Sample testing automation system and fixed position information allocation method

Abstract

In order to enable easy setting of a configuration of a specimen inspection automation system, the present disclosure proposes a technique for automatically allocating an IP address (unique position information) to each unit constituting the specimen inspection automation system. For example, the present disclosure proposes a specimen inspection automation system comprising: a plurality of slave station devices each of which corresponds to at least one of a conveyor for conveying a specimen and an analyzer for analyzing the specimen; and a master station device that communicates with the slave station devices through a communication line and controls the slave station devices. The master station device performs a process for allocating unique position information to each of the slave station devices by using information acquired through communication with the slave station devices. (Figure 2)

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sample testing automation system and a fixed position information allocation method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, automation of specimen testing for diagnostic purposes in the medical field has been progressing. A specimen testing automation system is configured by combining units with different roles, such as a specimen pretreatment device, a transport device, a biochemical analyzer, and an immunoanalyzer. When introducing a specimen testing automation system, users can construct a system by combining each unit as they like, which allows for a certain degree of flexibility, such as adapting the system to the needs of the facility where the system is introduced.

[0003] When configuring a system, in current products, a fixed IP address is assigned to each unit in order to control each unit correctly. By using IP address assignment and a LAN, the control PC and the units to be controlled are connected to a network, and in this state the software on the control PC runs to control the units. One method for fixed IP address assignment is to set it in hardware using, for example, a dip switch on the board.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, with regard to fixed allocation of IP addresses, a distributed control system having "a central processing unit, a central communication unit, a plurality of terminal communication devices to which at least one control device is connected, an information storage device, and a tree-structured network having a plurality of communication paths between the central communication unit and the terminal communication devices, between the terminal communication devices themselves, and between the terminal communication devices and the information storage device, wherein the central communication unit has a normal communication port, the terminal communication devices have an upstream communication port and a downstream communication port, and the information storage device has an device information communication port, and the network has a first communication path connecting the upstream communication ports and downstream communication ports of the terminal communication devices and the upstream communication port of the terminal communication device and the normal communication port of the central communication unit, and a second communication path connecting the downstream communication ports of the terminal communication devices located at the ends of the network and the downstream communication port of the terminal communication device and the device information communication port of the information storage device."

[0005] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses, with regard to fixed allocation of IP addresses, "an information transmission system for transmitting the same information from a parent station to multiple child stations via a network, wherein the parent station sends the same information to the multiple child stations by multicast using a multicast router, and comprises a control unit which performs processing for resending the information by unicast to child stations which are unable to receive a delivery confirmation from the child station, a transmission processing unit, a reception processing unit which receives the delivery confirmation, and a database, and the child station comprises an information processing unit which receives information from the parent station and performs processing for transmitting the delivery confirmation to the parent station, and a transmission / reception unit." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-161364 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-273925 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] According to the conventional specimen testing automation system (fixed IP address allocation) disclosed in the above patent document, while it became possible to flexibly configure the system to a certain extent, the number of units, types, and combination patterns increased. For this reason, in the case of fixed IP address allocation, it was necessary to individually set the above-mentioned dip switches for each unit before connecting to the network, which made the work complicated for service personnel when installing the device. Thus, in specimen testing automation systems that employ a distributed control method, it is necessary to make system configuration even easier while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of system configuration configurations. In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure proposes a technique that enables easy configuration of a sample testing automation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure proposes a technique for automatically assigning an IP address (unique location information) to each unit constituting a specimen testing automation system. For example, the present disclosure proposes a specimen testing automation system that includes a plurality of slave station devices, each of which corresponds to at least one of a transport device that transports specimens and an analyzer that analyzes specimens, and a master station device that communicates with the plurality of slave station devices via a communication path and controls the plurality of slave station devices, and that uses information acquired by communicating with the plurality of slave station devices to execute a process of assigning unique location information to each of the plurality of slave station devices.

[0009] Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. Also, aspects of the present disclosure may be realized and realized by the elements and combinations of various elements and aspects set forth in the following detailed description and the appended claims. It should be understood that the descriptions in this specification are exemplary and illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope or application of the present disclosure in any way. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to automatically assign IDs to each unit constituting a specimen testing automation system, and to easily and automatically set the system configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a specimen testing automation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an operation unit PC101 which is a parent station device. [Figure 1C] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a transport device 102 which is a slave station device. [Figure 1D] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an analysis device 103 which is another slave station device. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration to which an IP address is assigned, in which an operation unit PC (parent station device) 101 and a plurality of units (child station devices: transport devices 102_1 to n and analytical devices 103_1 to m; n and m are arbitrary integers) are connected to each other. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an IP address table (also called "design information" of the specimen testing automation system 100) held by the LSI 105. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a process according to an IP address allocation method 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration to which an IP address is assigned, in which an operation unit PC (parent station device) 101 and a plurality of units (child station devices: transport devices 102_1 to n and analytical devices 103_1 to m; n and m are arbitrary integers) are connected to each other. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of a route information table acquired by the route information acquisition process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an IP address allocation process according to an IP address allocation method 2. [Figure 8]13 is a flowchart illustrating details of an IP address consistency check process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] This embodiment relates to a specimen testing automation system that is configured by combining a plurality of slave stations, for example, a master station (management device (computer: operation unit PC)) that manages and controls a plurality of slave stations, and in which the master station and each slave station communicate with each other, and the master station performs a process of allocating an IP address (location information of each slave station on the network or location information of each slave station on the specimen testing automation system) to each slave station based on predetermined information acquired from each slave station. Note that this embodiment proposes, as IP address allocation methods, a method (IP address allocation method 1) that refers to IP address allocation information (IP address table: see FIG. 3) held by the master station, and a method (IP address allocation method 2) that does not refer to the IP address allocation information.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, functionally identical elements may be indicated by the same numbers. Note that the accompanying drawings show specific embodiments and implementation examples according to the principles of the present disclosure, but these are for understanding the present disclosure and are by no means used to interpret the present disclosure in a limiting manner.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the description is given in sufficient detail for a person skilled in the art to implement the present disclosure, but it should be understood that other implementations and forms are possible, and that changes in configuration and structure and substitutions of various elements are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following description should not be interpreted as being limited thereto.

[0015] Furthermore, as described below, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by software running on a general-purpose computer, by dedicated hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0016] In the following explanation, each piece of information in the present disclosure may be described in a "table" format, but this information does not necessarily have to be expressed in a table data structure, and may be expressed in a data structure such as a list, DB, queue, or other structure. Therefore, to indicate that it does not depend on the data structure, "table," "list," "DB," "queue," etc. may be simply referred to as "information."

[0017] In addition, when describing the content of each piece of information, the expressions "identification information," "identifier," "name," "ID," and "other" can be used, and these are interchangeable.

[0018] (1) IP address allocation method 1 In IP address allocation method 1, in response to an IP address allocation request from each slave station device (unit: transport device and various analytical devices), the operation unit PC (management device) which is the master station device automatically allocates an IP address to each slave station device according to an IP address table (information that specifies the IP address of each unit and the allocation priority order). Below, an example of the system configuration and the IP address allocation process will be described in detail using a specimen testing automation system as an example.

