Measurement method, measurement program, and measurement device

Abstract

To prevent inaccurate measurement results due to misalignment of the test specimen relative to the measuring device. [Solution] The measurement method involves detecting the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device multiple times from the time the sample comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device. If there is a misalignment of the test piece, the device notifies the user. If no misalignment is detected on the final detection, the device performs measurement of the sample. If a misalignment is detected on the final detection, the measurement is not performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement method, a measurement program, and a measurement device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a measurement system and a measurement method for developing a measurement target in a sample on a test piece and optically detecting it. In this measurement system, a housing having a housing portion that houses a test piece inserted from an insertion port inside, a window facing the test piece housed in the housing portion, an illumination unit that illuminates a second region of the test piece housed in the housing portion, and a smart device having a photographing unit that photographs the first region and the second region.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] After setting a test piece contacted with a sample in a measurement device, displacement of the test piece with respect to the measurement device may occur. In this case, the operator of the measurement operation cannot know the occurrence of the displacement. Therefore, if the sample is measured in a state where there is displacement, an inaccurate measurement result will be obtained.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to prevent an inaccurate measurement result due to displacement of a test piece with respect to a measurement device. ​​​​​The technology disclosed herein detects the position of the test specimen relative to the measuring device multiple times from the time the specimen comes into contact with the test specimen until the start of measurement of the specimen by the measuring device, notifies if there is a misalignment of the test specimen, performs measurement of the specimen by the measuring device if no misalignment is detected in the final detection, and refrains from performing the measurement if a misalignment is detected in the final detection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein avoids obtaining inaccurate measurement results due to misalignment of the test specimen relative to the measuring device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the measuring apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing part of the internal configuration of the measuring device according to the first embodiment, along with a test specimen. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a test specimen used in the measuring device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the measurement process of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which position detection is performed in the measuring device of the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the technology of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components and processes that perform the same operation, action, or function are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is only a schematic representation to the extent that the technology of this disclosure can be fully understood. Therefore, the technology of this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, explanations of configurations not directly related to this disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the measuring device 12 of the first embodiment. Figure 2 shows the test piece 18 used in the measuring device 12, along with some of the internal components of the measuring device 12. In Figures 1 and 2, the width, depth, and height directions of the measuring device 12 are indicated by arrows W, D, and H, respectively. The measuring device 12 is used in a position where the width and depth directions are horizontal.

[0011] The measuring device 12 is a device for measuring various components in a sample solution (e.g., saliva). The test piece 18 has a long, rectangular base 18D, as shown in Figure 3. Multiple reagent pads 20 are attached to the base 18D at regular intervals along its longitudinal direction.

[0012] Each reagent pad 20 contains a reagent that reacts with different components in the sample solution and develops a color corresponding to the concentration of that component. Various reagents with different components are used, corresponding to the test items in the sample solution. Before the sample solution is applied, the reagent pad 20 has a different color depending on the reagent. Then, when the sample solution is applied, the reagent pad 20 changes color depending on the type of reagent.

[0013] A test specimen marker 22 is provided on the backing sheet 18D at a different location from the reagent pad 20. The test specimen marker 22 is formed by partially coloring the backing sheet 18D. Specifically, in this embodiment, the background color of the backing sheet 18D is white, and the test specimen marker 22 is black. The test specimen marker 22 may include, for example, a specific barcode, pattern, and letters. In the illustrated example, the test specimen marker 22 is formed by coloring the entire rectangular shape black.

[0014] The measuring device 12 has a housing 14. The specific shape of the housing 14 is not limited. In the example shown in Figure 1, the housing 14 is a rectangular box-shaped member. An insertion opening 16 is formed on the side of the housing 14. A mounting section 24 is provided inside the housing 14. The test piece 18 is placed on a tray 50 (described later) and inserted into the measuring device 12 through the insertion opening 16.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, an installation frame 26 is fixed to the installation section 24. The installation frame 26 forms part of the installation section 24 and also forms part of the measuring device 12.

[0016] In the example shown in Figure 2, the installation frame 26 has two long sides 26L extending in the depth direction of the measuring device 12 and one short side 26S connecting these two long sides 26L, and is formed in a roughly "U" shape overall.

