Patent Application
20090221090
The present invention relates to a sample analysis apparatus, a sample analysis method, and a computer program product capable of analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent.
In a sample analysis apparatus capable of analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent, the sample and the reagent are contained in a specific test tube or a container. The test tube or the container has attached thereto a barcode label containing identification information for identifying the sample, the reagent, or the like.
However, the types of the sample, the reagent, and the like are tremendous, and the types of a test tube, a container, and the like supplied by a manufacturer are often mixed. Therefore, there may be a case where it is difficult to successfully read out the identification information due to reasons such as absence of a barcode label or a difference in attachment position of the barcode label.
In order to cope with such an unsuccessful readout of the barcode label, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H6-130069 discloses an automated analysis apparatus in which when a readout operation was not successful, the presence of a barcode label itself is checked, and the readout operation is performed again for a test tube having the barcode label attached thereto while finely adjusting the reading position of the barcode label. By changing the reading position when the readout operation was not successful, it is likely that a second readout operation can be successfully performed for the test tube for which the first readout operation was not successful.
However, in the automated analysis apparatus disclosed Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H6-130069, although the reading position of the barcode label is finely adjusted, a read condition such as a threshold value for determining whether or not a signal detected by a magnitude of a reflected light level corresponds to bars or a scan width of the barcode reader is not changed from the first readout operation to the second readout operation. Therefore, in the automated analysis apparatus disclosed Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H6-130069, there is a problem that a possibility of successfully performing the second readout operations is low, except a special case where the barcodes are partially vague.
The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.
A first aspect of the present invention is a sample analysis apparatus for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent comprising: a condition memory for storing information regarding a plurality of read conditions; an ID acquirer for reading out identification information at a predetermined position in accordance with a predetermined read condition, the identification information being assigned for identification of at least one of a sample container, a reagent container, and a holding section for holding the sample container or the reagent container; an ID acquisition checker for determining whether or not the ID acquirer has successfully read out the identification information; and a read condition changer for changing the predetermined read condition to a different read condition different from the predetermined read condition stored in the condition memory when the ID acquisition checker has determined that the readout operation was not successful.
A second aspect of the present invention is a sample analysis method for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and a reagent, comprising: (a) reading out identification information assigned for identification of at least one of a sample container, a reagent container, and a holding section for holding the sample container or the reagent container at a predetermined position in accordance with a predetermined read condition; (b) determining whether or not the identification information has been successfully read out; and (c) changing the predetermined read condition to a different read condition when a determination result in the step (b) shows that the readout operation was not successful.
A third aspect of the present invention is a computer program product, comprising: a computer readable medium; and instructions, on the computer readable medium, adapted to enable a general purpose computer to perform operations, comprising: (a) reading out identification information assigned for identification of at least one of a sample container, a reagent container, and a holding section for holding the sample container or the reagent container at a predetermined position in accordance with a predetermined read condition; (b) determining whether or not the identification information has been successfully read out; and (c) changing the predetermined read condition to a different read condition when a determination result in the step (b) shows that the readout operation was not successful.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
A description of a sample analysis apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention will be provided in detail with reference to the drawings, by way of an example of a case where the apparatus optically measures and analyzes, for example, the amount and activity of a specific substance found in blood related to coagulation and fibrinolysis.
The driving section 2 moves the holding section 1 by using a stepping motor which is driven by a constant current. The operation of the driving section 2 and the operation of the barcode reader 3 are controlled by a control section 4, these sections 2, 3, and 4 being connected to each other through a signal line.
The control section 4 is configured to at least include a CPU (central processing unit) 41, a RAM 42, a storage device 43, an input device 44, an output device 45, a communication device 46, an auxiliary storage device 47, and an internal bus 48 that connects the above-described hardware configurations to each other. The CPU 41 is connected to each of the above-described hardware configurations of the control section 4 through the internal bus 48 and controls the operation of each of the above-described hardware configurations while controlling the operation of the driving section 2, the barcode reader 3, the display device 5, and the like connected thereto in accordance with a computer program 7 stored in the storage device 43.
