Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

Provided is an information processing device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of the specimen captured by a camera provided in a mobile information terminal; and an output unit that outputs the acquired captured image to a processing device that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring a tangible component contained in the specimen, on the basis of the captured image.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

[0002] JP 2016-522880 A discloses a microscopic method for classifying particles as two-dimensional objects within a field of view, the method comprising: a) illuminating the field of view with a first electromagnetic radiation source; b) projecting the image onto an image sensor to obtain a first digital image of the field of view; c) identifying a first object within the first digital image using the first digital image; d) defining a region of the first object contained within the first digital image using contour coordinates of a contour of the first object, and determining a boundary line of the region of the first object; and e) determining one or more object characteristics of the first object. f) separating touching particles by subtracting one or more pixels from a boundary for the first digital image of the first object; g) using the contour coordinates to define an area of ​​the first object adjacent the contour but outside the first object, calculate a background illuminance of the first electromagnetic radiation source, and subtract this average background illuminance from the electromagnetic illuminance of the first object; and h) using the electromagnetic illuminance of an area within the contour of the first object to determine a characteristic of particles in the first object that absorb light by referencing a standard curve.

[0003] Conventionally, devices for measuring formed elements in samples such as urine have typically been equipped with a camera designed specifically for the device, which has posed a problem of high device costs.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that enable inexpensive measurement of formed elements contained in a sample.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image of a sample taken by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, and an output unit that outputs the acquired image to a processing device that performs processing related to a measurement process that measures formed elements contained in the sample based on the image.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to measure formed elements contained in a sample at low cost.

[0007] 11A is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11B is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of a mobile information terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11C is a configuration diagram showing the functional configuration of a mobile information terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11D is a flowchart of information processing executed by the mobile information terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11E is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11F is a configuration diagram of a server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11G is a flowchart of measurement processing executed by the mobile information terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11H is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11H is a configuration diagram of a measurement system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11I is a top view of an inspection device according to the fourth embodiment. A cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11I is a flowchart of measurement processing executed by the mobile information terminal according to the fourth embodiment.

[0008] An example of an embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that components and processes that perform the same operations, actions, and functions are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in this embodiment, descriptions of configurations that are not directly related to the present disclosure or well-known configurations may be omitted.

[0009] First Embodiment

[0010] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a measurement system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the measurement system 10 includes a portable information terminal 20 and an inspection device 30 .

[0012] The mobile information terminal 20 is a mobile information terminal with a camera, such as a smartphone, that includes a camera 21, a communication unit 22, and the like.

[0013] The inspection device 30 includes a stage 31 , a drive unit 32 , a light source 33 , an optical system 34 , a communication unit 35 , and a control unit 36 ​​.

[0014] A preparation 38 on which a specimen 37 to be measured is set is placed on the stage 31. The preparation 38 is composed of a cover glass 39 and a slide glass 40. The specimen 37 is set on the slide glass 40 and is covered with the cover glass 39. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the preparation 38 is used as a chamber in which the specimen 37 is set, but this is not limited to the preparation 38, and other chambers such as a flow cell may also be used.

[0015] A light source 33 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 30A of the inspection device 30. The light source 33 emits light in the Z-axis direction in FIG.

[0016] A passage hole 31A is provided in the center of the stage 31 to allow light L emitted from the light source 33 to pass through. A preparation 38 on which a specimen 37 is set is set at the position of this passage hole 31A. The light L emitted from the light source 33 passes through the passage hole 31A, is transmitted through the specimen 37 on the preparation 38, and enters the optical system 34.

[0017] The optical system 34 includes optical components such as lenses (not shown).

[0018] A passage hole 30B is provided on the exit side from which light L is emitted of the optical system 34. When measuring the specimen 37, the portable information terminal 20 is set on the top surface of the housing 30A so that the position of the camera 21 of the portable information terminal 20 coincides with the position of the passage hole 30B.

[0019] The stage 31 is driven by a driving unit 32. The driving unit 32 drives the stage 31 in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, which are orthogonal to one another, in accordance with instructions from a control unit 36.

