Measuring system

Abstract

To check an abnormality in an optical measuring device after assembly without inserting a sample carrier such as a test piece.SOLUTION: A measuring system has: a first element in which a sample carrier is to be held which is applied with a sample assumed to include an object to be measured, and a second element in which the first element is built; a photographing unit that photographs a verification area, in the first element, including a measurement area in which the object to be measured in the sample applied to the sample carrier is to be located, and acquires a verification image; and an analysis unit that analyzes the verification image and detects an abnormality after the built-in.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement system that optically measures a measurement object. [Background technology]

[0002] The fluorescence detection device described in Patent Document 1 includes an illuminance sensor in the detection section, and in particular detects errors caused by external light (external stray light) when the shutters of the carry-in entrance and carry-out exit are not closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-315772 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an optical measurement device that uses an immunochromatographic test strip for measurement in a dark space such as fluorescent immunochromatographic measurement, and in a system in which the optical measurement device is assembled by the user, it is necessary to check for abnormalities after assembly, such as whether the device is assembled correctly and whether external stray light has entered the area to be measured. In such cases, since the test strips are usually individually sealed and need to be used promptly after opening, the check for the presence of such abnormalities must be performed before inserting the test strip into the optical measurement device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A measurement system of one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first element in which a sample carrier to which a sample assumed to contain the object to be measured is applied is held, a second element into which the first element is incorporated, an imaging unit that photographs a verification area in the first element including a measurement area where the object to be measured in the sample applied to the sample carrier will be located, and obtains a verification image, and an analysis unit that analyzes the verification image to detect any abnormalities after incorporation. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to check for abnormalities after assembly in an optical measurement device without inserting a sample carrier such as a test piece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a holding portion as a first element used in the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of an insertion opening of a holding portion. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a sample carrier used in an embodiment in plan view; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a state in which a sample carrier is attached to a holder. [Diagram 5] The state of FIG. 4 is shown in plan view. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a housing as a second element used in the embodiment. [Figure 7] The housing is shown as viewed from the bottom. [Figure 8] 1 shows a top perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the housing of FIG. 8 with a sample carrier attached thereto. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates a bottom view of a smart device used in an embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 shows an embodiment of a measurement system in a top perspective view. [Figure 12] 12 is a top perspective view of the measurement system of FIG. 11 with a portion of the outer wall portion removed. [Figure 13] 13 shows a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a measurement system according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] The control unit is shown in a block diagram. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart showing an overview of anomaly detection in the measurement system of the embodiment. [Figure 17] 1 shows an example of a verification region. [Figure 18] 11 is a flowchart showing an overview of a first abnormality detection step for detecting an abnormality in an assembly state. [Figure 19] 1 shows the positions of the boundary region and the identification region in the verification region. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of a second abnormality detection process for detecting suitability of the first element. [Figure 21] 1 shows an identification area in the verification area that displays identification information. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing an overview of a third abnormality detection step for detecting an abnormality in a filter. [Diagram 23] The position of the measurement area in the verification area is shown. [Figure 24] 1 shows a confirmation area and an allowable area in a verification image taken in a darkroom. [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of a fourth anomaly detection process for detecting an external stray light anomaly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Common reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same parts without any special explanation. In addition, each member and each part shown in each drawing is merely a schematic drawing, and the size and positional relationship of the actual product are not necessarily accurately shown.

[0009] (1) First element FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a holding section 40 as a first element used in the measurement system 10 (see FIG. 11) of this embodiment. In the measurement system 10 of the present disclosure, the holding section 40 as shown in FIG. 1 may be included as a member constituting the housing 20 (see FIG. 8). The holding section 40 has a box-like shape, and two openings, a measurement opening 43 and an identification opening 44, are formed on the upper surface. A filter 45 having characteristics described later is fitted into the measurement opening 43. A sensor 47 that detects light is also provided on the upper surface. An insertion opening 41 is opened on the side of the holding section 40, into which a sample carrier 60 (see FIG. 3) described later is inserted. The internal space of the insertion opening 41 is also connected to the measurement opening 43 and the identification opening 44, and serves as a storage section 46, which is a space in which a part of the sample carrier 60 is stored. Furthermore, on the upper surface of the holding part 40, identification information 48 of the holding part 40 as the first element is displayed, for example, as a QR code (registered trademark), near the measurement opening 43. The holding part 40 as the first element is configured to hold a sample carrier 60 to which a measurement object is applied.

