Sample information setting method, sample information setting program, and sample information setting device

Abstract

A setting method for setting, in accordance with an operation of an operator, information relating to a specimen to be injected into each of a plurality of injection targets (wells) includes the steps of: displaying a plurality of first images (well array images) corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets (S0); performing a drag operation to select a region including a first image to be set, in an array of the plurality of displayed injection targets (S1, S2); in response to termination of the drag operation, displaying a second image representing, as a menu, specimen information capable of being set for the injection target corresponding to the first image contained in the region (S4); and setting the specimen information selected by means of a second operation (option selecting operation), from at least one item of specimen information contained in the second image, for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample information setting method, a sample information setting program, and a sample information setting device. [Background technology]

[0002] In various types of testing and analysis, such as chemical testing and biological analysis, a sample injection device is used to inject a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, such as a plurality of wells provided in a well plate. The type of sample to be injected in the sample injection device can be set, for example, by software for setting information about the sample to be injected.

[0003] For example, one method for setting information about samples to be injected into multiple injection targets is to create a template image with a cell arrangement corresponding to the well arrangement and display it on the display unit, and then the analyst can enter information into each cell by directly typing text and by dragging and dropping from a sample list created in advance (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-74441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional method of setting sample information as described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it requires complicated operations such as direct character input and drag-and-drop operations from a sample list created in advance.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to simplify the operation when setting samples to be injected into a plurality of injection targets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sample information setting method is a sample information setting method in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, in accordance with an operator's operation, comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets; displaying a second image in a menu showing information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in an arrangement of the plurality of injection targets displayed by the plurality of first images, in response to completion of a first operation of selecting an area including a first image of the target by a drag operation; and setting the information on the sample selected by the second operation from the information on at least one sample included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sample information setting program is a sample information setting program for causing a computer to execute a process of setting sample information in accordance with an operator's operation in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, and the program executes the following steps: displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets; displaying a second image in a menu showing information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the array of the plurality of injection targets displayed by the plurality of first images, in response to completion of a first operation of selecting an area including a first image of the target by a drag operation; and setting the information on the sample selected by the second operation from the information on at least one sample included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sample information setting device is a sample information setting device that sets sample information in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets in accordance with an operator's operation, and includes a display unit, a control unit, and a memory unit. The control unit performs the following steps: a first image display process that displays a plurality of first images corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets on the display unit; a second image display process that displays a second image in the display unit, in a menu, showing information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region, in response to completion of a first operation of selecting an area including a first image of the target to be set by a drag operation in an arrangement of the plurality of injection targets displayed by the plurality of first images; and a setting process that stores in the memory unit data to be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region, using the information of the sample selected by the second operation from the information of at least one sample included in the second image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, upon completion of a first operation of selecting by dragging an area including a first image of the setting target, a second image is displayed showing, in a menu, information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. This allows the first operation to serve as both an operation of selecting the area including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying the second image showing, in a menu, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into multiple injection targets. Furthermore, by showing, in a menu using the second image, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area selected by the first operation, and setting information on the sample selected by the second operation from the information on the samples included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area, it is possible to simplify the operation of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sample information setting program is provided that, upon completion of a first operation of selecting a region including a first image of a setting target by dragging the region including the first image of the setting target in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, displays a second image showing, in a menu, information about at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region. This allows the first operation to serve as both a selection operation for a region including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image. This simplifies the operation of setting samples to be injected into multiple injection targets. Furthermore, the program facilitates the task of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets. Furthermore, the program facilitates the task of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets by displaying, in a menu, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region selected by the first operation from the information about the sample included in the second image.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a sample information setting device can be provided that, upon completion of a first operation of selecting an area including a first image of a setting target by dragging the area in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, displays a second image showing, in a menu, information about at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. This allows the first operation to serve as both a selection operation for the area including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image. This can simplify the operation of setting samples to be injected into multiple injection targets. Furthermore, the device can facilitate the task of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets. Furthermore, the device can facilitate the task of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets by displaying, in a menu, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area selected by the first operation using the second image, and setting information about the sample selected by the second operation from the information about the sample included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a well information setting system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a tablet terminal 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information on a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing a method for additionally setting well information in a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information in a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting information on multiple wells in a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting information on multiple wells in a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a well selection process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a menu image display process. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a well information setting process. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information for well images 7 of the first and second wells displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information for well images 7 of the first and second wells displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a diagram showing a method for deleting well information from a well image 7 of a second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 23]10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information on a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information on a well image 7 of a first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] [Configuration of well information setting system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a well information setting system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] 1, the well information setting system, which is a sample information setting system, includes a tablet terminal 1 and a sample injection device 10. The well information setting system is a system in which information about a sample to be injected (hereinafter also referred to as well information) by the sample injection device 10, which has a function of injecting a sample into each of a plurality of wells provided in a well plate 11, is set in response to operation of the tablet terminal 1 by an operator.

[0016] The sample injection device 10 is a device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of wells that are injection targets provided in a well plate 11. The tablet terminal 1 is a device that can set well information, which is information about the sample to be injected into each of the plurality of wells in the sample injection device 10.

[0017] The tablet terminal 1 is capable of wirelessly communicating data with the sample injection device 10. The tablet terminal 1 is a terminal device that can be carried by an operator. The tablet terminal 1 includes a display unit 3 including a touch panel, and a frame body 2, which is a case that protects the area of ​​the tablet terminal 1 other than the area where the display unit 3 is provided. The operator can perform touch operations with their fingers on the display unit 3, such as tapping and dragging.

[0018] The sample injection device 10 may be incorporated into an analytical device system that performs sample analysis and operates as a sample injection unit, or may be a device that operates as a standalone device for injecting samples. The tablet terminal 1 may be a terminal device dedicated to the well information setting system, or may be a general-purpose terminal device.

[0019] [Tablet device 1 configuration] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the tablet terminal 1.

[0020] 2, the tablet terminal 1 includes a control unit 4, a touch panel 5, a communication unit 6, and a storage unit 9. The communication unit 6 is used for wireless communication and wired communication between the tablet terminal 1 and the sample injection device 10.

[0021] The control unit 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 and a ROM (Read Only Memory The computer includes a ROM 42 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43. The ROM 42 stores data such as programs executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 43 is used as a work area when executing the programs. The CPU 41 executes the programs read from the ROM 42 or the storage unit 9 into the RAM 43.

[0022] The touch panel 5 is a combination of an image display unit made of a liquid crystal panel and an operation detection unit made of a touch sensor. The touch panel 5 displays various images on the image display unit based on an image display signal provided from the control unit 4, detects a touch operation by the operator using the operation detection unit, and provides an operation detection signal to the control unit 4.

[0023] Communications Department 6 , trialData can be communicated wirelessly with a communication unit provided in the sample injection device 10. When the tablet terminal 1 is connected to the sample injection device 10 via a communication cable, the communication unit 6 can communicate data via wired communication with a communication unit provided in the sample injection device 170. The storage unit 9 is made up of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 9 stores various application programs and information such as various data.

[0024] [How to set well information] Next, a well information setting method using the tablet terminal 1 will be described.

[0025] (Well array image) Figure 3 shows the first Embodiment 10 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the present invention.

[0026] The well array image 70 is an image that simulates the arrangement of a plurality of actual wells provided in the well plate 11 when viewed from above. In the well array image 70, well images 7, each corresponding to one well provided in the well plate 11, are displayed in accordance with the actual arrangement of the wells. Each well image 7 is an image that simulates an actual well using a rectangular image. Each well image 7 shows a well symbol that can identify the position where the well is arranged. The well symbols are, for example, symbols such as A1, A2, ..., H12 and X1A, X2A, ..., X3H in FIG. 3.

[0027] In the drawings showing the well array image 70 such as FIG. 3, the touch position 8 currently touched by the operator is indicated by a hollow arrow in order to make it easier to explain the position being operated by the operator.

[0028] A group of 96 well images 7 in 8 rows (rows indicated by "A" to "H" in the figure) by 12 columns (columns indicated by "1" to "12" in the figure) on the right side of the well array image 70 is a group of well images 7 corresponding to first wells called "96 wells" provided in the well plate 11. A group of 24 well images 7 in 8 rows (rows indicated by "A" to "H" in the figure) by 3 columns (columns indicated by "X1" to "X3" in the figure) on the left side of the well array image 70 is a group of well images 7 corresponding to second wells called "extra stand wells" provided in the well plate 11.

[0029] The group of well images 7 of the first wells shows 96 types of well symbols A1 to H12. The group of well images 7 of the second wells shows 24 types of well symbols X1A to X3H.