[0020] Furthermore, a communication unit 35 is provided on the side of the housing 30A. When measuring the specimen 37, the communication unit 22 of the portable information terminal 20 and the communication unit 35 of the testing device 30 are connected by a communication cable 41. The portable information terminal 20 and the testing device 30 may be connected wirelessly.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the portable information terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

[0022] The controller 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 50A, a read-only memory (ROM) 50B, a random access memory (RAM) 50C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 50D. The CPU 50A, ROM 50B, RAM 50C, and I / O 50D are connected to each other via a bus 50E. The bus 50E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus. The camera 21, communication unit 22, operation / display unit 23, and memory unit 24 are connected to the I / O 50D.

[0023] The camera 21 includes an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

[0024] The communication unit 22 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the inspection device 30 .

[0025] The operation display unit 23 includes, for example, a touch panel.

[0026] 2, the storage unit 24 stores an information processing program 24A, measurement results 24B of formed elements of the specimen 37, and the like.

[0027] The CPU 50A is an example of a processor. The term "processor" used here refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU) or a dedicated processor (e.g., a GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, an FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0028] The information processing program 24A may be stored in a non-volatile, non-transitory recording medium or distributed via a network and installed in the portable information terminal 20 as needed.

[0029] Examples of non-volatile non-transient recording media include CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), magneto-optical disks, HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), flash memories, memory cards, etc.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the CPU 50A of the mobile information terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the CPU 50A functionally includes an acquisition unit 51, an output unit 52, and a measurement unit 53. The CPU 50A functions as each functional unit by reading and executing an information processing program 24A stored in the storage unit 24.

[0031] The acquisition unit 51 acquires the image of the specimen 37 captured by the camera 21 .

[0032] The output unit 52 outputs the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 51 to a measurement unit 53, which is an example of a processing unit that performs processing related to a measurement process that measures formed elements contained in the specimen 37 based on the captured image.

[0033] The output unit 52 also outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to instruct it to drive at least one of the light source 33 and the drive unit 32 .

[0034] The measurement unit 53 measures the formed elements contained in the specimen 37 based on the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 51 .

[0035] In this embodiment, the specimen 37 is a urine specimen, and the measurement of formed elements in the urine specimen will be described. A urine specimen contains multiple types of formed elements. Examples of the types of formed elements include red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells, casts, bacteria, etc. Note that in this embodiment, the measurement of formed elements in urine will be described using a urine specimen as an example of the specimen 37, but the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to the measurement of formed elements in specimens such as blood, cells, and body fluids.

[0036] Next, the operation of the portable information terminal 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the information processing program 24A according to this embodiment. The information processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed when a user instructs execution of the information processing program 24A from a menu on the portable information terminal 20. Prior to execution of the information processing program 24A, the user places a slide 38 on which a specimen 37 has been set on the stage 31. The user also sets the portable information terminal 20 on the top surface of the housing 30A of the inspection device 30 so that the position of the camera 21 coincides with the position of the passage hole 30B of the inspection device 30.

[0038] In step S100, the CPU 50A causes the operation display unit 23 to display a measurement start button.

[0039] In step S101, the CPU 50A determines whether or not the measurement start button has been pressed. If the measurement start button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S102, and if the measurement start button has not been pressed, the process waits until the measurement start button is pressed.

[0040] In step S102, the CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to turn on the light source 33. In response to this, the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 30 turns on the light source 33.

[0041] In step S103, the CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to drive the stage 31. This causes the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 30 to control the drive unit 32 and drive the stage 31 so that the preparation 38 is positioned on the optical axis of the light L.

[0042] In step S104, the CPU 50A instructs the camera 21 to take an image.

[0043] In step S105 , the CPU 50A acquires the image captured by the camera 21 .

[0044] In step S106, the CPU 50A outputs an instruction signal to the inspection device 30 to turn off the light source 33. In response to this, the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 30 turns off the light source 33.