[0017] The mounting frame 26 is provided with multiple device markers 52. In the example shown in Figure 2, a total of four device markers 52 are provided, two at each end of the longitudinal direction of each long side 26L. The device markers 52 are formed by partially coloring the mounting frame 26. Specifically, in this embodiment, the background color of the mounting frame 26 is white, and the device markers 52 are black. The device markers 52 may include, for example, specific barcodes, patterns, and characters.

[0018] The device marker 52 is a marker serving as a position reference provided in the measuring device 12. Therefore, even if the tray 50 is inserted into and removed from the housing 14 of the measuring device 12, the relative position of the device marker 52 with respect to the housing 14 does not change.

[0019] In the measuring device 12 of the present embodiment, the test piece 18 is inserted from the insertion port 16 and set, that is, loaded, in the installation part 24 while being placed at the placement position of the tray 50. In the installation part 24, by installing the tray 50 at a predetermined position inside the installation frame 26, the test piece 18 placed on the tray 50 is also installed at a predetermined position with respect to the measuring device 12.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a holding part 14H is provided at the upper part of the housing 14. A control device 60 is arranged to be placed in the holding part 14H. The control device 60 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 60 has a processor 30, a memory 32, a storage 34, a communication device 38, a display 40, a speaker 44, a camera 46, and a microphone 48. These elements in the control device 60 are communicably connected to each other by a bus 42. A computer 28 is constituted including the processor 30, the memory 32, and the storage 34.

[0022] A program 36 for executing the measurement process of the specimen by the measuring device 12 is stored in the storage 34. Also, the operation history of the measuring device 12 and various data are recorded in the storage 34.

[0023] The processor 30 can execute various programs in the measuring device 12 and control each element.

[0024] The memory 32 can temporarily store programs and various data as a working area.

[0025] Storage 34 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs and data. These programs include not only application programs such as measurement programs, but also the operating system.

[0026] Specifically, the processor 30 reads the program from the storage 34 and executes the program using the memory 32 as a working area.

[0027] In the computer 28, by executing the control program in the processor 30 in this manner, the detection unit 62, measurement unit 64, and control unit 66 of the disclosed technology function as shown in Figure 5. The camera 46 functions as an imaging unit 68. The display 40 and speaker 44 function as a notification unit 70.

[0028] The camera 46 photographs the test specimen 18 installed in the mounting section 24. In this embodiment, in addition to photographing the reagent pad 20, the camera also photographs the test specimen marker 22 and the device marker 52.

[0029] The detection unit 62 processes images of the test specimen marker 22 and the device marker 52 captured by the camera 46 and detects the position of the test specimen marker 22 relative to the device marker 52. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the above detection is performed multiple times from the time the sample comes into contact with the test specimen 18 until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device 12.

[0030] The measurement unit 64 measures the color state of the sample from the image of the reagent pad 20 captured by the camera 46. Specifically, the measurement unit 64 performs a qualitative analysis of the sample applied to the reagent pad 20 by comparing the color value of the color state of the measured image of the reagent pad 20 with a preset color value.

[0031] As will be described later, the control unit 66 controls the measurement unit 64 to either perform or not perform (i.e., not perform) the measurement of the sample by the measurement unit 64 based on the detection result from the detection unit 62.

[0032] The communication device 38 is a device that communicates with external equipment of the measuring device 12. For communication, wired connections such as Ethernet® and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Distance Interface), and wireless connection standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® are used.

[0033] The display 40 outputs various information from the control device 60, such as the progress of measurement in the measuring device 12, the intermediate results, and the measurement results, as visual information on the screen. The display 40 may also function as a touch panel to accept input from the operator via touch operation. The speaker 44 outputs various information from the control device 60 as auditory information. The microphone 48 accepts voice input from the operator.

[0034] The control device 60 is not limited to terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, as long as it has these functional parts. Furthermore, the above functional parts do not have to be integrated and may be configured as separate components or devices.

[0035] Next, the operation of the measuring device 12 of this embodiment and the measurement method will be described.