[0030] As will be described later, all well images 7 can display setting information (well information) of the sample to be injected into the corresponding well as an image (setting image 77).

[0031] (How to set well information for well image 7 of the first well) Next, a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well will be described. One feature of the well information setting method described below is that, in response to an operator touching and dragging a finger on the display unit 3, an area displaying the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is selected, and then, in response to the operator releasing the finger from the display unit 3 to terminate the series of dragging operations, a first menu image 721 is displayed, showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area. More specifically, when the operation detection unit of the touch panel 5 detects that a finger has touched and dragged the display unit 3, an operation detection signal is transmitted from the operation detection unit of the touch panel 5 to the control unit 4. Upon receiving the detection signal of such a dragging operation, the control unit 4 executes control to display the first menu image 721 on the display unit 3.

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well displayed on the display unit 3. Figures 4(A) to 4(D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In Figure 4, all of the well images 7 shown in Figure 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawing, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0033] 4(A), when a well array image 70 with no well information set is displayed, it is assumed that the operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well for which well information is to be set. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with their finger and drags in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "A1" to the well image 7 of "C3," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well for which information is to be set.

[0034] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in FIG. 4(A), well images 7 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed are selected as targets for setting well information. Such a drag operation is also called a well selection operation. Well images 7 selected by such a drag operation are displayed in an emphasized manner (hereinafter also referred to as an emphasized display), as indicated by a thick frame in the figure, so that they can be distinguished from unselected well images 7.

[0035] After the drag operation shown in FIG. 4(A) is performed, when the operator releases their finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released, the end of the drag operation is detected. When the end of the drag operation is detected, as shown in FIG. 4(B), a first menu image 721 showing three sample options, “size standard,” “sample,” and “control,” is displayed to the right of the position where the finger was released. In the first menu image 721, a first option image 73 showing the “size standard” sample option, a second option image 74 showing the “sample” sample option, and a third option image 75 showing the “control” sample option are displayed. The first option image 73, the second option image 74, and the third option image 75 each display an image of a container containing a sample of a different color and an image showing the name of the sample. Note that the first menu image 721 may be displayed in any position as long as it is near the position where the drag operation ended. In this way, by displaying first menu image 721 near the position where the drag operation is ended, first menu image 721 becomes easier to see after the drag operation is ended.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4(C), when the operator touches, for example, first option image 73 while first menu image 721 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of first option image 73 is selected. When the operation to select the option of first option image 73 is performed as shown in Fig. 4(C), data is stored in storage unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation to set the "size standard" sample corresponding to first option image 73 as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0037] In this way, when the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75 while the first menu image 721 is displayed and the touch operation is detected, data for setting the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to the well image 7 selected as the setting target for well information based on the above-mentioned drag operation is stored in the storage unit 9. In this way, the operation of the operator selecting any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75 by touching while the first menu image 721 is displayed is also called an option selection operation.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4(C), when the operator's touch operation on the first option image 73 is detected while the first menu image 721 is displayed, a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the selected option image is displayed as the set image 77 in the well image 7 selected for setting well information, as shown in FIG. 4(D). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(D), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is canceled. This indicates the type of sample that has been set in the selected well image 7, allowing the operator to easily confirm which type of sample has been set in which well.

[0039] (How to delete well information from well image 7 of the first well) Next, a method for deleting well information in the well image 7 of the first well will be described. One feature of the well information deletion method described below is that, in response to the operator touching and dragging his / her finger on the display unit 3, an area displaying both a well image 7 for which well information has been set and a well image 7 for which well information has not yet been set is selected, and then, in response to the operator removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to release the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a second menu image 722 is displayed showing a deletion option image 76 for selecting to delete well information corresponding to the set well included in the selected area.

[0040] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing a method for deleting well information from the well image 7 of the first well displayed on the display unit 3. FIGS. 5(A) to 5(C) and 6(D) to 6(F) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In FIGS. 5 and 6, all of the well images 7 shown in FIG. 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawings, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(A), in a state where a well array image 70 is displayed showing a set image 77 consisting of a single set image 77a indicating that a "size standard" sample has been set as well information in nine well images 7 of "A1" to "A3," "B1" to "B3," and "C1" to "C3," an operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well from which well information is to be deleted. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "A2" to the well image 7 of "E5," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well to be deleted.

[0042] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Figure 5(A), well images 7 included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7, including well images 7 for which well information has been set and well images 7 for which well information has not been set, included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed, are selected. Well images 7 selected by the drag operation are highlighted as shown by a thick frame in the figure, so that they can be distinguished from well images 7 that have not been selected.

[0043] After the drag operation shown in FIG. 5(A) is performed, when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released, the end of the drag operation is detected. When the end of the drag operation is detected, as shown in FIG. 5(B), a second menu image 722 showing a deletion option image 76 called "Delete" is displayed to the right of the position where the finger was released as the base point. In the deletion option image 76, an image of a trash can and an image showing the word "Delete" are displayed. Note that the second menu image 722 may be displayed in any position as long as it is near the position where the drag operation ended. In this way, by displaying the second menu image 722 near the position where the drag operation ended, the second menu image 722 is easily visible after the drag operation ended.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5(C), when the operator touches the delete option image 76 while the second menu image 722 is displayed, and when this operation is detected, a delete confirmation image 80 is displayed on the right side of the position where the finger was released, in response to the touch operation, as shown in Fig. 6(D). The delete confirmation image 80 displays a message image 81 for confirming that the sample information set in the well corresponding to the selected well image 7 will be deleted, an OK image 82 indicating an icon to be operated when the deletion is accepted, and a cancel image 83 indicating an icon to be operated when the deletion is rejected.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(E), when the operator touches the OK image 82 while the deletion confirmation image 80 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the well information stored in the memory unit 9 for the wells corresponding to the well images 7 for which well information has been set among the selected well images 7 is deleted in response to the touch operation. As shown in FIG. 6(F), for the well images 7 corresponding to the wells for which well information has been deleted among the selected well images 7, the set image 77 consisting of the single set image 77a is deleted and a well symbol is displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6( F), the highlighting that was displayed on the selected well image 7 is removed. This allows the operator to easily check the well image 7 that corresponds to the well whose well information has been deleted.

[0046] When the well image 7 selected by dragging corresponds to a first well, instead of deleting the sample information set for the first well corresponding to the well image 7 by displaying a menu image for selecting deletion of the sample information set for the first well corresponding to the well image 7 as described above, the sample information may be overwritten with the sample information selected by the second operation as follows. For example, when the well image 7 selected by dragging corresponds to a first well, a menu image such as a first menu image 721 showing options for the sample to be set for the first well may be displayed for the well image 7 for which well information has already been set, allowing the selection of a new type of sample. Then, when such a menu image is displayed and a new sample to be set for the first well corresponding to the well image 7 for which well information has already been set is selected by a selection operation, a first well information overwrite process may be executed to overwrite the set well information with the information for the newly selected sample. By executing such a process, the type of sample to be set for the first well for which well information has already been set can be easily changed.

[0047] (How to add well information to well image 7 of the first well) Next, a method for additionally setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well will be described. One feature of the method for additionally setting well information described below is that, in response to the operator touching and dragging his / her finger on the display unit 3, an area in which the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is displayed, and then, in response to the operator removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to cancel the touch state and ending the drag operation, a first menu image 721 is displayed showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area.

[0048] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a method for setting additional well information in the well image 7 of the first well displayed on the display unit 3. In Fig. 7, Figs. 7(A) to 7(D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In Fig. 7, all of the well images 7 shown in Fig. 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to the limited scope of the drawing, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7(A), in a state where a well array image 70 is displayed showing a set image 77 consisting of a single set image 77a indicating that a "size standard" sample has been set as well information for only three well images 7, "A1," "B1," and "C1," an operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well for which well information is to be added. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "A2" for which well information has not been set to the well image 7 of "C3," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well for which well information is to be added. In this way, the addition of well information for the well image 7 of the first well is performed on the well image 7 for which well information has not been set.

[0050] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Figure 7(A), well images 7 within the range of rows and columns where the drag operation was performed are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 within the range of rows and columns where the drag operation was performed are selected as targets for setting well information. The well images 7 selected by the drag operation are notified by being highlighted as shown by a thick frame in the figure.