The RAM 42 is configured by an SRAM or a flash memory, in which a load module is expanded during execution of the computer program 7, and temporary data or the like generated during execution of the computer program 7 are stored.
The storage device 43 is configured by an internally fixed type storage device (hard disk) or the like.
The computer program 7 stored in the storage device 43 is downloaded into the auxiliary storage device 47 from a portable recording medium 6 such as a DVD or a CD-ROM having recorded therein programs, data, and the like and is executed by being expanded from the storage device 43 to the RAM 42. As a matter of course, the connection portion may be downloaded from an external computer through the communication device 46.
The communication device 46 is connected to the internal bus 48 and is able to transmit and receive data to/from an external computer or the like by being connected to an external network such as the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or the like. For example, the above-described storage device 43 is not limited to the configuration wherein it is incorporated in the control section 4, but may be an external recording medium such as an external storage connected to the control section 4 through the communication device 46.
The input device 44 is a data input medium such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display device 5 is a display device such as a CRT monitor or an LCD. The output device 45 is a printing device such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer.
For example, when the instruction pulse signal is a rotation direction control signal, a rotation direction of the stepping motor 23 is determined in accordance with a digital value, 1 or 0, representing the rotation direction. Moreover, a rotation speed of the stepping motor 23 may be changed in accordance with a frequency of the instruction pulse signal.
When the activation signal is sent from the CPU 41 of the control section 4, the respective stepping motors 23 are operated in accordance with the instruction pulse signal converted by the driving section 2, thereby rotating the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12. The driving section 2 is able to rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 in both clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction in an independent manner.
On the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12, the plurality of first container racks 13, 13, and so on and the plurality of second container racks 14, 14, and so on capable of holding a sample container, a reagent container, and the like are arranged, respectively, to be removably mounted thereon. Barcode labels are attached to the plurality of first container racks 13, 13, and so on and the plurality of second container racks 14, 14, and so on. To read out the attached barcode labels, a barcode reader 3 is provided in the vicinity of a lateral surface of the second sample table 12 at a predetermined distance. The barcode reader 3 is connected to be able to communicate data with the control section 4, and for example, converts the read barcode information to a pulse signal and sends the pulse signal to the CPU 41.
When the second container racks 14, 14, and so on are arranged on the second sample table 12, one gap 12a of the five adjacent gaps of the second container racks 14, 14, and so on has a spacing larger than the spacing of the other four gaps. That is, through the gap 12a having the larger spacing than other gaps, the barcode reader 3 reads out the barcode information from the barcode labels attached to the first container racks 13, 13, and so on arranged on the first sample table 11 disposed on the inner side of the second sample table 12 and the barcode labels attached to the containers held in the first container racks.
Barcode labels 131b and 132b are attached to outer circumferential surfaces of the holding parts 131 and 132, respectively. Barcode labels 131c and 132c are also attached to inner circumferential surfaces of the holding parts 131 and 132, respectively.
Barcode labels 141b to 146b are attached to outer circumferential surfaces of the holding parts 141 to 146, respectively. Barcode labels 141c to 146c are also attached to inner circumferential surfaces of the holding parts 141 to 146, respectively.
That is, when the barcode reader 3 has read out a barcode label 200a attached to the container 200 after the barcode label 131b has been read out while not reading out the barcode label 131c, the CPU 41 of the control section 4 may determine that the container 200 containing a sample or a reagent corresponding to the barcode information read out from the barcode label 200a is held.
Similarly,
That is, when the barcode reader 3 has read out a barcode label 200a attached to the container 200 after the barcode label 141b, 144b, or 145b has been read out while not reading out the barcode label 141c, 144c, or 145c, the CPU 41 of the control section 4 may determine that the container 200 containing a sample or a reagent corresponding to the barcode information read out from the barcode label 200a is held.
