Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of a specimen captured by a camera of a portable information terminal; and an output unit that outputs the acquired captured image to a processing device that performs a process relating to a measurement process that measures visible components included in the specimen on the basis of the captured image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-522880, a microscopy method for classifying particles into two-dimensional objects within a field of view is disclosed, which includes the following steps: a) irradiating the field of view with a first electromagnetic radiation source; b) projecting an image obtained by an image sensor in order to obtain a first digital image of the field of view; c) using the first digital image, identifying a first object within the first digital image; d) using the contour coordinates of the contour of the first object, delineating an area of ​​the first object contained in the first digital image, and determining a boundary line of the area of ​​the first object; e) determining one or more object features of the first object; f) for the first digital image of the first object, separating contacting particles by subtracting one or more pixels from the boundary; g) using the contour coordinates, delineating an area adjacent to the contour of the first object and located outside the first object, calculating the background illumination of the first electromagnetic radiation source, and subtracting the average background illumination from the electromagnetic illumination of the first object; and h) using the electromagnetic illumination of the area within the contour of the first object, determining the characteristics of particles within the first object that absorb light by referring to a standard curve. Summary of the invention

[0003] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Conventionally, devices for measuring formed components of samples such as urine are generally equipped with a camera designed exclusively for the device, which has the problem of increasing the cost of the device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of measuring a formed component contained in a sample at low cost.

[0006] Means for solving problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an information processing device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit, which acquires a photographic image of a specimen taken by a camera of a portable information terminal; and an output unit, which outputs the acquired photographic image to a processing device, which performs processing related to a measurement process, and the measurement process measures the tangible components contained in the specimen based on the photographic image.

[0008] Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, there is obtained an effect that formed components contained in a sample can be measured at low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of the measurement system according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram showing the functional structure of the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of information processing executed by the portable information terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to the second embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server according to the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the measurement process executed by the portable information terminal according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the measurement process executed by the server according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 9 It is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to a third embodiment.

[0019] Fig.10 It is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to a fourth embodiment.

[0020] Fig.11A It is a top view of the inspection device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A AA section view.

[0022] Fig.12 This is a flowchart of a measurement process executed by the portable information terminal according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an example of a method for implementing the technology disclosed in the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the components and processes that have the same actions, effects, and functions, and repeated descriptions are sometimes appropriately omitted. Each of the drawings is merely a rough illustration to the extent that the technology disclosed in the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the technology disclosed in the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the present embodiment, the description of the structure that is not directly related to the present invention and the known structure is sometimes omitted.

[0024] <First Embodiment>

[0025] Figure 1 The configuration of the measurement system 10 according to this embodiment is shown.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the measurement system 10 includes a portable information terminal 20 and an inspection device 30 .

[0027] The portable information terminal 20 is a portable information terminal with a camera such as a smartphone, and includes a camera 21 , a communication unit 22 , and the like.

[0028] The inspection device 30 includes a stage 31 , a driving unit 32 , a light source 33 , an optical system 34 , a communication unit 35 , and a control unit 36 ​​.

[0029] A specimen 38 is placed on the stage 31, and a specimen 37 to be measured is placed in the specimen 38. The specimen 38 is composed of a cover glass 39 and a slide glass 40. The specimen 37 is placed on the slide glass 40 and is covered from above by the cover glass 39. In the present embodiment, the case where the specimen 38 is used as a chamber for placing the specimen 37 is described, but the present invention is not limited to the specimen 38, and other chambers such as a flow cell may also be used.

[0030] A light source 33 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 30A of the inspection device 30. The light source 33 is Figure 1 The light source 33 is controlled by the control unit 36 ​​.

[0031] A through hole 31A is provided at the center of the stage 31 for passing light L emitted from the light source 33. A specimen 38 containing a sample 37 is placed at the position of the through hole 31A. The light L emitted from the light source 33 passes through the through hole 31A, is transmitted through the sample 37 of the specimen 38, and enters the optical system 34.

[0032] The optical system 34 is configured to include optical components such as lenses (not shown).

[0033] A through hole 30B is provided on the light L emission port side of the optical system 34. When measuring the specimen 37, the portable information terminal 20 is placed on the upper surface of the housing 30A so that the position of the camera 21 of the portable information terminal 20 coincides with the position of the through hole 30B.