[0051] 7(A), the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a first menu image 721 is displayed, displaying a first option image 73, a second option image 74, and a third option image 75, as shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7(C), when the operator touches, for example, second option image 74 while first menu image 721 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of second option image 74 is selected. When the operation to select the option of second option image 74 is performed as shown in Fig. 7(C), data is stored in storage unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation to set the "sample" specimen corresponding to second option image 74 as the specimen to be injected into the well corresponding to well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0053] In this way, when the first menu image 721 is displayed and the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and the touch operation is detected, data is stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to the well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 7(C), when the operator detects a touch operation on the second option image 74 while the first menu image 721 is displayed, a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed as the set image 77 in the well image 7 selected for setting well information, as shown in Fig. 7(D). Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7(D), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is canceled. This indicates the type of sample that has been set in the selected well image 7, allowing the operator to easily confirm which type of sample has been set in which well.

[0055] (How to set well information for well image 7 of the second well) Next, a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the second well will be described. One feature of the well information setting method described below is that, in response to the operator touching and dragging his / her finger on the display unit 3, an area displaying the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is selected, and then, in response to the operator removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to cancel the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a first menu image 721 is displayed showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area.

[0056] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the second well displayed on the display unit 3. Figures 8(A) to 8(D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In Figure 8, all of the well images 7 shown in Figure 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawing, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0057] 8(A), when a well array image 70 with no well information set is displayed, it is assumed that the operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well for which well information is to be set. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "X1A" to the well image 7 of "B1," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well for which information is to be set.

[0058] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Figure 8(A), well images 7 of the first and second wells included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. As a result, the actual wells corresponding to the well images 7 of the first and second wells included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed are selected as targets for setting well information. Well images 7 selected by such a drag operation are highlighted, as indicated by a thick frame in the figure, so that they can be distinguished from well images 7 that are not selected.

[0059] After the drag operation shown in Fig. 8(A) is performed, the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a first menu image 721 is displayed, displaying a first option image 73, a second option image 74, and a third option image 75, as shown in Fig. 8(B).

[0060] 8(C), when the operator touches, for example, first option image 73 while first menu image 721 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of first option image 73 is selected. When the operation to select the option of first option image 73 is performed as shown in FIG. 8(C), data is stored in storage unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation to set the "size standard" sample corresponding to first option image 73 as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0061] In this way, when the first menu image 721 is displayed and the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and the touch operation is detected, data is stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the wells corresponding to the well images 7 in the first and second wells selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 8(C), when the operator's touch operation on first option image 73 is detected while first menu image 721 is displayed, a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed as set image 77 in well image 7 selected for setting well information, as shown in Fig. 8(D). Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8(D), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is canceled. This indicates the type of sample that has been set in the selected well image 7, allowing the operator to easily confirm which type of sample has been set in which well.

[0063] (How to add well information to well image 7 of the second well) Next, a method for additionally setting well information in the well image 7 of the second well will be described. One feature of the method for additionally setting well information described below is that when the operator touches and drags his / her finger on the display unit 3, he / she selects an area in which the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is displayed, and then when he / she removes his / her finger from the display unit 3 to cancel the touch state and thereby terminates the drag operation, a third menu image 723 is displayed showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area and an option for deletion.

[0064] 9 is a diagram showing a method for setting multiple well information in the well image 7 of the second well displayed on the display unit 3. In FIG. 9, FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In FIG. 9, all of the well images 7 shown in FIG. 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawing, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9(A), well images 7 of "X1A," "X2A," "X3A," "X1B," "X2B," and "X3B," each showing a set image 77 consisting of a single set image 77a indicating that well information has been set, and well images 7 of "X1C," "X2C," and "X3C," each showing no well information set, are displayed as second wells in well array image 70. Assume that an operator performs the following drag operation on display unit 3 to select a well for which additional well information is to be set. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from well image 7 of "X1A" to well image 7 of "X3C," thereby selecting an area including well images 7 corresponding to the wells to be set. In this example, a size standard sample is set as well information for all six well images 7 for which well information has been set.

[0066] 9(A) is detected, the well image 7 of the second well within the range of the row and column where the dragging operation was performed is selected. As a result, the actual well corresponding to the well image 7 of the second well within the range of the row and column where the dragging operation was performed is selected as the target for setting well information. The well image 7 selected by the dragging operation is notified by highlighting the image as shown by the thick frame in the figure.

[0067] After the drag operation shown in Fig. 9(A) is performed, when the operator releases his / her finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released, the end of the drag operation is detected. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a third menu image 723 is displayed, displaying a first option image 73, a second option image 74, a third option image 75, and a delete option image 76, as shown in Fig. 9(B). Note that the third menu image 723 may be displayed in any position as long as it is the position where the drag operation ended. In this way, by displaying the third menu image 723 near the position where the drag operation ended, the third menu image 723 is easily visible after the drag operation ended.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 9(C), when the operator touches, for example, the first option image 73 while the third menu image 723 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of the first option image 73 is selected. First choice image 73 When an operation to select one of the options is performed, data for setting the "size standard" sample corresponding to the first option image 73 as a sample to be injected into wells for which well information has already been set and wells for which well information has not yet been set, corresponding to the well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above, is stored in the memory unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation. Specifically, for wells for which well information has already been set, data for additional setting as a sample for multiple injections is stored in the memory unit 9. For wells for which well information has not yet been set, data for setting as a sample for a single injection is stored in the memory unit 9.

[0069] In this way, when the third menu image 723 is displayed, the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and when the touch operation is detected, data is additionally or newly stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the wells corresponding to the well images 7 of the first and second wells selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9(C), when the third menu image 723 is displayed and, for example, a touch operation by the operator on the first option image 73 is detected, the well images are displayed as follows, as shown in FIG. 9(D). For well images 7 for which well information has been set, the set image 77 consisting of a single set image 77a changes to a multiple set image 77b, which is displayed in a display mode of two overlapping circular images indicating that information on samples for multiple injections has been set (hereinafter referred to as multiple set). The multiple set image 77b is displayed in a color different from the color of the samples displayed in the first option image 73, the second option image 74, and the third option image 75. For well images 7 for which well information has not been set, a set image 77 consisting of a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(D), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is canceled.

[0071] In this way, it is possible to set sample information for multiple injections for wells in the second well, and for wells for which sample information for multiple injections has been set, the set image 77 changes from single set image 77a to multiple set image 77b in the corresponding well image 7, allowing the operator to easily confirm which well has sample information for multiple injections set. For setting sample information for multiple injections, for example, sample information for 120 injections can be set as the upper limit as the reference number.

[0072] The setting of sample information for multiple injections may allow only the same type of sample to be set in one well, or may allow different types of samples to be set in one well.Furthermore, the setting of sample information for multiple injections may allow setting of some of the multiple selectable types of sample, or may allow setting of all of the multiple selectable types of sample.

[0073] The operation of setting sample information for multiple injections for wells in the second wells can also be performed by selecting only the well images 7 corresponding to wells for which sample information for a single injection has been set based on a drag operation.The operation of setting sample information for multiple injections for wells in the second wells can also be performed by selecting only the well images 7 corresponding to wells for which sample information for multiple injections has been set based on a drag operation.

[0074] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a method for setting multiple well information in the well image 7 of the second well displayed on the display unit 3. In Figure 10, Figures 10(A) to 10(D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In Figure 10, all of the well images 7 shown in Figure 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to the limited scope of the drawing, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10(A), in a state in which well images 7 of "X1A," "X2A," "X3A," "X1B," "X2B," and "X3B," for which multiple pieces of well information have been set, and well images 7 of "X1C," "X2C," and "X3C," for which a "size standard" sample has been set as well information, are displayed as second wells in well array image 70, assume that the operator performs the following drag operation on display unit 3 to select a well for which to set information on a sample for multiple injections. In this example, for all six well images 7 for which multiple pieces of well information have been set, a size standard sample has been set as well information.

[0076] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Fig. 10(A), the well image 7 of the second well included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array is selected. As a result, the actual well corresponding to the well image 7 of the second well included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed is selected as the target for setting well information. The well image 7 selected by the drag operation is notified by highlighting the image, as indicated by the thick frame in the figure.

[0077] 10(A), the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a third menu image 723 is displayed, displaying a first option image 73, a second option image 74, a third option image 75, and a delete option image 76, as shown in FIG. 10(B).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10(C), when the operator touches, for example, first option image 73 while third menu image 723 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of first option image 73 is selected. When the operation to select the option of first option image 73 is performed as shown in FIG. 10(C), data for setting the "size standard" sample corresponding to first option image 73 as the sample to be injected into wells for which multiple well information has been set and wells for which single well information has been set, corresponding to well images 7 selected as the target for well information setting based on the drag operation described above, is stored in memory unit 9. Specifically, for wells for which multiple well information has been set, data for additional setting as a sample for multiple injections is stored in memory unit 9. For wells for which single well information has been set, data for setting as a sample for a single injection is stored in memory unit 9.