[0010] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the insertion opening 41 of the holding part 40, seen from below. The sensor 47 is provided near the measurement opening 43 in the storage part 46, which is the internal space of the insertion opening 41. Light including light rays of a wavelength suitable for photographing the object to be measured is emitted from the light source 42 (see FIG. 13) provided inside the storage part 46. The filter 45 has optical properties that allow only light rays of the wavelength suitable for photographing to be transmitted.

[0011] (2) Sample carrier FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the sample carrier 60 used in the measurement system 10 (see FIG. 11) of this embodiment. The sample carrier 60 of this embodiment is formed as a test piece having a flat rod-like outer shape. A gripping portion 65 with a recessed upper surface side is formed at one end of the sample carrier 60. A user can grip the sample carrier 60 by pinching the gripping portion 65 with his / her fingers. A test paper 64 having an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the sample carrier 60 is accommodated inside the sample carrier 60. The test paper 64 is exposed upward at two openings formed on the upper surface of the sample carrier 60. Of these two openings, the one closer to the gripping portion 65 is the sample application portion 63, and the one farther from the gripping portion 65 is the measurement opening 61 where the measurement of the measurement object is performed. Furthermore, a sample carrier identification area 62 in which information about the sample carrier 60 is recorded is formed on the other end side of the sample carrier 60, i.e., on the upper surface at the location farthest from the gripping portion 65. Hereinafter, the side of the sample carrier 60 closer to the gripping portion 65 will be referred to as the "upstream side," and the side closer to the sample carrier identification area 62 will be referred to as the "downstream side." Note that the sample carrier 60 may be not only a rod-shaped test piece as shown in Fig. 3, but also one formed as, for example, a plate having a measurement chip or wells.

[0012] The test paper 64 is a water-absorbing body such as filter paper, or a synthetic resin substrate with a water-absorbing layer applied to its surface. A reaction reagent that reacts with the object to be measured and develops a color is applied to the test paper 64. A sample that is assumed to contain the object to be measured is applied to the sample application section 63. Examples of the sample include liquid specimens collected from a living body, such as blood or urine, or a dilution obtained by diluting these with an appropriate solvent, or solid matter or mucus collected from a living body, or a liquid specimen obtained by diluting or suspending these in an appropriate solvent. Examples of the object to be measured include components contained in the liquid specimen, or antigens derived from foreign microorganisms or viruses.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a top perspective view showing the state in which the sample carrier 60 is attached to the holding section 40. Fig. 5 shows this state in a plan view. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the sample carrier 60 is inserted into the storage section 46 from the insertion opening 41, with the downstream side first. In this state, as shown in Fig. 5, the measurement opening 61 is at the same planar position as the measurement opening 43, and the sample carrier identification region 62 is at the same planar position as the identification opening 44.

[0014] In this state, when a sample is applied to the sample application section 63, the test paper 64 flows downstream due to capillary action, and a control reaction zone (not shown) indicating the application of the sample is generated downstream at the measurement opening 61. Furthermore, if the sample contains a measurement target, a target reaction zone (not shown) with an intensity corresponding to the concentration is generated upstream. In this test paper 64, the target reaction zone is located at the center of the measurement opening 61, and the control reaction zone is located downstream away from the center. The measurement system 10 of this embodiment measures the concentration of the measurement target by irradiating the target reaction zone with light emitted from the light source 42 and measuring the intensity of the generated light. The sample carrier identification area 62 described above records identification information, which is information about the sample carrier 60, such as what type of test paper 64 is contained in the sample carrier 60. Examples of identification information include barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks).

[0015] (3) Second element FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of the housing 30 as a part of the configuration of the second element used in the measurement system 10 (see FIG. 11) of this embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the housing 30 from a bottom view. The housing 30 is configured as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped paper box with the top and bottom open. The housing 30 in this embodiment is provided in a folded flat state as a product, and is assembled into a three-dimensional box as shown in the figure when used. The four sides of the housing 30 are outer walls 34 that are vertically erected. On the top surface of the housing 30, a mounting frame 32 is formed as a frame on which a smart device 50 (see FIG. 10) described later is mounted. On one side (hereinafter referred to as the "front side") inside the housing 30, a box-shaped light-shielding section 33 is formed, which has a window 31 open, a top surface closed, and a bottom surface open (see FIG. 7). The housing 30 as a part of the second element is configured to incorporate the holding section 40 as the first element described above.