In the first embodiment, first, with respect to the entire positions of the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 at which the container 200 can be held, a determination is made as to whether or not the container 200 is held and as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out. That is, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are rotated one cycle in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rotation speed, and then, the control section 4 makes a determination as to whether the barcode reader 3 has successfully read out the barcode information from the entire containers 200 held in the first container racks 13 and the second container racks 14 mounted on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
Next, the position of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful is identified, and the barcode information is read out again from the container 200 held at the identified position by the barcode reader 3 in accordance with a different read condition different from that of the first readout operation. Here, the read condition is a condition regarding a readout method for reading out the barcode information and the like, a readout setting of the barcode reader 3, and the like, and is preliminarily stored in the storage device 43.
In the first embodiment, the barcode reader 3 employs a laser type barcode reader that scans a barcode label by irradiation of laser light. The barcode reader 3 receives reflected light and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to a reception light intensity as a two-valued voltage pulse signal. The determination as to whether the barcode information was successfully read out is determined based on whether or not a value of the voltage pulse signal acquired by the control section 4 from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, by changing the threshold value used for determination as to whether the barcode information read out from the barcode label was successfully read out from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to change the read condition.
As illustrated in
The CPU 41 of the control section 4 reads out information on one read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S901) and sets the read condition, i.e., a predetermined threshold value, based on the information on the read, one read condition (step S902). The CPU 41 sends instruction information giving instructions on a rotation direction and a rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 to the driving section 2 (step S903) and starts a readout operation of a barcode label. The CPU 41 receives a voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S904). The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether the barcode information was successfully read out based on whether or not the value of the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S905).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the value of the voltage pulse signal is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (step S905: NO), then the CPU 41 determines that the readout operation was not successful and stores position information of the barcode label which was not successfully read out in the storage device 43 (step S906).
Specifically, an initial position at which the rotation starts may be specified, and a driving pulse number may be counted, so that a rotation angle corresponding to the position at which the barcode label which was not successfully read out is attached can be identified. The position identification method is not limited to this. For example, a special angular sensor such as a rotary encoder may be provided, and the rotation angle may be directly stored from the initial positions of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the predetermined threshold value (step S905: YES), then the CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907). When the CPU 41 has determined that neither one of the first and second sample tables 11 and 12 has rotated one cycle (step S907: NO), then the CPU 41 receives the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 having read out a next barcode label (step S908), and returns the process to step S905 to repeat the above-described processes. When the CPU 41 has determined that the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907: YES), then the CPU 41 reads out the read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S909) and sets a new threshold value (step S910).
The CPU 41 sends an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to sequentially rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 in accordance with the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S911) and perform again the readout operation of the barcode label to receive the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S912).
The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out based on whether or not the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than the new threshold value (step S913). When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the new threshold value (step S913: YES), then the CPU 41 deletes the position information of the barcode label, of which the voltage pulse signal has been determined to be greater than the new threshold value, among the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S914) and makes a determination as to whether or not the rotation has been made to the entire positions stored therein (step S915).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has been made to the entire positions (step S915: YES), then the CPU 41 terminates the process. When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has not yet been made to the entire positions (step S915: NO), then the CPU 41 returns the process to step S911 to send an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to move to a next stored position (step S911) and repeat the above-described processes.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is smaller than the new threshold value (step S913: NO), then the CPU 41 skips step S914, determining again that the readout operation was not successful.
In this manner, by changing the read condition from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to increase a possibility of determining that the second readout operation successfully reads out the barcode label which has been determined to be not successfully read out under the threshold value for the first readout operation. Moreover, by performing the second readout operation only for the barcode label which was not successfully read out by the first readout operation, it is possible to prevent an increase in an overall readout time as much as possible by not performing any unnecessary additional readout operation.