[0079] In this way, when the third menu image 723 is displayed, the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and when the touch operation is detected, data is additionally or newly stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the wells corresponding to the well images 7 of the first and second wells selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10(C), when the third menu image 723 is displayed and, for example, a touch operation by the operator on the first option image 73 is detected, the well images are displayed as follows, as shown in FIG. 10(D). For well images 7 for which multiple well information has been set, the multiple-set image 77b is maintained as the set image 77. For well images 7 for which single well information has been set, the set image 77 changes to the multiple-set image 77b, as shown in FIG. 10(D). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10(D), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is released.

[0081] (How to delete well information from well image 7 of the second well) Next, a method for deleting well information in the well image 7 of the second well will be described. One feature of the well information deletion method described below is that the operator touches the display unit 3 with his / her finger and performs a drag operation, thereby selecting an area displaying both a well image 7 for which well information has been set and a well image 7 for which well information has not yet been set, and then, after removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to release the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a third menu image 723 is displayed.

[0082] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing a method for deleting well information from the well image 7 of the second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) and 12(D) to 12(F) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In FIGS. 11 and 12, all of the well images 7 shown in FIG. 3 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawings, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0083] 11(A), in a state where a well array image 70 is displayed showing a set image 77 made up of multiple set images 77b indicating that information on samples for multiple injections has been set in nine well images 7 of "X1A" to "X3A," "X1B" to "X3B," and "X1C" to "X3C," an operator is assumed to perform the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well from which well information is to be deleted. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "X1A" to the well image 7 of "D1," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well to be deleted.

[0084] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Figure 11(A), well images 7 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed, including well images 7 for which well information has been set and well images 7 for which well information has not been set, are selected. Well images 7 selected by such a drag operation are highlighted, as indicated by a thick frame in the figure, to be notified so as to be distinguishable from well images 7 that have not been selected.

[0085] 11(A), the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a third menu image 723 including a delete option image 76 is displayed on the right side of the position where the finger was released, as shown in FIG. 11(B).

[0086] As shown in Figure 11(C), when the operator touches the deletion option image 76 while the third menu image 723 is displayed, and when the touch operation is detected, in response to the touch operation, a deletion confirmation image 80 is displayed on the right side, with the position where the finger is released as the base point, as shown in Figure 12(D).

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12(E), when the operator touches the OK image 82 while the deletion confirmation image 80 is displayed, if the touch operation is detected, the well information stored in the memory unit 9 for the wells corresponding to the selected well images 7 for which well information has been set is deleted in response to the touch operation. This operation of touching the OK image 82 is also referred to as a deletion confirmation operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(F), for the well images 7 corresponding to the wells from which well information has been deleted, the set image 77 consisting of the multiple set images 77b is deleted, and a well symbol is displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(E), the highlighting displayed on the selected well image 7 is canceled. This allows the operator to easily confirm the well images 7 corresponding to the wells from which well information has been deleted.

[0088] (Well selection process) Next, a well selection process executed by the control unit 4 for selecting wells when setting and deleting well information as shown in FIGS. 4 to 12 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

[0089] 13 is a flowchart showing the well selection process. The well selection process is executed by the CPU 41.

[0090] The CPU 41 executes the following process in the well selection process. In step S (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 0, the well array image 70 is continuously displayed. In S1, based on the touch operation detection information from the operation detection unit of the touch panel 5, it is confirmed whether or not the operator is performing a drag operation to select an area including a well image 7 corresponding to the well for which well information is to be set, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 to 11.

[0091] If a drag operation is not being performed in S1, the process returns. On the other hand, if a drag operation is being performed in S1, the wells included in the area selected by the drag operation are confirmed in S2, and the well images 7 corresponding to the selected wells are highlighted as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7 to 11. Next, in S3, based on the detection information of the touch operation from the operation detection unit of the touch panel 5, it is determined whether the operator's finger has been released from the display unit 3, thereby confirming whether the drag operation has ended.

[0092] If it is determined in S3 that the drag operation has not ended, the process returns to S2. On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 that the drag operation has ended, the process executes menu image display processing in S4 and returns. The menu image display processing is processing for displaying a menu image such as first menu image 721, second menu image 722, or third menu image 723 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7 to 11.

[0093] (Menu image display processing) Next, a menu image display process executed by the control unit 4 to display a menu image such as the first menu image 721, the second menu image 722, or the third menu image 723 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

[0094] 14 is a flowchart showing the menu image display process. The menu image display process is executed by the CPU 41.

[0095] The CPU 41 executes the following process in the menu image display process. In S41, it is confirmed whether the wells selected by the drag operation described above include the second well. If it is determined in S41 that the selected wells do not include the second well, that is, if the selected wells are only the first well, it is confirmed in S42 whether the selected wells include wells for which well information has been set.

[0096] If it is determined in S42 that the selected wells do not include wells for which well information has been set, that is, that the selected wells are all wells for which well information has not been set, then in S43 a first menu image 721 as shown in Fig. 4 is displayed and the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in S42 that the selected wells include wells for which well information has been set, then in S44 a second menu image 722 as shown in Fig. 5 is displayed and the process returns.

[0097] Furthermore, if it is determined in the above-mentioned S41 that the wells selected include the second well, it is confirmed in S45 whether or not the wells being selected include a well for which well information has already been set.

[0098] If it is determined in S45 that the selected wells do not include wells for which well information has been set, that is, the selected wells are all wells for which well information has not been set, then in S43, a first menu image 721 as shown in Fig. 8 is displayed and the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the selected wells include wells for which well information has been set, then in S46, a third menu image 723 as shown in Figs. 9 to 11 is displayed and the process returns.

[0099] When executing the first well information overwrite process, which overwrites the previously set well information for the first well as described above with information about a newly selected sample, instead of executing S44, a process is executed as S44A (not shown) to display a menu image such as the first menu image 721, thereby making it possible to select the information about the sample to be overwritten.

[0100] (Well information setting process) Next, a flowchart will be used to explain the well information setting process, which sets well information based on the information of the sample selected in response to the selection operation of an option image in a menu image such as the first menu image 721, the second menu image 722, or the third menu image 723.

[0101] 15 is a flowchart showing the well information setting process. The well information setting process is executed by the CPU 41.

[0102] The CPU 41 executes the following process in the well information setting process. In S51, it is confirmed whether or not an operation for selecting an option image for a menu image such as the first menu image 721, the second menu image 722, or the third menu image 723 has been performed, based on touch operation detection information from the operation detection unit of the touch panel 5. Specifically, the selection operation refers to a touch operation in which the operator selects the first option image 73, the second option image 74, the third option image 75, or the delete option image 76.

[0103] If it is determined in S51 that no selection operation has been performed on the menu image, the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined in S51 that a selection operation of an option image on the menu image has been performed, it is checked in S52 whether the selection operation of an option image on the menu image is a delete selection operation that selects the delete option image 76.

[0104] If it is determined in S52 that the operation for selecting an option image on the menu image is not a delete selection operation, that is, if it is determined that the operation is a sample selection operation for setting a sample to be injected into a well by selecting the first option image 73, the second option image 74, or the third option image 75, then in S53, data for setting the information of the sample selected in accordance with the operation for selecting the option image confirmed in S51 as the sample to be injected into the selected well is stored in the storage unit 9, corresponding to the well selected by the well selection process of Fig. 13. This sets the well information for the selected well.

[0105] Next, in S54, a set image 77 is displayed on the well image 7 corresponding to the well selected by the well selection process of Fig. 13 based on the well information set in S53, and the process returns. In S54, if the well information indicating the set sample information indicates a sample for a single injection, for example, a single set image 77a in a color corresponding to the type of sample as shown in Fig. 4 is displayed as the set image 77. In addition, in S54, if the well information indicating the set sample information indicates a sample for multiple injections, for example, a multiple set image 77b as shown in Fig. 9 is displayed.

[0106] Furthermore, if it is determined in S52 that the selection operation of the option image for the menu image is a delete selection operation, a delete confirmation image 80 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12 is displayed in S55. Next, in S56, it is confirmed whether or not a deletion consent operation has been performed by the operator touching an OK image 82 on the delete confirmation image 80. If it is confirmed in S56 that a deletion consent operation has been performed, well information, which is information about the sample stored in the storage unit 9, for the well whose well information is to be deleted is deleted in S57. Then, in S58, the set image 77 that was displayed for the well whose well information is to be deleted is deleted, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12. Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, the highlighting performed for the well selected by the well selection process in FIG. 13 is ended, and the process returns.