[0016] Here, of the four faces of the outer wall 34, the face on which the light-shielding portion 33 is located is referred to as the front face 34a, the opposite face is referred to as the back face 34b, the face on the left side as viewed from the front face 34a is referred to as the left side face 34c, and the opposite face is referred to as the right side face 34d. The inside of the housing 30 is divided by a reinforcing portion 35 parallel to the front face 34a and the back face 34b. Furthermore, a rectangular cutout 36 is formed on the front lower edge of the left side face 34c.

[0017] (4) Housing As shown in Fig. 7, a gap is generated between the lower edge of the light shielding portion 33 and the lower edge of the outer wall portion 34, and the space surrounded by the front surface 34a, the reinforcing portion 35, the left side surface 34c, and the right side surface 34d on all four sides with the height of this gap is called the storage area 37. The holding portion 40 is incorporated into the storage area 37 of the case 30, and the assembly of the housing 20 shown in Fig. 8 is completed. In this state, the notch 36 of the case 30 and the insertion opening 41 of the holding portion 40 are aligned. The state in which the sample carrier 60 is attached to the insertion opening 41 in this state as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is shown in the top perspective view of Fig. 9.

[0018] (5) Smart devices FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the smart device 50 used in the measurement system 10 (see FIG. 11) of this embodiment in a state where it is placed on the housing 20. Here, the smart device 50 placed on the housing 30 is the second element. In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as the smart device 50, but a tablet terminal with a camera function may be used as the smart device 50. On the bottom side (so-called back side) of the smart device 50, a photographing unit 51 configured as a camera and an illumination unit 52 configured as a flash that irradiates visible light are provided. The top side (so-called front side) of the smart device 50 is a display unit 53. When acquiring a verification image described later, the illumination unit 52 illuminates a verification area 90 (see FIG. 17) of the holder, which is the first element.

[0019] (6) Measurement system The measurement system 10 of the present embodiment is configured as shown in the top perspective view of FIG. 11 by placing the smart device 50 shown in FIG. 10 inside the mounting frame 32 of the housing 20 shown in FIG. 9 with the image capturing unit 51 and the illumination unit 52 aligned with the window 31 and the display unit 53 facing upward. As shown in the top perspective view of FIG. 12 showing the state in which the front surface 34a, the left side surface 34c, and the right side surface 34d of the outer wall portion 34 are removed from this state, the measurement opening 43 and the identification opening 44 of the holding portion 40 are covered with the light shielding portion 33, and the intrusion of light from the outside world should be prevented. However, depending on how the housing 30 is assembled and how well the housing 30 and the holding portion 40 are attached, external stray light may leak into the inside of the housing 30. This point will be described later.

[0020] 13, which shows a cross section of FIG. 12 taken along the line XIII-XIII, the measurement opening 43 and the filter 45 are located above the measurement opening 61 of the sample carrier 60, and the identification opening 44 is located above the sample carrier identification region 62. Furthermore, a light source 42 is installed slightly behind and below the identification opening 44 to illuminate the measurement opening 61 from above. A window 31 of the housing 30 is located directly above the measurement opening 43, and through this, the photographing unit 51 of the smart device 50 can view not only the measurement opening 43 but also the sample carrier identification region 62.

[0021] Fig. 14 is a functional block diagram of the measurement system 10 of this embodiment. The smart device 50 is provided with an image capturing unit 51 and an illumination unit 52 shown in Fig. 10, a display unit 53 shown in Fig. 11, and a control unit 100 that controls them. The control unit 100 functions as each of the following means by using a CPU 110, a ROM 120, a RAM 130, and a storage device 150 described later as computer hardware resources.

