Method of mediating provision of analysis environments

Abstract

To enable provision of sufficient information to a customer requesting provision of an analysis environment before the provision of an analysis environment is requested.SOLUTION: According to a method disclosed herein, a management company 150 obtains specification of an analytical deice from a customer 350. The management company 150 provides an analysis result obtained by the analytical device, including analytical data of a sample, to the customer 350. After providing the analysis result, the management company 150 obtains a request for provision of an analysis environment including the analytical device from the customer 350.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment, and in particular to a method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment including an analytical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various methods have been studied for providing customers with an analytical environment by selling analytical devices to them or by accepting sample analysis from them. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-119759 (Patent Document 1) discloses an analytical system that includes a system management company that accepts sample analysis requests from customers and requests analysis from a contract analysis company based on the analysis requests. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-119759 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the performance of an analytical device cannot be judged simply by its specifications, but is often judged based on the results of the analysis of individual samples actually performed using the analytical device. For this reason, in conventional technology, a customer could only determine whether the performance of the analytical device in the provided analytical environment met the expected level after receiving the analytical environment.

[0005] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and its purpose is to provide a technology for providing sufficient information to a customer requesting the provision of an analytical environment before the request for the provision of the analytical environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of obtaining a designation of an analytical device from a customer, providing to the customer an analytical result obtained by the analytical device, the analytical result including analysis data of the sample, and, after providing the analytical result, obtaining from the customer a request for the provision of an analytical environment including the analytical device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a customer requesting the provision of an analytical environment can be provided with sufficient information before the request for the provision of the analytical environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an analytical environment providing system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a management terminal 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control terminal 200. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for selling an analytical device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a request format for a trial analysis. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for performing an analysis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [1. Configuration of the analysis environment provision system] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an analytical environment providing system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] In the example of FIG. 1, the analytical environment providing system 1000 provides an analytical environment to the customer 350 by performing an analysis requested by the customer 350. More specifically, the analytical environment providing system 1000 includes a management company 150 that manages analysis requests from the customer 350, and an analysis company 250 that performs the analysis. A management terminal 100 is installed in the management company 150. Analysis devices 231, 232 used for the analysis and a control terminal 200 that controls the analysis devices 231, 232 are installed in the analysis company 250. The management terminal 100 and the control terminal 200 are configured to be able to communicate with each other. The communication may be wired or wireless. The analytical environment providing system 1000 can also provide an analytical environment to the customer 350 by selling analysis devices to the customer 350.

[0012] A customer 350 can request a sample analysis from the management company 150 online. In one implementation example, the customer 350 uses a customer terminal 300 to send an analysis request to the management terminal 100. The customer terminal 300 is implemented, for example, by a general-purpose computer. The customer 350 can also visit the management company 150 or call the management company 150 to request a sample analysis from a staff member of the management company 150. In this case, the staff member inputs the details of the request into the management terminal 100.

[0013] The sample to be analyzed may be a commercially available sample, or may be provided by the customer 350 to the management company 150 or the analysis company 250. An employee of the management company 150 forwards the sample provided by the customer 350 to the analysis company 250. In this sense, the provision of a sample from the customer 350 to the management company 150 constitutes an example of the provision of a sample from the customer 350 to the analysis company 250.

[0014] [2. Hardware configuration] Next, a specific example of the hardware configuration of the management terminal 100 and the control terminal 200 will be described.

[0015] <Administration terminal 100> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management terminal 100. The management terminal 100 is configured, for example, by a general-purpose computer. In the example of FIG. 2, the management terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, an input / output interface (I / F) 103, a communication I / F 104, a display 110, and an input device 120.

[0016] The processor 101 executes various programs so that the management terminal 100 can perform various processes. The memory 102 stores the programs executed by the processor 101 and various data required for executing the programs. The input / output I / F 103 is an interface that allows the processor 101 to communicate with the display 110 and the input device 120. The communication I / F 104 is an interface that allows the processor 101 to communicate with external devices (the control terminal 200 and the customer terminal 300). The display 110 displays the results of the arithmetic processing of the processor 101. The input device 120 (a mouse, keyboard, touch sensor, etc.) accepts data input operations to the processor 101.