A more detailed description will be given with respect to an example shown in
When the read condition is changed whenever the unsuccessful readout is confirmed to perform again the readout operation, it is necessary to return the rotation back to the position of the cur-out portion 131a, which may disadvantageously increase a time loss for the rotation.
To the contrary, in the first embodiment, the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the time loss for the rotation and simplify the control thereof, thereby reducing the overall processing throughput as much as possible.
Moreover, in the first embodiment described above, although the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful, the read condition may be changed whenever it is determined that the barcode label is not successfully read out to perform again the readout operation. In such a case, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully reading out the identification information, which was unable to be read out due to dirt or the like, in the second readout operation without changing the reading position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the need for the user to manually identifying a sample and decrease a possibility of outputting wrong analysis data due to confusion in sample treatment or the like.
On the arrangement display region 420, a maximum of ten first sample marks 421, 421, and so on displayed in correspondence to the arrangement state of the first sample table 11 and a maximum of thirty second sample mark 422, 422, and so on displayed in correspondence to the arrangement state of the second sample table 12 are displayed. The first sample mark 421 includes a position display part 421a for displaying the position of the sample, a name display part 421b for displaying the sample name, and a remaining amount display part 421c for displaying the remaining amount of the sample. Similarly, the second sample mark 422 includes a position display part 422a for displaying the position of the sample, a name display part 422b for displaying the sample name, and a remaining amount display part 422c for displaying the remaining amount of the sample. Moreover, the remaining amount display parts 421c and 422c are displayed only when the remaining amount of the sample becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount.
The position information of the sample displayed on the position display parts 421a and 422a of the first sample mark 421 and the second sample mark 422 is displayed when the barcode reader 3 reads out the barcode labels attached to the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14. Moreover, the name of the sample displayed on the name display parts 421b and 422b is contained in the barcode information read out from the barcode label 200a attached to the container 200 containing the sample and is thus displayed by referring to a sample master stored in the storage device 43 based on the signal read out by the barcode reader 3.
The first sample mark 421 is displayed while being divided into by twos for every first rack mark 424, 424, and so on corresponding to five first container racks 13, 13, and so on capable of holding two containers 200 and 200 arranged in the first sample table 11. The second sample mark 422 is displayed while being divided into by twos for every second rack mark 425, 425, and so on corresponding to five second container racks 14, 14, and so on capable of holding six containers 200, 200, and so on arranged in the second sample table 12. Therefore, it is possible to confirm by a visual observation at which position of which container rack of which sample table, the sample is arranged.
If the container rack is not arranged on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12, a circular rack non-arranged mark 426 with nothing shown on the inside is displayed among the arrangement display region 420. Although the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 are arranged on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12, respectively, a sample non-arranged mark 427 is displayed at a region corresponding to the position at which the container 200 containing the sample is not arranged. The sample non-arranged mark 427 has a position display part 427a for displaying the positional information.
When the barcode label 200a attached to the container 200 is not successfully read out, a readout error mark 428 is displayed on the sample mark corresponding to the position where the container 200 for which the readout operation was not successful is held. Therefore, it is possible to confirm with a visual observation that the position where the readout error mark 428 is displayed corresponds to the position of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful.
The configuration of a sample analysis apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, with respect to the entire positions of the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 at which the container 200 can be held, a determination is made as to whether or not the container 200 is held and as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out. That is, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are rotated one cycle in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rotation speed, and then, the control section 4 makes a determination as to whether the barcode reader 3 has successfully read out the barcode information from the entire containers 200 held in the first container racks 13 and the second container racks 14 mounted on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
Next, the position (holding position) of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful is identified, and the barcode information is read out again from the container 200 held at the identified position by the barcode reader 3 in accordance with a different read condition different from that of the first readout operation. The information on the read condition is preliminarily stored in the storage device 43.