[0019] <Example of the configuration of a specimen testing automation system and an overview of operations during specimen testing> (i) System configuration example Fig. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a specimen testing automation system 100 according to this embodiment. The specimen testing automation system 100 comprises an operation unit PC (also called a management device) 101, a plurality of transport devices 102 that transport holders on which specimens such as blood or urine are placed or empty holders, and various analyzers 103. There are two types of analyzers: biochemical analyzers and immunoanalyzers. Each type has a different use depending on the analysis item. The system can be configured by combining biochemical analyzers and immunoanalyzers.

[0020] When a sample is input into a sample input unit (not shown) of the sample testing automation system 100, a reader (e.g., a barcode reader, an RFID reader) (not shown) arranged on the sample transport path reads sample identification information (such as information on the sample subject, collection date and time, sample type, and sample amount). The read sample identification information is transferred to the operation unit PC101. The operation unit PC101 searches for request information on the sample to be tested, and if there is no request information, it queries the laboratory host, Laboratory Information System (LIS) 105, to obtain test request information. Based on the obtained request information, the operation unit PC101 decides which unit to stop at or which unit to skip.

[0021] In the specimen testing automation system 100, the operation unit PC 101 and each of the units 102 and 103 are connected by an Ethernet cable 104. The pin arrangement configuration of the connection port of the Ethernet cable 104 in each of the units 102 and 103 is the same, and a cross cable is used. Although it is possible to use a cable other than a cross cable for connection, by using a cross cable, it is possible to avoid wiring the transmission terminals together when the cables are interconnected, and communication is possible regardless of which port is connected without signal collision.

[0022] Software for controlling the entire sample testing automation system 100 is installed on the operation unit PC 101. When controlling the target units 102 and 103, the software uses the IP addresses and network established by the Ethernet cable connection.

[0023] (ii) Operational Overview of Sample Testing Automation System 100 A distributed control method is introduced in the specimen testing automation system 100 according to the present embodiment. In the distributed control method, the specimen testing automation system 100 includes a host computer (LIS 105), a master station device (operation unit PC 101) connected to the host computer, and multiple slave station devices (transport device 102, analyzer 103) equipped with digital input / output ports, and a network is formed between the master station device and the multiple slave station devices in a form such as a multi-drop or daisy chain. In the distributed control method, the master station device and the multiple slave station devices communicate with each other in a first communication mode and a second communication mode, and can be switched between the two modes. Here, the first communication mode is a mode in which serial data transmitted from the operation unit PC 101 or other transport device 102 or analyzer 103 via an Ethernet cable 104 serving as a communication path is received in units of bits, and the serial data is transmitted to other downstream transport devices 102 or analyzers 103 via the Ethernet cable 104. The second communication mode is a mode in which serial data transmitted from the transport device 102 or the analytical device 103 via the Ethernet cable 104 is received in packets, and then transmitted to the upstream operation unit PC 101 or the transport device 102 or the analytical device 103 via the Ethernet cable 104.

[0024] In the first communication mode, the operation unit PC101 transfers control commands to each transport device 102 and analyzer 103 via the Ethernet cable 104 to perform a sample transport operation or a sample dispensing operation. In addition, in the second communication mode, the transport device 102 and analyzer 103 transmit information on their own (each unit's) operating status (normal operation, occurrence of an error, etc.) during system operation to the operation unit PC101 via the Ethernet cable 104.

[0025] Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the transport device 102 or the analyzer 103 constituting the specimen testing automation system 100, and communication from upstream to downstream is interrupted in the middle of the communication path, the operation unit PC 101 can switch the communication direction from downstream to upstream in the second communication mode. This makes it possible to continue communication by bypassing the abnormal unit. Note that the continuation of the system operation in the second communication mode is merely one example, and depending on the testing situation, the entire system operation may be stopped and a serviceman may replace the device or parts.

[0026] <Example of the internal configuration of the master station device and the slave station device> (i) Example of the internal configuration of the operation unit PC (parent station device) 101 1B is a diagram showing an example of the schematic internal configuration of the parent station device, operation unit PC101. Operation unit PC101 is configured by a general computer, and includes, for example, a CPU (processor) 1011, a storage device 1012 for storing operation programs executed by operation unit PC101 and various parameters and data used in processing by operation unit PC101, an input device 1013, an output device 1014, and a communication device 1015.

[0027] The CPU 1011 reads various programs (for example, programs for executing the processing that the operation unit PC 101 should be responsible for in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8 described below) from the storage device 1012, expands them in an internal memory (not shown), and executes the various programs.

[0028] The input device 1013 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., for an operator (user) to input instructions and data. The output device 1014 is, for example, a display device, a printer, etc., for outputting processing results, etc. The communication device 1015 is, for example, a device that communicates with each unit (the transport device 102 and the analysis device 103) in the first and second communication modes, and has multiple communication ports (for example, four ports).

[0029] (ii) Example of Schematic Internal Configuration of the Carrier Device (Slave Station Device) 102 1C is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a slave station device, a transport device 102. The transport device 102 includes, for example, a CPU (processor) 1021, a storage device 1022 that stores an operation program executed by the transport device 102 and various parameters and data used in processing by the transport device 102, a transport mechanism 1023, and a communication device 1024.

[0030] The CPU 1021 reads various programs (for example, programs for executing the processing to be handled by the conveying device 102 in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8 described below) from the storage device 1022, expands them in an internal memory (not shown), and executes the various programs.

[0031] The transport mechanism 1023 includes a path for transporting the sample and a drive device for driving the path, etc. The communication device 1024 is a device that communicates with other units (other slave station devices and master station devices) in the first and second communication modes, and has multiple communication ports (for example, four ports).

[0032] (iii) Example of the internal configuration of the analysis device (slave station device) 103 1D is a diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of an analysis device 103, which is another slave station device. The analysis device 103 includes, for example, a CPU (processor) 1031, a storage device 1032 that stores an operation program executed by the analysis device 103 and various parameters and data used in processing by the analysis device 103, an analysis unit 1033, and a communication device 1034.

[0033] The CPU 1031 reads various programs (for example, programs for executing the processing to be handled by the analysis device 103 in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8 described below) from the storage device 1032, expands them in an internal memory (not shown), and executes the various programs.

[0034] The analysis unit 1033 includes components for analyzing a specimen (for example, a centrifugation mechanism, an optical analysis mechanism, a chromatograph unit, an electrophoresis unit, etc.). Further, the communication device 1034 is a device that communicates with other units (other slave station devices and master station devices) in the first and second communication modes, and has a plurality of communication ports (for example, 4 ports).

[0035] <Contents of IP address assignment process 1> The IP address assignment process 1 to each unit (slave station device) after the power-on of the specimen inspection automation system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 2 is an example of a system configuration for IP address assignment, and is a diagram showing a connection configuration example of an operation unit PC (master station device) 101 and a plurality of units (slave station devices: conveyance device A102_1 to n and analysis device 103_1 to m; n and m are arbitrary integers). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an IP address table (also referred to as "design information" of the specimen inspection automation system 100) held by the LSI 105. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process by the IP address assignment method 1.

[0036] (i) Step 401 When the power of the specimen inspection automation system 100 is turned on, AC power supply starts, and the processors (central control units) 1021 and 1031 of the conveyance device 102 and the analysis device 103 (hereinafter referred to as "unit processors") start up. Note that each unit processor is included in a dedicated FPGA or the like mounted on the motor controller board of each unit as a control IC.

