Automated analysis system and mobile terminal

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis system and a mobile terminal that make it possible to display information that a user wants to know through easier operation, without making any major changes to the hardware configuration of an analysis device. To this end, an automatic analysis system according to the present invention comprises: an automatic analysis device having a plurality of units necessary for analyzing a component contained in a sample; and a mobile terminal having an image acquisition unit that acquires, when a user holds the mobile terminal over one of the plurality of units, an image of the one unit and a display unit that displays, when the image acquisition unit acquires an image, a plurality of options for the user to perform next with respect to the one unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analysis system and a mobile terminal.

Background Art

[0002] An automatic analyzer performs qualitative and quantitative analysis by adding and reacting a reagent that specifically reacts with a specific component contained in a specimen such as blood or urine, and measuring the absorbance or luminescence of the reaction solution. In such an automatic analyzer, regular maintenance is performed to ensure the reliability of the measurement results. Therefore, a technique is known in which, using a mobile terminal, optimal information for the user is displayed on the screen so that even a user who is not familiar with it can easily perform operations such as maintenance. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a mobile terminal is placed on an identification means such as an RFID or barcode attached to each functional unit of an automatic analyzer, the mobile terminal extracts the identification information and combines it with the operator ID to display the maintenance date and time of the functional unit and the necessary parts of the instruction manual.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1 above, not only is hardware modification necessary for the installation of the identification means, but the mobile terminal must also be deliberately placed on the identification means of the target unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis system and a mobile terminal that can display information desired by the user with a simpler operation without making a major change to the hardware configuration on the analyzer side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the automated analysis system of the present invention comprises an automated analyzer having a plurality of units necessary for analyzing components contained in a sample; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of one of the plurality of units when a user holds it over the unit; and a mobile terminal having a display unit that, when the image acquisition unit acquires an image, displays a plurality of options related to the unit for the user to take next.

[0007] Furthermore, the mobile terminal of the present invention includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of one of a plurality of units necessary for analyzing the components contained in a sample when the user holds the device over that unit, and a display unit that, when the image acquisition unit acquires an image, displays a plurality of options for the user to take next with respect to that unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automated analysis system and a mobile terminal that can display the information the user wants to know with simpler operation, without making significant changes to the hardware configuration of the analysis device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automated analysis system according to Example 1. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the analysis device PC, management server, and mobile terminal in the automated analysis system according to Example 1. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the data structure stored in the memory unit of the analytical instrument's PC. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of operational information stored in the memory of the analysis device's PC. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the data structure stored in the management server's memory. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the detailed functional configuration of a mobile device. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow from when information is displayed on a mobile device. [Figure 8] An example of the screen displayed on a mobile device's screen when the camera is pointed at the sample dispensing mechanism. [Figure 9] An example of a screen displayed on the mobile device's screen when the sample dispensing mechanism is recognized. [Figure 10] An example of the screen displayed when maintenance information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] An example of the screen displayed when "operation information" is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. [Figure 12] An example of the screen displayed when maintenance manual information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. [Figure 13] An example of the screen displayed on the mobile device's screen when a reagent disk is recognized. [Figure 14] An example of the screen displayed when reagent setup information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of the automated analysis system according to Example 2. [Figure 16] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the analytical device PC and mobile terminal in the automated analysis system according to Example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0011] <Example of an automated analysis system configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic analysis system according to Example 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic analysis system 100 of this example includes one automatic analyzer, a management server 112, and a mobile terminal 113. The automatic analyzer further includes an analysis operation unit 101, an analyzer PC 111, and an interface 110. The analyzer PC 111 is connected to the analysis operation unit 101 via the interface 110 and controls the analysis operation unit 101. The analyzer PC 111, the management server 112, and the mobile terminal 113 are connected via a network.

