阅读说明：本技术 用于操作系统的控制系统和方法 (Control system and method for operating system ) 是由 安德烈亚斯·海克 于 2021-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于操作系统的控制系统和方法。系统包括用于执行任务的可操作组件,控制系统包括分配给组件的主单元和从单元。主单元通过其软件处理部分从外部处理单元接收用于操作系统的作业数据,将作业数据转换为用于操作组件的组件作业数据,并将组件作业数据发送到分配给组件的从单元,从单元通过其软件处理部分从主单元接收组件作业数据,主单元执行与作业数据相对应的作业,并通过其可编程逻辑部分将有关当前作业状态的信息发送到从单元,从单元通过其可编程逻辑部分从主单元接收关于当前作业状态的信息,并将关于当前作业状态的信息发送到从单元的软件处理部分,从单元通过其软件处理部分使用当前作业状态来执行与组件作业数据相对应的作业。(The invention relates to a control system and a method for an operating system. The system comprises operable modules for performing tasks, and the control system comprises master units and slave units assigned to the modules. The master unit receives job data for operating the system from an external processing unit through a software processing part thereof, converts the job data into component job data for operating the components, and transmits the component job data to a slave unit assigned to the components, the slave unit receives the component job data from the master unit through a software processing part thereof, the master unit executes a job corresponding to the job data and transmits information on a current job state to the slave unit through a programmable logic part thereof, the slave unit receives information on the current job state from the master unit through a programmable logic part thereof and transmits information on the current job state to a software processing part of the slave unit, and the slave unit executes a job corresponding to the component job data using the current job state through a software processing part thereof.)

1. A control system (100) for an operating system (200), the system (200) comprising operable components (220, 230) for performing tasks,

the control system (100) comprises a master unit (110) and a slave unit (120, 130) assigned to the components (220, 230),

said master unit (110) and said slave units (120, 130) each comprising a software processing section (111, 121, 131) and a programmable logic section (112, 122, 132),

the main unit (110) is arranged by its software processing section (111) to receive job data for operating the system (200) from an external processing unit (300),

converting the job data into component job data for operating the components (220, 230) of the system (200), an

Transmitting the component job data to the slave units (120, 130) assigned to the components (220, 230),

the slave unit (120, 130) is arranged by its software processing part (122, 132) to receive the component job data from the master unit (110),

the master unit (110) is arranged to execute a job corresponding to the job data and, by means of its programmable logic section (112), to send information about the current job status to the slave units (120, 130), an

Said slave unit (120, 130), by means of its programmable logic section (122, 132), being arranged to receive said information on the current job status from said master unit (110) and to transmit said information on the current job status to said software processing section (121, 131) of said slave unit (120, 130),

the slave unit (120, 130), by its software processing part (122, 132), is arranged to execute a job corresponding to the component job data using the current job state.

2. A control system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit (120, 130) is arranged by its software processing part (121, 131) to react to the information on the current job status received from its programmable logic part (122, 132).

3. The control system (100) of claim 2, wherein reacting to the information about the current job status received from the programmable logic portion (122, 132) thereof comprises: generating an operation command for a component (220, 230) corresponding to the component job data.

4. The control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first communication line (141), said first communication line (141) connecting said software processing part (111) of said master unit with said software processing part (121, 131) of said slave unit; and a second communication line (142), the second communication line (142) connecting the programmable logic section (112) of the master unit with the programmable logic section (122, 132) of the slave unit.

5. The control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the software processing parts (111, 121, 131) comprises a microprocessor running software and/or each of the programmable logic parts (112, 122, 132) comprises a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device or an application specific integrated circuit.

6. The control system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the software processing part (111, 121, 131) and the programmable logic part (112, 122, 132) are arranged to use different levels of protocols.

7. The control system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the software processing part (111, 121, 131) is arranged to use a network protocol, in particular the TCP protocol, and/or the programmable logic part (112, 122, 132) is arranged to use a protocol comprising a sequence of bits or bytes for commands.