[0107] On the other hand, if it is not confirmed in S56 that the deletion acceptance operation has been performed, it is confirmed in S60 whether or not a deletion cancel operation has been performed in which the operator touches the cancel image 83 on the deletion confirmation image 80. If it is not confirmed in S60 that the deletion cancel operation has been performed, the process returns to S56. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in S60 that the deletion cancel operation has been performed, the process returns to S61, whereupon the display state of the image is restored to the state before the drag operation was performed. Specifically, in S61, the display state of the image is restored to the state before the drag operation was performed.

[0108] The well information set using the tablet terminal 1 is stored in the storage unit 9 of the tablet terminal 1, and is sent from the tablet terminal 1 to the sample injection device 10 when the sample is injected using the sample injection device 10. The well information set using the tablet terminal 1 may be sent to a storage device provided in the sample injection device 10 each time it is stored in the storage unit 9 of the tablet terminal 1. This type of well information transmission is also the same in each of the following embodiments. The sample injection device 10 performs an operation of injecting the sample set for each well into each well based on the well information set using the tablet terminal 1.

[0109] In addition, when executing the first well information overwrite process, which overwrites the set well information for the first well as described above with information about the newly selected sample, if it is determined in S52 that the selection operation of the option image for the menu image is not a delete selection operation, it may be determined whether the first well information overwrite process is being executed, and if it is determined that the first well information overwrite process is being executed, the process of S53A (not shown) may be executed, which overwrites the set well information with information about the newly selected sample.

[0110] In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which a plurality of option images are displayed in menu images such as the first menu image 721 and the third menu image 723, but this is not limiting, and the option image displayed in a menu image may be one image. In other words, it is sufficient that the option image displayed in a menu image is at least one image.

[0111] In the first embodiment described above, in an array of multiple wells displayed by multiple well images 7, upon completion of a first operation of selecting an area including the well image 7 to be set by a drag operation, a menu image such as a first menu image 721 showing, in a menu, information about at least one sample that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7 included in the area, and a menu image such as a third menu image 723 are displayed.This means that the first operation, the drag operation, serves both as an operation to select an area including the well image 7 to be set and an operation to display a second image showing, in a menu, information about samples that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into the wells of a well plate.

[0112] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a well plate 11 can be shared by multiple users, and when a second user sets well information for a well for which well information has already been set by a first user, a well image is displayed in a manner indicating that well information cannot be set for that well.

[0113] To manage the well plate 11 so that it can be shared by multiple users, login information is assigned to each user, and when each user logs in to the tablet terminal 1, the user can be identified based on the login information.

[0114] [How to set well information] (Well array image) 16 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the second embodiment. The well array image 70 in FIG. 16 differs from the well array image 70 in FIG. 3 in that an unusable well image 78 is displayed as a well image. The unusable well image 78 is displayed as follows. For example, during execution of an analysis according to a schedule using an analyzer, the image is displayed based on well information stored before the analysis is paused.

[0115] The unusable well image 78 is displayed to indicate that a well for which well information has already been set by a first user is an unusable well, so that when a second user sets well information for that well, the second user cannot set well information for that well, assuming that the well plate 11 can be shared by multiple users. In the following second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0116] Unlike well image 7, unusable well image 78 does not show a well symbol, has a lower image density than well image 7, and shows a diagonal line, etc., in a manner that reminds one that the well is unusable.

[0117] The unusable well image 78 as described above is displayed as follows. For example, during analysis of wells in a well sheet in a schedule for analysis using an analyzer, the unusable well image 78 is displayed based on the well information stored before the analysis is paused. Specifically, the unusable well image 78 is displayed as follows: The analyzer performs analysis according to the analysis schedule. Then, the analysis is paused. During the pause, when editing the well information of the well sheet to be analyzed, the wells for which well information was stored before the pause are displayed as unusable well images 78. Furthermore, when adding a well sheet to be analyzed, the wells for which well information was stored before the pause are displayed as unusable well images 78.

[0118] (How to set well information in well image 7 for the first and second wells) Next, a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well will be described. One feature of the well information setting method described below is that, in response to the operator touching and dragging his / her finger on the display unit 3, an area displaying the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is selected, and then, in response to the operator removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to cancel the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a first menu image 721 is displayed showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area.

[0119] 17 and 18 are diagrams showing a method for setting well information for well images 7 for the first and second wells displayed on the display unit 3. In FIGS. 17(A) to 17(C) and 18(D) to 18(E), the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations, is shown. In FIGS. 17 and 18, all of the well images 7 and unusable well images 78 shown in FIG. 16 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawings, only the minimum number of well images 7 and unusable well images 78 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 17(A), in a state where a well image 7 with no well information set and a well array image 70 showing an unusable well image 78 are displayed, the first well and the second well To It is assumed that an operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well for which well information is to be set in the display unit 3. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which, as shown in Fig. 17(B), the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the unusable well image 78 of "X1A" to the unusable well image 78 of "E1", thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well for which information is to be set in the first and second wells.

[0121] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in FIG. 17(B), well images 7 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. Unusable well images 78 included within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed are not selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed are selected as targets for setting well information. This type of drag operation is also called a well selection operation. Well images 7 selected by such a drag operation are highlighted as shown by a thick frame in the figure, so that they can be distinguished from unselected well images 7.

[0122] 17(B) is performed, the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a first menu image 721 is displayed on the right side of the position where the finger was released as the base point, as shown in FIG. 17(C).

[0123] 18(D), when the operator touches, for example, first option image 73 while first menu image 721 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of first option image 73 is selected. When the operation to select the option of first option image 73 is performed as shown in FIG. 18(D), data is stored in storage unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation to set the "size standard" sample corresponding to first option image 73 as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0124] In this way, when the first menu image 721 is displayed and the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and the touch operation is detected, data is stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to the well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above.

[0125] As shown in Figure 18(D), when the operator detects a touch operation on first option image 73 while first menu image 721 is displayed, a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed as set image 77 in the well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18(E), the highlighting of the selected well image 7 is canceled. This causes the type of sample that has been set to be indicated by an image in the selected well image 7, allowing the operator to easily confirm which type of sample has been set in which well.

[0126] Furthermore, even if an unavailable well image 78 is present within the range specified by the drag operation, it is not selected as a target for setting well information, and no well information is set for it, thereby reducing the risk that the first user will change the well information for a well for which the second user has set well information.

[0127] (How to delete well information from well image 7 of the second well) Next, a method for deleting well information in the well image 7 of the second well will be described. One feature of the well information deletion method described below is that the operator touches the display unit 3 with his / her finger and performs a drag operation, thereby selecting an area displaying both a well image 7 for which well information has been set and a well image 7 for which well information has not yet been set, and then, after removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to release the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a third menu image 723 is displayed.

[0128] 19, 20, and 21 are diagrams showing a method for deleting well information in the well image 7 of the second well displayed on the display unit 3. FIGS. 19(A), (B), 20(C), (D), and 21(E), (F) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In FIGS. 19 to 21, all of the well images 7 shown in FIG. 16 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawings, only the minimum number of well images 7 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0129] 19(B), in a state where a well array image 70 is displayed showing set images 77 consisting of a single set image 77a or multiple set images 77b indicating that well information has been set in seven well images 7 of "X1D," "X1E," and "X2A" to "X2E," it is assumed that an operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well from which well information is to be deleted. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with a finger and drags in the direction indicated by arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "X1A" to the well image 7 of "G2," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well to be deleted.

[0130] 19(B) is detected, well images 7 included in the range of the row and column where the dragging operation was performed in the array of wells are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 are selected within the range of the row and column where the dragging operation was performed, including well images 7 for which well information has been set and well images 7 for which well information has not been set, excluding unavailable well images 78. Well images 7 selected by the dragging operation are highlighted as shown by a thick frame in the figure, and are therefore notified so as to be distinguishable from well images 7 that have not been selected.

[0131] 19(B) is performed, the end of the drag operation is detected when the operator releases the finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released. When the end of the drag operation is detected, as shown in FIG. 20(C), a third menu image 723 including a delete option image 76 is displayed on the right side of the position where the finger was released as the base point.

[0132] As shown in Figure 20(D), when the operator touches the deletion option image 76 while the third menu image 723 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, in response to the touch operation, a deletion confirmation image 80 is displayed on the right side, with the position where the finger is released as the base point, as shown in Figure 21(E).