[0045] In step S107, the CPU 50A measures the elements in the specimen 37 based on the captured image acquired in step S105. Various known methods can be used to measure the elements based on the captured image. For example, images of elements contained in the captured image are extracted using a known image analysis method, and feature quantities such as size and contrast are analyzed for each extracted element image. The elements are then classified into predetermined classification categories based on the analyzed feature quantities. Then, for each classified element, the concentration of the element is calculated based on the number and size of the element images, thereby obtaining measurement results.

[0046] In step S108, the CPU 50A stores the measurement results of step S107 in the storage unit 24 and displays them on the operation display unit 23.

[0047] In this manner, in this embodiment, the camera-equipped mobile information terminal 20 is used to measure the formed elements of the specimen 37. This eliminates the need to use a camera designed specifically for the testing device 30, and allows the formed elements contained in the specimen 37 to be measured inexpensively.

[0048] Second Embodiment

[0049] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] In the first embodiment, a case where the portable information terminal 20 performs measurement of the sediment components of the specimen 37 is described, whereas in the second embodiment, a case where a server connected to the portable information terminal 20 via a network performs measurement of the sediment components of the specimen 37 is described.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the configuration of a measurement system 10A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the measurement system 10A according to the second embodiment includes a mobile information terminal 20, an inspection device 30, and a server 60. The server 60 is connected to the mobile information terminal 20 via a network N. In the second embodiment, the mobile information terminal 20 has the functions of the acquisition unit 51 and output unit 52 shown in Figure 3, and the server 60 has the function of the measurement unit 53 shown in Figure 3. The server 60 is an example of a management device according to the present disclosure.

[0052] 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 60. As shown in FIG.

[0053] The controller 61 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 61B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 61C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 61D. The CPU 61A, ROM 61B, RAM 61C, and I / O 61D are connected to each other via a bus 61E. The bus 61E includes a control bus, an address bus, and a data bus. A communication unit 62 and a storage unit 63 are connected to the I / O 61D.

[0054] The communication unit 62 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as the portable information terminal 20 .

[0055] The storage unit 63 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory. As shown in Fig. 6, the storage unit 63 stores a measurement program 63A.

[0056] The CPU 61A is an example of a processor, similar to that described in the first embodiment. Note that the measurement program 63A may be stored in a non-volatile, non-transitory recording medium, or distributed via a network, and installed in the server 60 as appropriate, similar to that described in the first embodiment.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the information processing program 24A according to the second embodiment executed on the mobile information terminal 20. The information processing shown in Fig. 7 differs from the information processing shown in Fig. 4 in the processing of steps S107A and S107B, but the processing of the other steps is the same as the information processing shown in Fig. 4, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] In step S107A, CPU 50A transmits the captured image acquired in step S105 to server 60.

[0059] In step S107B, the CPU 50A receives the measurement results of the sediment components of the specimen 37 from the server 60.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing by the measurement program 63A executed by the CPU 61A of the server 60.

[0061] In step S200, the CPU 61A determines whether or not a captured image transmitted from the portable information terminal 20 has been received. If a captured image transmitted from the portable information terminal 20 has been received, the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if a captured image transmitted from the portable information terminal 20 has not been received, the process waits until a captured image is received.

[0062] In step S201, the CPU 61A measures the sediment components of the specimen 37 based on the captured image received in step S200. This process is similar to the process in step S107 in Fig. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] In step S202, the CPU 61A transmits the measurement result of step S201 to the portable information terminal 20.

[0064] As described above, in the second embodiment, the portable information terminal 20 transmits the captured image of the specimen 37 to the server 60, and the server 60 measures the formed elements of the specimen 37. This reduces the processing load on the portable information terminal 20.

[0065] Third Embodiment

[0066] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which a photographed image of the specimen 37 is provided to an analyst who analyzes the formed elements contained in the specimen 37 based on the photographed image of the specimen 37, and the analyst analyzes the formed elements contained in the specimen 37.