8. A system (200) comprising at least one operable component (220, 230) for performing a task, comprising a control system (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

9. The system (200) according to claim 8, wherein the system (200) is a microscope system comprising at least one operable component (220, 230) for performing a task with respect to analyzing an object.

10. The system (200) of claim 9, wherein the at least one component is selected from: a detector (220), a light source (230), a frequency generator, e.g. for an acousto-optic assembly, a mirror galvanometer, a motor, e.g. for shifting at least one of a filter, a mirror, an aperture, a lens, an objective lens and a stage.

11. A method for operating a system (200) comprising operable components for performing a task using the control system (100) of any of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising:

transmitting (S102) job data for operating the system (200) to a software processing section (111) of a main unit,

converting (S104), by the software processing section (111) of the master unit, the job data into component job data to operate a component (220, 230) of the system,

transmitting (S106) the component job data from the software processing part (111) of the master unit to a software processing part (121, 131) of a slave unit (120, 130),

executing (S116) a job corresponding to the job data by the master unit (110),

transmitting (S118), by the programmable logic part (112) of the master unit, information about the current job status to the programmable logic part (122, 132) of the slave unit (120, 130),

sending (S120), by said programmable logic portion (122, 132) of said slave unit, information about the current job status to said software processing portion (121, 131) of said slave unit, and

executing, by the software processing portion (122, 132) of the slave unit (120, 130), a job corresponding to the component job data using a current job state.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: -reacting, by a software processing part (121, 131) of the slave unit, to information received from a programmable logic part (122, 132) thereof about the status of the component job.

13. Computer program having a program code for performing the method according to claim 11 or 12, when the computer program runs on a processor.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to control systems for operating systems, such as microscope systems (including operable components for performing tasks), systems including such control systems, and methods for operating such systems.

Background

Systems like microscope systems typically comprise a plurality of operable components for performing tasks, e.g. with respect to analyzing an object. A typical example is a microscope system, comprising a detector and a light source, both of which must be operated in a coordinated manner. For example, the light source should illuminate the object (or sample) in a particular manner at a particular time, and the detector should detect light reflected from the object at that particular time.

Such operable components may be controlled for the purpose of operating the system by a control system that is communicatively connected to the operable components by a network or network connection. However, a disadvantage of such control systems is that the processes requiring timely synchronization cannot be performed, since the network connection typically has to manage a very large amount of (communication) services and data, and typically a lot of software stacks have to be run.

The use of a so-called Time Sensitive Network (TSN) may provide some improvement in real-time communication, but it is still based on network connectivity and furthermore all components have to support this particular type of network connectivity.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the control or operation of a system having one or several (distributed) operable components, in particular with respect to time-sensitive operations.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention, a control system, system and method having the features of the independent claims are presented. Advantageous developments form the subject matter of the dependent claims and the subsequent description.

The present invention relates to a control system for an operating system, the system comprising operable components for performing tasks. Although the inventive concept works even with a single operative component, two or more such components may be referred to in the same manner. In the case of a plurality of operable components, the features described below may be applied to each of them. The control system is thus arranged to perform a specific job, i.e. a number of (partly different) steps and/or tasks.

One preferred type of system for using the above-described control system is a microscope system that includes at least one component for performing tasks related to analyzing an object (or sample). The at least one component may for example be selected from: a detector, a light source, a frequency generator, e.g. for an acousto-optic assembly, a mirror galvanometer, and a motor, e.g. for shifting at least one of a filter, a mirror, an aperture, a lens, an objective lens and a stage. Also, each of these components movable by the motor may be used as an operable component. Typically, such microscope systems include several of these operable components. It should be noted that although the present invention will be described with respect to a microscope system and some particular operational components, the present invention is not limited to such a microscope system.

