. The base structure includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a body extending between the top surface and the bottom surface along a central axis. The base structure further includes a central void provided along and about the central axis and extending between the top surface and the bottom surface of the base structure. The supporting and carrying apparatus further includes an optical imaging lens assembly provided in the central void. The optical imaging lens assembly is adapted to provide, at a plane of the bottom surface of the base structure, an image of the object associated with the container when the container is moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure. The image generated by the optical imaging lens assembly is obtained by the camera of the electronic device for the camera to selectively generate the camera image of the object. The supporting and carrying apparatus also includes a top structure connected to the top surface of the base structure. The top structure comprises a through passageway extending along and about the central axis. The through passageway is adapted to receive the container and allow the container to be moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a supporting and carrying apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the supporting and carrying apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the supporting and carrying apparatus of FIG. 1 along line 3- 3 of FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of an exemplary container with a flat bottom, for use with the supporting and carrying apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG 5 is a schematic perspective view of a supporting and carrying apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the supporting and carrying apparatus of FIG. 5 along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a supporting and carrying apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a system for reading information of the container according to an exemplary embodiment of another aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present application will now be described in greater detail by referring to the following discussion and drawings that accompany the present application. It is noted that the drawings of the present application are provided for illustrative purposes only and, as such, the drawings are not drawn to scale. It is also noted that like and corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numerals.

[0018] Detailed embodiments of the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure are described herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosed methods and apparatuses that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the methods and structures of the present disclosure. For the purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosed structures, as they are oriented in the drawing figures.

[0019] FIGs. 1-3 illustrate a supporting and carrying apparatus 10 for a container. An example of the container is illustrated in FIG. 4 in the form of a vial 12. The vial 12 contains a substance of interest, which may be, for example, a fluid, a powder, agent-containing beads, or some other form, as used in the pharmaceutical industry or other industries.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the vial 12 can be a cylindrical tubular vial, which has an outer diameter D and extends along and about a vial axis VA. The vial 12 has a substantially planar bottom end 14 and an opposite top end 16. The bottom end 14 of the vial 12 extends

transversely to the vial axis VA. The vial 12 includes on its bottom end 14, a machine-readable code, such as a bar code, a QR code, or other indicia etched into or embossed thereon, or a machine-readable label bearing such a code or indicia, disposed thereon, representative of the identity of the vial. In use, the vial identity information is stored in a computer database, usually with additional information representative of the vial content, associated processing and other characterizing and/or historical information relating to the vial content. [0021] As shown in FIGs. 1-3, the supporting and carrying apparatus 10 includes a base structure 20, a top structure 30 connected to and on top of the base structure 20, and an optical imaging lens assembly 40 provided within the base structure 20.

[0022] In the shown embodiment, the base structure 20 has a bottom surface 22, a top surface 24, and a body 26 extending between the bottom surface 22 and the top surface 24 along a central axis CA. Both the bottom surface 22 and the top surface 24 can be substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the central axis CA. A central void V (shown in FIG. 3) is provided within the body 26 of the base structure 20. The central void V extends along and about the central axis CA, between the bottom surface 22 and the top surface 24 of the base structure 20.

[0023] An optical imaging lens assembly 40 is provided within the central void V in a manner that traverses the central void R between the top surface 24 and the bottom surface 22 of the base structure 20. The optical imaging lens assembly 40 is adapted to provide an image of an object associated with the vial 12 at an image plane that is defined at the bottom surface 22, when the vial 12 is moved adjacent to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. In practice, the bottom end 14 of the vial 12, particularly the indicia-bearing surface of the vial 12, is such an object associated with the vial 12.

[0024] The top structure 30 is connected to and stacked on top of the base structure 20. For example, the top structure 30 can be connected to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. The top structure 30 includes a through passageway R extending along and about the central axis CA. The through passageway R is adapted to receive the vial 12 and allow the vial 12 to be moved adjacent to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. The through passage way R of the top structure 30 and the central void V of the base structure 20 are in optical communication with each other, such that the base structure 20 and the top structure 30 (which may be integral or discrete elements in various embodiments) collectively define an optical path for allowing the vial 12 to be imaged by the optical imaging lens assembly 40. In addition, the top structure 30 and the bottom structure 20 collectively provide a mechanical construction for supporting and carrying the vial 12, for allowing the vial 12 to be processed in an automatic manner.

[0025] For example, the body 26 of the base structure 20 can be substantially frustoconical and the central void V of the base structure 20 can be substantially cylindrical along and about the central axis CA. For example, the through passageway R of the top structure 30 can be substantially cylindrical and co-axial with the central void V of the base structure 20.