[0012] The analysis operation unit 101 of the automatic analyzer includes a sample input unit 104, analysis units 106a, 106b, 106c, a transport line 105, a sample storage unit 109, etc. The sample input unit 104 and the sample storage unit 109 are connected by a transport line 105 that transports a sample rack 103 (sample placement unit). The sample input unit 104 receives the sample rack 103. The sample rack 103 mounts a plurality of sample containers 102 containing samples to be analyzed. The sample storage unit 109 stores the sample rack 103. In this example, the sample container 102 is installed on the sample rack 103, but the sample container 102 may be installed on other sample placement units such as a sample disk.

[0013] The analysis units 106a, 106b, 106c are respectively arranged along the transport line 105. In FIG. 1, an example where three analysis units 106a, 106b, 106c are arranged is shown, but the number of analysis units is not limited and may be one or more.

[0014] A sample rack 103 on which a plurality of sample containers 102 containing samples to be analyzed are arranged is input into the sample input unit 104 and transported to each of the analysis units 106a, 106b, 106c, the sample storage unit 109, etc. via the transport line 105.

[0015] The specimens contained in the specimen container 102 include general specimens, which are biological samples such as the patient's blood or urine; calibration specimens used for calibration measurements; quality control specimens used for quality control measurements; re-examination specimens, which are specimens related to retesting; and emergency specimens, which are analyzed in between general specimens.

[0016] Each sample container 102 mounted on the sample rack 103 is equipped with a tag (not shown) to identify the sample it contains. This tag may be a barcode or RFID, and the identification information is read by a reader (not shown) and sent to the analyzer PC 111, etc.

[0017] The analysis unit 106a includes a reaction disk 120a (incubator), a sample dispensing mechanism 121a, a reagent disk 108a (reagent storage unit), a reagent dispensing mechanism 122a, and a photometric mechanism 123a, etc. The reaction disk 120a has multiple reaction vessels.

[0018] The sample dispensing mechanism 121a aspirates the sample contained in the sample container 102, which is transported by the transport line 105, and discharges it into the reaction vessel. The reagent disk 108a holds multiple reagent containers 107 (reagent bottles) containing reagents to be used for the analysis of the sample.

[0019] The reagent dispensing mechanism 122a draws reagent from the reagent container 107 placed on the reagent disk 108a and dispenses it into the reaction vessel. The photometric mechanism 123a measures the absorbance, scattered light intensity, etc., of the mixture of sample and reagent contained in the reaction vessel.

[0020] The analysis unit 106a can analyze the concentration of a predetermined substance in a sample by analyzing optical information obtained from the photometric mechanism 123a. The analysis units 106b and 106c have the same configuration as the analysis unit 106a, and each includes reaction disks 120b and 120c, sample dispensing mechanisms 121b and 121c, reagent disks 108b and 108c, reagent dispensing mechanisms 122b and 122c, and photometric mechanisms 123b and 123c, respectively.

[0021] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the analysis device PC, management server, and mobile terminal in the automated analysis system according to Example 1.

[0022] <Analyzer PC> As shown in Figure 2, the analysis device PC111 comprises a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The control unit 11 controls the operation of each unit constituting the analysis operation unit 101 via the interface 110, and receives signals from the photometric mechanism to perform analysis according to the item. The display unit 12 outputs various information to the user, such as a display. The input unit 13 is, for example, a keyboard or mouse, and performs actions such as pressing down buttons on various operation screens displayed on the display unit 12 with the mouse cursor, such as clicking the mouse, and inputting numbers and characters from the keyboard into input fields. The communication unit 14 transmits various information stored in the storage unit 15 to the management server 112.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure stored in the memory unit of the analyzer PC. As shown in Figure 3, the memory unit 15 stores sample information, reagent information, maintenance information, and operation information. Sample information includes the sample ID, patient name, and measurement results. Reagent information includes the type of reagent, remaining amount, and bottle installation date (replacement date). Maintenance information includes the date of the last maintenance and the expiration date. Operational information includes the number of measurements for each analysis item and the total number of samples.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of operational information stored in the memory unit of the analyzer PC. The number of samples measured is counted for each measurement item such as TP, LD, and ALP, and stored in the memory unit 15 as operational information. Note that the operational information shown in Figure 4 is a count of the number of samples that underwent colorimetric analysis based on the photometric mechanism of each analyzer. However, if the analyzer measures electrolytes, it may also be the count of the number of samples (number of measurements) for each analysis item for each sample type.