The control system comprises a master unit and a slave unit assigned to the components. The master unit and the slave unit each include a software processing section and a programmable logic section. Specifically, each software processing section includes a microprocessor running software, and each programmable logic section includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by a customer or designer after manufacture. Typically, FPGA configurations are specified using a Hardware Description Language (HDL) similar to that used for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Circuit diagrams have been used previously to specify configurations, but this is becoming increasingly rare due to the advent of electronic design automation tools. Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) are electronic components used to build reconfigurable digital circuits. Unlike an integrated circuit (IC or ASIC) composed of logic gates and having a fixed function, a PLD has an indeterminate function at the time of manufacture. A PLD must first be programmed (reconfigured) using a dedicated program before it can be used in a circuit.

An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip that is custom-made for a specific purpose rather than a general purpose. ASIC chips are typically fabricated using Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) technology as MOS integrated circuit chips. FPGAs, PLDs and ASICs are well known and therefore will not be described in detail herein.

It is to be noted that the processor or microprocessor of the aforementioned software processing section may also be made of or provided as a PFGA (or PLD or ASIC). Thus, both the software processing part and the programmable logic part may be provided in a common single physical unit, e.g. a physical unit FPGA.

Preferably, the control system comprises a first communication line connecting the software processing section of the master unit with the software processing section of the slave unit, and further comprises a second communication line connecting the programmable logic section of the master unit with the programmable logic section of the slave unit. It is also advantageous if the software processing parts (of the master unit and the slave unit) and the programmable logic parts (of the master unit and the slave unit) are arranged (or configured) to use different levels of protocols. In particular, the software processing portion may be arranged (or configured) to use a network protocol (preferably, a high-level protocol), in particular a TCP protocol or the like, and/or the programmable logic portion may be arranged to use a protocol comprising a sequence of bits or bytes for the command or the like (preferably, a low-level protocol). This allows for separate communication between the software processing parts on one side and the programmable logic parts on the other side. The network (or higher level) protocol allows for easy and efficient configuration of the slave units (receiving job data in the software processing portion), while the lower level protocol allows for time-synchronized processing (at the programmable logic level). Such job data is preferably data defining different steps and/or tasks to be performed and for example comprises instructions to be performed to perform such steps and/or tasks (as a job is defined e.g. by the steps and/or tasks to be performed).

Further, the master unit is arranged (or configured) by means of its software processing section to receive job data for the operating system from an external processing unit, e.g. a (host) PC or other computer or computing unit, convert the job data into component job data for components of the operating system, and transmit the component job data to the slave units assigned to the components. In other words, job data including information for all operable components involved in a particular job (e.g., scanning an object or sample, operating and/or bleaching a sample) is received from an external source, and only information related to or necessary for a particular operable component is selected and transmitted to the corresponding slave unit. The slave unit is arranged (or configured) by way of its software processing portion to receive component job data from the master unit. Then, in the software processing part of the slave unit, the component job data can be combined into a (component) job of the corresponding component, which will be processed later.

Furthermore, the master unit is arranged to execute a job corresponding to the job data and, by means of its programmable logic portion, is arranged (or configured) to transmit information about the current job status to the slave unit. In other words, the action associated with performing the job is initiated or caused by the master unit, and the master unit informs the slave units of the current status, e.g. the number of the currently scanned line or the end of the line reached (if the job includes scanning a sample or object).

The slave unit, by way of its programmable logic portion, is arranged (or configured) to receive information from the master unit regarding the current job status (e.g. the number of the currently scanned row or the end of the reached row). Furthermore, the slave unit, by means of its programmable logic portion, is arranged (or configured) to send information about the current job status to the software processing portion of the slave unit. Such job status may include, for example, information about the end of a line having been reached (if the job includes a scan of a sample or object). Furthermore, the slave unit, by way of its software processing portion, is arranged (or configured) to execute a job corresponding to the component job data using the current job state.