[0022] That is, the control unit 100 functions as an illumination switching means 200 that switches on / off (on / off) the illumination by the illumination unit 52. Specifically, the illumination switching means 200 can be realized as an application installed in the smart device 50, but can also be realized as a means using electrical or optical sensing with the holding unit 40, or as a wireless communication means (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like) with the holding unit 40. The control unit 100 also functions as an imaging condition storage means 210 that stores the conditions of imaging by the imaging unit 51. The conditions defined as the imaging conditions include, for example, a waiting time required for the reaction between the measurement object and the reagent. The control unit 100 also functions as a dropping detection means 220 that detects the dropping of the sample on the sample carrier 60 through the imaging unit 51. The control unit 100 also functions as a waiting time measurement means 230 that measures the waiting time. The control unit 100 also functions as an image storage means 240 that stores an image of the measurement area 91 (see FIG. 17) including the measurement opening 43 taken by the imaging unit 51. Furthermore, the control unit 100 functions as an analysis unit 250 that captures the image captured by the photographing unit 51. The photographing unit 51 captures a verification area 90 (see FIG. 17) including a measurement area 91 in which a measurement target in a sample applied to the sample carrier 60 will be located in the holding unit 40 as the first element, to obtain a verification image to be described later. The analysis unit 250 analyzes the verification image acquired by the photographing unit 51, and detects an abnormality after the holding unit 40 as the first element is incorporated into the housing 30 as the second element, as described later. In other words, the photographing unit 51 and the analysis unit 250 are provided in the smart device 50 provided in the second element. That is, it can also be said that the second element is provided with the photographing unit 51.

[0023] 15, the control unit 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 120, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 130, and a storage device 150. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 190 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0024] The CPU 110 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 110 reads the programs from the ROM 120 or the storage device 150, and executes the programs using the RAM 130 as a working area. The CPU 110 controls the measurement system 10 according to the programs recorded in the ROM 120 or the storage device 150.

[0025] The ROM 120 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 130 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage device 150 is configured as a storage device using a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, and stores various programs including an operating system, and various data.

[0026] Meanwhile, the holding unit 40 includes a light source 42 that illuminates the measurement area 91, a sensor 47 that detects the on / off (on / off) of the illumination unit 52, and a light source control unit 49 that turns on the light source 42 when a signal is input from the sensor 47. The light source control unit 49 is configured as a hardware resource of a computer, similar to the control unit 100 of the smart device 50. Note that the light source control unit 49 can turn on the light source 42 regardless of the input mode of the signal from the sensor 47 (for example, wired or wireless), as long as it can control the light source 42 to be turned on when the measurement area 91 described below is photographed. The light source control unit 49 can also control the light source 42 to be turned off.

[0027] In the above-mentioned measurement system 10, based on a verification image described later taken in a state where the housing 30 as the second element is in a darkroom, an external stray light anomaly is detected based on the light amount of at least one of a confirmation area 97 (see FIG. 24) where external stray light may occur or a specific area 96 (see FIG. 24) where external stray light is likely to occur in the verification area 90 (see FIG. 17). In addition, in the above-mentioned measurement system 10, it is desirable to detect an external stray light anomaly by comparing the light amount of at least one of the confirmation area 97 or the specific area 96 with a predetermined threshold value in a state where the housing 30 as the second element is in a darkroom. For example, if the average value of the light amount of the pixels in the confirmation area 97 or the specific area 96 represented in the image is greater than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that an external stray light anomaly exists. Alternatively, if there are a predetermined number (for example, 10) or more pixels in the confirmation area 97 or the specific area 96 with a light amount greater than the predetermined threshold value, it can be determined that an external stray light anomaly exists.

[0028] In the above-mentioned measurement system 10, the verification area 90 (see FIG. 17) includes at least the measurement area 91 (see FIG. 17) and a boundary area 92 (see FIG. 19) which is a boundary between the holding part 40 as the first element and the housing 30 as the second element, and it is preferable that the analysis unit 250 specifies the position of at least the boundary area 92 in the verification area 90 (see FIG. 19) from a verification image described later, and detects abnormalities after assembly based on the specified position. In this case, in the above-mentioned measurement system 10, the verification area 90 includes an identification area 94 (see FIG. 19) in which the identification information 48 of the holding part 40 as the first element is displayed, and it is more preferable to detect abnormalities after assembly based on the position of the identification area 94 in the verification area 90, and further detect the suitability of the holding part 40 as the first element based on the content of the identification information 48.

[0029] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned measurement system 10, it is desirable that a filter 45 is provided in the measurement area 91 (see Figure 23) to separate the sample carrier 60 and the imaging unit 51, and that any abnormality in the filter 45 is detected based on image information of the filter 45 in the verification image described below.