[0025] <Management Server> As shown in Figure 2, the management server 112 comprises a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The communication unit 21 receives various information transmitted from the analysis device PC 111 and transmits various information stored in the storage unit 23 and information processed by the management server 112 to the mobile terminal 113. The control unit 22 stores various information received from the analysis device PC 111 in the storage unit 23 and executes various functions by reading each program stored in the storage unit 23. The management server 112 may be a server built on a single computer or a cloud-type server built on a group of many computers.

[0026] Figure 5 shows an example of the data configuration stored in the management server's memory unit. As shown in Figure 5, the memory unit 23 of the management server 112 consists of memory 231 and storage 232.

[0027] The memory 231 stores programs corresponding to each function executed by the control unit 22 (processor) as an information extraction unit 231a and an information processing unit 231b. The information extraction unit 231a extracts information from the storage 232 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 113. The information processing unit 231b uses the information extracted by the information extraction unit 231a to process it for transmission to the mobile terminal 113.

[0028] Furthermore, the program may be provided pre-installed on ROM or similar media, or provided or distributed as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the program may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided or distributed by downloading it via the network.

[0029] Storage 232 consists of a non-volatile storage device and includes a maintenance information database 232a, an operation information database 232b, a manual information database 232c, etc. The maintenance information database 232a sequentially stores operation information automatically transmitted from the analyzer PC 111, as well as information manually entered by the user using the mobile terminal 113 as needed, linked to the ID of the automated analyzer. Information manually entered by the user includes, for example, the date of maintenance performed manually, such as cleaning the sample dispensing mechanism, reagent dispensing mechanism, and reagent disk. The operation information database 232b also sequentially stores operation information automatically transmitted from the analyzer PC 111, linked to the ID of the automated analyzer. The manual information database 232c stores maintenance manuals for each model of automated analyzer. The maintenance manuals are divided into files by unit and by maintenance content, and each file includes not only explanatory text showing the maintenance procedure but also videos demonstrating the actual maintenance operation. Furthermore, storage 232 may also include other databases, such as a reagent storage information database that stores the remaining amount of reagents and the date of bottle replacement.

[0030] <Mobile devices> The mobile device 113 is a smartphone, tablet, or other device owned by the user. Herein, the term "user" in this specification includes not only the operator of the automated analyzer, but also the administrator and service personnel of the automated analyzer. Users can obtain information about the automated analyzer by operating the mobile terminal 113 and accessing the management server 112.

[0031] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed functional configuration of a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal 113 includes a display unit 31, an input unit 32, an image acquisition unit 33, a communication unit 34, a control unit 35, and a storage unit 36.

[0032] The display unit 31 outputs various information to the user and is a display. The input unit 32 is a touch sensor located on the surface of the display, used by the user to input various information. The image acquisition unit 33 is a camera that acquires images according to the operation of the input unit 32, and images being captured and acquired images are output to the display unit 31. The communication unit 34 makes inquiries to the management server 112 requesting the transmission of predetermined information, and receives information transmitted from the management server 112 in response to inquiries.

[0033] The control unit 35 executes each function by reading each program stored in the memory unit 36. In Figure 6, the functions executed by the control unit 35 (processor) are conceptually shown as the unit determination unit 361, the choice output unit 362, and the information request unit 363. The unit determination unit 361 determines which unit of the analysis operation unit 101 is being held over based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 33. The choice output unit 362 outputs to the display unit 31 a number of choices for the user to make the next move, based on the unit determined by the unit determination unit 361. The choices output by the choice output unit 362 are predetermined for each unit; for example, if the sample dispensing mechanism is selected, maintenance management, operation information, and maintenance manual information are output as choices. The information request unit 363 sends an inquiry to the management server 112 via the communication unit 34 requesting the transmission of information related to the specified choice. Each program is stored on a computer connected to the network (e.g., the management server) and provided by downloading it via the network.