[0017] <Control terminal 200> 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the control terminal 200. The control terminal 200 is configured, for example, by a general-purpose computer. In the example of FIG. 3, the control terminal 200 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, an input / output I / F 203, a communication I / F 204, a display 210, and an input device 220.

[0018] The processor 201 executes various programs so that the control terminal 200 can perform various processes. The memory 202 stores the programs executed by the processor 201 and various data required for executing the programs. The input / output I / F 203 is an interface that allows the processor 201 to communicate with the display 210 and the input device 220. The communication I / F 204 is an interface that allows the processor 201 to communicate with external devices (the management terminal 100 and the analysis devices 231, 232). The display 210 displays the results of the arithmetic processing of the processor 201. The input device 220 (a mouse, keyboard, touch sensor, etc.) accepts data input operations to the processor 201.

[0019] [3. Processing flow] In the present disclosure, the management company 150 can provide an analytical environment to the customer 350 by performing an analysis requested by the customer 350 and by selling analytical equipment to the customer 350. The following describes the process flow for performing an analysis and selling analytical equipment for the analytical environment.

[0020] <Providing analytical environments through sales of analytical equipment> 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing for selling an analytical device. In FIG. 4, steps (1) to (13) are shown as the steps that make up the processing.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the customer 350 requests a trial analysis before requesting the management company 150 to purchase (an example of a transfer) an analytical device. The management company 150 presents the results of the trial analysis to the customer 350. After confirming the results of the trial analysis, the customer 350 requests the management company 150 to purchase the analytical device. In the example of FIG. 4, steps (1) to (3) relate to the request for the trial analysis. Steps (4) to (9) relate to the presentation of the results of the trial analysis. Then, step (10) and onwards relate to the request to purchase the analytical device. The contents of each step will be explained below.

[0022] (1) Send the sample In step (1), the customer 350 sends the sample to the management company 150 for trial analysis.

[0023] (2) Specify the analytical equipment In step (2), the customer 350 specifies to the management company 150 the type of analytical equipment to be used for the trial analysis. The specification of the type of analytical equipment includes the product type (e.g., liquid chromatograph, liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph, or gas chromatograph mass spectrometer) and / or the product model number (e.g., the model number of the liquid chromatograph). In one implementation example, in step (2), the customer 350 may send information specifying the type to the management terminal 100 using the customer terminal 300 to the management company 150.

[0024] (3) Send the setup details In step (3), the customer 350 transmits to the management company 150 the setup details for the test analysis for the type of analytical device specified in step (2). The setup details include the conditions for the analytical device in the analysis. The conditions include the settings of the analytical device (e.g., the flow rate of the mobile phase in a liquid chromatograph) and the consumables used in the analytical device (e.g., the type of stationary phase in a liquid chromatograph).

[0025] In one implementation example, the above-described steps (1) to (3) are performed when a customer 350 is considering purchasing a specific model of analytical device. In this case, in step (1), the customer 350 sends a sample to check the performance of the specific model of analytical device. In step (2), the customer 350 specifies the specific model. In step (3), the customer 350 transmits the setup details for the specific model.

[0026] (4) Transferring sample / setup contents In step (4), the management company 150 transfers the sample and setup details from the customer 350 to the analysis company 250. In one implementation, an employee of the management company 150 transfers the sample to the analysis company 250, and the management terminal 100 of the management company 150 transmits the setup details to the control terminal 200 of the analysis company 250.

[0027] (5) Instruct the analysis to be performed using the specified type of analytical equipment. In step (5), the management terminal 100 instructs the control terminal 200 to carry out an analysis using the type of analytical device designated in step (2).

[0028] (6) Preparation and implementation of analysis In step (6), the analysis company 250 prepares for the analysis and then performs the analysis in accordance with the instructions in step (5).