[0036] Figure 6 shows the flow of the measurement process in the measuring device 12 of the first embodiment. This measurement process includes detecting the position of the test piece 18 relative to the measuring device 12, controlling the notification content on the display 40, etc., depending on whether or not there is a positional misalignment, and performing or not performing the measurement of the sample.

[0037] Furthermore, in the measuring device 12 of this embodiment, the color of the reagent pad 20 is detected at a predetermined time after the sample solution has been applied to the reagent pad 20. A count counter is set in the memory 32 or storage 34 as an indicator of the elapsed time since the application of the sample solution. In the following description, an example of this predetermined time being set to 60 seconds will be explained. Between the application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20 and the start of measurement, the position of the test piece 18 is detected multiple times at regular time intervals. In this embodiment, this time interval is set to 5 seconds, and the number of detections is set to 10. Therefore, the 10th detection is the "final detection." A time interval of 10 seconds is ensured between the final detection and the start of measurement.

[0038] In this measurement process, the operator pre-enters information about the owner of the sample solution to be applied to each individual test piece 18, i.e., the subject, via a display 40 or similar device. In other words, an association is made between the subject and the test piece 18.

[0039] Then, as step S102, the computer 28 resets the count counter to 0 (zero). In the measuring device 12 of this embodiment, for example, the display 40 shows an indication that it is accepting input to start the measurement. When the operator inputs the instruction to start the measurement from the display 40, the computer 28 starts a countdown to measure the timing of the sample application. This countdown is set to, for example, 3 seconds. The display 40 then displays the countdown value as "3" → "2" → "1". After 3 seconds have elapsed, the speaker 44 emits a notification sound to indicate the timing for applying the sample solution. The operator applies the sample solution to the reagent pad 20 in accordance with this notification sound. In practice, for example, the operator immerses the test piece 18 in the container containing the sample solution, and the application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20 is completed in a short time.

[0040] The operator applies the sample solution to the reagent pad 20, then places the test piece 18 on the tray 50. The operator then inserts the tray 50, along with the test piece 18, into the housing 14 of the measuring device 12 through the insertion port 16. As the tray 50 is inserted to its predetermined position inside the mounting frame 26, the test piece 18 is also set (loaded) in its predetermined position within the measuring device 12.

[0041] In step S104, the computer 28 starts measuring time from the moment the notification sound is emitted. In step S106, the computer 28 determines whether the measured time has reached a predetermined time. This predetermined time is set to, for example, 5 seconds. In step S106, this determination is repeated until the measured time reaches the predetermined time.

[0042] In the measuring device 12, for example, if the operator inserts the tray 50 into the measuring device 12, and the tray is not inserted properly or is pushed in too far, the test piece 18 and the tray 50 may become misaligned in the depth direction (direction of arrow D) of the measuring device 12. Also, even if the tray 50 is inserted in the correct position relative to the measuring device 12, the test piece 18 may become misaligned in the depth direction on the tray 50.

[0043] If the computer 28 determines in step S106 that the measurement time has reached the specified time, it proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the computer 28 detects the position of the test piece 18 relative to the measuring device 12 and determines whether or not there is any misalignment.

[0044] The position of the test specimen 18 can be detected, for example, by imaging the test specimen marker 22 and the two device markers 52 with the camera 46 and determining the relative positional relationship of these markers. More specifically, for example, from the positions of the two device markers 52A and 52B shown in Figure 7, the position of the midpoint of these device markers 52A and 52B, i.e., the center coordinate CP, can be obtained. Then, from the distance between the center coordinate CP and the test specimen marker 22, the position of the test specimen 18 in the direction of arrow D, i.e., the depth direction, can be determined.

[0045] In determining whether there is a misalignment in step S108, if the amount of misalignment of the test specimen marker 22 from the reference position is within a predetermined range, it is possible to determine that there is "no" misalignment, and if it exceeds the predetermined range, it is possible to determine that there is a misalignment. For example, as shown in Figure 7, multiple measurement points DP are set across the test specimen marker 22 and the base paper 18D above and below it, and it is possible to determine whether all of these measurement points DP satisfy the measured value of the color set for each (for example, the average of RGB values). In this embodiment, the background color of the base paper 18D is white, while the test specimen marker 22 is black, so the difference in RGB values ​​is clearly visible. In the example shown in Figure 7, of the 11 set measurement points DP, the upper 3 and lower 3 measurement points DP are located at the background color of the base paper 18D, so the average of the RGB values ​​at these 6 measurement points DP is a relatively large value. In contrast, the 5 measurement points DP closer to the center are located at the position of the test specimen marker 22, so the average of the RGB values ​​at these 5 measurement points DP is a relatively small value.