[0034] <Process flow until information is displayed on a mobile device> Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow until information is displayed on a mobile device. First, the user uses the mobile device 113 to identify the automated analyzer for which they want to know information. For example, when the user uses the mobile device 113 to access a pre-installed application or a website provided by a management server, and enters a user ID using the input unit 32, a list of pre-registered automated analyzer candidates associated with that user ID is output to the display unit 31. Then, when the user selects a predetermined automated analyzer using the input unit 32, that automated analyzer is set as the target for confirmation.

[0035] Next, the image acquisition unit 33 is activated automatically or manually, and the user points the camera at one of the multiple units that make up the analysis operation unit 101 of the automated analyzer (step S101). Figure 8 is an example of the screen output by the display unit of the mobile terminal when the camera is pointed at the sample dispensing mechanism, which is one of the units. As shown in Figure 8, when one unit is included in the camera's shooting range, the user taps a predetermined judgment button 32a, and the display unit 31 outputs the acquired image at the time of judgment, and the image acquisition unit 33 stores the acquired image in the storage unit 36 ​​(step S102). Next, the unit judgment unit 361 makes a judgment on the unit based on the acquired image (step S103). When the unit judgment unit 361 outputs a predetermined unit based on the input image, a pre-created learning model may be used, and that learning model may be created for each model of automated analyzer.

[0036] Subsequently, the display unit 31 outputs text information (e.g., the name of the unit) related to the unit determined by the unit determination unit 361, along with the image acquired at the time of determination. The output of the acquired image allows the user to confirm which unit was determined, and the output of text information also allows the user to notice if they have photographed the wrong object. Furthermore, the selection output unit 362 displays a predetermined set of options for the unit to the display unit 31, prompting the user to make a selection (step S104). Figure 9 is an example of a screen output by the mobile terminal's display unit when a sample dispensing mechanism is recognized. For example, when a sample dispensing mechanism is recognized, the selection output unit 362 outputs three options, as shown in Figure 9: maintenance information, which is information related to the maintenance of the sample dispensing mechanism; operation information, which is information related to the operating status of the sample dispensing mechanism; and maintenance manual information for the sample dispensing mechanism. Note that the options output by the selection output unit 362 are not limited to these three; any two of them may be output, or other options may be included.

[0037] When the user specifies one of the options using the input unit 32 (step S105), the information request unit 363 sends a query to the management server 112 via the communication unit 34, along with the ID of the automated analyzer to be verified, requesting the transmission of information related to the specified option (step S106). When the communication unit 21 of the management server 112 receives the query and the ID of the automated analyzer from the mobile terminal 113, the information extraction unit 231a extracts the necessary information for the option specified in the query from each database in the storage 232 (step S107). At this time, the information processing unit 231b uses the primary information extracted by the information extraction unit 231a to perform additional calculations or graph the information, processing it into secondary information for transmission to the mobile terminal 113 (step S108).

[0038] Subsequently, the communication unit 21 of the management server 112 transmits secondary information to the mobile terminal 113 corresponding to the user ID (step S109). The mobile terminal 113 outputs the secondary information received from the management server 112 to the display unit 31 (step S110).

[0039] Figure 10 is an example of a screen displayed when maintenance information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. Here, we will explain how the management server 112 processes the primary information in the storage unit 23 into the secondary information included in the screen of Figure 10. First, the information extraction unit 231a of the management server 112 extracts the previous implementation date and management deadline (maintenance cycle) for each maintenance item of the sample dispensing mechanism from the maintenance information database 232a. The management deadline may be predetermined for each automated analyzer, or it may be set by the user as appropriate. Next, the information processing unit 231b of the management server 112 visually outputs the current status in the form of an indicator based on the previous implementation date and management deadline. For example, the output may be color-coded according to the situation, such as red if the management deadline has passed, and yellow if the next maintenance date is approaching.

