Automated analysis system

Abstract

The objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for enabling a conveying mechanism to accurately and efficiently grasp the state of a consumable within a storage compartment of an automated analysis system in which the conveying mechanism accesses the consumable storage compartment. In an automated analysis system according to the present disclosure: a consumable has an encoded marker indicating an attribute thereof; a storage facility has a transparent window through which the inside of the storage facility can be observed from the outside; and the type, the remaining amount, and the storage position of the consumable are detected by capturing an image of the encoded marker through the transparent window. Furthermore, if an event is detected that may cause a variation in the consumable within the storage facility, the encoded marker is re-imaged (see fig. 1).

Description

Automated Analysis System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automated analytical system for analyzing samples.

[0002] In an automated analyzer, operations are performed according to a predetermined workflow to accurately perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of target components contained in an unknown sample. Patent Document 1 describes an automated analysis system that uses an autonomous mobile robot to reduce human burden. The document further describes that labels are attached to reagents to display consumable information (0046), and that the refrigerator is equipped with a location marker that allows the autonomous robot to determine its location (0026, Figure 4).

[0003] WO2020 / 021837

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 is believed to be able to identify at least some of this information using labels attached to reagents and location markers on refrigerators. However, when both humans and autonomous robots access the consumables, this information alone may not necessarily be sufficient for the autonomous robot to grasp the exact status of the consumables.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology in an automatic analysis system in which a transport mechanism accesses a consumables storage facility, which enables the transport mechanism to accurately and efficiently grasp the status of consumables in the storage facility.

[0006] In the automated analysis system according to the present disclosure, consumables have coded markers that indicate their attributes, storage facilities have transparent windows that allow the interior to be observed from the outside, and images of the coded markers are taken through the transparent windows to detect the type, remaining amount, and storage location of the consumables. Furthermore, if an event that may cause a change in the consumables in the storage facilities is detected, the coded markers are re-photographed.

[0007] According to the automated analysis system of the present disclosure, in an automated analysis system in which a transport mechanism accesses a consumables storage, the transport mechanism can accurately and efficiently grasp the status of the consumables in the storage. Other configurations, issues, and effects of the present disclosure will become clear from the description of the following embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an automatic analysis system 1 according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view illustrating the process in which a transport mechanism 13 removes a consumable 2 from a storage facility 12. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view illustrating the process in which a transport mechanism 13 removes a consumable 2 from a storage facility 12. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example configuration of a storage facility 12 in an automatic analysis system 1 according to embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an example configuration of a storage facility 12. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an example configuration of a storage facility 12 provided in an automatic analysis system 1 according to embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating another example configuration of a storage facility 12 provided in an automatic analysis system 1 according to embodiment 3.

[0009] First, an example of a general workflow performed in an automated analyzer will be described.

[0010] (1) Equipment startup: Performing regular equipment startup tasks such as regular maintenance and inspections. Also, checking the remaining amounts of each measurement reagent corresponding to each analysis item installed in the automated analyzer, common reagents used for all analysis items, and consumables, and replenishing them from an external storehouse as necessary. Note that measurement reagents are often stored refrigerated to maintain their quality over the long term.

[0011] (2) Calibration: Standard samples with known concentrations of the components to be analyzed are measured at multiple concentration levels. This measurement creates a relationship (calibration curve) between the concentration of the component to be analyzed and the signal level obtained as a measurement result. The frequency of calibration varies depending on the component to be analyzed. For example, calibration is performed individually for each component to be analyzed at intervals of about one month.

[0012] (3) Quality control measurement (QC measurement): Quality control samples (QC samples) with multiple concentration levels, in which the possible range of concentrations of the analyte components is known, are measured. Then, the calibration curve created by calibration is used to calculate the concentration of the analyte components in the QC sample. By checking whether the calculated concentration is within the known concentration range, the calibration curve is confirmed to be appropriate. QC measurements must be performed frequently, as they are positioned as a status check to guarantee the results of general sample measurements. For example, multiple target components are measured in parallel, one to three times a day. QC samples are not generally used only once, but are stored in an external refrigerator and used multiple times.

[0013] (4) General specimen measurement: A sample (patient specimen) with an unknown concentration of the analyte component is measured, and the concentration is calculated using a calibration curve. Before performing a general specimen measurement, the condition of the analyzer is checked by performing a background measurement or dummy measurement as necessary. If the remaining amount of each reagent or consumable falls below a certain level during the period in which the general specimen measurement is being performed, it is replenished as appropriate.

[0014] (5) Instrument shutdown: Perform necessary instrument shutdown procedures such as cleaning and inspection. This may also involve checking the remaining amounts of each reagent and consumable and replenishing them.

[0015] Here, the replacement of measurement samples, reagents, consumables, etc. is generally performed manually by an operator. However, from the perspective of improving the efficiency of manual work and reducing human error, it is preferable to use an autonomous mobile robot. In this case, measurement samples, reagents, consumables, etc. to be loaded into the target automated analyzer must be properly transported from an external storage facility. In particular, the autonomous mobile robot must properly identify the items to be transported from a storage facility designed for operators, taking into account the workflow of the automated analyzer, and properly retrieve the items to be transported from the storage facility. Because operators may also access the storage facility, a configuration is required that assumes that both the operator and the autonomous mobile robot will access the storage facility.