[0030] (7) Detection of abnormalities after installation using a measurement system An example of anomaly detection after installation using the measurement system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 16, 18, 20, 22 and 25, and the schematic diagrams of the verification area 90 in Figures 17, 19, 21, 23 and 24.

[0031] 16 is a flowchart showing an overview of anomaly detection in the measurement system of the embodiment. In this figure, of three vertically separated columns, the left column shows steps performed by the user, the center column shows steps performed by the illumination unit 52 and the imaging unit 51, and the right column shows steps performed by the analysis unit 250.

[0032] First, in a step shown in S10, a user assembles the housing 30 as a second element into a three-dimensional box as shown in Fig. 6. Then, the holding part 40 as a first element is incorporated into the housing 30 to assemble the housing 20 as shown in Fig. 8. Then, without attaching the sample carrier 60 to the holding part 40, the smart device 50 shown in Fig. 10 is placed on the housing 20 in a position as shown in Fig. 11. In this state, in a step shown in S20, the user operates the smart device 50, whereby the illumination part 52 illuminates the inside of the housing 30 and the imaging part 51 captures an image.

[0033] That is, in a step shown in S30, the illumination switching means 200 (see FIG. 14) of the control unit 100 turns on the flash of the illumination unit 52. At the same time as the flash is turned on, in a step shown in S40, the photographing unit 51 photographs an image of the verification area 90 including the upper surface of the holding unit 40 and its surrounding front surface 34a, left side surface 34c, right side surface 34d, and the lower edge portion of the reinforcing part 35, as shown in FIG. 17. This image includes a measurement area 91, which is an area where the measurement of the measurement object is performed when the sample carrier 60 is inserted. This image is temporarily stored in the RAM 130 or storage device 150 of the control unit 100 as a verification image.

[0034] Next, the analysis unit 250 executes a first anomaly detection step shown in S70 based on the verification image of the verification area 90 shown in Fig. 17. The first anomaly detection step is a step of detecting an anomaly in the assembly state, and an overview of the first anomaly detection step is shown in the flowchart in Fig. 18.

[0035] First, in the stage shown in S71, the analysis unit 250 specifies a boundary region 92, an inside corner region 93, and an identification region 94 shown in FIG. 19 within the verification region 90. Here, the boundary region 92 is specified as a region that corresponds to the boundary between the holding unit 40 as the first element and the housing 30 as the second element, specifically, a region that corresponds to the four sides of the holding unit 40. The inside corner region 93 is specified as a region that corresponds to the four corners between adjacent boundary regions 92. The identification region 94 is specified as a region that surrounds the identification information 48.

[0036] Next, in a stage shown in S72, the analysis unit 250 verifies whether the inclination of the boundary region 92 is within an allowable range. Ideally, each boundary region 92 should be approximately straight and the opposing boundary regions 92 should be parallel to each other, but this may not be the case depending on how the housing 20 is assembled. Therefore, a numerical range indicating how much deviation from this ideal state is allowed is stored as an allowable range in the storage device 150 of the control unit 100. If it is determined that the inclination of the boundary region 92 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S75, and the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate that the assembly is incorrect.

[0037] If it is determined that the inclination of the boundary region 92 is within the allowable range at the stage shown in S72, the analysis unit 250 verifies whether the angle of the inside corner region 93 is within the allowable range at the stage shown in S73. Ideally, the inside corner region 93 should be a right angle, but depending on the assembly state of the housing 20, this may not be the case. Therefore, a numerical range indicating the degree of deviation from this ideal state is stored as an allowable range in the storage device 150 of the control unit 100. If it is determined that the angle of the inside corner region 93 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to the stage shown in S75, and the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate that the assembly is incorrect.

[0038] If it is determined that the angle of the inside corner region 93 is within the allowable range at the stage shown in S73, the analysis unit 250 verifies whether the position of the identification region 94 is within the allowable range at the stage shown in S74. A numerical range indicating the allowable deviation of the identification region 94 from the position where the identification region 94 should be in the verification region 90 is stored as an allowable range in the storage device 150 of the control unit 100. If it is determined that the position of the identification region 94 is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to a second abnormality detection step (S80) in FIG. 16. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the identification region 94 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S75, where the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate that the assembly is incorrect.