[0040] Note that Figure 10 is merely an example of the maintenance information screen when the sample dispensing mechanism is recognized. When other units are recognized and maintenance information is selected, the date and time of cleaning or washing, the success / failure status of the maintenance operation, or whether replacement is necessary will be displayed on the display unit. In addition, if there are maintenance items on the maintenance information screen of other units that have exceeded the recommended maintenance date, a notification will be displayed to inform the user of those items.

[0041] Figure 11 is an example of a screen displayed when operational information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. Here, we will explain how the management server 112 processes the primary information in the storage unit 23 into the secondary information included in the screen of Figure 11. In the screen of Figure 11, the total number of samples is the primary information extracted by the information extraction unit 231a from the operational information database 232b, which is then graphed directly by the information processing unit 231b. On the other hand, regarding the trend of the number of measurements, first, the information extraction unit 231a extracts primary information such as the number of measurements for each analysis item stored in the operational information database 232b. Next, the information processing unit 231b calculates the number of measurements for each predetermined period based on the extracted primary information and graphs the calculation result.

[0042] Note that Figure 11 is merely an example of the operation information screen when the sample dispensing mechanism is recognized. When other units are recognized, if operation information is selected, the number of measurements for each analysis item, the total number of samples, the remaining amount of reagent, the expiration date of the reagent, etc., will be output to the display unit 31. When an incubator is recognized, if operation information is selected, the usage history of the reaction vessel placed on the incubator will be output to the display unit. If a calibration sample rack is recognized, the calibration results may be output, and if a quality control sample rack is recognized, the quality control results may be output.

[0043] Figure 12 is an example of a screen displayed when maintenance manual information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 9. Of the information included in the screen in Figure 12, the text information explaining the maintenance overview is extracted by the information extraction unit 231a of the management server 112 from the manual information database 232c and transmitted via the communication unit 21. On the other hand, of the information included in the screen in Figure 12, only the URL of the manual information database 232c where the video data is stored is shown, and playback is possible by the user accessing this URL. The text information explaining the maintenance overview may also be made viewable by the user accessing a predetermined URL.

[0044] Figure 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal's display unit when a reagent disk is recognized. For example, when a reagent disk is recognized, the selection output unit 362 outputs four options: maintenance information, which is information related to the maintenance of the reagent disk; operation information, which is information related to the operating status of the reagent disk; reagent disk maintenance manual information; and reagent installation information.

[0045] Figure 14 shows an example of the screen displayed when reagent storage information is selected in the screen shown in Figure 13. The reagent storage information screen includes the last replacement date for each reagent bottle, an indicator of the remaining amount in the bottle, and information on the number of measurements taken with the current bottle.

[0046] Here, the bottle remaining amount indicator is obtained by the information processing unit 231b processing primary information of the remaining bottle amount, which is sequentially transmitted from the analyzer PC 111 and stored in the database of the management server 112, into secondary information in indicator format. Furthermore, the number of measurements in the current bottle is obtained by the information processing unit 231b by subtracting the number of measurements of the reagent on the last day of reagent bottle replacement from the number of measurements of the reagent at the present time. In other words, the management server 112 processes primary information that is not directly stored in the memory unit 15 of the analyzer PC 111 into secondary information useful to the user and provides it to the mobile terminal 113.

[0047] In Figure 13, the reagent placement information options are provided separately from the operational information options, but they may be included in the operational information options. In other words, the screen shown in Figure 14, which is displayed as reagent placement information, may be included in the screen displayed when the operational information option is selected.

[0048] According to this embodiment, a user handling an automated analyzer with multiple units can simply hold the mobile terminal 113 over the unit whose information they want to know, without having to place it on the device. The image of the unit will then be displayed on the display unit 31 on the terminal, allowing the user to instantly determine that they have selected the desired unit from among many. Furthermore, since the unit is identified by image acquisition, hardware modifications such as embedding RFID or barcodes are unnecessary. In addition, because information is only acquired from the unit whose image has been acquired, there is no need to store information from unnecessary units on the mobile terminal 113, thus reducing the amount of data transmitted to the mobile terminal 113. The user is prompted to select the essential information they need to know, and this information can be obtained through simple operations without manual text input, thus reducing the user's effort compared to searching for information on a regular PC screen. [Examples]

[0049] Figure 15 shows an example of the configuration of the automated analysis system according to Example 2. Unlike Example 1, the automated analysis system in this example has multiple automated analyzers in the same facility. Note that Figure 15 shows an example where the analysis devices PCs 111a to 111d of four automated analyzers are connected to the management server 112, but the number of connected devices is not limited to this.