[0029] In preparation, a staff member at the analysis company 250 sets consumables and samples in the analysis device. The analysis device (analysis device 231 and / or analysis device 232 in FIG. 1) is designated in step (2). The designation of the analysis device may be transferred from the management terminal 100 to the control terminal 200 along with the setup details. The consumables are identified by the setup details transferred in step (4). The samples are transferred from the management company 150 in step (4). To notify the staff member, the control terminal 200 may display the setup details (and the designation of the analysis device) transferred from the management terminal 100 on the display 210.

[0030] The sample is then analyzed at the analysis company 250. More specifically, the control terminal 200 instructs the analysis device to start the analysis. In response, the analysis device starts operations for the analysis. The analysis device transmits analysis data to the control terminal 200 as information indicating the progress and results of the analysis.

[0031] (7) Send analysis data In step (7), the control terminal 200 transmits the analysis data to the management terminal 100.

[0032] (8) Generate analysis results In step (8), the management terminal 100 generates an analysis result by combining the setup contents with the above analysis data.

[0033] (9) Providing analysis results In step (9), the management company 150 provides the analysis results to the customer 350. In one implementation example, the management terminal 100 provides the analysis results to the customer 350 by sending a message including the analysis results to the customer's 350 account (email address, SNS (social networking system) account, etc.).

[0034] (10) Present the cost In step (10), the management company 150 presents the cost for the purchase of the analytical device to the customer 350. In one implementation, the cost is presented to the customer 350 by the management terminal 100 sending a message including the cost to the customer terminal 300.

[0035] (11) Request for provision of analysis environment In step (11), the customer 350 requests the management company 150 to provide an analytical environment (i.e., purchase analytical equipment). In one implementation example, the customer 350 uses the customer terminal 300 to send a message to the management terminal 100 indicating their intention to purchase.

[0036] (12) Delivery of analytical equipment In step (12), the management company 150 delivers the analytical device to the customer 350. More specifically, an employee of the management company 150 manages payment of the costs and arranges for delivery of the analytical device.

[0037] (13)Notification In step (13), the management company 150 sends a notification to the customer 350. The notification may include information about after-sales service for the analytical device. If a trial period is set in connection with the purchase of the analytical device, the notification may also include the length of time remaining in the trial period. If a trial period is set, the cost of purchasing the analytical device may be incurred after the trial period has elapsed.

[0038] <Request for trial analysis> In the analytical environment providing system 1000, a request form may be used to request a trial analysis. The request form may be an electronic file. In one implementation example, the customer 350 can perform steps (2) and (3) of FIG. 4 by inputting information into the request form using the customer terminal 300 and sending the request form to the management terminal 100.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a request format for a trial analysis. As shown in FIG. 5, the request format 500 includes input fields 510, 520, 530, and 540. Information about the customer 350 is entered in the input field 510. Information about the sample to be analyzed is entered in the input field 520. Overall information about the trial analysis, including the type of analytical device and setup details, is entered in the input field 530. Information specifying the reporting format of the analysis results of the trial analysis is entered in the input field 540. The management company 150 (management terminal 100) provides the analysis results in step (9) according to the information specified in the input field 540.

[0040] <Providing an analytical environment through analysis> FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing for carrying out analysis. In FIG. 6, steps (1) to (10) and (20) to (30) are shown as steps that make up the processing. The contents of steps (1) to (10) may be the same as those explained with reference to FIG. 4. The contents of steps (20) to (30) will be explained below.

[0041] (20) Request for provision of analysis environment After receiving the cost estimate in step (10), in step (20), the customer 350 requests the management company 150 to provide an analysis environment (i.e., to conduct the analysis). The analysis requested in step (20) is not a trial analysis, but an analysis based on a formal contract (hereinafter also referred to as a "formal analysis").

[0042] (21) Send the sample In step (21), the customer 350 sends the sample to the management company 150 for formal analysis.

[0043] (22) Specify the analytical equipment In step (22), the customer 350 designates the type of analytical device to be used for the formal analysis to the management company 150. The type of analytical device may be designated in the same manner as in step (2).