[0034] The stage 31 is driven by the driving unit 32. The driving unit 32 drives the stage 31 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, which are orthogonal to each other, according to the instruction of the control unit 36.

[0035] The side surface of the housing 30A is provided with a communication unit 35. When measuring the specimen 37, the communication unit 22 of the portable information terminal 20 and the communication unit 35 of the inspection device 30 are connected via the communication cable 41. Alternatively, the portable information terminal 20 and the inspection device 30 may be connected wirelessly.

[0036] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the portable information terminal 20. Figure 2 As shown, the portable information terminal 20 includes a controller 50 .

[0037] The controller 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 50B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 50C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 50D. The CPU 50A, the ROM 50B, the RAM 50C, and the I / O 50D are connected via a bus 50E. The bus 50E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus. The I / O 50D is connected to the camera 21, the communication unit 22, the operation display unit 23, and the storage unit 24.

[0038] The camera 21 is configured to include an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), for example.

[0039] The communication unit 22 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the inspection device 30 .

[0040] The operation display unit 23 is configured to include, for example, a touch panel or the like.

[0041] The storage unit 24 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory. Figure 2 As shown, the storage unit 24 stores an information processing program 24A, a measurement result 24B of a formed component of a sample 37, and the like.

[0042] CPU50A is an example of a processor. The processor mentioned here refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU) or a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0043] Alternatively, the information processing program 24A may be stored in a non-volatile non-transitory recording medium, or distributed via a network, and installed in the portable information terminal 20 as appropriate.

[0044] Examples of nonvolatile, non-transitory recording media include CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), magneto-optical disks, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), flash memory, and memory cards.

[0045] Figure 3 2 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the CPU 50A of the portable information terminal 20. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the CPU 50A functionally includes the acquisition unit 51, the output unit 52, and the measurement unit 53. The CPU 50A reads and executes the information processing program 24A stored in the storage unit 24 to function as the functional units.

[0046] The acquisition unit 51 acquires the image of the specimen 37 captured by the camera 21 .

[0047] The output unit 52 outputs the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 51 to the measurement unit 53 as an example of a processing unit that performs a process related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component included in the specimen 37 based on the captured image.

[0048] Furthermore, the output unit 52 outputs an instruction signal for instructing the inspection device 30 to drive at least one of the light source 33 and the drive unit 32 .

[0049] The measuring unit 53 measures the formed components included in the specimen 37 based on the captured image acquired by the acquiring unit 51 .

[0050] In the present embodiment, the case where the specimen 37 is a urine specimen and the formed components in the urine specimen are measured is described. The urine specimen contains a variety of formed components. As the types of the formed components, red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, casts, bacteria, etc. can be cited as an example. In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the formed components in urine are measured using a urine specimen as an example of the specimen 37 is described, but the technology disclosed in the present invention can also be applied to the case where the formed components are measured using blood, cells, body fluids, etc. as specimens.

[0051] Next, refer to Figure 4 The operation of the portable information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the information processing program 24A according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 The information processing shown is executed by the user performing an operation to instruct the execution of the information processing program 24A from the menu of the portable information terminal 20. In addition, before executing the information processing program 24A, the user places the specimen 38 with the specimen 37 placed thereon on the stage 31. In addition, the user places the portable information terminal 20 on the upper surface of the housing 30A of the inspection device 30 so that the position of the camera 21 coincides with the position of the through hole 30B of the inspection device 30.

[0053] In step S100 , the CPU 50A causes the operation display unit 23 to display a measurement start button.

[0054] In step S101 , the CPU 50A determines whether the measurement start button has been pressed, and then moves to step S102 if the measurement start button has been pressed, and waits until the measurement start button is pressed if the measurement start button has not been pressed.

[0055] In step S102, the CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to light up the light source 33. Thereby, the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 30 lights up the light source 33.

[0056] In step S103, CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to inspection device 30 to drive stage 31. Then, control unit 36 ​​of inspection device 30 controls drive unit 32 to drive stage 31 so that specimen 38 is located on the optical axis of light L.

[0057] In step S104 , the CPU 50A instructs the camera 21 to perform imaging. As a result, the camera 21 performs imaging of the specimen 37 .

[0058] In step S105 , the CPU 50A acquires an image captured by the camera 21 .