[0026] In the shown embodiment, the vial 12 can be inserted into the through passageway R to approach the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. The bottom end 14 of the vial 12 stops at the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. In alternative embodiments, a vial stop element can be provided within the base structure 20 or within the top structure 30, for assisting positioning of the vial 12 at desirable locations. An embodiment of the vial stop element is shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later. In practice, the vial stop element functions to provide a suitable orientation of the vial 12 (particularly, the bottom end 14 of the vial 12), such that the information-bearing surface of the vial 12 can be substantially perpendicular to the central axis CA. In addition, the vial stop element provides a structure to limit the maximum extent of insertion of the vial 12 into the central void region R of the top structure 30, such that the information-bearing bottom end of the vial is disposed at or adjacent to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. The vial stop element is made of a material that is transparent to light in a wavelength range of interest.

[0027] In the shown embodiment, the top structure 30 includes an elongated body 32 extending along and about the central axis CA. The top structure 30 further includes a plurality of legs 34a-34c connected to the elongated body 32. The plurality of legs 34a-34c are directly connected to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20, such that the top structure 30 is stacked on top of the base structure 20. The elongated body 32 is at least partially substantially cylindrical. The plurality of legs 34a-34c are provided equiangularly with respect to the elongated body 32. The elongated body 32 includes a top surface 36 and a bottom surface 38, which can be substantially perpendicular to the central axis CA. The through passageway R of the top structure 30 is substantially cylindrical and extends between the top surface 36 and the bottom surface 38 of the top structure 30. The bottom surface 38 of the elongated body 32 is distanced from the top surface 24 of the base structure 20 by the legs 34a-34c. As a result, an optical path 39 is provided, which permits illumination of at least a part of the vial 12 when the vial 12 is moved adjacent to the top surface 24 of the base structure 20. The optical path 39 permits ambient light or light from an active optical source (internal or external) to illuminate the indicia on the bottom surface of the vial 12. In the shown embodiment, the optical path 39 is established by the spaces or "optical ports" between the legs 34a-34c of top structure 30.

Alternatively, a light source (such as, an LED) can be embedded in the apparatus 10 shown in FIGs. 1-3. When activated, the light source provides illumination of the indicia on the bottom surface of the inserted vial 12.

[0028] In use, the supporting and carrying apparatus 10 allows the vial 12 to stand on its own. Thus, a user can pipette out the vial 12 without having the concern that the vial may fall over. Moreover, the planar bottom surface 22 of the base structure 20 allows the apparatus to sit on top of an electronic device (which will described later), such as, a smartphone. Thus, indicia (for example, a 2D barcode attached to the bottom end 14 of the vial 12) can be scanned by a camera of the smartphone to obtain various information associated with the vial or the fluid within the vial. Subsequently, a mobile app (which includes value added content, protocol and so on) can be triggered to allow the user to gather related data directly, which can be in turn used to track product diversion and delivery performance.

[0029] FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate a supporting and carrying apparatus 100 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 100 includes a base structure 120, a top structure 130, and an optical imaging lens assembly 140 provided within a central void V of the base structure 120. The base structure 120 extends along and about a central axis CA. The top structure 130 defines therein a through passageway R, extending from a top surface of the top structure 130 to a bottom surface of the top structure 130. The vial 12 can be inserted into the through passageway to approach a top surface of the base structure. The base structure 120 and the optical imaging lens assembly 140 can be substantially the same as those of the supporting and carrying apparatus 10, and thus, detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity.

[0030] The top structure 130 includes an elongated body 132, which extends along and about the central axis CA. The elongated body 132 has a top surface 133 and a bottom surface 135. The through passageway R of the top structure 130 extends between the top surface 133 and the bottom surface 135. The bottom surface 135 is adapted to operatively abut the top surface of the base structure 120, such that the top structure 130 be attached to or formed integrally with the base structure 120. At least one window 134 is provided through the wall of the elongated body 132. The window 134 is in optical communication with the through passageway R to provide an optical path for illuminating at least a part of the vial 12 when the vial 12 is moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure 120.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the top structure 130 further includes at least one ridge 136, which extends inwardly into the through passageway R for holding at least a portion of the vial 12 when the vial 12 is moved adjacent to the top surface of the base structure. In the shown embodiment, the top structure 130 includes a pair of ridges 136, which can be radially opposite to each other. The inwardly extending ridges 136 present an embodiment of the vial stop element as discussed above. In practice, the ridges 136 assist in orienting and positioning the vial 12 within the through passageway R, such that the information-bearing surface of the vial 12 can be properly imaged by the optical imaging lens assembly 140. With the provision of the ridges 136, the vial 12 can only be inserted as far as the ridges 136.