[0133] Various processes in the second embodiment, such as addition of well information and deletion of well information, can basically be executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0134] The well information setting method shown in the second embodiment can be realized by executing the same processes as those executed by the control unit 4 shown in Figures 13 to 15 of the first embodiment. In this case, the well array image 70 shown in Figure 16 is displayed in the process of S0 in Figure 13. Furthermore, the display of changing the well image 7 to the unusable well image 78 is executed each time a user changes by checking the well information set by the other user.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 21(E), when the deletion confirmation image 80 is displayed, the operator touches the OK image 82. When the touch operation is detected, the well information stored in the memory unit 9 for the wells corresponding to the selected well images 7 for which well information has been set is deleted in response to the touch operation. This operation of touching the OK image 82 is also referred to as a deletion confirmation operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 21(F), for the well images 7 corresponding to the selected wells from which well information has been deleted, the set image 77 consisting of the single set image 77a or the multiple set image 77b indicating that well information has been set is deleted, and a well symbol is displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21(F), the highlighting displayed on the selected well image 7 is canceled. This allows the operator to easily identify the well images 7 corresponding to the wells from which well information has been deleted.

[0136] In the second embodiment described above, in an array of multiple wells displayed by multiple well images 7, upon completion of a first operation of selecting an area including the well image 7 to be set by a drag operation, a first menu image 721 showing, in a menu, information about at least one sample that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7 included in the area, and a menu image such as the third menu image 723 are displayed.By this, the first operation, which is a drag operation, serves both as an operation of selecting the area including the well image 7 to be set and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about samples that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into the wells of a well plate.

[0137] Furthermore, even if an unavailable well image 78 is present within the range specified by the drag operation, it is not selected as a target for deleting well information, thereby reducing the risk that the first user will delete well information for a well for which the second user has set well information.

[0138] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, a well information setting method will be described in the case where a part of the first well of the well plate 11 can be used as a dilution well.

[0139] [How to set well information] (Well array image) FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a well array image 70 displayed on the display unit 3 according to the third embodiment.

[0140] The well array image 70 in Fig. 22 differs from the well array image 70 in Fig. 3 in that a diluted well image 79 is displayed as a well image. As for the first wells, the wells in the first to sixth columns are wells into which a sample of a standard concentration is injected, and the wells in the seventh to twelfth columns are wells into which a sample of a concentration more diluted than the standard concentration is injected.

[0141] Each of the dilution wells in the seventh column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the first column. Each of the dilution wells in the eighth column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the second column. Each of the dilution wells in the ninth column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the third column. Each of the dilution wells in the tenth column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the fourth column. Each of the dilution wells in the eleventh column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the fifth column. Each of the dilution wells in the twelfth column is filled with a diluted version of the same sample as the sample injected into each of the wells in the sixth column.

[0142] The well array image 70 in Fig. 22 differs from the well array image 70 in Fig. 3 in that the wells in the 7th to 12th columns are displayed as dilution well images 79 indicating dilution wells. Compared to well image 7, dilution well image 79 has a lower image density, and a triangular image is displayed in part of the image to indicate that it is a dilution well image.

[0143] (How to set well information for well image 7 of the first well) Next, a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well will be described. One feature of the well information setting method described below is that, in response to the operator touching and dragging his / her finger on the display unit 3, an area displaying the well image 7 for which well information has not been set is selected, and then, in response to the operator removing his / her finger from the display unit 3 to cancel the touch state and thereby ending the drag operation, a first menu image 721 is displayed showing options for samples to be set in the wells included in the selected area.

[0144] 23 and 24 are diagrams showing a method for setting well information in the well image 7 of the first well displayed on the display unit 3. In FIGS. 23 and 24, FIGS. 23(A), (B) and 24(C), (D) show the display state of the well array image 70, which changes in response to operations. In FIGS. 23 and 24, all of the well images 7 and dilution well images 79 shown in FIG. 22 are actually displayed on the display unit 3, but due to limitations in the scope of the drawings, only the minimum number of well images 7 and dilution well images 79 necessary for explanation are shown.

[0145] As shown in Figure 23(A), when well information has not been set for all wells in the first well group, it is assumed that the operator performs the following drag operation on the display unit 3 to select a well for which well information is to be set. The assumed drag operation is an operation in which the operator touches the display unit 3 with their finger and drags in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 in the figure, for example, from the well image 7 of "A1" to the well image 7 of "C6," thereby selecting an area including the well image 7 corresponding to the well for which information is to be set.

[0146] In response to the detection of the drag operation shown in Figure 23(A), well images 7 included in the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed in the well array are selected. As a result, actual wells corresponding to well images 7 within the range of the row and column where the drag operation was performed are selected as targets for setting well information. Well images 7 selected by the drag operation are highlighted as shown by a thick frame in the figure, so that they can be distinguished from well images 7 that have not been selected.

[0147] After the drag operation shown in FIG. 23(A) is performed, when the operator releases their finger from the display unit 3 and the touch state is released, the end of the drag operation is detected. When the end of the drag operation is detected, a fourth menu image 724 is displayed, displaying a first option image 73, a second option image 74, and a third option image 75, as shown in FIG. 23(B). In the fourth menu image 724, the first option image 73 is displayed as a darker image than the other option images, thereby indicating that it cannot be selected as an option. Note that the fourth menu image 724 may be displayed in any position as long as it is near the position where the drag operation ended. In this way, by displaying the fourth menu image 724 near the position where the drag operation ended, the fourth menu image 724 is easier to see after the drag operation ended.

[0148] 24(C), when the operator touches, for example, second option image 74 while fourth menu image 724 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, the option of second option image 74 is selected. As shown in FIG. 24(C), when an operation to select an option of second option image 74 is performed, data is stored in storage unit 9 in accordance with the selection operation to set the "sample" specimen corresponding to second option image 74 as the specimen to be injected into the well corresponding to well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above, and as the specimen to be injected into the dilution well corresponding to dilution well image 79 that corresponds to the selected well image 7.

[0149] In this way, when the fourth menu image 724 is displayed and the operator touches the second option image 74 or the third option image 75, and the touch operation is detected, data is stored in the memory unit 9 to set the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the well corresponding to the well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above, and into the dilution well corresponding to the selected well image 7.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 24(C), when the operator detects a touch operation on the second option image 74 while the fourth menu image 724 is displayed, a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed as the set image 77 in the well image 7 selected for setting well information, as shown in FIG. 24(D). Then, as shown in FIG. 24(D), a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the touched option image is displayed as the set image 77 in the dilution well image 79 corresponding to the well image 7 selected for setting well information. The color of the single set image 77a displayed as the set image 77 in the dilution well image 79 is displayed in a color with a lower density than the color of the set image 77 displayed in the well image 7. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24(D), the highlighted display of the selected well image 7 is canceled.

[0151] In this way, when the fourth menu image 724 is displayed and the operator touches any of the first option image 73 to the third option image 75, and the touch operation is detected, data for setting the type of sample corresponding to the touched option image as the sample to be injected into the well selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above, and data for setting the type of sample as the sample to be injected into the dilution well corresponding to the selected well are stored in the memory unit 9.

[0152] Various processes such as adding well information and deleting well information in the third embodiment can basically be executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Note that in the third embodiment, the first menu image 721 and the third menu image 723 may be displayed instead of the fourth menu image 724.

[0153] The well information setting method shown in the third embodiment can be realized by executing the same processes as those executed by the control unit 4 in the first embodiment shown in Figures 13 to 15. In this case, a well array image 70 as shown in Figure 22 is displayed in the process of S0 in Figure 13.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 24(C), when the operator touches, for example, second option image 74 while first menu image 721 is displayed, and the touch operation is detected, as shown in FIG. 24(D), a single set image 77a consisting of a circular image of the same color as the image color of the sample in the selected option image is displayed in well image 7 selected as the target for setting well information based on the drag operation described above, and in dilution well image 79 corresponding to that well image 7. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24(D), the highlighted display of the selected well image 7 is canceled. This displays the type of sample set in the selected well image 7 and the type of sample set in the corresponding dilution well image 79, allowing the operator to easily confirm which type of sample has been set in which well.

[0155] In the third embodiment described above, in an array of multiple wells displayed by multiple well images 7, upon completion of a first operation of selecting an area including the well image 7 to be set by a drag operation, a menu image such as the fourth menu image 724 is displayed, which shows in a menu information about at least one sample that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7 included in that area.This means that the first operation, the drag operation, serves both as an operation to select the area including the well image 7 to be set and as an operation to display a second image showing in a menu information about samples that can be set in the well corresponding to the well image 7, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into the wells of a well plate.

[0156] In addition, when a portion of the first well of the well plate 11 can be used as a dilution well, a dilution well image 79 is automatically assigned as the well image, thereby simplifying the operation when setting a sample to be injected into a well of a well plate including a dilution well.