[0059] In step S106, the CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to turn off the light source 33. Thereby, the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 30 turns off the light source 33.

[0060] In step S107, CPU50A measures the formed components in the specimen 37 based on the captured image obtained in step S105. Various known methods can be used to measure the formed components based on the captured image. For example, the formed component image contained in the captured image is extracted by a known image analysis method, and the feature quantities such as size and contrast are analyzed according to each extracted formed component image, and the formed components are classified into predetermined classification items according to the analyzed feature quantities. Then, according to each classified formed component, the concentration of the formed component is calculated according to the number and size of the formed component images, thereby obtaining the measurement result.

[0061] In step S108 , the CPU 50A stores the measurement result of step S107 in the storage unit 24 , and displays it on the operation display unit 23 .

[0062] Thus, in the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 20 with a camera is used to measure the formed components of the sample 37. Thus, it is not necessary to use a camera designed exclusively for the inspection device 30, and the formed components included in the sample 37 can be measured at low cost.

[0063] <Second Embodiment>

[0064] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the case where the portable information terminal 20 performs measurement of the formed components of the sample 37 is described. In the second embodiment, the case where the server connected to the portable information terminal 20 via the network performs measurement of the formed components of the sample 37 is described.

[0066] Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows the structure of a measurement system 10A according to the second embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the measuring system 10A of the second embodiment includes a portable information terminal 20, an inspection device 30, and a server 60. The server 60 is connected to the portable information terminal 20 via a network N. In the second embodiment, the portable information terminal 20 has Figure 3 The server 60 has the functions of the acquisition unit 51 and the output unit 52 shown in FIG. Figure 3 The functions of the measuring unit 53 shown in FIG. 6A and 6B are shown in FIG.

[0067] Figure 6is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the server 60. Figure 6 As shown, the server 60 includes a controller 61 .

[0068] The controller 61 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 61B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 61C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 61D. The CPU 61A, the ROM 61B, the RAM 61C, and the I / O 61D are connected via a bus 61E. The bus 61E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus. The I / O 61D is connected to a communication unit 62 and a storage unit 63.

[0069] The communication unit 62 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the portable information terminal 20 .

[0070] The storage unit 63 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory. Figure 6 As shown, the storage unit 63 stores a measurement program 63A.

[0071] The CPU 61A is an example of a processor as described in the first embodiment. Also, the measurement program 63A may be stored in a non-volatile non-transitory recording medium or distributed via a network and installed in the server 60 as appropriate as described in the first embodiment.

[0072] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the information processing program 24A according to the second embodiment executed in the portable information terminal 20 . Figure 7 The information processing shown is Figure 4 The difference between the information processing shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 is the processing of steps S107A and S107B, and the processing of other steps is the same as that of FIG. Figure 4 The information processing shown is the same, so the description is omitted.

[0073] In step S107A, the CPU 50A transmits the captured image acquired in step S105 to the server 60 .

[0074] In step S107B, the CPU 50A receives the measurement result of the formed component of the sample 37 from the server 60 .

[0075] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the measurement program 63A executed by the CPU 61A of the server 60 .

[0076] In step S200, CPU 61A determines whether a captured image is received from portable information terminal 20. If a captured image is received from portable information terminal 20, the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if a captured image is not received from portable information terminal 20, the process waits until a captured image is received.

[0077] In step S201, the CPU 61A measures the tangible components of the sample 37 based on the captured image received in step S200. Figure 4 The processing of step S107 is the same as that of step S107, so the description is omitted.

[0078] In step S202 , the CPU 61A transmits the measurement result of step S201 to the portable information terminal 20 .

[0079] As described above, in the second embodiment, the portable information terminal 20 transmits the captured image of the sample 37 to the server 60, and the server 60 measures the formed components of the sample 37. Thus, the processing load of the portable information terminal 20 can be reduced.

[0080] <Third Embodiment>

[0081] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the second embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0082] In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a captured image is provided to an analyst and the analyst analyzes the formed components contained in the sample 37 based on the captured image of the sample 37 .

[0083] Fig. 9 FIG. 2 shows the structure of a measurement system 10B according to the third embodiment. Fig. 9 As shown, the measurement system 10B of the third embodiment includes a portable information terminal 20, a test device 30, a server 60, and an analyst terminal device 70. The analyst terminal device 70 is an example of a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0084] The analyst terminal device 70 is constituted by, for example, a general personal computer or the like, and has the function of the measuring unit 53 described in the first embodiment.