[0032] In this embodiment, the elongated body 132 can be substantially cylindrical or substantially frustoconical. The elongated body 132 can have a plurality of windows 134, which are disposed equiangularly with respect to the central axis CA. In addition, the plurality of windows 134 can be disposed adjacent to the information-bearing surface of the vial 12, once the vial 12 is fully inserted into the through passageway R. [0033] In use, the supporting and carrying apparatus 100 allows the vial 12 to stand on its own. Thus, a user can pipette out the vial 12 without having the concern that the vial may fall over. Moreover, the planar bottom surface 22 of the base structure 20 allows the apparatus to sit on top of an electronic device (which will described later), such as, a smartphone. Thus, indicia (for example, a 2D barcode attached to the bottom end 14 of the vial 12) can be scanned by a camera of the smartphone to obtain various information associated with the vial or the fluid within the vial. Subsequently, a mobile app (which includes value added content, protocol and so on) can be triggered to allow the user to gather related data directly, which can be in turn used to track product diversion and delivery performance.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a supporting and carrying apparatus 200 for a container, according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 200 includes a base structure 220, a top structure 230, and an optical imaging lens assembly (not shown) provided withint a central void of the base structure 220. The base structure 220 extends along and about a central axis CA. The base structure 220 and the optical imaging lens assembly can be substantially the same as those of the supporting and carrying apparatus 10, and thus, detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity.

[0035] The top structure 230 includes a plurality of curved resilient elements, such as, three outwardly concave curved elongated leaf spring elements 232. Each spring element 232 has a proximal end 233 and a distal end 235. The three spring elements 232 collectively define a through passageway along the central axis CA, into which the vial 12 can be inserted to approach a top surface of the base structure 220. The at least three spring elements 232 are equiangularly dispersed about the central axis CA. The vial 12 to be inserted into the through passageway of the top structure 230 is substantially cylindrical and has an outer diameter D. The proximal end 233 of each spring element 232 is affixed to the base element at a distance greater than D/2 from the central axis CA. The distal end 235 of each spring element 232 is at a distance greater than D/2 from the central axis CA. An intermediate portion 236 of each spring element 232, which is between the proximal end 233 and the distal end 235, is at a distance less than D/2 from the central axis CA prior to inserting the vial 12 between the spring elements 232 along the central axis CA toward the top surface of the base structure 220. Thus, when the vial 12 is inserted into the passageway of the top structure 230, the spring elements 232 deform to radially expand the intermediate portion 236 outwardly. As a result, the vial 12 can be gripped by the deformed portions, particularly the intermediate portions, of the spring elements.

[0036] Optical paths can be provided between the spring elements 232, adjacent to the central void at the top surface of the base structure 220. The optical paths allow ambient light or light from an external active optical source to illuminate the indicia on the bottom surface of the inserted vial 12.

[0037] In use, the vial 12 is inserted between the distal ends 235 of the spring elements 232 until the bottom end 14 of the vial 12 reaches the top surface of the base structure 220. The vial 12 can be held in place by the spring elements 232, such that the vial 12 is ready for use in the same manner as shown with respect to the previous embodiments.

[0038] In use, the supporting and carrying apparatus 200 allows the vial 12 to stand on its own. Thus, a user can pipette out the vial 12 without having the concern that the vial may fall over. Moreover, the planar bottom surface 22 of the base structure 20 allows the apparatus to sit on top of an electronic device (which will described later), such as, a smartphone. Thus, indicia (for example, a 2D barcode attached to the bottom end 14 of the vial 12) can be scanned by a camera of the smartphone to obtain various information associated with the vial or the fluid within the vial. Subsequently, a mobile app (which includes value added content, protocol and so on) can be triggered to allow the user to gather related data directly, which can be in turn used to track product diversion and delivery performance.

[0039] In operation, the supporting and carrying apparatus as described has advantages over known vial support devices. The flat-bottom vial 12 is configured, such that, when the vial is inserted into and supported by the supporting and carrying apparatus, the bottom end 14 of the vial 12 is disposed adjacent to the top surface of the base structure, with the position thereof being adjustable by any vial stop element and the vial axis VA being substantially coaxial with the central axis CA.

[0040] In the shown embodiments, the bottom surface of the base structure is substantially planar. Thus, the supporting and carrying apparatus is adapted to support the cylindrical vial 12 on an external planar surface, in a substantially upright position. Accordingly, small cross- section geometry vials may be readily and stably be supported on a bench top, for the kinds of processing that is often needed in the pharmaceutical industry, such as, testing or extracting samples therefrom or adding material to the vial.