This allows autonomous processes at or within the slave unit. For example, the slave unit may be responsible for setting the light intensity during scanning. Then, if the programmable logic portion notifies the software processing portion of the arrival of the end of the line, the software processing portion may decide whether to change the light intensity (for example, if the next line is an odd number). This means that the slave unit, by means of its software processing part, is preferably arranged (or configured) to react to information received from its programmable logic part about the current job status. This reaction to the information received from its programmable logic portion regarding the current job status may include generating an operation command for the component corresponding to the component job data, such as setting different light intensities.

Since the information about the current job status obtained at the programmable logic part level is only transferred within the slave unit, no phase like a network connection may introduce a time delay or the like. The network or higher level protocol is only used to configure the master and slave units and any time-dependent changes during the job are initiated by the lower level connections and protocols.

It should be noted that in this way, the control system may be configured not only for capturing a single image (possibly including a scan of multiple lines), but also for a number of images having different parameters, in particular for each operable component, which may be configured with a job. All necessary parameters for such different configurations are assigned to a single slave unit before the job starts. In this process any change of configuration is initiated only by communication from the programmable logic part to the respective software processing part, i.e. by an interrupt.

The invention also relates to a system comprising at least one operable component for performing a task, preferably two or more such operable components. The system further comprises a control system according to the invention and as described above. Advantageously, the system is a microscope system, wherein the at least one operable component for performing a task refers to analyzing the object. As previously mentioned, the at least one operable component may for example be selected from: a detector, a light source, a frequency generator, e.g. for an acousto-optic assembly, a mirror galvanometer, a motor, e.g. for shifting at least one of a filter, a mirror, an aperture, a lens, an objective lens and a stage.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a system, such as a microscopy system, comprising operable components for performing a task, using a control system according to the invention, the method comprising: the method includes transmitting job data for operating a system to a software processing part of a master unit, converting the job data into component job data for operating components of the system through the software processing part of the master unit, transmitting the component job data from the software processing part of the master unit to the software processing part of a slave unit, executing a job corresponding to the job data by the master unit, transmitting information on a current job state to a programmable logic part of the slave unit through the programmable logic part of the master unit, transmitting information on the current job state to the software processing part of the slave unit through the programmable logic part of the slave unit, and executing the job corresponding to the component job data using the current job state through the software processing part of the slave unit. Preferably, the method further comprises: the information on the status of the component job received from its programmable logic section is reacted to by the software processing section of the slave unit.

With regard to other embodiments and advantages of the systems and methods, reference is made to the above description, which applies accordingly.

The invention also relates to a computer program having a program code for performing the method according to the invention, when the computer program runs on a processor.

Other advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and drawings.

It should be noted that the features mentioned above and those yet to be described further below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of a system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow chart describing the method according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, a schematic overview of a system 200 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment is shown. The system 200 is, for example, a microscope system and includes a control system 100. In a preferred embodiment, the control system 100 is again a control system according to the invention.

The control system 100 comprises a master unit 110 and for example two slave units 120, 130. Each slave unit 120, 130 is assigned to a component 220 and 230, respectively, of the system 200. Each of the components 220 and 230 is arranged to perform a (specific) task within the microscope system 200. By way of example, component 220 is a detector and component 230 is a light source. Thus, the microscope system may be used to scan an object or sample through the light source 230 and detect the reflected light through the detector 220.

The main unit 110 includes a software processing section 111 and a programmable logic section (e.g., FPGA) 112. Furthermore, each of the slave units 120, 130 comprises a software processing part 121, 131 and a programmable logic part (e.g. FPGA)122, 132. The software processing section 111 of the master unit 110 is connected with each software processing section 121, 131 of the slave units 120, 130 by a first communication line 141, the first communication line 141 enabling bidirectional communication and being configured for, for example, a high-level protocol, in particular, the TCP protocol. The programmable logic section 112 of the master unit 110 is connected with each programmable logic section 122, 132 of the slave units 120, 130 by a second communication line 142, the second communication line 142 being configured for a low-level protocol using, for example, a sequence of bits or bytes as commands.