[0039] If it is determined at the stage shown in S74 that the position of the identification area 94 is within the allowable range, the analysis unit 250 executes the second abnormality detection step shown in S80 of Fig. 16 based on the verification image of the verification area 90 shown in Fig. 17. The second abnormality detection step is a step for detecting the suitability of the holder 40 as the first element, and is outlined in the flowchart shown in Fig. 20.

[0040] First, in a stage shown in S81, the analysis unit 250 identifies the identification information 48 shown in Fig. 21 within the verification area 90. Specifically, the analysis unit 250 identifies information (e.g., product number, purpose, expiration date, etc.) related to the holding unit 40 as the attached first element from the identification information 48 in the identification area 94.

[0041] Next, in a stage shown in S82, the analysis unit 250 judges whether the attached holding unit 40 as the first element is compatible with the measurement system 10. If it is judged to be compatible, the process proceeds to a third abnormality detection step (S90) in Fig. 16. On the other hand, if it is judged to be incompatible, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S83, where the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 indicating that the holding unit 40 is incompatible.

[0042] If it is determined at the stage shown in S82 that the holder 40 as the first element is suitable for the measurement system 10, the analysis unit 250 executes the third abnormality detection step shown in S90 of Fig. 16 based on the verification image of the verification area 90 shown in Fig. 17. The third abnormality detection step is a step of detecting an abnormality in the filter 45, and an overview of the third abnormality detection step is shown in the flowchart in Fig. 22.

[0043] First, in a stage shown in S91, the analysis unit 250 specifies image information of the filter 45 based on an image of the measurement region 91 shown in FIG.

[0044] Next, in a stage shown in S92, the analysis unit 250 judges whether or not there is an abnormality from the image information of the filter 45. Assumed abnormalities include scratches or fingerprints. For example, when the image information of the filter 45 contains non-uniform image data, the analysis unit 250 can be caused to judge that such an abnormality exists. When it is judged that there is no abnormality in the filter 45, the process proceeds to a fourth abnormality detection step (S100) in FIG. 16. On the other hand, when it is judged that there is an abnormality in the filter 45, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S93, and the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate that there is an abnormality in the filter 45.

[0045] Here, after the image capture in the step shown in S40 of FIG. 16, in the step shown in S50, the illumination switching means 200 (see FIG. 14) of the control unit 100 turns off the flash of the illumination unit 52. After the flash is turned off, in the step shown in S60, the photographing unit captures an image of the verification area 90 in a state in which the inside of the housing 30 is a dark room as shown in FIG. 24. This image includes an allowable area 95 corresponding to the measurement area 91, a specific area 96 at the boundary between the holding unit 40 and the reinforcing unit 35, and a confirmation area 97 which is an area excluding the allowable area 95 and the specific area 96. This image is temporarily stored in the RAM 130 or the storage device 150 of the control unit 100 as a verification image. Based on this verification image, the analysis unit 250 executes the fourth anomaly detection step of S100. The fourth anomaly detection step is a step of detecting an external stray light anomaly, and is outlined in the flowchart shown in FIG. 25.

[0046] First, in the stage shown in S101, the analysis unit 250 specifies an allowable region 95 shown in Fig. 24 within the verification region 90. The allowable region 95 is a region corresponding to the measurement region 91. Here, while the fourth anomaly detection step is being performed, the sample carrier 60 is not attached to the holding unit 40, and therefore light may enter the accommodation unit 46 (see Fig. 1) from the outside through the insertion opening 41, and as shown in Fig. 24, this light may be recognized in the allowable region 95. In the fourth anomaly detection step of this embodiment, the light recognized in the allowable region 95 is not targeted for anomaly detection.

[0047] Next, in the stage shown in S102, the analysis unit 250 identifies a specific area 96 shown in Fig. 24 within the verification area 90. The specific area 96 is an area where a gap is likely to occur between the holding part 40 as the first element and the housing 30 as the second element, such as the boundary area 92 shown in Fig. 19, and is an area where external stray light is likely to occur. Then, the analysis unit 250 identifies an area excluding the allowable area 95 and the specific area 96 from the verification area 90 shown in Fig. 24 as a confirmation area 97.