[0050] In this embodiment, when a user holds a mobile terminal 113 over a desired unit of any automated analyzer, the display unit 31 displays a prompt to the user to select the target automated analyzer. When the user selects an automated analyzer, the display unit 31 may display a list of candidates for automated analyzers that have been pre-registered and linked to the user ID, or the automated analyzer may be identified by image recognition after the image acquisition unit 33 captures the serial number, equipment ID, etc. [Examples]

[0051] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the analysis device PC and mobile terminal in the automated analysis system according to Example 3. Unlike Examples 1 and 2, the automated analysis system in this example allows the mobile terminal 113 to directly exchange data with the analysis device PC 111 without going through a management server.

[0052] In this embodiment, in order to enable communication between the mobile terminal 113 and the analytical device PC 111, it is a prerequisite that authentication (pairing) is performed between the mobile terminal 113 and the analytical device PC 111. During pairing, the user connects the mobile terminal 113 to the analytical device PC 111 via a network such as a wireless LAN, or connects the mobile terminal 113 directly to the analytical device PC 111 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®.

[0053] In this embodiment as well, the mobile terminal 113 can receive the requested information from the analysis device PC 111 by sending an inquiry to the analysis device PC 111 requesting the transmission of information related to the specified options. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the analysis device PC 111 does not need to sequentially transmit data such as operational information to the management server 112, thus reducing the amount of data transmitted.

[0054] In addition to the embodiments described above, various other modifications are conceivable. For example, when a user holds a mobile terminal 113 over the unit, the display unit 31 displays a prompt to enter information specific to the user (such as an ID or password), and the user then has a chance to enter that information. YesWhen a user logs in by entering their information, user-specific information tailored to that user may be displayed. The user-specific information should include at least three components: a first component if the user is an operator, a second component if the user is an administrator, and a third component if the user is a service technician. It is desirable that the amount of information in the first component be the smallest and the amount of information in the third component be the largest.

[0055] The method for displaying multiple options is not limited to the methods shown in Figures 9 and 13; if there are many options, a method in which the options are output separately via a pull-down menu is also acceptable. Furthermore, if the mobile terminal 113 does not have an option output unit, the management server 112 may send the options themselves to the mobile terminal 113. In addition, if the mobile terminal 113 does not have a unit determination unit, the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 33 may be sent to the management server 112, and the management server 112 may determine the unit. Regarding the processing of information by the information processing unit 231b of the management server 112, this may be performed not when the mobile terminal 113 requests the transmission of information, but when the information is transmitted from the analysis device PC 111 to the management server 112.

[0056] The embodiments described above are detailed explanations provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those comprising all the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with those of another embodiment, and to add configurations from other embodiments to a given embodiment. Additionally, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with those of other embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 11...Control unit (analyzer PC), 12...Display unit (analyzer PC), 13...Input unit (analyzer PC), 14...Communication unit (analyzer PC), 15...Storage unit (analyzer PC), 21...Communication unit (management server), 22...Control unit (management server), 23...Storage unit (management server), 31...Display unit (mobile terminal), 32...Input unit (mobile terminal), 32a...Judgment button, 33...Image acquisition unit, 34...Communication unit (mobile terminal), 35...Control unit (mobile terminal), 36...Storage unit (mobile terminal), 100...Automatic analysis system, 101, 101a~101d...Analysis operation unit, 102...Sample container, 103...Sample rack, 104...Sample input unit, 105...Transport line, 106a~106c...Analysis 107…Reagent container, 108a~108c…Reagent disk, 109…Sample storage unit, 110, 110a~110d…Interface, 111, 111a~111d…Analyzer PC, 112…Management server, 113…Mobile terminal, 120a~120c…Reaction disk, 121a~121c…Sample dispensing mechanism, 122a~122c…Reagent dispensing mechanism, 123a~123c…Photometric mechanism, 231…Memory, 231a…Information extraction unit, 231b…Information processing unit, 232…Storage, 232a…Maintenance information database, 232b…Operation information database, 232c…Manual information database, 361…Unit determination unit, 362…Option output unit, 363…Information request unit