[0085] The portable information terminal 20 executes the operation described in the second embodiment. Figure 7 The information processing shown in FIG. 1 is different in that the transmission destination of the captured image in step S107A is not the server 60 but the analyst terminal device 70, and the measurement result is received from the analyst terminal device 70 in step S107B.

[0086] The analyst terminal device 70 executes the same operation as described in the second embodiment. Figure 8 The same processing as steps S200 and S201 is performed. That is, when a captured image is received from the portable information terminal 20, the formed components of the specimen 37 are measured based on the received captured image. Here, the analyst performs additional analysis with reference to the measurement results of the formed components of the specimen 37. Then, the additional analysis results are input to the analyst terminal device 70. When the analyst terminal device 70 accepts the additional analysis results of the analyst, it sends the accepted analysis results to the portable information terminal 20. In addition, the additional analysis results can also be sent to the server 60 and stored.

[0087] As described above, in the third embodiment, the analyst additionally analyzes the measurement result of the formed component of the sample 37. Thus, the accuracy of the measurement result of the formed component of the sample 37 can be improved.

[0088] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0089] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0090] Fig.10 A fourth embodiment of the inspection device 30X is shown. Figure 1 The same parts of the inspection device 30 are marked with the same figure marks, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0091] Figure 1 The inspection device 30 is configured such that light L from a light source 33 is emitted from below the specimen 38 toward above, and an image is captured from above the specimen 38 .

[0092] Here, for example, when the formed components of the specimen 37 have a property of settling, it may be preferable to image the specimen 37 from below. Also, when focusing on a portion where components are concentrated, the time required to focus on imaging from below may be shortened.

[0093] Therefore, the present embodiment Fig.10 The inspection device 30X is configured to emit light L from a light source 33 from above the specimen 38 to below, and to capture an image of the specimen 38 from below.

[0094] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a light source 33 is provided on the top plate side of the inspection device 30X. The light L emitted from the light source 33 is Figure 1 The light L is emitted from the upper side to the lower side along the Z axis and enters the specimen 38. The light L transmitted through the specimen 38 passes through the optical system 80 including the objective lens and is reflected by the reflector 81 along the Figure 1 The X-axis in the image is reflected to the right.

[0095] The light L reflected by the reflector 81 passes through the optical system 82 including the imaging lens and is reflected by the reflector 83 along the Figure 1 The light L reflected by the reflector 83 passes through the optical system 84 including the eyepiece and the hole 30B, and enters the camera 21 of the portable information terminal 20 .

[0096] The color of the light L of the light source 33 may be any color between white and warm white. In addition, in order to avoid color difference, a light source that emits light of any single wavelength of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) may be used, or a light source that emits light of two wavelengths combined may be used.

[0097] In addition, the thickness of the specimen 37 that can be held by the specimen 38 that is generally used is about 46 μm, but the operation of placing the cover glass 39 on the slide glass 40 has problems such as differences in the techniques of technicians and a large number of man-hours.

[0098] Therefore, the stage 31 may be configured to selectively mount not only the specimen 38 but also other holding members such as a cuvette, and two or more holding members having different thicknesses of the specimen 37 may be mounted as holding members for holding the specimen 37 .

[0099] Compared with a thick holding member capable of holding a specimen 37, a holding member capable of holding a thin specimen 37 is suitable for a specimen 37 with a high component concentration in that there is no overlap or refraction of the components of the specimen 37. In addition, a specimen 37 containing a component that is difficult to sink can be focused. On the contrary, the amount of component per unit area increases with sedimentation, so a holding member capable of holding a thick specimen 37 is suitable for a specimen 37 with a low component concentration. Therefore, by configuring a structure capable of carrying two or more holding members, and the two or more holding members capable of holding specimens 37 of different thicknesses, an appropriate holding member can be used according to the component concentration of the specimen 37.