[0048] Next, in the step shown in S103, the analysis unit 250 verifies whether the amount of light in the confirmation area 97 is within the allowable range. Specifically, the luminance of each pixel data constituting the confirmation area 97 is checked to determine whether there is pixel data having a luminance equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and if a certain number or more of such pixel data are adjacent, it can be determined that the amount of light in the confirmation area 97 is outside the allowable range. If it is determined that the amount of light in the confirmation area 97 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to the step shown in S105, and the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate the presence of external stray light.

[0049] Then, at a stage shown in S104, the analysis unit 250 checks whether the light intensity ratio between the confirmation area 97 and the specific area 96 is within an allowable range. Specifically, the luminance of each pixel data constituting the specific area 96 is checked. Next, if there is a predetermined number or more of pixel data in the specific area 96 having a luminance equal to or greater than a predetermined magnification with respect to the average value of the luminance of each pixel data constituting the confirmation area 97, it can be determined that the specific area 96 is out of the allowable range. If it is determined that the light intensity ratio between the confirmation area 97 and the specific area 96 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to a stage shown in S105, and the control unit 100 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 53 of the smart device 50 to indicate the presence of external stray light.

[0050] After the analysis unit 250 detects no abnormality in the first abnormality detection step through the fourth abnormality detection step, the sample carrier 60 is attached to the housing 20 and measurement of the object to be measured in the specimen is performed by the measurement system 10 of the present disclosure, but details of this will be omitted in this disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The present invention can be used in a measurement system that optically measures a measurement object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Measurement System 30 Case 40 Holding part 45 Filters 48 Identification information 51 Photography Department 52 Lighting Department 60 Sample Carrier 90 Verification Area 91 Measurement area 92 Boundary area 94 Identification Area 95 Tolerance Area 96 Specific area 97 Confirmation area 250 Analysis Department

Claims

1. A first element for holding a sample carrier to which a sample assumed to contain a measurement target is applied, and a second element for incorporating the first element; an imaging unit that captures an image of a verification region including a measurement region in which the measurement object in the sample applied to the sample carrier is to be located in the first element, and acquires a verification image; an analysis unit that analyzes the verification image to detect an abnormality after the assembly; A measurement system having

2. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein an external stray light anomaly is detected in the verification area based on the amount of light in at least one of a confirmation area where external stray light may occur or a specific area where external stray light is likely to occur, based on the verification image taken in a dark room state in which the second element is a dark room.

3. The measurement system of claim 2 , wherein the second element is in a dark room and an external stray light anomaly is detected by comparing the amount of light in at least one of the confirmation area or the specific area with a predetermined threshold value.

4. the verification region includes at least the measurement region and a boundary region that is a boundary between the first element and the second element, The measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit identifies a position on the image of at least the boundary region in the verification region from the verification image, and detects an abnormality after assembly based on the identified position.

5. an identification area within the verification area in which identification information of the first element is displayed; The measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit detects the abnormality after assembly based on a position on the image of the identification area in the verification area.

6. The measurement system according to claim 5 , wherein the suitability of the first element is detected based on the content of the identification information.

7. a filter is provided in the measurement area to separate the sample carrier from the imaging unit; The measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis unit detects an abnormality in the filter based on image information of the filter in the verification image.

8. the verification region includes at least the measurement region and a boundary region that is a boundary between the first element and the second element, The measurement system of claim 2, wherein the analysis unit identifies a position on the image of at least the boundary region in the verification region from the verification image taken while the second element is illuminated by a lighting unit before detecting the external stray light anomaly, and detects the post-assembly anomaly based on the identified position.

9. an identification area within the verification area in which identification information of the first element is displayed; The measurement system of claim 2, wherein the analysis unit detects the post-assembly abnormality based on a position on an image of the identification area in the verification area taken while the second element is illuminated by a lighting unit before detecting the external stray light abnormality.

10. The measurement system according to claim 9 , wherein the suitability of the first element is detected based on the content of the identification information.

11. a filter is provided in the measurement area to separate the sample carrier from the imaging unit; The measurement system according to claim 2 , wherein the analysis unit detects an abnormality in the filter based on image information of the filter in the verification image taken in a state in which the second element is illuminated by a lighting unit before detecting the external stray light abnormality.

12. The measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the second element comprises the imaging unit.

13. The measurement system according to claim 1 , wherein the photographing unit and the analysis unit are provided in a smart device included in the second element.

14. The measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the second element comprises a housing and a smart device.

Images