[0044] (23) Send setup details In step (23), customer 350 transmits the setup details for the formal analysis for the type of analytical device specified in step (2) to management company 150. The setup details may be transmitted in a manner similar to step (3).

[0045] (24) Transferring sample / setup contents In step (24), the management company 150 transfers the sample and setup details from the customer 350 to the analysis company 250.

[0046] (25) Instructing the conduct of analysis using a specified type of analytical equipment In step (25), the management terminal 100 instructs the control terminal 200 to carry out an analysis using the type of analysis device designated in step (22).

[0047] (26) Preparation and implementation of analysis In step (26), in response to the instructions of step (25), the analysis company 250 prepares for the analysis and then performs the analysis. The preparation for the analysis and the performance of the analysis may be realized in a manner similar to step (6). The analysis device transmits analysis data to the control terminal 200 as information indicating the progress and results of the analysis.

[0048] (27) Send analysis data In step (27), the control terminal 200 transmits the analysis data of step (26) to the management terminal 100.

[0049] (28) Generate analysis results In step (28), the management terminal 100 generates an analysis result by combining the setup contents with the analysis data of step (27).

[0050] (29) Providing analysis results In step (29), the management company 150 provides the analysis results to the customer 350. The provision of the analysis results may be realized in a manner similar to step (9).

[0051] When the analysis environment is provided by performing the analysis, steps (21) to (29) in FIG. 6 are repeated.

[0052] (30) Notification In step (30), the management company 150 sends a notification to the customer 350. The notification may include information about additional services. The management company 150 may charge the customer 350 a fee for conducting the analysis every predetermined period. The fee for each predetermined period may change in stages. In such a case, the notification may include the length of time remaining until the fee changes.

[0053] For example, the cost of conducting the analysis may be set on a monthly basis, and the first month's fee may be set lower than the subsequent monthly fees. The notification in step (30) may include a message indicating that the "first month" will end in three days.

[0054] The management company 150 may notify the customer 350 of the cost at predetermined intervals. Such notification may be realized as step (10) and / or step (30).

[0055] The costs presented in step (10) of FIG. 6 may vary depending on the types of consumables used in the formal analysis. More specifically, in the process of FIG. 6, before the costs are presented in step (10), customer 350 may transmit information specifying the types of consumables to be used in the formal analysis to management company 150. The transmission of information may be achieved, for example, by inputting the information into a request form (FIG. 5) using customer terminal 300 and transmitting the request form to management terminal 100. Management terminal 100 may calculate the costs for an analysis using the specified types of consumables by referencing the correspondence between consumable types and costs.

[0056] 4 and 6, the customer 350 is provided with the results of a trial analysis using a desired analytical device before requesting the provision of an analytical environment including the desired analytical device. By referring to the results of the trial analysis, the customer 350 can confirm the performance of the analytical device before requesting the provision of the analytical environment.

[0057] 4 and 6, the test analysis is performed on a sample provided by the customer 350. Note that the subject of the test analysis does not have to be provided by the customer 350, and may be, for example, a commercially available material.

[0058] 4 and 6, the management terminal 100 of the management company 150 may perform the following steps. In one implementation example, these steps may be performed by the processor 101 executing a given application (e.g., an intermediary program for providing an analysis environment).

[0059] (2) obtaining specifications for the analyzer from the customer; Step (3) of receiving setup information including configuration information of the analytical device from the customer. (4) transmitting setting information to the analysis device for acquiring analysis data; (9) Providing the analysis results including the analysis data of the sample by the analytical device to the customer. After providing the analysis results, a step (11) of receiving a request from the customer for the provision of an analysis environment including an analysis device. Step (10) (and / or step (30)) of notifying the customer of the cost for each specified period for the request for analysis using the analytical device. In the present disclosure, a customer can remotely obtain the results of a trial analysis using an analytical device for a desired sample and / or setup. This allows the customer to independently conduct the trial analysis without having to transport the analytical device to the customer's location. Therefore, the management company 150 can conduct demonstrations at minimal cost for the sale of the analytical device and the provision of analytical performance services. Because there is no need to transport the analytical device to the customer's location, the management company 150 can conduct demonstrations at low cost, especially for customers located far away.