[0100] Fig.11A A plan view of the inspection device 30X is shown. Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A AA section view. Fig.11A , 11BAs shown, a placement portion 84 recessed in a rectangular shape matching the shape of the portable information terminal 20 is provided on the upper surface of the inspection device 30X. In addition, a through hole 30B is provided at the position of the camera 21 when the portable information terminal 20 is placed on the placement portion 84. In addition, a groove portion 85 is provided in the region along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction for the through light 30B to pass through. Depending on the type of the portable information terminal 20, there may be a protrusion, but by providing the groove portion 85, even if the portable information terminal 20 has a protrusion, it is possible to prevent the portable information terminal 20 from tilting.

[0101] In the case where the portable information terminal 20 is wirelessly connected to the inspection device 30 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, in order to avoid a malfunction in the wireless communication, it is preferred that at least a portion of the mounting portion 84 is a non-metallic component. For example, the mounting portion 84 is preferably made of a resin that allows radio waves to pass easily, or is a structure with a hole appropriately opened. In addition, in order to prevent dust, etc., the through hole 30B may be blocked with a transmissive component. In this case, the material and thickness of the transmissive component are selected in consideration of the refractive index of light, etc.

[0102] In addition, if Fig. 11B As shown, the placement portion 84 is shaped to place the portable information terminal 20 parallel to the upper surface of the inspection device 30, and is configured so that the light L is incident at a right angle to the portable information terminal 20. However, sometimes, it is possible to capture a good image by incident at an angle slightly inclined from a right angle to the portable information terminal 20. In such a case, the placement portion 30 may be shaped so that the portable information terminal 20 is inclined relative to the upper surface of the inspection device 30.

[0103] The camera 21 of the portable information terminal 20 of the present embodiment has an autofocus function. The autofocus function is usually turned on, but it may be difficult to bring the specimen 37 into focus.

[0104] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output unit 52 turns off the autofocus function of the camera 21 before the camera 21 takes an image, and then outputs an instruction signal to the drive unit 32 to drive the stage 31 so that the specimen 37 is in focus.

[0105] Next, refer to Fig.12 The operation of the portable information terminal 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0106] Fig.12 is a flowchart showing an example of the information processing flow of the information processing program 24A according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 The same processing steps in the information processing shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0107] Fig.12 The information processing shown is Figure 4 The information processing shown is different in that steps S101A, S103A, and S105A are added.

[0108] In step S101A, the CPU 50A turns off the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21. As a result, the focus position of the camera 21 is fixed at a predetermined position.

[0109] In step S103A, the CPU 50A determines whether the captured image from the camera 21 is in focus, that is, whether the focus is on the specimen 37. The focus determination is performed using a known method such as a phase difference method or a contrast method.

[0110] Then, when the specimen 37 is in focus, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the specimen 37 is not in focus, the process proceeds to step S103. In this case, in step S103, the CPU 50A detects focus information and sends the focus information to the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 10. As a result, the control unit 36 ​​sends a drive instruction signal to the drive unit 32 to move the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction by a predetermined amount. In this way, the processes of steps S103 and S103A are repeated until the specimen 37 is in focus. That is, instead of performing focus adjustment in the camera 21, automatic focusing is performed by moving and adjusting the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction.

[0111] In step S105A, the CPU 50A determines whether the entire range of the specimen 37 has been photographed. Then, if the entire range of the specimen 37 has been photographed, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the entire range of the specimen 37 has not been photographed, the process proceeds to step S103. In this case, in step S103, the CPU 50A drives the drive unit 31 to move the stage 31 in at least one of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in order to move the specimen 37 to the range that has not been photographed. In this way, the CPU 50A repeats the processing of steps S103 to S105A until the entire range of the specimen 37 is photographed.

[0112] Thus, in this embodiment, the automatic focus function in the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21 is turned off, and the stage 31 is driven in the Z-axis direction to perform focusing. Thus, even if it is difficult to focus on the specimen 37 using the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21, the specimen 37 can be focused by the automatic focus based on the stage drive.

[0113] Furthermore, the processing of step S101A may be omitted without turning off the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21, and first, in step S103A, it is determined whether the focus is achieved by the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21. If it is determined that the focus is not achieved, the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21 may be turned off, and automatic focusing based on stage driving may be performed, and the automatic focusing drives the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction to achieve focusing.

[0114] In addition, the actions of the processor in the above-mentioned embodiments may be constituted not only by one processor, but also by a plurality of processors cooperating in physically separated locations. In addition, the order of the actions of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and may also be appropriately changed.