Claims

1. An automated analyzer having multiple units necessary for analyzing the components contained in a sample, When a user holds their device over one of the aforementioned multiple units, an image acquisition unit acquires an image of that unit. When the image acquisition unit acquires an image, the unit includes a mobile terminal having a display unit that displays multiple options for the user to take next, Equipped with, An automated analysis system in which, if the user selects the first option from the multiple options, the display unit prompts the user to select at least one of the following: maintenance information, which is information relating to the maintenance of the unit, and operation information, which is information relating to the operating status of the unit.

2. The system includes a server that communicates information with the aforementioned mobile terminal, When the user holds the mobile terminal over the first unit among the plurality of units, the mobile terminal sends an inquiry to the server requesting the transmission of information relating to the first unit. The automated analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the server transmits information relating to the first unit to the mobile terminal in response to the inquiry.

3. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit, when the user selects the maintenance information, displays at least the date and time of cleaning or washing of the unit, whether the maintenance operation was successful or not, or whether replacement is necessary.

4. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a notification to the user if the user has selected the maintenance information and there are maintenance items that have exceeded the recommended maintenance due date.

5. The unit comprises at least one of the following: a sample dispensing mechanism for aspirating / dispensing the sample; a sample placement section where the sample is placed; a reagent dispensing mechanism for aspirating / dispensing the reagent; and a reagent placement section where the reagent is placed. The automated analysis system according to claim 3, wherein the operational information includes at least the number of measurements for each analysis item, the total number of samples, or the remaining amount of reagent.

6. The aforementioned unit is an incubator, The automated analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the operational information includes at least the usage history of the reaction vessel placed on the incubator.

7. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when the user holds the mobile terminal over the unit, the display unit displays a prompt to input information specific to the user, and when the user inputs the specific information, it displays user-specific information corresponding to the user.

8. The automated analysis system according to claim 7, wherein the user-specific information includes at least information regarding cases where the user is an operator and cases where the user is a service technician.

9. A first automated analyzer and a second automated analyzer having a plurality of units necessary for analyzing the components contained in a sample, When a user holds their device over one of the aforementioned multiple units, an image acquisition unit acquires an image of that unit. When the image acquisition unit acquires an image, the unit includes a mobile terminal having a display unit that displays multiple options for the user to take next, Equipped with, An automated analysis system in which, when the user holds the mobile terminal over the unit, the display unit displays a message prompting the user to select either the first automated analyzer or the second automated analyzer.

10. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when the image acquisition unit acquires an image, the display unit displays the acquired image.

11. The automatic analysis system according to claim 10, wherein the display unit displays text information relating to the unit together with the acquired image.

12. When a user holds one of several units necessary for analyzing the components contained in a sample over it, an image acquisition unit acquires an image of that unit. When the image acquisition unit acquires an image, the unit includes a display unit that displays multiple options for the user to take next, Equipped with, A mobile terminal in which, if the user selects the first option from the plurality of options, the display unit prompts the user to select at least one of the following: maintenance information, which is information relating to the maintenance of the unit, and operation information, which is information relating to the operating status of the unit.

13. A plurality of units each of the first automatic analyzer and the second automatic analyzer, wherein when a user holds over one of the plurality of units necessary for analyzing the components contained in a sample, an image acquisition unit acquires an image of the said unit. When the image acquisition unit acquires an image, the unit includes a display unit that displays multiple options for the user to take next, Equipped with, A mobile terminal in which, when the user holds the unit over the unit, the display unit displays a prompt to the user to select either the first automatic analyzer or the second automatic analyzer.

Images