[0037] 2, the closer the unit is to the operation unit PC101, the more upstream the unit is defined as the unit, and the farther the unit is from the operation unit PC101, the more downstream the unit is defined as the unit. In addition, for the connection of each unit in the specimen testing automation system 100, a main path and sub-paths branching off from the main path (secondary, tertiary, etc. sub-paths branching off from a sub-path (primary sub-path) may be defined in advance, and the units on the main path may be defined as units upstream of the units on the sub-paths.

[0038] (ii) Step 402 The processor of each unit transmits an IP address allocation request to the operation unit PC 101 via the connection network in the specimen testing automation system 100. For example, the processor of each unit may packetize information instructing IP address allocation and identification information of each unit (e.g., unique device information held by each unit) to configure the IP address allocation request.

[0039] (iii) Step 403 When the operation unit PC101 receives IP address allocation requests (sequentially) from each unit, it approves each request, activates the automatic IP address allocation function, and starts the IP address allocation operation. Specifically, the operation unit PC101 refers to the IP address table (design information) from the LIS105 (it is also possible to obtain design information in advance at any timing, store it in the storage device 1012, and refer to this), and starts allocating IP addresses according to the priority order contained in the IP address table. Note that the priority order is held in the LIS105 as design information in advance at the time of system setup, but it is also possible to change it according to changes in the system layout.

[0040] (iv) Step 404 The operation unit PC101 transmits IP address allocation information to the first unit (the unit with the first priority: in the case of the system configuration example of FIG. 2, the transport device A102_1) in the first communication mode. The IP address allocation information is configured, for example, by packetizing the IP address information to be allocated and the unit identification information of the unit to be allocated. When each unit receives the IP address allocation information from the operation unit PC101 via the system network, it compares the unit identification information included in the IP address allocation information with the unit identification information it holds, and determines whether or not the IP address is assigned to itself. If it determines that the IP address is assigned to itself, the unit holds the IP address. On the other hand, if it determines that the IP address is not assigned to itself, the unit ignores the IP address allocation information until it can confirm receipt of the IP address allocation information for itself.

[0041] (v) Step 405 The operation unit PC101 judges whether a preset system timeout time has elapsed. This system timeout time is the time within which IP address allocation to the allocation target unit must be completed, and is information for judging that an error has occurred if the IP address allocation is not completed within that time.

[0042] If the system timeout time has elapsed (YES in step 405), the process proceeds to step 406. If the system timeout time has not yet elapsed (NO in step 405), the process proceeds to step 408.

[0043] (vi) Step 406 and Step 407 The operation unit PC101 determines that the network establishment has failed (i.e., the automatic IP address allocation process for the allocation target unit that was executed this time has failed) (step 406), and outputs an alarm (e.g., an alarm display) to the output device (e.g., the display screen of a display device) 1014 of the operation unit PC101.

[0044] If the automatic IP address allocation process ends in failure in this manner, the operator (user) can inspect the specimen testing automation system 100 (e.g., each unit and network wiring in the configuration of Figure 2) or instruct the start of the automatic IP address allocation process again.

[0045] (vii) Step 408 The operation unit PC101 judges whether the IP address allocation to the allocation target unit (the transport device 102 or the analysis device 103) is completed or not. The completion or not can be judged by receiving, in the second communication mode, information indicating that the operation unit PC101 has received the IP address from the allocation target unit.

[0046] If IP address allocation to the allocation target unit has been completed (YES in step 408), the process proceeds to step 412. On the other hand, if IP address allocation to the allocation target unit has not been completed (NO in step 408), the process proceeds to step 409.

[0047] (viii) Step 409 The operation unit PC101 judges whether a preset retry time (<system timeout time) has elapsed. If the retry time has already elapsed (YES in step 409), the process proceeds to step 410. If the retry time has not yet elapsed (NO in step 409), the process proceeds to step 408, and the IP address allocation process for the allocation target unit continues.

[0048] (ix) Step 410 and Step 411 The allocation target unit executes a reboot process (step 410) and transmits an IP address allocation request to the operation unit PC101 again.

[0049] (x) Step 412 The operation unit PC101 executes IP address assignment processing for all units other than the unit that was first assigned an IP address (all units downstream of the unit with the highest priority). Specifically, the operation unit PC101 sequentially executes the processing from step 404 (reading "first" in step 404 as "target") to step 411 for the target unit according to the priority specified in the IP address table (Figure 3). When IP address assignment is completed for all units, the process proceeds to step 413.

[0050] (xi) Step 413 The operation unit PC101 terminates the IP address assignment process and establishes (activates) the network in the specimen inspection automation system 100. When the network in the specimen inspection automation system 100 is established, the operation unit PC101 can correctly control each unit, such as issuing commands to specific units using the IP address.

[0051] <Summary of IP Address Assignment Method 1> (i) As described above, according to the IP address allocation method 1 of this embodiment, even when a new transport device and an analyzer set therewith are added or when an existing transport device and an analyzer set therewith are replaced, an IP address can be automatically assigned to each unit by simply turning on the power of the specimen testing automation system 100. Furthermore, in the conventional IP address allocation method, even when there are multiple transport devices and analyzers with the same function, the dip switches are assigned in advance, so that they must be placed in a fixed position. In this embodiment, since an IP address is automatically assigned after the transport device and analyzer are set, when there are multiple transport devices and analyzers with the same function, the user can freely place each unit without worrying about the installation position. Furthermore, by using a cross cable to connect each unit in this embodiment, when the installation direction is not limited by the hardware configuration, such as in the case of a symmetrical device configuration, the orientation of the transport device and analyzer can also be freely placed. Note that any means capable of dynamic IP address allocation may be used. In addition, a switch (e.g., a push button switch) for turning on the power of the specimen testing automation system 100 may be pressed by an operator such as a serviceman, or the switch may be configured to automatically turn on when the power of the operation unit PC101 is turned on.

[0052] (ii) In the above-mentioned specimen testing automation system 100, the transport device 102 and the analysis device 103 are provided as a set, but the technology disclosed herein is also applicable to a configuration in which the transport device 102 is omitted and one or more analysis devices 103 are connected, or to a configuration in which the analysis device 103 is omitted and one or more transport devices 102 are connected.

[0053] (iii) After an IP address is assigned to each unit and the specimen testing automation system 100 is configured, the power to the entire system is turned off (the system configuration is reset), and when the power to the system is then turned on again, the above-mentioned operations may be performed again to reconfigure the system. Alternatively, once the system configuration is completed, the operation unit PC101 may store the results, and when the power to each unit is turned on again, a startup completion signal may be output to each unit in sequence based on the stored IP address, omitting the IP address allocation process. However, if there is a change such as the addition of a unit, operations such as ID setting must be performed again for each unit.

[0054] (iv) In the IP address allocation method 1, similarly to the IP address allocation method 2 described later, the operation unit PC 101 may acquire route information of each slave station device (the transport device 102 and the analysis device 103: each unit).

[0055] (2) IP address allocation method 2 IP address allocation method 2 is a method of acquiring route information of each unit (transport device 102 and analyzer 103) constituting the specimen testing automation system 100 and allocating an IP address to each unit based on the route information, without referring to an IP address table (design information) previously stored in the LIS 105. IP address allocation method 2 will be described in detail below. Note that the specimen testing automation system 100 described in IP address allocation method 1 can be adopted as the configuration of the specimen testing automation system that executes IP address allocation method 2. For this reason, a description of an example configuration of the specimen testing automation system 100 will be omitted here.