The software processing section 111 of the main unit 110 is connected to an external processing unit 300, such as a (host) PC or a computer or the like, through a third communication line 143, the third communication line 143 enabling bidirectional communication and being configured for, for example, the TCP protocol. The slave unit 120 is assigned to the detector 220, and thus the slave unit 120 is further configured to control the detector 220, the detector particularly comprising receiving image data from the detector and/or controlling when the detector acquires an image and/or setting certain parameters of the detector, such as exposure time, etc. The slave unit 130 is assigned to the light source 230 and, thus, the slave unit 130 is further configured to control the light source 230, which in particular comprises setting the light intensity and/or switching the light source on and off and/or moving the light spot in the x and/or y direction.

The specific features and tasks of the operational components of the control system 100 will be described with reference to the flow chart of fig. 2.

In fig. 2, a flow chart is shown, schematically describing the method according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. It is noted that, at least partly, the features described in relation to the method also apply to the control system, in particular when the control system is arranged to perform specific tasks corresponding to the method steps. By way of example, the object or sample should be analyzed by a microscope system that uses a light source to scan the object in multiple rows.

The tasks to be performed in the method or control system are represented by steps or blocks in fig. 2. Regarding the different entities (software processing parts and programmable logic parts of the master and slave units) and the tasks to be performed, the following should be noted: in fig. 2, tasks performed on or by the software processing part of the master unit are shown in the form of rectangular blocks, tasks performed on or by the software processing part of the slave unit are shown as rectangular blocks with rounded corners, tasks performed on or by the programmable logic part of the master unit are shown as trapezoidal blocks, and tasks performed on or by the programmable logic part of the slave unit are shown as diamond-shaped blocks.

In step S100, a job to be executed with the (microscope) system is defined at the host PC. For this example, the job may include and define the manner in which the object is scanned, e.g., the number of rows to be scanned, the length of the rows, the scan and the x and/or y dimensions of the rows, as well as the exposure time of the detector and the light intensity for a particular row. Also, a job may include several images to be acquired, with different images having different parameters.

In step S102, the job data created on the host PC is transferred or transmitted to the software processing section of the main unit, and the software processing section of the main unit receives this job data.

In step S104, the received job data is analyzed by the software processing section of the main unit and converted into component job data. That is, the information and/or data related to or necessary for each slave unit is selected from the (general) job data. For the present example, this step may include selecting and putting all job data related to light intensity into the component job data for the light source.

In step S106, the component job data is transmitted or transferred from the software processing section of the master unit to the software processing section of the slave unit. In step S108, the component job data received from the master unit is analyzed at or in each slave unit by the corresponding software processing section. In step S110, a job is created for the corresponding slave unit from the component job data. This is, for example, a specific plan including preparing parameters for controlling a light source and the like so that a job can be started as required. In step S112, each slave unit subscribes itself (if applicable) to relevant events such as scanner events, which will be received from the programmable logic section during processing (see also step S120 below). Such events may include, for example, reaching the end of a row during a scan. In step S114, the slave unit is ready (or ready) to start the job.

In step S116, a job corresponding to the job data is executed by the master unit, and in step S118, information on the current job status is transmitted to the programmable logic portion of each slave unit through the programmable logic portion of the master unit. This step S118 is performed whenever a job is needed, and step S118 ends when the job is completed. In this way, the master unit notifies the slave unit of the current job status, for example, the current scan status. For example, the master (particularly at the programmable logic level) notifies the slave of the change to a new row scan.

During step S118 (which, as mentioned earlier, lasts until the end of the job), in step S120 the programmable logic part of each slave unit receives events from the master unit (see above) and, in addition, sends information about the current job status to the software processing part of the (same) slave unit, these corresponding to or belonging to some kind of interrupt. Such information about the current job state may include, for example, the start of the (reached) line, the end of the (reached) line, the start of the image to be captured, the end of the image to be captured, the start of a new line (during scanning), the start of the job and the end of the job.