[0068] Fig. 9 shows the configuration of a measurement system 10B according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the measurement system 10B according to the third embodiment includes a mobile information terminal 20, an inspection device 30, a server 60, and an analyst terminal device 70. The analyst terminal device 70 is an example of the reception device of the present disclosure.

[0069] The analyst terminal device 70 is configured, for example, by a general personal computer or the like, and has the functions of the measurement unit 53 described in the first embodiment.

[0070] The mobile information terminal 20 executes the information processing shown in FIG. 7 described in the second embodiment, but differs in that the destination when sending the captured image in step S107A is the analyst terminal device 70 instead of the server 60, and in that the measurement results are received from the analyst terminal device 70 in step S107B.

[0071] The analyst terminal device 70 executes the same processes as steps S200 and S201 in FIG. 8 described in the second embodiment. That is, when a captured image is received from the portable information terminal 20, the analyst measures the sediment components of the specimen 37 based on the received captured image. Here, the analyst refers to the measurement results of the sediment components of the specimen 37 and performs additional analysis. The analyst then inputs the additional analysis results into the analyst terminal device 70. When the analyst receives the additional analysis results, the analyst transmits the received analysis results to the portable information terminal 20. The additional analysis results may also be transmitted to the server 60 for storage.

[0072] In this way, in the third embodiment, the analyst additionally analyzes the measurement results of the sediment components of the specimen 37. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the measurement results of the sediment components of the specimen 37.

[0073] Fourth Embodiment

[0074] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] Fig. 10 shows an inspection device 30X according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the same parts as those in the inspection device 30 in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] The inspection device 30 in FIG. 1 is configured such that light L from a light source 33 is emitted from below toward above a preparation 38, and an image is taken from above the preparation 38.

[0077] Here, for example, if the formed components of the specimen 37 have a tendency to settle, it may be preferable to photograph the specimen 37 from below. Also, when focusing on a location where many components are concentrated, photographing from below may shorten the time it takes to achieve focus.

[0078] Therefore, the inspection device 30X of this embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is configured so that light L from the light source 33 is emitted downward from above the preparation 38, and an image is taken from below the preparation 38.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 10, a light source 33 is provided on the ceiling side of the inspection device 30X. Light L emitted from the light source 33 is emitted from above downward along the Z axis in Fig. 1 and is incident on a slide 38. The light L transmitted through the slide 38 passes through an optical system 80 including an objective lens and is reflected by a reflecting mirror 81 to the right along the X axis in Fig. 1.

[0080] Light L reflected by reflecting mirror 81 passes through optical system 82 including an imaging lens and is reflected upward along the Z axis in Fig. 1 by reflecting mirror 83. Light L reflected by reflecting mirror 83 passes through optical system 84 including an eyepiece lens and through passage hole 30B and enters camera 21 of mobile information terminal 20.

[0081] The color of the light L of the light source 33 may be either white or incandescent. In order to avoid chromatic aberration, a light source that emits light of one of the single wavelengths of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) may be used, or a light source that emits light of a combination of two wavelengths may be used.

[0082] Furthermore, the specimen 37 that can be held by a commonly used preparation 38 is approximately 46 μm thick, but the procedure of placing a cover glass 39 on top of a glass slide 40 poses issues such as variations in technique depending on the technician and a large amount of labor required.

[0083] Therefore, the stage 31 may be configured to be able to selectively place not only the preparation 38 but also other holding members such as a cuvette as a holding member for holding the specimen 37, and may be configured to be able to place two or more types of holding members with different thicknesses of the specimen 37.

[0084] A holding member that can hold a specimen 37 with a thin thickness is suitable for specimens 37 with a high component concentration because there is no overlap or refraction of the components of the specimen 37 compared to a holding member that can hold a specimen 37 with a thick thickness. Furthermore, it is possible to focus on specimens 37 containing components that do not easily sink. Conversely, a holding member that can hold a specimen 37 with a thick thickness is suitable for specimens 37 with a low component concentration because the amount of components per unit area increases with sedimentation. Therefore, by configuring a structure that allows two or more types of holding members with different thicknesses for holding specimens 37 to be mounted, an appropriate holding member can be used depending on the component concentration of the specimen 37.