[0157] [Modification of the embodiment] (1) Communication between the tablet terminal 1 and the sample injection device 10 may be performed by either wireless communication or wired communication.

[0158] (2) A computer such as a laptop personal computer on which dragging operations are performed with a mouse may be used instead of the tablet terminal 1. In other words, the sample information setting method for setting sample information in response to an operator's operation in an injection device that injects samples into each of multiple wells provided in a well plate as described above may be performed by displaying the various images described above on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device that is not a touch panel, and operating an operating device such as a mouse by the operator.

[0159] (3) The set image 77 shown in the well image 7 may be an image that indicates the type of sample that has been set using only color, only shape, or a combination of color and shape.

[0160] (4) When the set image 77 is displayed on the well image 7, the well symbol may not be displayed, or may be displayed.

[0161] (5) When setting the sample to be injected using the well image 7 of the first well, it may be possible to set the sample to be injected multiple times for one well image 7.

[0162] (6) The first menu image 721 and the second menu image 722 may be a common menu image that can display the first option image 73, the second option image 74, the third option image 75, and the delete option image 76, and when the delete option image 76 cannot be selected, a display indicating that the delete option image 76 cannot be selected may be displayed, and when the first option image 73, the second option image 74, and the third option image 75 cannot be selected, a display indicating that these images cannot be selected may be displayed.

[0163] (7) When the multiple setting image 77b is displayed as the setting image 77, the multiple setting image 77b may be displayed in a display mode that identifies the type of sample that is set to be injected multiple times by color or the like.

[0164] (8) When setting sample information using the well image 7 and the first menu image 721 or the third menu image 723, an image of an input field for displaying comments may be displayed so that the operator can input a comment about the sample to be set. In this case, the comment may be information that cannot be expressed by the sample name alone, such as experimental conditions.

[0165] (9) The well information set using the tablet terminal 1 may be stored in the storage unit 9 of the tablet terminal 1, or may be stored in a storage unit provided in the sample injection device .

[0166] (10) The well information set using the tablet terminal 1 may be stored in the storage unit 9 of the tablet terminal 1, or may be stored in a storage unit provided in the sample injection device .

[0167] (11) The well information set using the tablet terminal 1 may be stored only in the memory unit 9 of the tablet terminal 1, and may be sent from the tablet terminal 1 to the sample injection device 10 when the sample is injected using the sample injection device 10.

[0168] (12) Displaying a well image such as well image 7 to highlight it may be achieved by making the display color of the highlighted well image darker than the reference density, or by making the shape of the highlighted well image different from the reference shape.

[0169] (13) The first well and the second well may be displayed in different colors to clearly indicate the difference in well type, or the well images may be displayed in different shapes to clearly indicate the difference in well type.

[0170] (14) The unavailable well image 78 may be made visually distinguishable from the available well image 7 by making the image color density lighter than that of the well image 7, or by making the image shape different from that of the well image 7.

[0171] (15) The diluted well image 79 may be made visually distinguishable from the usable well image 7 by making the image color density lighter than that of the well image 7, or by making the diluted well image 79 a different shape from the well image 7.

[0172] (16) As described above, the display unit 3 may be configured to display an image showing the well information setting results in tabular form using the well images 7, etc., of the well array image 70 on the same screen as the well array image 70. In this way, the well information setting status can be confirmed both in the well array image 70 and in the tabular form.

[0173] (17) When selecting a well image 7 corresponding to a well for which well information has already been set and deleting the well information, it may be possible to make it a condition that only well images 7 for which well information has already been set be selected.

[0174] (18) In the first to third embodiments, a sample information setting method was described in which sample information is set in response to an operator's operation in an injection device that injects a sample into each of multiple wells provided in a well plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The techniques related to the sample information setting methods described in the first to third embodiments may also be applied to a sample information setting method in which sample information is set in response to an operator's operation in an injection device that injects a sample into each of multiple vials in a vial rack. A vial rack is a rack in which multiple injection target containers, such as vials, can be arranged, and is used in autosamplers such as liquid chromatographs and gas chromatographs. In other words, the above-described embodiments may be applied to a sample information setting method in which sample information is set in response to an operator's operation in an injection device that injects a sample into each of multiple injection targets.

[0175] [Note] The sample information setting method of the present disclosure has the following features.

[0176] (1) A sample information setting method for setting sample information in response to an operator's operation in an injection device (sample injection device 10) that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets (wells), the method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of first images (well images 7) corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets (wells); and selecting a region including the first image (well image 7) of the target to be set in an array (well array image 70) of the plurality of injection targets (wells) displayed by the plurality of first images (well images 7) by a drag operation, and then selecting the first image (well image 7) included in the region in response to completion of a first operation (drag operation). The method includes a step (S4) of displaying a second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) showing, in a menu, information on at least one sample (first option image 73, second option image 74, third option image 75) that can be set to an injection target (well) corresponding to the first image (well image 7), and a step (S53) of setting information on a sample selected by a second operation (option selection operation) from the information on at least one sample included in the second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) to an injection target (well) corresponding to the first image (well image 7) included in the area.

[0177] According to this configuration, in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, upon completion of a first operation of selecting by dragging an area including a first image of the setting target, a second image is displayed showing, in a menu, information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. This allows the first operation to serve as both an operation of selecting an area including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into multiple injection targets. Furthermore, by showing, in a menu using the second image, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area selected by the first operation, and setting information on the sample selected by the second operation from the information on the samples included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area, it is possible to simplify the operation of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets.

[0178] (2) The sample information is information about the type of sample to be injected into each of the multiple injection targets (sample types: "size standard," "sample," and "control"). With this configuration, the sample information is information about the type of sample to be injected into each of the multiple injection targets, which simplifies the operation of setting the type of sample to be injected into the multiple injection targets.

[0179] (3) The second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) is displayed near the position where the first operation is completed. With this configuration, the second image is displayed near the position where the first operation is completed, making it easier to view the second image after the first operation is completed.

[0180] (4) The first image (well image 7) and the second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) are displayed on a display device (a touch panel display or a non-touch panel display device), and the first operation ends when a series of operations (operations using a finger or an operating device such as a mouse) is completed (the series of drag operations is completed).

[0181] According to this configuration, the first operation ends in response to the end of a series of operations when a drag operation is performed. Finally Accordingly, when the second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) is displayed, the second image can be displayed without performing any further operations other than the first operation, thereby simplifying the operation for the operator.

[0182] (5) Further provided is a step (S54) of displaying the first image (well image 7) contained within the region in a different display mode (color of the set image 77) depending on the sample selected by the second operation (option selection operation).

[0183] According to this configuration, the first image contained in the area is displayed in a different display mode depending on the sample selected by the second operation, making it easy to visually confirm information about the sample set as the injection target.

[0184] (6) When a first operation (drag operation) is performed on a first image (well image 7) corresponding to an injection target (well) in which a sample to be injected has been set, the method further includes a step (S4) of displaying an item (delete option image 76) for deleting information about the sample that has already been set in the menu of the second image (second menu image 722, third menu image 723), and a step (S57) of deleting information about the sample that has already been set when the item to be deleted is selected by the second operation (option selection operation).

[0185] According to this configuration, when an item to be deleted is selected by the second operation, the information of the sample that has already been set is deleted, so that the information of the sample that has already been set can be deleted as necessary.

[0186] (7) Each of the multiple injection targets (second wells) can have information about the sample to be injected set for multiple injections, and the method further includes a step (S54) of displaying the first image in different modes (the display mode of the single-set image 77a is different from the display mode of the multiple-set image 77b) depending on the number of injections of the sample based on the sample information set for the injection target.

[0187] According to this configuration, the first image is displayed in a different manner depending on the set number of injections, so that the set number of injections can be visually and easily confirmed.

[0188] (8) The multiple injection targets include a first injection target (first well) and a second injection target (second well), and the first injection target (first well) can have information about the sample to be injected set for one injection, and the second injection target (second well) can have information about the sample to be injected set for multiple injections. When setting the information about the sample to be injected into the first injection target (first well), the method further includes a step of changing the information about the sample that has already been set by overwriting it with information about the sample selected by the second operation (S44A, S53A not shown), and when setting the information about the sample to be injected into the second injection target, a step of adding information about the sample selected by the second operation to the information about the sample that has already been set (S53).

[0189] According to this configuration, when setting information about the sample to be injected into the first injection target, the information about the sample that has already been set is changed by overwriting it with the information about the sample selected by the second operation, so that the type of sample to be set can be easily changed for the first injection target for which sample information has already been set.