In this embodiment, the barcode reader 3 employs a laser type barcode reader that scans a barcode label by irradiation of laser light. The barcode reader 3 receives reflected light and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to a reception light intensity as a two-valued voltage pulse signal. The determination as to whether the barcode information was successfully read out is determined, at a different timing, based on whether or not a value of the voltage pulse signal acquired by the control section 4 from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value. That is, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment, in that the read condition is changed such that a read timing within one pulse for making the determination as to whether the barcode information read out from the barcode label was successfully read out is changed from the first readout operation to the second readout operation.
As illustrated in
The processes from step S903 to step S908 are the same as those of the first embodiment. When the CPU 41 of the control section 4 has determined that the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907: YES), then the CPU 41 reads out a different read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S1301) and sets a new read timing (step S1302), as illustrated in
The CPU 41 sends an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to sequentially rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 to a rotation angle stored in the storage device 43 (step S1303) and perform again the readout operation of the barcode label at the set read timing to receive the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S1304). Moreover, it is preferable that the set read timing includes two timings before and after the previous read timing. This is because the readout operation is likely to be successfully performed within several timings. However, the number of timings set as the read timing is not particularly limited.
The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out based on whether or not the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S1305). When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the predetermined threshold value (step S1305: YES), then the CPU 41 deletes the position information of the barcode label, of which the voltage pulse signal has been determined to be greater than the new threshold value, among the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S1306) and makes a determination as to whether or not the rotation has been made to the entire positions stored therein (step S1307).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has been made to the entire positions (step S1307: YES), then the CPU 41 terminates the process. When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has not yet been made to the entire positions (step S1307: NO), then the CPU 41 returns the process to step S1303 to send an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to move to a next stored position (step S1303) and repeat the above-described processes.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (step S1305: NO), then the CPU 41 skips step S1306, determining again that the readout operation was not successful.
In this manner, by changing the read timing from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to increase a possibility of determining that the second readout operation successfully reads out the barcode label which has been determined to be not successfully read out under the read timing for the first readout operation. Moreover, by performing the second readout operation only for the barcode label which was not successfully read out by the first readout operation without changing the read position, it is possible to prevent an increase in an overall readout time as much as possible by not performing any unnecessary additional readout operation.
Moreover, in the second embodiment described above, although the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful, similar to the first embodiment, the read condition may be changed whenever it is determined that the barcode label is not successfully read out to perform again the readout operation. In such a case, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully reading out the identification information, which was unable to be read out due to dirt or the like, in the second readout operation without changing the reading position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the need for the user to manually identifying a sample and decrease a possibility of outputting wrong analysis data due to confusion in sample treatment or the like.
The screen image for displaying the readout result and the like on the display device 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The configuration of a sample analysis apparatus 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and thus, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the third embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, with respect to the entire positions of the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 at which the container 200 can be held, a determination is made as to whether or not the container 200 is held and as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out. That is, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are rotated one cycle in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rotation speed, and then, the control section 4 makes a determination as to whether the barcode reader 3 has successfully read out the barcode information from the entire containers 200 held in the first container racks 13 and the second container racks 14 mounted on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
Next, the position of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful is identified, and the barcode information is read out again from the container 200 held at the identified position by the barcode reader 3 in accordance with a different read condition different from that of the first readout operation. The information on the read condition is preliminarily stored in the storage device 43.
In this embodiment, the barcode reader 3 employs a laser type barcode reader that scans a barcode label by irradiation of laser light. The barcode reader 3 receives reflected light and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to a reception light intensity as a two-valued voltage pulse signal. The determination as to whether the barcode information was successfully read out is determined based on whether or not a value of the voltage pulse signal acquired by the control section 4 from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments, in that an angle of irradiation for laser light irradiated from the barcode reader 3 for reading out the barcode information is changed.
Specifically, when the laser irradiator 1401 increases the length of the time interval of irradiation of the laser light, the reflection angle θ by the octagonal polygon mirror 1402 can be increased. On the other hand, when the laser irradiator 1401 decreases the length of the time interval of irradiation of the laser light, the reflection angle θ by the octagonal polygon mirror 1402 can be decreased. Therefore, by changing the time interval of irradiation of the laser light by the laser irradiator 1401, it is possible to change a readout angle of the barcode reader 3.