[0056] <Route information acquisition process> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration to which an IP address is assigned, and is a diagram showing an example of a connection configuration between an operation unit PC (parent station device) 101 and a plurality of units (child station devices: transport devices 102_1 to n and analysis devices 103_1 to m; n and m are arbitrary integers). Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a part of a route information table acquired by the route information acquisition process.

[0057] When the setup of the specimen testing automation system 100 is completed and the system power is turned on, the central control unit (processor 1011) of the operation unit PC (management device) 101 starts up and starts the IP address allocation function of each slave station device. Note that, for the route information acquisition process, several types of methods are possible as shown below, but these are merely examples, and any method may be used as long as the route from the operation unit PC 101 to each unit is known.

[0058] (i) Route information acquisition processing example 1 The operation unit PC101 transfers the empty packet 501 to all units in sequence. Taking the system configuration of FIG. 5 as an example, the operation unit PC101 first transmits the empty packet 501 to the transport device A102_1 directly connected thereto. The transport device A102_1 that receives the empty packet 501 assigns the port number (port number 2 in the example of FIG. 5) of the Ethernet cable 104 connected to the operation unit PC101 to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and assigns (adds) information indicating the presence or absence of a downstream unit connected to itself to the empty packet 501, and transmits it to the upstream device (operation unit PC101). When the operation unit PC101 receives the packet 501' with the port number assigned from the transport device A102_1, it stores "21" in the route information table (FIG. 6) as the route information of the transport device A102_1. Here, "2" indicates the port number of the transport device A102_1, and "1" indicates the operation unit PC101 itself. That is, "21" indicates that the transport device A102_1 is connected to the operation unit PC101 via the port number 2. When the packet 501' received from the transport device A102_1 indicates that another child station device (in FIG. 5, the transport device B102_2) is connected downstream of the transport device A102_1, the operation unit PC101 transmits an empty packet 501 to the child station device (the transport device B102_2) via the transport device A102_1. The transport device B102_2 adds the port number (in the example of FIG. 5, port number 2) of the Ethernet cable 104 connected to the transport device A102_1 to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and also adds (adds) information indicating the presence or absence of a downstream unit connected to itself to the empty packet 501, and transmits the packet to the transport device A102_1. The transport device A102_1 assigns the port number (port number 2) to which the Ethernet cable 104 is connected on the upstream side to the packet 501' received from the transport device B102_2 and transmits the packet to the upstream device (operation unit PC101). When the operation unit PC101 receives the packet 501' with the port number assigned from the transport device A102_1, it stores "221" as the route information of the transport device B102_2 in the route information table (FIG. 6).Here, the "2" on the left side indicates the port number of the transport device B102_2, the "2" in the middle indicates the port number of the transport device A102_1, and the "1" on the right side indicates the operation unit PC101 itself. In other words, "221" indicates that the transport device B102_2 is connected to the transport device A102_1 via port number 2, and the transport device A102_1 is connected to the operation unit PC101 via port number 2. Furthermore, the same process is repeated up to the analysis device A103_1, which is not connected to any other unit downstream.

[0059] Moreover, the operation unit PC101 transmits an empty packet 501 to a transport device C102_3 that is different from the transport device A102_1 that is directly connected to the operation unit PC101. The transport device C102_3 that receives the empty packet 501 assigns the port number (port number 3 in the example of FIG. 5) of the Ethernet cable 104 connected to the operation unit PC101 to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and also assigns (adds) information indicating the presence or absence of a downstream unit connected to itself to the empty packet 501, and transmits the packet to the upstream device (operation unit PC101). When the operation unit PC101 receives the packet 501' to which the port number is assigned from the transport device C102_3, it stores "31" as the route information of the transport device C102_3 in the route information table (FIG. 6). Here, "3" indicates the port number of the transport device C102_3, and "1" indicates the operation unit PC101 itself. That is, "31" indicates that the transport device C102_3 is connected to the operation unit PC101 via the port number 3. When the packet 501' received from the transport device C102_3 indicates that another child station device (the transport device D102_4 in FIG. 5) is connected downstream of the transport device C102_3, the operation unit PC101 transmits an empty packet 501 to the child station device (the transport device D102_4) via the transport device C102_3. The transport device D102_4 assigns the port number (port number 2 in the example of FIG. 5) of the Ethernet cable 104 connected to the transport device C102_3 to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and assigns (adds) information indicating the presence or absence of a downstream unit connected to itself to the empty packet 501 and transmits it to the transport device C102_3. The transport device C102_3 assigns the port number (port number 2) to which the Ethernet cable 104 is connected on the upstream side to the packet 501' received from the transport device D102_4 and transmits the packet to the upstream device (operation unit PC101). When the operation unit PC101 receives the packet 501' with the port number assigned from the transport device C102_3, it stores "231" as the route information of the transport device D102_4 in the route information table (FIG. 6). Here, the "2" on the left side indicates the port number of the transport device D102_4, the "3" in the middle indicates the port number of the transport device C102_3, and the "1" on the right side indicates the operation unit PC101 itself.That is, "231" indicates that the transport device D102_4 is connected to the transport device C102_3 via port number 2, and the transport device C102_3 is connected to the operation unit PC101 via port number 3. Furthermore, the same process is repeated up to the analysis device B103_2, which is not connected to another unit downstream.

[0060] Furthermore, when the packet 501' from the transport device D102_4 includes information indicating that multiple child station devices are connected (analysis device B103_2 and transport device E102_5 in the example of FIG. 5), after acquiring the route to the analysis device B103_2, the operation unit PC101 transmits an empty packet 501 to the transport device E102_5 via the transport device C102_3 and the transport device D102_4. The transport device E102_5 that receives the empty packet 501 adds a port number (port number 3 in the example of FIG. 5) of the Ethernet cable 104 connected to the transport device D102_4 to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and also adds (adds) information indicating the presence or absence of a downstream unit connected to itself to the empty packet 501, and transmits the packet to the upstream device (transport device D102_4). The transport device D102_4 assigns a port number (assumed to be port number 2) to which the Ethernet cable 104 is connected on the upstream side to the packet 501' received from the transport device E102_5, and transmits the packet to the upstream device (the transport device C102_3). When the transport device C102_3 receives the packet 501' to which the port number is assigned from the transport device D102_4, the transport device C102_3 assigns a port number (port number 3 in the example of FIG. 5) to which the upstream device (the operation unit PC101) is connected to the packet 501', and transmits the packet 501' to the operation unit PC101. When the operation unit PC101 receives the packet 501' to which the port number is assigned from the transport device C102_3, it stores "3231" in the route information table (FIG. 6) as the route information of the transport device E102_5. Here, the leftmost "3" indicates the port number of the transport device E102_5, the second leftmost "2" indicates the port number of the transport device D102_4, the third leftmost "3" indicates the port number of the transport device C102_3, and the rightmost "1" indicates the operation unit PC101 itself. In other words, "3231" indicates that the transport device E102_5 is connected to the transport device D102_4 via port number 3, the transport device D102_4 is connected to the transport device C102_3 via port number 2, and the transport device C102_3 is connected to the operation unit PC101 via port number 3. Furthermore, the same process is repeated up to the analysis device C103_3 to which no other unit is connected downstream.