Based on this information about the current job status, i.e. any changes related to the respective component (e.g. light source) during the course of the job, the job corresponding to the component job data is executed by the software processing part of the slave unit.

The previously created job to be executed by a specific slave unit (see steps S108 to S114) basically exists in the software processing portion of the slave unit. However, any action required by the job is triggered by information received from the corresponding programmable logic section regarding the current job status. The next few steps will provide an example.

In step S122, the software processing part of the slave unit (repeatedly or continuously) performs a check whether the end of the line to be scanned has been reached. Information that the end of the row has been reached is received from the programmable logic section as described previously with respect to step S120. When the end of the line is reached, then in step S124 the software processing part of the slave unit checks whether the next line to be scanned has an odd line number (this is possible because the component job data present in the software processing part of the slave unit contains this information).

If the next line to be scanned is not odd numbered (i.e., it has an even line number), then in step S126, the intensity of the light source is set to 100%. If the next line to be scanned does have an odd line number, then in step S128, the intensity of the light source is set to 50%. In other words, the software processing portion reacts to the information on the current job state received from the programmable logic portion, and thus can process the interrupt from the programmable logic portion.

In the same way, the programmable logic portion can inform the corresponding software processing portion of the start of the job, the other end of the line, the end of the job, the start of a new job, and, for example, another image to be acquired.

Such job data may include defining a particular geometric shape, such as a sphere, in the space to be scanned, in addition to the two-dimensional image to be acquired. Job data may also include collecting image data when the end of a line or the end of an image is reached. Also, the job data may include, for example, a task of acquiring an image outside the range of the regular imaging during resetting the scanning light to the start of the next line.

In summary, the invention provides the possibility to define by a host PC or the like a specific job to be performed by a (microscope) system with suitable operable components, such as light sources and detectors, to transmit this job (data) to a master unit, to assign the relevant component job data to the respective slave units already assigned to the operable components, and to perform the job in an autonomous manner after the job has been fully assigned. In the above process, any communication is limited to communication from the control system to the host PC, but (real-time) communication between the respective components or the respective control units (slave units) is not necessary.

Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device, e.g., a processor, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, such an apparatus may perform one or more of some of the most important method steps.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or software, depending on certain implementation requirements. The implementation can be performed using a non-transitory storage medium, such as a digital storage medium, e.g. a floppy disk, a DVD, a blu-ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, on which electronically readable control signals are stored, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed. Accordingly, the digital storage medium may be computer-readable.

Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier with electronically readable control signals capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system so as to carry out one of the methods described herein.

In general, embodiments of the invention can be implemented as a computer program product having a program code for performing a method when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may for example be stored on a machine readable carrier.

Other embodiments include a computer program stored on a machine-readable carrier for performing one of the methods described herein.

In other words, an embodiment of the invention is therefore a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

Thus, another embodiment of the invention is a storage medium (or data carrier, or computer readable medium) comprising a computer program stored thereon for performing one of the methods described herein when executed by a processor. The data carrier, the digital storage medium or the recording medium is typically tangible and/or non-transitory. Another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus as described herein that includes a processor and a storage medium.

Thus, another embodiment of the invention is a data stream or signal sequence representing a computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or signal sequence may for example be arranged to be transmitted via a data communication connection, for example via the internet.

Another embodiment includes a processing apparatus, such as a computer or programmable logic device, configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment comprises a computer having a computer program installed thereon for performing one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment according to the present invention comprises an apparatus or system configured to transmit (e.g., electronically or optically) a computer program for performing one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The receiver may be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device, etc. The apparatus or system may for example comprise a file server for transmitting the computer program to the receiver.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functions of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein. In general, the above-described method is preferably performed by any hardware device.