The processes from step S903 to step S908 are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. When the CPU 41 of the control section 4 has determined that the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907: YES), then the CPU 41 reads out a different read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S1601) and sets a new time interval for laser light irradiation (step S1602), as illustrated in
The CPU 41 sends an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to sequentially rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 to a rotation angle stored in the storage device 43 (step S1603) and perform again the readout operation of the barcode label to receive the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S1604). Moreover, it is preferable that the set time interval is set so as to be greater than the previous time interval. This is because the readout operation is likely to be successfully performed by increasing the readout range of the barcode label.
The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out based on whether or not the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S1605). When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the predetermined threshold value (step S1605: YES), then the CPU 41 deletes the position information of the barcode label, of which the voltage pulse signal has been determined to be greater than the new threshold value, among the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S1606) and makes a determination as to whether or not the rotation has been made to the entire positions stored therein (step S1607).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has been made to the entire positions (step S1607: YES), then the CPU 41 terminates the process. When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has not yet been made to the entire positions (step S1607: NO), then the CPU 41 returns the process to step S1603 to send an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to move to a next stored position (step S1603) and repeat the above-described processes.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (step S1605: NO), then the CPU 41 skips step S1606, determining again that the readout operation was not successful.
In this manner, by changing the readout range by the barcode reader 3 from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to increase a possibility of determining that the second readout operation successfully reads out without changing the read position the barcode label which has been determined to be not successfully read out under the read timing for the first readout operation. Moreover, by performing the second readout operation only for the barcode label which was not successfully read out by the first readout operation without changing the read position, it is possible to prevent an increase in an overall readout time as much as possible by not performing any unnecessary additional readout operation.
Moreover, in the third embodiment described above, although the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful, similar to the first and second embodiments, the read condition may be changed whenever it is determined that the barcode label is not successfully read out to perform again the readout operation. In such a case, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully reading out the identification information, which was unable to be read out due to dirt or the like, in the second readout operation without changing the reading position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the need for the user to manually identifying a sample and decrease a possibility of outputting wrong analysis data due to confusion in sample treatment or the like.
The screen image for displaying the readout result and the like on the display device 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The configuration of a sample analysis apparatus 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first to third embodiments, and thus, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the fourth embodiment, similar to the first to third embodiments, with respect to the entire positions of the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 at which the container 200 can be held, a determination is made as to whether or not the container 200 is held and as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out. That is, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are rotated one cycle in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rotation speed, and then, the control section 4 makes a determination as to whether the barcode reader 3 has successfully read out the barcode information from the entire containers 200 held in the first container racks 13 and the second container racks 14 mounted on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
Next, the position of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful is identified, and the barcode information is read out again from the container 200 held at the identified position by the barcode reader 3 in accordance with a different read condition different from that of the first readout operation. The information on the read condition is preliminarily stored in the storage device 43.
In this embodiment, the barcode reader 3 employs a laser type barcode reader that scans a barcode label by irradiation of laser light. The barcode reader 3 receives reflected light and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to a reception light intensity as a two-valued voltage pulse signal. The determination as to whether the barcode information was successfully read out is determined based on whether or not a value of the voltage pulse signal acquired by the control section 4 from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments, in that when the voltage signal is output in accordance with the reception light intensity, the voltage signal is output using a stabilization circuit for maintaining a signal output at a constant level or is amplified by a plurality of fixed amplification factors without using the stabilization circuit.
As illustrated in
That is, in
The processes from step S903 to step S908 are the same as those of the first to third embodiments. When the CPU 41 of the control section 4 has determined that the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907: YES), then the CPU 41 reads out a different read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S1901) and sends an instruction signal for interruption of a stabilization circuit and a fixed gain value to the barcode reader 3 (step S1902), as illustrated in
The CPU 41 sends an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to sequentially rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 to a rotation angle stored in the storage device 43 (step S1903) and perform again the readout operation of the barcode label to receive the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S1904).