[0085] FIG. 11A shows a top view of the inspection device 30X. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 11A. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the top surface of the inspection device 30X is provided with a rectangular recessed mounting portion 84 that matches the shape of the portable information terminal 20. In addition, a passing hole 30B is provided at the position of the camera 21 when the portable information terminal 20 is placed on the mounting portion 84. In addition, grooves 85 are provided in areas along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction through which the passing light 30B passes. Depending on the type of portable information terminal 20, protrusions may be present, but the provision of the grooves 85 makes it possible to prevent the portable information terminal 20 from tilting even when protruding portions are present on the portable information terminal 20.

[0086] When the portable information terminal 20 and the inspection device 30 are wirelessly connected via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, it is preferable that at least a portion of the mounting portion 84 be made of a material other than metal to avoid interference with wireless communication. For example, it is preferable that the mounting portion 84 be made of resin, which allows radio waves to pass through easily, or that it have a structure with appropriate holes. Note that the passage hole 30B may be blocked with a transparent material to prevent dust and the like. In this case, the material and thickness of the transparent material are selected taking into account the refractive index of light and the like.

[0087] 11B , the mounting section 84 is shaped so that the portable information terminal 20 is placed parallel to the upper surface of the inspection device 30, and the light L is incident on the portable information terminal 20 at a right angle. However, there are cases where better imaging can be achieved by having the light incident on the portable information terminal 20 at an angle slightly inclined from the right angle. In such cases, the mounting section 30 may be shaped so that the portable information terminal 20 is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the inspection device 30.

[0088] Furthermore, the camera 21 of the portable information terminal 20 according to this embodiment has an autofocus function. Although the autofocus function is normally turned on, there are cases where it is difficult to focus on the specimen 37.

[0089] Therefore, in this embodiment, before the camera 21 takes an image, the output unit 52 turns off the autofocus function of the camera 21 and then outputs an instruction signal to the drive unit 32 to drive the stage 31 so that the specimen 37 is in focus.

[0090] Next, the operation of the portable information terminal 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0091] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing by the information processing program 24A according to this embodiment. Note that steps that perform the same processing as in the information processing shown in FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] The information processing shown in FIG. 12 differs from the information processing shown in FIG. 4 in that steps S101A, S103A, and S105A are added.

[0093] In step S101A, the CPU 50A turns off the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21. As a result, the focus position of the camera 21 is fixed at a predetermined position.

[0094] In step S103A, the CPU 50A determines whether the image captured by the camera 21 is in focus, i.e., whether the image is in focus on the specimen 37. The determination of focus is made using a known method such as a phase difference method or a contrast method.

[0095] If the specimen 37 is in focus, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the specimen 37 is not in focus, the process proceeds to step S103. In this case, in step S103, the CPU 50A detects focus information and sends this focus information to the control unit 36 ​​of the inspection device 10. As a result, the control unit 36 ​​sends a drive instruction signal to the drive unit 32 to move the stage 31 a predetermined amount in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the processes of steps S103 and S103A are repeated until the specimen 37 is in focus. In other words, autofocus is performed by moving and adjusting the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction, rather than by adjusting the focus of the camera 21.

[0096] In step S105A, the CPU 50A determines whether or not the entire range of the specimen 37 has been imaged. If the entire range of the specimen 37 has been imaged, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the entire range of the specimen 37 has not been imaged, the process proceeds to step S103. In this case, in step S103, the CPU 50A drives the drive unit 31 to move the stage 31 in at least one of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in order to move the specimen 37 to an unimaged range. In this way, the CPU 50A repeats the processes of steps S103 to S105A until the entire range of the specimen 37 has been imaged.

[0097] In this manner, in this embodiment, the autofocus function of the focal position adjustment function of the camera 21 is turned off, and focusing is performed by driving the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction. As a result, even if it is difficult to focus on the specimen 37 using the focal position adjustment function of the camera 21, it is possible to focus on the specimen 37 using autofocus by driving the stage.