[0061] (ii) Route information acquisition processing example 2 First, the operation unit PC101 communicates with each child station device (units: transport device A to E102_1 to E102_5 and analytical device A to C103_1 to C103_3) (for example, an inquiry signal is sent from the operation unit PC101 in a first communication mode, and a response to the inquiry is sent in a second communication mode) and acquires information on the position of the unit having a branch in the X-axis (horizontal) and Y-axis (vertical) directions (how many positions from the operation unit PC101 in the vertical and horizontal directions) when the operation unit PC101 is the origin.

[0062] Then, the operation unit PC101 sequentially or simultaneously transmits the number of empty packets 501 corresponding to the number of units having branches plus one. In the case of the system configuration of FIG. 5, the units having branches are the operation unit PC101 itself and the transport device C102_5, so that three empty packets 501 are transmitted from the operation unit PC101. The first empty packet 501 is transmitted to the analysis device A103_1 to which no child station device is connected downstream via the transport device A102_1 and the transport device B102_2. Upon receiving the empty packet 501, the analysis device A103_1 assigns the port number 2 to which the transport device B102_2 (upstream unit) is connected to the route information register of the empty packet 501, and transmits the packet to the transport device B102_2 (upstream unit) as a packet 501'. Upon receiving the packet 501', the transport device B102_2 assigns the port number 2 to which the transport device A102_1 is connected to the port number assigned by the analytical device A103_1, and transmits the packet 501' to the transport device A102_1 (upstream unit). Upon receiving the packet 501' from the transport device B102_2 (downstream unit), the transport device A102_1 assigns the port number 2 to which the operation unit PC101 (upstream unit) is connected to the packet 501' and transmits the packet 501' to the operation unit PC101 (upstream unit). Upon receiving the packet 501', the operation unit PC101 assigns its own port number 1 to the port number string included in the packet 501' to make it a route (for example, 2221) to the analytical device A103_1, and stores it in the route information table (FIG. 6). In addition, by acquiring route information to the analytical device A103_1, the operation unit PC101 can recognize the routes to the units existing between the operation unit PC101 and the analytical device A103_1, and also stores the route information (route 21 to the transporting device A102_1, route 221 to the transporting device B102_2) in the route information table.

[0063] The second empty packet 501 is transmitted to the analysis device B103_2 via the transport device C102_3 and the transport device D102_4. Then, the same process as that for the first empty packet 501 is performed, and the route to the analysis device B103_2 (for example, 2231) is stored in the route information table. Similarly, routes to the transport device C102_3 and the transport device D102_4 between the operation unit PC101 and the analysis device B103_2 ("31" and "231", respectively) are obtained and stored in the route information table.

[0064] Furthermore, the third empty packet 501 is transmitted to the analysis device 103_3 via the transport device C102_3, the transport device D102_4, and the transport device E102_5. Then, the same process is performed as for the first and second empty packets 501, and a route (e.g., 23231) to the analysis device C103_3 is obtained. In addition, since the routes to the transport device C102_3 and the transport device D102_4 are grasped by transmitting the second empty packet 501, a route (e.g., 3231) to the transport device E102_5 is obtained and added to the route information table.

[0065] (iii) Setting main and sub routes based on route information When the operation unit PC101 obtains the route information as described above, it can determine whether there is a branch in the route and determine the unit group that constitutes the main route. For example, in the configuration of the specimen inspection automation system 100 in FIG. 5, it is possible to determine the conveyance device A102_1 → conveyance device B102_2 → analyzer A103_1 as the main route. Further, the operation unit PC101 determines the unit group that constitutes the sub-route. For example, in the system configuration of FIG. 5, the sub-route 1 of the operation unit PC101 → conveyance device C102_3 → conveyance device D102_4 → analyzer B103_2 and the sub-route 2 of the operation unit PC101 → conveyance device C102_3 → conveyance device D102_4 → conveyance device E102_5 → analyzer C103_3 are determined. Note that the sub-route 1 may be set as the main route, and the other routes may be set as the sub-route 1 and the sub-route 2, respectively. At this time, in the IP address assignment process, it can be defined that the sub-route 1 has priority over the sub-route 2.

[0066] Based on the route information obtained as described above (which can be the route information regarding all units, composed of the above main route and at least one of the above sub-routes), as described below, the IP address assignment process by the IP address assignment method 2 is executed (see FIG. 7).

[0067] <Contents of the IP address assignment process 2> FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the IP address assignment process by the IP address assignment method 2.

[0068] (i) Step 701 When the acquisition of the route information (see FIG. 6) of each slave station device (each unit) is completed, the operation unit PC101 starts assigning IP addresses to each unit.

[0069] (ii) Step 702 The operation unit PC101 refers to the route information stored in the route information table (FIG. 6) and assigns the above-mentioned acquired route information to the route information section of the empty packet 501, and also assigns IP address=1 (here, the IP address is 1, but any desired address can be used) to the IP address section. Then, the operation unit PC101 transmits the packet 501 filled with the IP address to the units connected downstream (the transport device A102_1 and the transport device C102_3 in FIG. 5).

[0070] (iii) Step 703 When a downstream unit (child station device: in the case of the initial processing, the transport device A 102_1 or the transport device C 102_3) receives the packet 501 with the IP address = 1, it stores it as its own IP address in the storage device 1022 (storage device 1032 when the allocation target is the analysis device 103).

[0071] (iv) Step 704 After storing the IP address in the storage device 1022 (or the storage device 1032), the unit (slave station device) judges whether or not there is a connection of another unit (downstream unit) downstream of itself in the route information included in the packet 501. The presence or absence of a connection of a downstream unit can be judged, for example, by whether or not the route information included in the packet includes the port number of another unit subsequent to the unit (own unit). Alternatively, for example, the processor 1021 or 1031 of the unit can judge by transmitting a connection confirmation signal to each port of the unit and receiving an Ack signal from the downstream unit of the connection destination. Furthermore, for example, when a downstream unit of the unit is connected, the processor 1021 or 1031 may recognize the connection of the downstream unit and the connection port number. Also, in the above-mentioned route information acquisition process, each unit may recognize the presence or absence of a connection of a downstream unit in itself, and store the information in the storage device 1022 or 1032.

[0072] If it is determined that there is no connection of a downstream unit (NO in step 704), the process proceeds to step 705. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a connection of a downstream unit (YES in step 704), the process proceeds to step 711.

[0073] (v) Step 705 The unit (e.g., the analytical device A103_1 that is not connected to any other unit downstream) transfers the received packet 501 to an upstream unit (e.g., the transport device B102_2) as a report of the completion of IP address allocation for the unit. In Fig. 7, steps 705 to 707 are loop processes, and in the case of the system example in Fig. 5, the initial transfer is from the analytical device A103_1 to the transport device B102_2, but in the second and subsequent loop processes, the upstream units are the transport device A102_1 and the operation unit PC101.

[0074] (vi) Step 706 An upstream unit (e.g., the transport device B102_2) receives a packet 501 from a downstream unit (e.g., the analytical device A103_1) and stores the IP address stored in the received packet 501 as the IP address of the downstream unit (in the storage device 1022 in the case of the transport device B102_2).