[0046] If the determination in step S108 is negative, that is, if there is no displacement of the test piece 18 (the amount of displacement is within a predetermined range), proceed to step S110. On the other hand, if the determination in step S108 is positive, that is, if there is displacement of the test piece 18 (the amount of displacement is within a predetermined range), proceed to step S110.

[0047] In step S110, the computer 28 notifies the notification unit 70 that there is "no" misalignment of the test specimen 18. If there is no misalignment of the test specimen 18, it means that the test specimen 18 has been detected in the predetermined position of the measuring device 12. Therefore, the notification in step S110 is made, for example, by displaying the text "Test specimen detected." on the display 40. In this case, the visibility of the text can be improved by using a specific color (for example, green). Alternatively, the display 40 may display "The test specimen is set in the correct position."

[0048] In step S112, the computer 28 notifies the operator via the notification unit 70 that there is a misalignment of the test specimen 18. If there is a misalignment of the test specimen 18, the measurement device 12 is unable to detect the test specimen 18 at its predetermined position. In effect, this is equivalent to not being able to accurately measure the test specimen 18 against the reagent pad 20, and thus not detecting the test specimen 18 at all. Therefore, the notification in step S112 is made, for example, by displaying the text "Test specimen could not be detected" on the display 40. In this case, the color of the displayed text may be changed to a specific color (for example, red) different from the color used in step S110 to improve visibility for the operator. Alternatively, the display 40 may display "The test specimen is misaligned."

[0049] The notification in steps S110 and S112 may be given by sound from the speaker 44 instead of, or in combination with, the display on the display 40.

[0050] In step S114, the computer 28 adds 1 to the count. Then, in step S116, it determines whether the count has reached a predetermined value. In this embodiment, this predetermined value is set to 9 as an example. If the determination in step S116 is negative, that is, if the count is 8 or less, then the elapsed time since the start of application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20 is 40 seconds or less. In this case, the computer 28 returns to step S106.

[0051] In step S106, the computer 28 determines again whether a predetermined time has elapsed. At this time, the operator who received notification of "positional misalignment present" in step S112 can correct the position of the test piece 18 during the specified time elapsed in step S106 (5 seconds in this embodiment). After the specified time has elapsed, in step S108, the positional misalignment of the test piece 18 is determined again.

[0052] In other words, in this embodiment, until the count reaches 9, the presence or absence of misalignment of the test piece 18 is detected at predetermined time intervals, that is, at 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, 35 seconds, 40 seconds, and 45 seconds from the start of time measurement in step S104, for a total of 9 times. Then, depending on the detection result, "no" or "present" misalignment is reported. If the judgment in step S108 is denied, that is, if it is determined that there is "no" misalignment of the test piece 18, the notification of "no" misalignment in step S110 may be omitted, and the process may proceed to step S114. However, by providing the notification of "no" misalignment in step S110, the operator can know that the test piece 18 is set without misalignment. In particular, for example, if it is determined that there is "misalignment" in step S108 and then "misalignment" is reported in step S112, the operator may correct the position of the test piece 18 as described above. If, after correcting the position of the test piece 18 in this manner, the judgment in step S108 is rejected and a notification of "no" misalignment is issued in step S110, the operator can know that the correction of the position of the test piece 18 has been performed correctly.

[0053] In contrast, if the judgment in step S116 is affirmed, that is, if the count is 9, then 45 seconds have elapsed since the start of application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20. In this case, in step S118, the computer 28 detects the position of the test piece 18 relative to the measuring device 12 and determines whether there is any misalignment. At this stage, nine judgments have already been made in step S108. Therefore, the determination of whether there is any misalignment in step S118 is the tenth judgment.

