T-REX
Barcode- and human-friendly data serialization.
- Efficient (results in small QR codes or data matrixes)
- Human readable
- Unit aware
- Easy to implement
Overview
Lab equipment can last up to 30 years, but it takes time for standardized interfaces to become widespread. However, many devices can already display QR codes, and updates to their software keep them useful. T-REX is designed to work with these devices, bringing immediate digitalization benefits to labs.
T-REX is a handy tool designed for quickly sharing simple data results in labs. It's straightforward to use, focusing on ease rather than complexity, and it's a step toward automating how lab devices share data.
Example
This features of the PAC-ID will be exemplified on the example of this Mettorius T-801 titrator. It has just finished a titration and displays a QR code with this content:
HTTPS://PAC.METTORIUS.COM/-DR/550e8400/-MD/T-801/895467*SUM$TREX/START$T.D:20250218T104101+ENDPOINT$MLT:13.1 +CURVE$$VOL$MLT:PH$C62::0.0:2.44::4.0:3.72::8.0:4.33::11.0:5.11::12.0:5.61::13.0:8.41::14.0:10.98::15.0:11.44::18.0:11.72
Complements PAC-ID
Notice that the QR code consists of two parts:
1. A PAC-ID, which identifies the Result and the instrument it was generated on.
HTTPS://PAC.METTORIUS.COM/-DR/550e8400/-MD/T-801/895467
2. The T-REX which contains data about the Result.
We will look at the data in the next section.
*SUM$TREX/START$T.D:20250218T104101+ENDPOINT$MLT:13.1+CURVE$$VOL$MLT:PH$C62::0.0:2.44::4.0:3.72::8.0:4.33::11.0:5.11::12.0:5.61::13.0:8.41::14.0:10.98::15.0:11.44::18.0:11.72
The T-REX can simply be added at the end of the PAC-ID, which has the following benefits:
- it is very easy to transfer identification and data at the same time.
- The entire construct is a valid url, one can get information in a very convenient way. Just open it in a browser: Result Info
Designed for Chemists
The example T-REX contains the following data:
Note, that:
- Numbers have units.
- Individual parameters (Start time and titration endpoint) are supported
- Simple tables (titration curve) can be included in a T-REX
- The data is intelligible to a Chemist without any further context