[0075] (vii) Step 707 The upstream unit (e.g., the transport device B102_2) judges whether or not an upstream unit is connected to the own device. If an upstream unit is connected to the own device (YES in step 707), the process returns to step 705. On the other hand, if an upstream unit is not connected to the own device (NO in step 707), the process proceeds to step 708. For example, in the case of the transport device B102_2, since the transport device A102_1 also exists as an upstream unit, the result in step 707 is YES, and the process returns to step 705.

[0076] (viii) Step 708 The operation unit PC101 judges whether the IP address allocation process is completed for all units (child station equipment) in the acquired route information. If the IP address allocation for all units is completed (YES in step 708), the process proceeds to step 709. On the other hand, if the IP address allocation for all units is not completed (NO in step 708), the process proceeds to step 710.

[0077] (ix) Step 709 Since IP address allocation has now been completed for all units in the specimen testing automation system 100, the process ends with IP address allocation method 2.

[0078] (x) Step 710 The operation unit PC101 instructs the branch source unit (for example, the operation unit PC101 itself or the transport device D102_4 in FIG. 5) to start the IP address allocation process, and shifts the process to step 712.

[0079] (xi) Step 711 The downstream unit (e.g., conveyance device A to E102_1 to E102_5 in FIG. 5) that received the packet 501 in step 703 judges whether or not the device has a branch connection. The presence or absence of a branch connection can be judged, for example, from the above-mentioned route information attached to the packet (information indicating which part has a branch may be included). Alternatively, for example, the processor 1021 or 1031 of the unit transmits a connection confirmation signal to each port of the unit, and can judge whether or not two or more Ack signals are received. Furthermore, for example, when a plurality of downstream units of the unit are connected, the processor 1021 or 1031 may recognize the presence or absence of a branch and the port number to which the downstream unit is connected. Also, in the above-mentioned route information acquisition process, each unit may recognize the presence or absence of a branch connection in itself, and store the information in the storage device 1012, 1022, or 1032.

[0080] If the downstream unit has a branch connection (YES in step 711), the process proceeds to step 712. If the downstream unit does not have a branch connection (NO in step 711), the process proceeds to step 714.

[0081] 5, in the case of the main path, since there is no branch connection, the process proceeds to step 714. On the other hand, for example, when determining whether or not there is a branch connection in the transport device D102_4 of the sub-path 1, the process proceeds to step 712.

[0082] (xii) Step 712 The branching unit (e.g., operation unit PC101 or transport device D102_4) determines whether it has stored an IP address assigned to a final unit (e.g., analytical device A103_1 or analytical device B103_2) in the next higher priority route (e.g., main route or sub-route 1). If the branching unit has stored the IP address of the final unit in the next higher priority route (YES in step 712), the process proceeds to step 713. On the other hand, if the branching unit has not stored the IP address of the final unit in the next higher priority route (NO in step 712), the process proceeds to step 715.

[0083] For example, when the processes from step 705 to step 709 are completed and IP address allocation is already completed for a high priority route (e.g., main route and sub-route 1), the branch source unit holds the IP address of the final stage unit (analytical device A 103_1 or analytical device B 103_2) of the route with the next higher priority (main route for sub-route 1 or sub-route 1 for sub-route 2). Therefore, the answer in step 712 is YES, and the process proceeds to step 713. On the other hand, when IP address allocation for each unit of the route with the next higher priority has not been completed, the answer in step 712 is NO, and the process proceeds to step 715.

[0084] (xiii) Step 713 The unit at the branch source (e.g., the operation unit PC101 or the transfer device D102_4) sends the IP address of the last-stage unit of one high-priority path + 1 to the unit at the branch destination (e.g., the transfer device C102_3 in sub-path 1 or the transfer device E102_5 in sub-path 2). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 703. At this time, the "downstream unit" in step 703 means the unit at the branch destination.

[0085] (xiv) Step 714 The downstream unit without a branch connection (e.g., in the main path of FIG. 5, the transfer device A102_1 or the transfer device B102_2 downstream of the operation unit PC101) sends the IP address of the IP address + 1 sent to itself to the downstream unit (e.g., the transfer device B102_2 for the transfer device A102_1 or the analysis device A103_1 for the transfer device B102_2). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 703. At this time, the "downstream unit" in step 703 means, for example, the transfer device B102_2 for the transfer device A102_1 or the analysis device A103_1 for the transfer device B102_2.

[0086] (xv) Step 715 The unit at the branch source (e.g., the transfer device D102_4) that has not obtained the IP address of the last-stage unit (e.g., the analysis device B103_1) in one high-priority path (e.g., sub-path 1 in FIG. 5) sends the IP address of its own IP address + 1 to the downstream unit (e.g., the analysis device B103_2).

[0087] <Summary of IP Address Assignment Method 2> (i) As described above, according to the IP address allocation method 2 of this embodiment, an IP address can be automatically assigned to each unit with ease, similar to the above-mentioned IP address allocation method 1. In addition, when there are a plurality of transport devices and analyzers with the same functions, they can be freely arranged without worrying about the installation position, and when the installation direction is not limited by the hardware configuration, such as in the case of a symmetrical device configuration, the orientation of the transport device and analyzer can also be freely arranged. In addition, unlike the above-mentioned IP address allocation method 1, an IP address can be automatically assigned to each unit without requiring design information. In addition, a switch (for example, a push button switch) for turning on the power of the specimen testing automation system 100 may be pressed by an operator such as a serviceman, or the switch may be automatically turned on by turning on the power of the operation unit PC 101.

[0088] (ii) In the specimen testing automation system 100 that executes IP address allocation method 2, the transport device 102 and the analysis device 103 are also set up as a set, but the technology disclosed herein is also applicable to a configuration in which the transport device 102 is omitted and one or more analysis devices 103 are connected, or to a configuration in which the analysis device 103 is omitted and one or more transport devices 102 are connected.

[0089] (iii) In IP address allocation method 2 as well, after an IP address is assigned to each unit and the specimen testing automation system 100 is configured, the power to the entire system is turned off (the system configuration is reset), and when the power to the system is then turned on again, the above-mentioned operations may be performed again to reconfigure the system. Alternatively, once the system configuration is completed, the operation unit PC 101 may store the results, and when the power to each unit is turned on again, a startup completion signal may be output to each unit in sequence based on the stored IP address, and the IP address allocation process may be omitted. However, when there is a change such as the addition of a unit, operations such as ID setting are performed again for each unit.

[0090] (iv) Modifications 7, the packet 501 includes route information indicating the connection relationships of all units, but is not limited to this, and the main route and sub-routes may be included as route information in the packet 501. In this case, when the IP address allocation process for each unit of one route (the main route and each sub-routes: each route may be assigned a priority) is completed, the operation unit PC101 can resume the IP address allocation process from a unit having a branch connection in the next route (route with the next priority).

[0091] (3) IP address consistency check process The IP address consistency check process is a process for checking the consistency of unit IP addresses (IP addresses assigned to each unit by IP address allocation method 1 or 2) assigned by the operation unit PC 101 (a process for checking whether the IP address allocation process has functioned normally). Specifically, the IP address consistency check process checks the consistency of the results based on IP address allocation method 1 using IP address allocation method 2, and checks the consistency of the results based on IP address allocation method 2 using design information. Details of this process will be explained below using FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the IP address consistency check process.

[0092] (i) Step 801 After completing the allocation of IP addresses to each unit (slave station device) in the specimen testing automation system 100, the operation unit PC101 starts a process of checking the consistency of the IP addresses.