[0054] The determination in step S118 can be made using the same method as in step S108. However, in step S118, before making the actual determination, the operator waits for the same amount of time as specified in step S106 (i.e., 5 seconds), and then makes the determination after the wait. If a misalignment is reported as "present" in step S112, the operator can use this waiting time to correct the position of the test piece 18.

[0055] If the judgment in step S118 is rejected, that is, if there is no displacement of the test piece 18, the computer 28 proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the computer 28 notifies that measurement will begin on the measuring device 12. This notification is made, for example, by displaying "Measurement of sample solution will begin" on the display 40. Alternatively, this may be replaced with, or combined with, an audio notification from the speaker 44.

[0056] Then, in step S112, the computer 28 measures the sample solution. In this embodiment, "no displacement" of the test piece 18 means that the amount of displacement of the test piece marker 22 is within a predetermined range from the reference position. In some cases, the position of the test piece 18 may be slightly shifted from the normal position within the predetermined range described above, to an extent that does not affect the measurement of the actual sample. Taking such cases into consideration, the computer 28 may apply a correction to the measurement result corresponding to the position of the test piece 18 to obtain a more accurate measurement result. After measurement, the computer 28 displays the measurement result on the display 40. After measurement, the computer 28 notifies that the measurement has been completed and terminates the measurement process.

[0057] If the judgment in step S118 is affirmed, that is, if there is a misalignment of the test piece 18, the process proceeds to step S124. In step S124, the computer 28 issues an instruction to place a new test piece 18 in the installation unit 24 for re-measurement of the sample solution, that is, an instruction to replace the test piece 18. This notification is made, for example, by displaying on the display 40, "The test piece was not detected. Please prepare a new test piece and remeasure." Alternatively, this may be replaced by an audible notification from the speaker 44, or by using this in conjunction with the display on the display 40.

[0058] The replacement test piece 18 may have the same subject's sample solution attached to it as the test piece 18 that was determined to have a misalignment, or it may have the sample solution attached to it from a different subject. In either case, when performing the measurement process anew, for example, information identifying the subject is input from the display 40 or the like to establish a correspondence between the subject and the sample.

[0059] The computer 28 then terminates this measurement process without proceeding to step S122. In other words, in this embodiment, the position of the test piece 18 relative to the measuring device 12 is detected multiple times, and if a positional misalignment is determined in the final detection, the measurement of the sample solution is not performed and the process is canceled. Therefore, if there is a positional misalignment of the test piece 18 relative to the measuring device 12, inaccurate measurement results will not be obtained. <Note 1>

[0060] Furthermore, if there is any misalignment of the test specimen 18, the system will notify the operator of this fact. Therefore, the operator is given an opportunity to correct the position of the test specimen 18 before the measurement begins. By correcting the position of the test specimen 18, even if the test specimen 18 is temporarily misaligned, the sample solution can be measured without wasting the test specimen 18. For example, even an operator unfamiliar with the operation of the measuring device 12 can correct the position of the test specimen 18 before measuring the sample solution. <Note 1>

[0061] By correcting the position of the test specimen 18 and ensuring there is no misalignment, it is possible to reduce the waste of test specimens 18 and the effort required to repeat the measurement process.

[0062] In the disclosed technology, when the measurement of the sample solution is not performed, the example flow shown in Figure 6 illustrates a process in which the test piece 18 is not photographed by the camera 46. However, when the measurement of the sample solution is not performed, it also includes cases where, for example, the test piece 18 is photographed by the camera 46, but no analysis of the sample using the photographic data is performed, and no measurement is performed. In short, "not performing" the measurement of the sample solution means that inaccurate measurement results should not be obtained if there is a positional displacement in the test piece 18.