The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out based on whether or not the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S1905). When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the predetermined threshold value (step S1905: YES), then the CPU 41 deletes the position information of the barcode label, of which the voltage pulse signal has been determined to be greater than the new threshold value, among the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S1906) and makes a determination as to whether or not the rotation has been made to the entire positions stored therein (step S1907).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has been made to the entire positions (step S1907: YES), then the CPU 41 terminates the process. When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has not yet been made to the entire positions (step S1907: NO), then the CPU 41 returns the process to step S1903 to send an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to move to a next stored position (step S1903) and repeat the above-described processes.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (step S1905: NO), then the CPU 41 skips step S1906, determining again that the readout operation was not successful.
In this manner, by changing the readout method by the barcode reader 3 from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to increase a possibility of determining that the second readout operation successfully reads out the barcode label without changing the read position which has been determined to be not successfully read out under the read timing for the first readout operation. Moreover, by performing the second readout operation only for the barcode label which was not successfully read out by the first readout operation without changing the read position, it is possible to prevent an increase in an overall readout time as much as possible by not performing any unnecessary additional readout operation.
Moreover, it is preferable to set a plurality of fixed gain values used in the fourth embodiment described above. Since the reception light intensity changes depending on a distance from the barcode reader 3, by setting a plurality of gain values such as a gain value for near distance and a gain value for far distance, it is possible to determine whether or not the readout operation was successfully performed for the entire barcode labels. For example, a determination as to whether or not the readout operation was successful is first made based on the highest fixed gain value, and when the first readout operation was not successful, the determination is repeated while changing the gain value used in the determination to the next highest fixed gain value. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not the barcode information was successfully read out regardless of the reception light intensity.
Moreover, in the fourth embodiment described above, although the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful, similar to the first to third embodiments, the read condition may be changed whenever it is determined that the barcode label is not successfully read out to perform again the readout operation. In such a case, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully reading out the identification information, which was unable to be read out due to dirt or the like, in the second readout operation without changing the reading position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the need for the user to manually identifying a sample and decrease a possibility of outputting wrong analysis data due to confusion in sample treatment or the like.
The screen image for displaying the readout result and the like on the display device 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The configuration of a sample analysis apparatus 10 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first to fourth embodiments, and thus, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, similar to the first to fourth embodiments, with respect to the entire positions of the first container rack 13 and the second container rack 14 at which the container 200 can be held, a determination is made as to whether or not the container 200 is held and as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out. That is, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are rotated one cycle in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined rotation speed, and then, the control section 4 makes a determination as to whether the barcode reader 3 has successfully read out the barcode information from the entire containers 200 held in the first container racks 13 and the second container racks 14 mounted on the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12.
Next, the position of the container 200 for which the first readout operation was not successful is identified, and the barcode information is read out again from the container 200 held at the identified position by the barcode reader 3 in accordance with a different read condition different from that of the first readout operation.
The fifth embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiment, in that the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 which are rotated to read out the barcode information are changed. That is, as the read condition, the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are stored in the storage device 43.
For example, in the read condition for the first readout operation, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have a constant rotation direction and a constant rotation speed, while in the read condition for the second readout operation, the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are changed every readout operation so that the barcode label is read out whenever the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 are stopped. Moreover, in the read condition for the second readout operation, the barcode label may be read out while changing the rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 so as to be smaller than that of the read condition for the first readout operation. In either case, since it is possible to receive the reflected laser light for a longer period of time, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully performing the readout operation more than the first readout operation.
Moreover, the read condition may be set such that in the read condition for the first readout operation, the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have a constant rotation direction and a constant rotation speed while in the read condition for the second readout operation, the rotation direction of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 may be reversed. This is because when the received voltage pulse signal experiences a time progress or a time delay, the signal can only be successfully read out when it is read in a reverse direction.