[0093] (ii) Step 802 The operation unit PC101 judges whether the IP address of each unit has been assigned with reference to the design information, that is, whether the IP address has been assigned according to the above-mentioned IP address assignment method 1. If the IP address has been assigned with reference to the design information (YES in step 802), the process proceeds to step 803. On the other hand, if the IP address has been assigned without reference to the design information (NO in step 802), the process proceeds to step 805.

[0094] (iii) Step 803 The operation unit PC101 acquires the path information of each unit constituting the specimen testing automation system 100. The path information acquisition process is as described above.

[0095] (iv) Step 804 The operation unit PC101 cooperates with each unit (slave station device) to determine the IP address of each unit. The IP address of each unit is determined according to the above-mentioned IP address allocation method 2 (FIG. 7).

[0096] (v) Step 805 The operation unit PC101 acquires design information (see FIG. 3). If the operation unit PC101 does not hold the design information in advance in the storage device 1012, it acquires it from the LIS 105. If the design information is not held in the LIS 105, the operation unit PC101 may output to the output device (e.g., a display device) 1014 a message indicating that the design information cannot be acquired, and prompt the operator (user) to input the design information.

[0097] (vi) Step 806 When an IP address is assigned to each unit with reference to the design information (IP address assignment method 1), the operation unit PC101 compares the IP address based on the design information with the IP address determined in step 804. On the other hand, when an IP address is assigned to each unit without reference to the design information (IP address assignment method 2), the operation unit PC101 compares the IP address not based on the design information with the design information acquired in step 805. If there is no difference between the compared IP addresses (NO in step 806), the process proceeds to step 808. If there is a difference between the compared IP addresses (YES in step 806), the process proceeds to step 807.

[0098] (vii) Step 807 The operation unit PC101 ends the IP address consistency check process, and starts the operation of the specimen testing automation system 100.

[0099] (viii) Step 808 The operation unit PC101 outputs to the output device 1014 (for example, displays on the display screen of a display device) a message indicating that the IP addresses assigned to each unit are not consistent. The operator (user) recognizes the content of the output alarm, and checks the design information held by the LIS105 against the actual connection, and identifies the cause of the IP address assignment error.

[0100] (ix) Other The contents of the IP address compatibility check process shown in FIG. 8 are merely an example, and can be flexibly changed depending on the configuration of the specimen testing automation system 100.

[0101] (4) Summary (i) The specimen testing automation system 100 of this embodiment is based on a distributed control method and includes a plurality of slave station devices (units: transport device 102 and analyzer 103) and a master station device (operation unit PC 101) that communicates with the plurality of slave station devices via communication paths and controls the plurality of slave station devices. In this configuration, the master station device executes a process of assigning unique position information (IP address) to each of the plurality of slave station devices using information acquired by communicating with the plurality of slave station devices (a communication path from the master station device to the slave station device (first communication path: first communication mode) and a communication path from the slave station device to the upstream slave station device and the master station device (second communication path: second communication mode) are separately provided). In this way, an operator (user) can construct a system by appropriately arranging each unit, and then the master station device assigns IP addresses from each slave station device, so that a specimen testing automation system can be easily and flexibly realized without worrying about the arrangement of each slave station device (which unit should be arranged in which position).

[0102] In the specimen testing automation system 100, the direction from the master station (operation unit PC101) toward the multiple slave station devices (each unit) is defined as downstream, and the direction from the multiple slave station devices (each unit) toward the master station device is defined as upstream. In this case, each communication path has a first communication path (first communication mode) that allows the master station device to transmit control commands from upstream to downstream to each of the multiple slave station devices, and a second communication path (second communication mode) that allows the multiple slave station devices to transmit control commands from downstream to upstream to the master station device. Since the communication paths are separated, information can be exchanged in parallel between the master station device and each slave station device.

[0103] (ii) According to the IP address allocation method 1 of the present embodiment, when the master station device (operation unit PC101) receives an allocation request for unique position information (e.g., IP address) including identification information for identifying each slave station device from multiple slave station devices (units: transport device 102 and analyzer 103), the master station device allocates unique position information to the multiple slave station devices based on given design information (FIG. 3: for example, information indicating a layout of units of the specimen testing automation system 100 that is set in advance) and the identification information of the specimen testing automation system 100. More specifically, the master station device determines unique position information of the multiple slave station devices based on priority information included in the design information. Then, the master station device transmits the determined unique position information to each slave station device using the identification information of the multiple slave station devices. When each slave station device receives unique position information including identification information, the slave station device stores the unique position information stored in a packet including its own identification information in its own storage device. In this way, the user can automatically build a specimen testing automation system without worrying about the layout or order of each unit. Furthermore, there is no need to pre-allocate fixed unique location information (IP address) to each unit.

[0104] (iii) According to the IP address allocation method 2 of the present embodiment, the parent station device acquires route information of each child station device by communicating with the child station devices, and assigns unique position information to each of the child station devices in the route order of the acquired route information. More specifically, the parent station device transmits a packet including the route information and the first unique position information to be assigned to a downstream first child station device (a unit to which an IP address is assigned). The first child station device stores the first unique position information included in the packet in its own storage device, and when a second child station device is further connected downstream of the first child station device, transmits a packet including second unique position information obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first unique position information to the second child station device. Furthermore, when a third child station device is further connected downstream of the second child station device, the second child station device transmits a packet including third unique position information obtained by adding a predetermined value to the second unique position information to the third child station device. In this way, unique position information (IP addresses) can be automatically assigned to downstream units in sequence along the path, allowing the user to easily configure the specimen testing automation system 100.

[0105] The IP address allocation method 2 of the present embodiment also deals with cases where the system route has a branch. For example, the parent station device transmits a packet including the route information and the first unique position information to be allocated to the first downstream child station device. At this time, the first child station device stores the first unique position information included in the packet in its own storage device, and if the first child station device has a branch connection, judges whether it holds the last-stage unique position information allocated to the child station device at the last stage of the route with high priority in the route information. Then, the first child station device executes unique position information allocation to the child station device based on the result of the judgment. More specifically, if the first child station device with a branch connection (i) does not hold the last-stage unique position information, it executes unique position information allocation to the child station device on the route with high priority. On the other hand, if the first child station device (ii) holds the last-stage unique position information, it adds a predetermined value to the last-stage unique position information to generate updated unique position information, and transmits the updated unique position information to the child station device at the branch destination. In this way, even if a branch exists in the path of the specimen testing automation system 100, it is possible to automatically assign unique position information to each unit easily and reliably.

[0106] (iv) This embodiment also proposes a method for checking whether the unique location information (IP address) assigned to each slave station equipment (unit) by the above-mentioned IP address assignment method 1 or IP address assignment method 2 is correct. For example, when unique location information is assigned to each slave station equipment by IP address assignment method 2 (a method of assigning unique location information to each unit based on route information), the unique location information is compared with unique location information based on design information (unique location information assigned according to IP address assignment method 1). In this way, it becomes possible to check whether the unique location information assignment by IP address assignment method 1 has been performed correctly.