[0063] In the above embodiment, if a misalignment is detected in the final position detection of the test piece 18 (step S118), the process proceeds to step S124, and the measuring device 12 is instructed to load a new test piece 18. This allows the operator to start the sample measurement process with a new test piece 18 instead of the test piece 18 that was determined to have a misalignment. <Note 2>

[0064] In the above embodiment, the final position detection of the test specimen 18 (step S118) occurs 50 seconds after touching the specimen. In contrast, the measurement (step S122) begins 60 seconds after touching the specimen. That is, there is a 10-second interval between these two points. In the disclosed art, the final position detection of the test specimen 18 may occur at a later timing. However, if the final position detection of the test specimen 18 occurs close to the start of the measurement, it may result in the test specimen 18 having to be corrected just before the measurement. If the measurement is started in the middle of the position correction operation, it may result in an inaccurate measurement result. In contrast, sufficient time is ensured between the final position detection of the test specimen 18 and the start of the measurement, and in effect, the final position detection of the test specimen 18 acts as a deadline for position correction. This avoids the situation of correcting the position of the test specimen 18 just before the measurement, and this also suppresses the possibility of obtaining an inaccurate measurement result.

[0065] Furthermore, the position detection of the test piece 18 is performed at the point just before the final position detection (when the counter count is 9), and at a point a specified time before the final position detection. In other words, a certain amount of time is secured between the position detection just before the final one and the final position detection, allowing for manual correction of the position of the test piece 18. Therefore, if a misalignment is detected at the position detection just before the final one, the operator can effectively use the remaining time until the final position detection to correct the position of the test piece 18. <Note 3>

[0066] The time required for the operator to manually correct the position of the test piece 18 should be at least 5 seconds, and preferably 10 seconds or more. That is, if this time is at least 5 seconds, the operator will have time to actually remove the tray 50 from the housing 14 after receiving notification of misalignment (step S112), correct the position of the test piece 18 relative to the tray 50, and then reinsert the tray 50 into the housing 14. If this time is at least 10 seconds, there will be ample time to perform each of these tasks, reducing the workload on the operator in correcting the position of the test piece 18. However, if this time is too long, it will be difficult to ensure a large total number of test piece position detections in this measurement process. From the viewpoint of ensuring a large total number of test piece position detections, it is preferable to set the upper limit of this time to, for example, 15 seconds.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the position of the test piece 18 is detected a total of 10 times. In effect, the position of the test piece 18, i.e., whether or not there is any misalignment, can be continuously detected from the point of application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20, i.e., the start of time measurement (step S104), until the start of measurement (step S122). <Note 4>

[0068] For example, even if it is determined that there is no misalignment of the test specimen 18, misalignment may occur in the test specimen 18 due to some cause before the start of measurement. By continuously detecting the position of the test specimen 18, i.e., detecting whether or not there is misalignment, from the start of time measurement (step S104) to the start of measurement (step S122), it is possible to correct the position of the test specimen 18 before the start of measurement, even in such cases.

[0069] Furthermore, when the position of the test piece 18 is continuously detected from the start of time measurement until the measurement of the sample, the total number of position detections should be at least three. However, if this number is too high, the time interval between position detections becomes too short, which can lead to situations where position detection is performed while the position of the test piece 18 is being corrected, thus reducing work efficiency. Therefore, from the viewpoint of not detecting the position of the test piece 18 at an excessively high frequency, it is preferable to set the time interval between position detections to about 5 seconds. Then, an appropriate upper limit for position detection can be determined from the time from the start of time measurement until the measurement of the sample (60 seconds in the above example), the time from the last position detection until the measurement of the sample (10 seconds in the above example), and the time interval between position detections.

[0070] In this embodiment, multiple device markers 52 are provided. By detecting the positions of the multiple device markers 52 (two device markers 52A and 52B in the above example) in the image captured by the camera 46 and comparing them with the position of the test specimen marker 22, it is possible to estimate the position of the test specimen marker 22 relative to the measuring device 12 with high accuracy. <Note 5>

[0071] All of the device markers 52 are located on the measuring device 12, and their relative position to the housing 14 does not change. For example, even when the tray 50 is inserted into or removed from the housing 14, the position of the device markers 52 does not shift, so the accuracy of position detection of the test specimen 18 does not decrease.

[0072] The test specimen marker 22 used to detect the position of the test specimen 18 is provided on the test specimen 18. Therefore, the position of the test specimen 18 relative to the measuring device 12 can be detected without being affected by other components, such as the tray 50.

[0073] In the disclosed technology, the test specimen 18 may be photographed for purposes other than detecting its position between the application of the sample solution to the reagent pad 20 and the actual measurement of the sample solution (measurement 60 seconds after application in the above example). For example, this may include photographing the test specimen 18 together with a color sample for color correction. Alternatively, a single photograph may serve both the purpose of detecting the position of the test specimen 18 and the purpose of photographing for other purposes.