[0098] Alternatively, instead of omitting the process of step S101A and turning off the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21, it may be determined in step S103A whether or not the focus is achieved using the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21. If it is determined that the focus is not achieved, the focus position adjustment function of the camera 21 may be turned off, and autofocus by stage driving may be performed by driving the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction to achieve focus.

[0099] The processor operations in the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0100] Furthermore, the configuration of the information processing device described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and may be changed depending on the situation without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0101] Furthermore, the processing flow of the program described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged within the scope of the main idea.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the processing according to the embodiment is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment may be realized, for example, by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0103] The following is further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0104] The information processing device according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image of a sample taken by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, and an output unit that outputs the acquired image to a processing unit that performs processing related to a measurement process that measures formed elements contained in the sample based on the image.

[0105] In the information processing device of the second aspect, in the information processing device of the first aspect, the processing unit is a measurement unit that measures formed elements contained in the sample based on the captured image, and the acquisition unit, output unit, and measurement unit are provided in the mobile information terminal.

[0106] The information processing device of the third aspect is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the processing unit is a measurement unit that measures formed elements contained in the sample based on the captured image, the acquisition unit and the output unit are provided in the mobile information terminal, and the measurement unit is provided in a management device that can communicate with the mobile information terminal.

[0107] In the information processing device of the fourth aspect, in the information processing device of the first aspect, the processing unit is a reception device that provides the captured image to an analyst who analyzes formed elements contained in the sample based on the captured image, and receives the analysis results from the analyst.

[0108] An information processing device according to a fifth aspect is an information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the output unit outputs an instruction signal to an inspection device including a light source that irradiates light onto the specimen and a drive unit that drives a stage on which the specimen is placed, instructing the inspection device to drive at least one of the light source and the drive unit.

[0109] An information processing device according to a sixth aspect is the information processing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the output unit turns off the focus position adjustment function of the camera before photographing with the camera, and then outputs an instruction signal to the drive unit to drive the stage so that the specimen is in focus.

[0110] An information processing device according to a seventh aspect is the information processing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the sample is a urine sample.

[0111] The information processing method according to the eighth aspect includes a computer acquiring an image of a sample taken by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, and outputting the acquired image to a processing device that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring formed elements contained in the sample based on the acquired image.

[0112] The information processing program according to the ninth aspect causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring an image of a sample taken by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, and outputting the acquired image to a processing device that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring formed elements contained in the sample based on the acquired image.

[0113] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-165729 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of a specimen captured by a camera provided in a portable information terminal; An output unit that outputs the acquired captured image to a processing unit that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The processing unit is a measurement unit that measures a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image, and the acquisition unit, the output unit, and the measurement unit are provided in the portable information terminal The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The processing unit is a measurement unit that measures a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image, the acquisition unit and the output unit are provided in the portable information terminal, and the measurement unit is provided in a management apparatus capable of communicating with the portable information terminal The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. The processing unit is a reception device that provides the captured image to an analyst who analyzes a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image and receives an analysis result by the analyst The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. The output unit outputs an instruction signal for instructing driving of at least one of the light source that irradiates light to the specimen and the driving unit that drives the stage on which the specimen is placed, to an inspection apparatus including the light source and the driving unit The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

6. Before imaging by the camera, the output unit outputs an instruction signal for driving the stage so that the specimen is in focus to the driving unit after turning off the focus position adjustment function of the camera The information processing apparatus according to Claim 5.

7. The specimen is a urine specimen The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A computer Acquires a captured image of a specimen captured by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, Outputs the acquired captured image to a processing apparatus that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image An information processing method for executing a process including the above.

9. Causes a computer To acquire a captured image of a specimen captured by a camera provided in a portable information terminal, Output the acquired captured image to a processing apparatus that performs processing related to a measurement process for measuring a formed component contained in the specimen based on the captured image An information processing program for causing the above process to be executed.