The processes from step S903 to step S908 are the same as those of the first to fourth embodiments. When the CPU 41 of the control section 4 has determined that the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 have rotated one cycle (step S907: YES), then the CPU 41 reads out a different read condition stored in the storage device 43 (step S2101) and sets a new rotation direction and a new rotation speed (step S2102), as illustrated in
The CPU 41 sends an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to sequentially rotate the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 in the set rotation direction and at the set rotation speed to a rotation angle stored in the storage device 43 (step S2103) and perform again the readout operation of the barcode label to receive the voltage pulse signal from the barcode reader 3 (step S2104).
The CPU 41 makes a determination as to whether or not the barcode information has been successfully read out based on whether or not the voltage pulse signal received from the barcode reader 3 is greater than a predetermined threshold value (step S2105). When the CPU 41 has determined that it is greater than the predetermined threshold value (step S2105: YES), then the CPU 41 deletes the position information of the barcode label, of which the voltage pulse signal has been determined to be greater than the new threshold value, among the position information stored in the storage device 43 (step S2106) and makes a determination as to whether or not the rotation has been made to the entire positions stored therein (step S2107).
When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has been made to the entire positions (step S2107: YES), then the CPU 41 terminates the process. When the CPU 41 has determined that the rotation has not yet been made to the entire positions (step S2107: NO), then the CPU 41 returns the process to step S2103 to send an instruction signal to the driving section 2 to move to a next stored position (step S2103) and repeat the above-described processes.
When the CPU 41 has determined that it is smaller than the predetermined threshold value (step S2105: NO), then the CPU 41 skips step S2106, determining again that the readout operation was not successful.
In this manner, by changing the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 from the first readout operation to the second readout operation, it is possible to increase a possibility of determining that the second readout operation successfully reads out the barcode label which has been determined to be not successfully read out under the read timing for the first readout operation. Moreover, by performing the second readout operation only for the barcode label which was not successfully read out by the first readout operation without changing the read position, it is possible to prevent an increase in an overall readout time as much as possible by not performing any unnecessary additional readout operation.
Although the barcode reader 3 is fixed in the fifth embodiment described above, the barcode reader 3 may be movable. In this case, the above-described advantage can be obtained by storing the above-described read condition about a relative speed between the barcode reader 3 and the first sample table 11 and the second sample table 12 in the storage device 43.
Moreover, in the fifth embodiment described above, although the readout operation of the barcode label is performed for the entire positions, and then, the readout operation is performed again for only the container 200 held at the position for which the readout operation was not successful, similar to the first to fourth embodiments, the read condition may be changed whenever it is determined that the barcode label is not successfully read out to perform again the readout operation. In such a case, it is possible to increase a possibility of successfully reading out the identification information, which was unable to be read out due to dirt or the like, in the second readout operation without changing the reading position. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the need for the user to manually identifying a sample and decrease a possibility of outputting wrong analysis data due to confusion in sample treatment or the like.
The screen image for displaying the readout result and the like on the display device 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Moreover, the first to fifth embodiments described above may be modified within the range without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Specifically, the configuration of the holding section 1 holding the sample container, the reagent container, and the like is not limited to a configuration where it is rotated by the driving section 2, but it may be linearly moved as long as it can be relatively moved to a position where the barcode reader 3 can perform a readout operation. Moreover, the identification information is not limited to the barcode information but may be a three-dimensional code such as a QR code. It goes without saying that the identification information may be read out by wireless communication using an IC chip. Moreover, any one of the first to fifth embodiments described above may be employed and a combination thereof may be employed. Furthermore, although the same barcode reader 3 is used for the first readout operation and the second readout operation in the first to fifth embodiments described above, the barcode reader used for the first readout operation and the second readout operation may be changed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-049014 | Feb 2008 | JP | national |