[0074] Furthermore, the following additional information is disclosed. (Note 1) From the moment the sample comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device, the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device is detected multiple times. We will report that there is a misalignment in the aforementioned test specimen. A measurement method wherein if the positional misalignment is not detected in the final detection, the measurement of the sample by the measuring device is performed, and if the positional misalignment is detected in the final detection, the measurement is not performed. (Note 2) The measurement method according to Appendix 1, wherein if the measurement is not performed, the notification includes an instruction to replace the test piece with the measuring device. (Note 3) The measurement method described in Appendix 1, wherein the detection immediately preceding the final detection is performed at a point in time before the position of the test piece can be manually corrected during the period up to the final detection. (Note 4) The measurement method according to Appendix 3, wherein the detection is performed at least once more between the time the test piece is loaded into the measuring device and the time of the previous detection. (Note 5) The measurement method according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the detection is performed using an apparatus marker provided on the measuring device and a test specimen marker provided on the test specimen. (Note 6) From the moment the sample comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device, the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device is detected multiple times. We will report that there is a misalignment in the aforementioned test specimen. A measurement program that causes a computer to execute a process including: if the positional misalignment is not detected in the final detection, the measurement of the sample by the measuring device is performed; and if the positional misalignment is detected in the final detection, the measurement is not performed. (Note 7) The installation area where the test specimen is placed, An imaging unit for photographing the test piece installed in the installation section, From the moment the specimen comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the specimen by the measuring device, a detection unit detects the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device multiple times from the image captured by the imaging unit, A notification unit that notifies that there is a misalignment of the test specimen, A measuring unit measures the color state of the sample from the image captured by the imaging unit, A control unit controls the measurement unit to perform measurement of the sample if the misalignment is not detected in the final detection, and to not perform the measurement if the misalignment is detected in the final detection; A measuring device having the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 12 Measuring device 14 cabinets 16 Insertion opening 18 test specimens 18D mounting board 20 reagent pads 22 Test specimen markers 24 Installation section 28 Computer 50 trays 52 Device Markers 60 Control device 62 Detection unit 64 Measuring part 66 Control Unit 68 Imaging Unit 70 Hochi Department

Claims

1. From the moment the sample comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device, the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device is detected multiple times. We will report that there is a misalignment in the aforementioned test specimen. A measurement method wherein if the positional misalignment is not detected in the final detection, the measurement of the sample by the measuring device is performed, and if the positional misalignment is detected in the final detection, the measurement is not performed.

2. The measurement method according to claim 1, wherein if the measurement is not performed, the notification content includes an instruction to the measuring device to replace the test piece.

3. The measurement method according to claim 1, wherein the detection immediately preceding the final detection is performed at a point in time before a certain period of time during which the position of the test piece can be manually corrected.

4. The measurement method according to claim 3, wherein the detection is performed at least once more between the time the test piece is loaded into the measuring device and the time of the previous detection.

5. The measurement method according to claim 1, wherein the detection is performed using a device marker provided on the measuring device and a test piece marker provided on the test piece.

6. From the moment the sample comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the sample by the measuring device, the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device is detected multiple times. We will report that there is a misalignment in the aforementioned test specimen. A measurement program that causes a computer to execute a process including: if the positional misalignment is not detected in the final detection, the measurement of the sample by the measuring device is performed; and if the positional misalignment is detected in the final detection, the measurement is not performed.

7. The installation area where the test specimen is placed, An imaging unit for photographing the test piece installed in the installation section, From the moment the specimen comes into contact with the test piece until the start of measurement of the specimen by the measuring device, a detection unit detects the position of the test piece relative to the measuring device multiple times from the image captured by the imaging unit, A notification unit that notifies that there is a misalignment of the test specimen, A measuring unit measures the color state of the sample from the image captured by the imaging unit, A control unit controls the measurement unit to perform measurement of the sample if the misalignment is not detected in the final detection, and to not perform the measurement if the misalignment is detected in the final detection; A measuring device having the following features.

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