[0060] [Aspect] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0061] (Item 1) A method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to one embodiment may include the steps of obtaining a designation of an analytical device from a customer, providing to the customer an analytical result obtained by the analytical device, the analytical result including analytical data of a sample, and, after providing the analytical result, obtaining from the customer a request for the provision of an analytical environment including the analytical device.

[0062] According to the analysis method described in paragraph 1, a client requesting the provision of an analysis environment can be provided with sufficient information before the request for the provision of the analysis environment.

[0063] (Clause 2) The method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to paragraph 1 may further include the steps of receiving setup content including configuration information for the analytical device from the customer, and transmitting the configuration information to the analytical device in order to obtain the analytical data.

[0064] According to the method described in paragraph 2, a customer can obtain the results of the analysis device operating in a manner according to the setup details desired by the customer before requesting the provision of an analysis environment.

[0065] (Clause 3) In the method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to paragraph 2, the setup content may further include information on consumables in the analytical device, the analytical data may be derived using consumables identified by the consumable information, and the analytical results may further include information on the consumables.

[0066] According to the method described in paragraph 3, a customer can obtain the results of an analysis device operating using consumables desired by the customer before requesting the provision of an analysis environment.

[0067] (4) In the method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, the request may include at least one of a request for the transfer of the analytical device and a request for analysis using the analytical device.

[0068] According to the method described in paragraph 4, sufficient information can be provided to a customer requesting the transfer of an analytical device and a customer requesting an analysis using the analytical device before making the request.

[0069] (Clause 5) The method of mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to paragraph 4 may further include a step of notifying the customer of the cost per specified period for a request for analysis using the analytical device.

[0070] According to the method described in paragraph 5, the customer can recognize the cost of providing the analytical environment. (Clause 6) In the method of mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to Clause 5, the costs may include a first amount for a first predetermined period and a second amount for a second predetermined period after the first period, and the first amount may be lower than the second amount.

[0071] According to the method described in Section 6, a period for providing the analytical environment to the customer can be set at a relatively low cost.

[0072] (Clause 7) In the method for mediating the provision of an analysis environment according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, the step of providing the analysis results may include sending the analysis results to the customer's account.

[0073] According to the method described in Section 7, the analysis results can be provided to the customer in a manner that is easy for the customer to confirm.

[0074] (Item 8) In the method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to any one of Items 1 to 7, the sample may be provided by the customer to the analytical device.

[0075] According to the method described in paragraph 8, a customer can obtain the results of the analysis device's operation on a sample desired by the customer before requesting the provision of an analysis environment.

[0076] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is intended that each technique in the embodiments can be implemented alone or, if necessary, in combination with other techniques in the embodiments to the extent possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 management terminals, 150 management companies, 200 control terminals, 250 analysis companies, 300 customer terminals, 350 customers, 500 request formats, 510, 520, 530, 540 columns, 1000 analysis environment provision systems.

Claims

1. obtaining a designation of an analytical device from a customer; providing the customer with an analysis result from the analysis device, the analysis result including analysis data of the sample; a step of receiving, from the customer, a request for the provision of an analytical environment including the analytical device after providing the analytical results.

2. receiving setup details including setting information of the analytical device from the customer; The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting the configuration information to the analytical device for acquisition of the analytical data.

3. The setup content further includes information on consumables in the analysis device; the analytical data is derived using a consumable identified by the consumable information; The method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to claim 2 , wherein the analysis results further include information on the consumables.

4. The method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the request includes at least one of a request for transfer of the analytical device and a request for analysis using the analytical device.

5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising the step of notifying the customer of a cost for each predetermined period for a request for analysis using the analysis device.

6. the cost includes a first amount for a first predetermined period of time and a second amount for a second predetermined period of time after the first period; The method of claim 5 , wherein the first amount is less than the second amount.

7. The method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of providing the analytical results includes sending the analytical results to the customer's account.

8. The method for mediating the provision of an analytical environment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sample is provided from the customer to the analytical device.

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