[0190] (9) The multiple injection targets (wells) can be shared by multiple users including a first user and a second user, and further includes a step (S0 used in the second embodiment) of indicating that the first image in which the sample information is set by the second user cannot be set (displaying an unavailable well image 78) when the first user sets sample information.

[0191] With this configuration, when a first user sets sample information, it is indicated that the first image in which sample information has been set by a second user cannot be set, thereby reducing the risk that the first user will change or delete the sample information in the well in which sample information has been set.

[0192] (10) The multiple injection targets are multiple wells (first well, second well) provided in a well plate (well plate 11). This configuration simplifies the operation when setting samples to be injected into multiple wells.

[0193] The sample information setting program of the present disclosure has the following features. (11) A sample information setting program for causing a computer to execute a process of setting sample information in response to an operator's operation in an injection device (sample injection device 10) that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets (wells), the program including: a step (S0) of displaying a plurality of first images (well images 7) corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets (wells); and a step (S1) of selecting an area including the first image (well image 7) of the injection target in an array (well array image 70) of the plurality of injection targets (wells) displayed by the plurality of first images (well images 7) by a drag operation, in response to completion of a first operation (drag operation) of selecting an area including the first image (well image 7) of the injection target by a drag operation. The control unit 100 executes a step (S4) of displaying a second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) showing, in a menu, information on at least one sample (first option image 73, second option image 74, third option image 75) that can be set to an injection target (well) corresponding to a first image (well image 7) included in the region, and a step (S53) of setting information on a sample selected by a second operation (option selection operation) from the information on at least one sample included in the second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) to an injection target (well) corresponding to the first image (well image 7) included in the region.

[0194] According to this configuration, in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, upon completion of a first operation of selecting by dragging an area including a first image of the setting target, a second image is displayed showing, in a menu, information about at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. This allows the first operation to serve as both an operation of selecting an area including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image, thereby simplifying the operation of setting samples to be injected into wells of multiple injection targets. Furthermore, by showing, in a menu using the second image, information about the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area selected by the first operation, and setting information about the sample selected by the second operation from the information about the samples included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area, it is possible to simplify the operation of setting the same settings for multiple injection targets.

[0195] (12) The multiple injection targets are multiple wells (first well, second well) provided in a well plate (well plate 11). This configuration simplifies the operation of setting samples to be injected into multiple wells.

[0196] The sample information setting device of the present disclosure has the following features. (13) A well information setting device (tablet terminal 1) that sets sample information in response to an operator's operation in an injection device (sample injection device 10) that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets (wells), includes a display unit (display unit 3), a control unit (control unit 4), and a storage unit (storage unit 9), and the control unit (control unit 4) performs a first image display process (S0) that displays a plurality of first images (well images 7) corresponding to each of the plurality of injection targets (wells) on the display unit, and a first operation (drag operation) that selects, by a drag operation, an area including the first image of the setting target in an array (well array image 70) of the plurality of injection targets (wells) displayed by the plurality of first images (well images 7). In response to the completion of the second operation (lag operation), a second image display process (S4) is executed to display on the display unit a second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723) showing in a menu the information of at least one sample that can be set for the injection target (well) corresponding to the first image (well image 7) included in the area, and a setting process (S53) is executed to store in the memory unit the data to be set for the injection target (well) corresponding to the first image (well image 7) included in the area, using the information of the sample selected by the second operation (option selection operation) from the information of at least one sample included in the second image (first menu image 721, third menu image 723).

[0197] According to this configuration, in an array of multiple injection targets displayed by multiple first images, upon completion of a first operation of selecting by dragging an area including a first image of the setting target, a second image is displayed showing, in a menu, information on at least one sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area. This allows the first operation to serve as both an operation of selecting an area including the first image of the setting target and an operation of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image, thereby simplifying the operation when setting samples to be injected into multiple injection targets. Furthermore, by showing, in a menu using the second image, information on the sample that can be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area selected by the first operation, and setting information on the sample selected by the second operation from the information on the samples included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area, it is possible to simplify the operation of setting the same sample for multiple injection targets.

[0198] (14) The multiple injection targets are multiple wells (first well, second well) provided in a well plate (well plate 11). This configuration simplifies the operation when setting samples to be injected into multiple wells.

[0199] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 10 sample injection device, 7 well image, 70 well array image, 721 first menu image, 1 tablet terminal, 4 control unit, 41 CPU, 9 memory unit, 78 unavailable well image, 79 diluted well image.

Claims

1. 1. A sample information setting method for setting information about the type of sample to be injected in response to an operation by an operator in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, comprising: displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to the plurality of injection targets; a step of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about at least one type of sample that can be set as the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the selected area in response to completion of a first operation of selecting, by dragging, an area including the first image of the injection target in the array of the injection targets displayed by the first images; setting information about a type of sample selected by a second operation from information about the type of the at least one sample included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region; and displaying the first image included in the area in a different display mode according to information about the type selected by the second operation, For each of the plurality of injection targets, information regarding the type of the sample to be injected can be set for a plurality of injection times, A sample information setting method further comprising the step of displaying the first image in different modes depending on the number of sample injections based on information on the type of sample set for the injection target.

2. A sample information setting method as described in claim 1, wherein the information regarding the type of the at least one sample includes at least one of a standard sample, an unknown sample, and a control sample.

3. The sample information setting method according to claim 1 , wherein the second image is displayed near a position where the first operation is completed.

4. the first image and the second image are displayed on a display device; The sample information setting method according to claim 1 , wherein the first operation is ended in response to an end of a series of operations that occurred when the drag operation was performed.

5. When the first operation is performed on the first image corresponding to the injection target in which the sample to be injected has been set, an item for deleting information of the sample that has already been set is displayed in a menu of the second image; The sample information setting method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of deleting already set sample information when the item to be deleted is selected by the second operation.

6. the plurality of injection targets include a first injection target and a second injection target; The first injection target can set information on the sample to be injected for one injection, The second injection target can be configured with information about the sample to be injected for a number of injections, When setting information of a sample to be injected into the first injection target, changing the information of the sample that has already been set by overwriting it with information of the sample selected by the second operation; The sample information setting method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adding information about the sample selected by the second operation to information about the sample already set when setting information about the sample to be injected into the second injection target.

7. The plurality of injection targets can be shared by a plurality of users including a first user and a second user; The sample information setting method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of indicating, when the first user sets sample information, that the first image in which sample information has been set by the second user cannot be set.

8. 2. The sample information setting method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of injection targets are a plurality of wells provided in a well plate.

9. 1. A sample information setting program for causing a computer to execute a process for setting information about the type of sample to be injected in response to an operation by an operator in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, the program comprising: displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to the plurality of injection targets; a step of displaying a second image showing, in a menu, information about at least one type of sample that can be set as the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the selected area in response to completion of a first operation of selecting, by dragging, an area including the first image of the injection target in the array of the injection targets displayed by the first images; setting information about a type of sample selected by a second operation from information about the type of the at least one sample included in the second image for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region; and displaying the first image included in the area in a different display mode according to information about the type selected by the second operation. For each of the plurality of injection targets, information regarding the type of the sample to be injected can be set for a plurality of injection times, The sample information setting program further causes the computer to execute a step of displaying the first image in different modes depending on the number of sample injections based on information about the type of sample set for the injection target.

10. 10. The sample information setting program according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of injection targets are a plurality of wells provided in a well plate.

11. 1. A sample information setting device for setting information about the type of sample to be injected in response to an operation by an operator in an injection device that injects a sample into each of a plurality of injection targets, comprising: A display unit; A control unit; a storage unit, The control unit displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to the plurality of injection targets on the display unit; In response to completion of a first operation of selecting an area including a first image of an injection target by a drag operation in the array of the plurality of injection targets displayed by the plurality of first images, a second image is displayed on the display unit in the form of a menu showing information about at least one type of sample that can be set as the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the area; storing information on the type of sample selected by a second operation from information on the type of the at least one sample included in the second image, as data to be set for the injection target corresponding to the first image included in the region, in the storage unit; displaying the first image included in the area in a different display mode according to information about the type selected by the second operation; For each of the plurality of injection targets, information regarding the type of the sample to be injected can be set for a plurality of injection times, The control unit further A sample information setting device that displays the first image in different modes depending on the number of sample injections based on information about the type of sample set for the injection target.

12. 12. The sample information setting device according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of injection targets are a plurality of wells provided in a well plate.

13. A sample information setting method as described in claim 1, wherein the information regarding the type of at least one sample is single or multiple.

14. A sample information setting method as described in Claim 13, wherein information regarding the type of at least one sample is set by a user.

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