[0115] In addition, the configuration of the information processing device described in the above embodiment is an example and may be changed according to circumstances without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0116] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is only an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0117] In the above embodiments, the processing of the embodiments is implemented by a computer through a software configuration by executing a program, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The embodiments may be implemented by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration, for example.

[0118] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments, the following contents are further disclosed.

[0119] The information processing device of the first mode comprises: an acquisition unit, which acquires a photographic image of a specimen taken by a camera of a portable information terminal; and an output unit, which outputs the acquired photographic image to a processing unit, which performs processing related to a measurement process, and the measurement process measures the tangible components contained in the specimen based on the photographic image.

[0120] The information processing device of the second aspect is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the processing unit is a measuring unit that measures a formed component included in the sample based on the captured image, and the acquiring unit, the output unit, and the measuring unit are provided in the portable information terminal.

[0121] In the information processing device of the third mode, in the information processing device of the first mode, the processing unit is a measuring unit that measures the tangible components contained in the specimen based on the captured image, the acquiring unit and the output unit are arranged in the portable information terminal, and the measuring unit is arranged in a management device that can communicate with the portable information terminal.

[0122] The information processing device of a fourth aspect is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the processing unit is a receiving device that provides the captured image to an analyst who analyzes formed components included in the sample based on the captured image and receives an analysis result from the analyst.

[0123] In the information processing device of the fifth mode, in the information processing device of any one of the first to fourth modes, the output unit outputs an instruction signal instructing the driving of at least one of the light source and the driving unit to the inspection device, and the inspection device includes a light source for irradiating light to the specimen and a driving unit for driving a carrier for carrying the specimen.

[0124] The information processing device of the sixth aspect is the information processing device of the fifth aspect, wherein the output unit outputs an instruction signal to the drive unit to drive the stage so as to focus on the specimen after turning off a focus position adjustment function of the camera before the camera takes an image.

[0125] The information processing device according to a seventh aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the sample is a urine sample.

[0126] The eighth mode of information processing method is executed by a computer, and the processing includes: obtaining a photographic image of a specimen taken by a camera possessed by a portable information terminal; and outputting the obtained photographic image to a processing device, which performs processing related to a measurement process, and the measurement process measures the tangible components contained in the specimen based on the photographic image.

[0127] The information processing program of the ninth mode causes a computer to perform the following processing: obtaining a photographic image of a specimen taken by a camera possessed by a portable information terminal; and outputting the obtained photographic image to a processing device, which performs processing related to a measurement process, and the measurement process measures the tangible components contained in the specimen based on the photographic image.

[0128] It should be noted that the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-165729 is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated by reference into this specification to the same extent as each document, patent application, and technical standard is specifically and separately recorded as being incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires an image of the specimen captured by a camera included in the portable information terminal; and An output unit outputs the acquired captured image to a processing unit, wherein the processing unit performs a process related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component included in the sample based on the captured image.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit is a measuring unit that measures a tangible component included in the sample based on the captured image, and the acquiring unit, the output unit, and the measuring unit are provided in the portable information terminal.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit is a measuring unit that measures the tangible components included in the sample based on the captured image. The acquiring unit and the output unit are provided in the portable information terminal. The measuring unit is provided in a management device that can communicate with the portable information terminal.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit is a receiving device that provides the captured image to an analyst who analyzes the formed components included in the sample based on the captured image and receives an analysis result from the analyst.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The output unit outputs an instruction signal for instructing driving of at least one of a light source and a driving unit to an inspection device including the light source for irradiating the specimen with light and the driving unit for driving a stage for mounting the specimen.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The output unit outputs, to the drive unit, an instruction signal for driving the stage so as to bring the specimen into focus, after turning off a focus position adjustment function of the camera before the camera performs imaging.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The sample is a urine sample.

8. An information processing method, wherein the processing is performed by a computer, the processing comprising: acquiring an image of the specimen captured by a camera of the portable information terminal; as well as The acquired captured image is output to a processing device, and the processing device performs a process related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component included in the sample based on the captured image.

9. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute the following processing: acquiring an image of the specimen captured by a camera included in the portable information terminal; and The acquired captured image is output to a processing device, and the processing device performs a process related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component included in the sample based on the captured image.

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