[0107] On the other hand, for example, when unique location information is assigned to each slave station equipment by IP address allocation method 1 (a method of assigning unique location information to each unit based on design information), the unique location information assigned to each slave station equipment is obtained separately according to IP address allocation method 2. Then, the unique location information by IP address allocation method 1 is compared with the unique location information by IP address allocation method 2. In this way, it is possible to check whether the unique location information allocation by IP address allocation method 2 has been performed correctly.

[0108] (v) The functions of the present embodiment can also be realized by software program code. In this case, a storage medium on which the program code is recorded is provided to a system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the program code itself and the storage medium on which it is stored constitute the present disclosure. Examples of storage media for supplying such program code include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs.

[0109] Also, an operating system (OS) running on a computer may perform all or a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized by the processing. Furthermore, after the program code read from a storage medium is written into a memory on a computer, a CPU of the computer may perform all or a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized by the processing.

[0110] Furthermore, the program code of the software that realizes the functions of this embodiment may be distributed via a network and stored in a storage means such as a hard disk or memory of the system or device, or in a storage medium such as a CD-RW or CD-R, so that when used, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage means or storage medium.

[0111] Finally, the processes and techniques described herein are not inherently related to any particular apparatus, but may be implemented by any suitable combination of components. Moreover, various types of general purpose devices may be used in accordance with the teachings described herein. It may prove beneficial to construct specialized apparatus to perform the steps of the methods described herein. Also, various configurations may be formed by suitable combinations of multiple components disclosed in the present embodiment. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the present embodiment. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific examples, they should not be construed as limiting in all respects. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous combinations of hardware, software, and firmware suitable for implementing the techniques of the present disclosure. For example, the described software may be implemented in a wide variety of programming or scripting languages, such as assembler, C / C++, perl, Shell, PHP, Java, and the like.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all of the control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. All of the components may be connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Sample testing automation system 101 Operation unit PC 102 Transport device 102_1 Transport device A 102_2 Transport device B 102_3 Transport device C 102_4 Transport device D 102_5 Transport device E 103 Analyzer 103_1 Analyzer A 103_2 Analyzer B 103_3 Analyzer C 104 Ethernet Cable 105 LSI(Laboratory Information System) 501 packets

Claims

1. a plurality of slave station devices, each of which corresponds to at least one of a transport device that transports a sample and an analysis device that analyzes the sample; a master station device that communicates with the plurality of slave station devices via a communication path and controls the plurality of slave station devices, When the direction from the parent station device toward the plurality of child station devices is defined as downstream and the direction from the plurality of child station devices toward the parent station device is defined as upstream, the communication path includes a first communication path through which the master station device can transmit a control command from upstream to downstream to each of the plurality of slave station devices, and a second communication path through which the plurality of slave station devices can transmit a control command from downstream to upstream to the master station device, the master station device acquires route information of each of the slave station devices by communicating with the multiple slave station devices, and assigns unique location information to each of the multiple slave station devices in a route order of the acquired route information; the master station device transmits a packet including the route information and the first unique position information to be assigned to a downstream first slave station device; The first substation device stores the first unique location information contained in the packet in its own memory device, and if a second substation device is further connected downstream of the first substation device, transmits the packet to the second substation device, the packet including second unique location information obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first unique location information.

2. In claim 1, A specimen testing automation system in which, when the parent station device receives a request for allocation of the unique location information, including identification information identifying each child station device, from the plurality of child station devices, the parent station device assigns the unique location information to the plurality of child station devices based on given design information of the specimen testing automation system and the identification information.

3. In claim 2, the master station equipment determines the unique location information of the plurality of slave station equipment based on priority information included in the design information, and transmits the determined unique location information to each slave station equipment using identification information of the plurality of slave station equipment; The plurality of slave station devices store the unique position information corresponding to their own identification information in their own storage devices.

4. In claim 1, each of the plurality of slave station devices has a plurality of ports each having a receiving terminal and a transmitting terminal for connection to a slave station device other than itself; A sample testing automation system in which the arrangement of transmitting terminals and receiving terminals in a port for connecting to another upstream child station device or the parent station device and a port for connecting to another downstream child station device are uniform, and the ports are connected to each other via a cross cable.

5. In claim 1, A sample testing automation system, wherein when a third substation device is further connected downstream of the second substation device, the second substation device transmits the packet to the third substation device, the packet including third unique location information obtained by adding a predetermined value to the second unique location information.

6. In claim 1, the master station device transmits a packet including the route information and the first unique position information to be assigned to a downstream first slave station device; The first substation device stores the first unique position information contained in the packet in its own memory device, and if the first substation device has a branch connection, determines whether it holds final stage unique position information assigned to a substation device at the final stage of a route with a high priority in the route information, and assigns unique position information to the substation device based on the result of the determination.

7. In claim 6, A sample testing automation system, wherein the first child station device having the branch connection (i) when it does not hold the final stage unique position information, assigns unique position information to the child station device on the high priority route, and (ii) when it holds the final stage unique position information, generates updated unique position information by adding a predetermined value to the final stage unique position information, and transmits the updated unique position information to the child station device to which the first child station device having the branch connection branches.

8. In claim 2, A sample testing automation system, wherein the parent station device acquires route information of each of the multiple child station devices by communicating with the multiple child station devices, generates unique position information based on the route information assigned to each of the multiple child station devices in the route order of the acquired route information, compares the unique position information based on the given design information with the unique position information based on the route information, checks the consistency of the unique position information assigned to each of the multiple child station devices, and outputs the results of the check.

9. In claim 1, The parent station device acquires design information including information on the placement positions of the parent station device and the multiple child station devices in the sample testing automation system, compares the design information with unique position information based on the route information, checks the consistency of the unique position information assigned to each of the multiple child station devices, and outputs the results of the check.

10. A fixed position information allocation method for allocating unique position information to a plurality of slave station devices in a sample testing automation system, the method comprising: a master station device that communicates with the plurality of slave station devices via a communication path and controls the plurality of slave station devices; and a fixed position information allocation method for allocating unique position information to the plurality of slave station devices in a sample testing automation system, the method comprising: defining a direction toward the plurality of slave station devices as viewed from the master station device as downstream and a direction toward the master station device as viewed from the plurality of slave station devices as upstream; the communication path includes a first communication path through which the master station device can transmit a control command from upstream to downstream to each of the plurality of slave station devices, and a second communication path through which the plurality of slave station devices can transmit a control command from downstream to upstream to the master station device, the master station device acquires route information of each of the slave station devices by communicating with the plurality of slave station devices, and assigns the unique position information to each of the plurality of slave station devices in a route order of the acquired route information; the master station device transmits a packet including the route information and first unique position information to be assigned to a downstream first slave station device; the first child station device stores the first unique location information included in the packet in its own storage device, and when a second child station device is further connected downstream of the first child station device, transmits the packet including second unique location information obtained by adding a predetermined value to the first unique location information to the second child station device; A fixed position information allocation method including:

11. In claim 10, The fixed location information allocation method includes receiving, from the master station device, a request for allocation of the unique location information, the request including identification information for identifying each of the slave station devices; The method, wherein allocating the unique location information includes the master station device allocating the unique location information to the multiple slave station devices based on given design information of the sample testing automation system and the identification information.

12. In claim 10, the fixed location information allocation method includes the master station device acquiring route information of each of the slave station devices by communicating with the plurality of slave station devices; The method, wherein allocating the unique location information includes allocating the unique location information to each of the multiple slave station devices in a route order according to the acquired route information.

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