[0041] Additionally, the supporting and carrying apparatus provides a unitary module that readily allows such processing, but also lends itself to improved automated operations with large scale processing. Included in such processing, is the enablement of commonplace imaging systems, such as app-driven cameras in smartphones, to be easily incorporated into various handling protocols needed in automated handling systems.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates a system 300 for reading information of a container, such as the vial 12. The system 300 includes an electronic device, which can be in the form a smart phone 500. The electronic device includes a front-facing planar surface and a rear-facing planar surface. The front-facing planar surface and the rear-facing planar surface can be the front surface and rear surface of the smartphone 500, respectively.

[0043] The electronic device further includes electronic circuits disposed between the front- facing planar surface and a rear-facing planar surface. The electronic circuits include a camera adapted to selectively generate an image of an object associated with the vial. The camera can be a camera of the smartphone 500. The electronic circuits further include a display circuit adapted to selectively display the image of the object, and a controller adapted to selectively operate the camera and the display circuit and to further scan the image to extract information associated with the object. The display circuit can be the circuit embedded in the smartphone 500 for controlling the display of the smartphone 500. The controller can be the hardware processor embedded in the smartphone 500 for controlling the functions of the camera, display and so on.

[0044] The system 300 further includes a supporting and carrying apparatus 400 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The supporting and carrying apparatus 400 can be made by a plastic material through a molding process. The supporting and carrying apparatus 400 includes a base structure 420 and a top structure 430, both of which extend along and about a central axis CA. The base structure 420 has a disc form, with a planar bottom surface facing the electronic device and an opposite top surface. The base structure 420 has a central void (not shown) extending from the planar top surface to the planar bottom surface of the base structure. An optical imaging lens assembly 440 can be built into the central void of the base structure 420 during the molding process. For example, the location of the optical imaging lens assembly 440 can be substantially flush with the bottom surface of the base structure 420.

[0045] The top structure 430 includes an elongated cylindrical wall 432, which defines therein a through passageway continuous with the central void of the base structure. For example, the cylindrical wall 132 can have a diameter of 1-2 inches and a height of 1-2 inches. The through passageway of the top structure 430 and the central void of the base structure 420 can be formed integrally and simultaneously through the molding process. The top structure 430 can further include a plurality of ribs 434 disposed angularly between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 432 and the top surface of the base structure 420 for enhancing the strength and integrity of the apparatus. Certain material of the cylindrical wall 432 is removed to provide at least one optical port 435, which allows natural or artificial light to illuminate indicia (such as, a barcode) attached to the bottom surface of the vial 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, the supporting and carrying apparatus 400 and an optical reader underlying a planar surface of the smartphone 500 are used in conjunction, with the central axis CA of the apparatus aligned with the optical axis of a camera of the smartphone 500, such that the barcode can be scanned by the camera of the smartphone 500. Mobile apps (which include value added content, protocol and so on) can be triggered to allow the user to gather related data directly, which can be in turn used to track product diversion and delivery performance. For example, the apps on the smartphone can use the barcode to look up product information from a database through wireless communication.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the smartphone 500 has a planar outer surface region 510 and an internal camera (not shown) facing outwardly from the planar surface region. Lens 520 of the internal camera is visible in FIG. 8. During operation, the supporting and carrying apparatus 400 is placed (manually or via a machine-based transporter) with its base structure having the planar bottom surface adjacent to the electronic device and overlying the camera. An app running on the smartphone operates to activate the camera, enabling it to "read" the code, or indicia, or other information on the bottom end 14 (particularly, the bottom surface) of a vial 12 inserted into the supporting and carrying apparatus 400. Pursuant to the app, the code or indicia associated with the vial 12 can be "read" and relayed to an internal or external processing system to generate or update the corresponding information related to the vial 12 in a remote or local database. In addition, during operation, the initial image generated by the optical imaging lens assembly 440 can be obtained and further processed by the lens 520 or other related components of the camera 510, such that the camera can selectively generates desirable image related to the vial information.

[0048] The supporting and carrying structure provides a unitary module that readily allows automated transportation and processing of vials, but also enables use of commonplace imaging systems, such as, internal cameras of smartphones placed against the planar bottom surface of the base structure. As a result, the information-bearing bottom end of an inserted vial can be scanned and read by the internal camera of an app-driven smartphone.

[0049] While the present application has been particularly shown and described with respect to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in forms and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. It is therefore intended that the present application not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated, but fall within the scope of the appended claims.