[0016] When an autonomous mobile robot retrieves consumables from a storehouse, it must accurately identify the necessary consumables based on the workflow of the automated analyzer. At this time, it is necessary to identify not only the type of consumables but also information such as their storage location and remaining amount.

[0017] For example, if both humans and robots may retrieve consumables from the storage, the number and types of consumables in the storage may change at times not anticipated by the robot. Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for the robot to detect unexpected change events. If the robot scans all of the consumables in the storage, it is possible to grasp the change after the fact, even if an unexpected change occurs. However, a full scan may take a long time. This is because the movement of an autonomous mobile robot is generally slow. While the autonomous mobile robot is fully scanning the consumables in the storage, humans cannot access the storage, so it is not desirable to rely on a full scan by the robot.

[0018] Therefore, an embodiment of an automatic analysis system in which a transport mechanism can accurately and efficiently grasp the state of consumables in a storage cabinet will be described below.

[0019] 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic analysis system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The automatic analysis system 1 is a system for analyzing samples. The automatic analysis system 1 includes an automatic analyzer 11, a storage facility 12, a transport mechanism 13, and a control unit 14.

[0020] The automatic analyzer 11 is an apparatus for analyzing samples. The storage facility 12 is a facility for storing consumables 2 (samples, reagents, and other consumables) used by the automatic analyzer 11 when analyzing samples, and has a function for cooling the stored consumables 2, for example. The transport mechanism 13 is configured as an autonomous robot that transports the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12 to the automatic analyzer 11 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can be configured, for example, by a computer.

[0021] The storage facility 12 includes a transparent window 121, a coordinate marker 122, and an opening / closing sensor 123a (second detection unit). The transparent window 121 is configured to transmit light, allowing the interior of the storage facility 12 to be observed from outside the storage facility 12. The transparent window 121 is also configured as an openable / closable door. The coordinate marker 122 is installed at an arbitrary position in the storage facility 12 and serves as a reference position for the transport mechanism 13 to identify the storage position of the consumable 2. The coordinate marker 122 is configured in such a manner that its image can be recognized by the transport mechanism 13. The opening / closing sensor 123a is a sensor that detects whether the transparent window 121 is opened or closed.

[0022] The consumable 2 has a coded marker 21 on its surface. The coded marker 21 is configured to present information indicating the attributes of the consumable 2. The coded marker 21 may be in any format. For example, the coded marker 21 may be configured using an image in which information is coded, such as a QR code (registered trademark). The coded marker 21 may also be configured using any other appropriate method. Examples of information presented by the coded marker 21 include the type of consumable 2, the manufacturing lot number of the consumable 2, and the expiration date of the consumable 2.

[0023] The transport mechanism 13 includes a first detection unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, and a gripping unit 133. The acquisition unit 132 captures images of the periphery of the transport mechanism 13. The first detection unit 131 acquires images of the coded markers 21 captured by the acquisition unit 132, and detects attributes of the consumables 2 based on the images. For example, the type of the consumables 2 can be detected. The gripping unit 133 can grip the consumables 2. The transport mechanism 13 grips the consumables 2 in the storage facility 12 with the gripping unit 133, moves the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12 to the automated analyzer 11, and supplies the consumables 2 to the automated analyzer 11.

[0024] 2A is a schematic top view illustrating the process in which the transport mechanism 13 removes the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12. The control unit 14 instructs the transport mechanism 13 to remove the consumables 2 to be supplied to the automatic analyzer 11. Upon receiving the instruction, the transport mechanism 13 moves toward the storage facility 12.

[0025] When the transport mechanism 13 arrives near the storage facility 12, the acquisition unit 132 can acquire an image of the coordinate marker 122. The first detection unit 131 detects the reference position of the storage facility 12 based on the image of the coordinate marker 122.

[0026] The acquisition unit 132 further acquires an image of the periphery of the coordinate marker 122 (i.e., the inside of the transparent window 121). For example, by capturing an image of the periphery of the coordinate marker 122 while keeping the coordinate marker 122 within the angle of view, it is possible to acquire an image of the inside of the transparent window 121. The acquisition unit 132 acquires images of the consumables 2 and the coded markers 21 by capturing an image of the inside of the storage facility 12 through the transparent window 121.

[0027] The first detection unit 131 detects the type of consumable 2 based on the image of the coded marker 21, and further detects the storage location of the consumable 2 based on the relative position with respect to the coordinate marker 122. The storage location of the consumable 2 can also be detected based on the image of the coded marker 21 itself. This is because the relative positional relationship between the acquisition unit 132 and the coded marker 21 (or between the transport mechanism 13 and the coded marker 21) can be grasped based on the image of the coded marker 21. However, by using the coordinate marker 122 in addition to or instead of the coded marker 21, the position of the consumable 2 can be acquired with higher accuracy, so it is desirable to use the coordinate marker 122 from the perspective of positional accuracy. The remaining amount of the consumable 2 can be grasped based on the remaining number of consumables 2.

[0028] 2B is a schematic top view illustrating the process in which the transport mechanism 13 removes the consumable 2 from the storage facility 12. In FIG. 2A, when the first detection unit 131 identifies the type of the consumable 2, the transport mechanism 13 moves the gripper 133 toward the consumable 2 instructed by the control unit 14. The gripper 133 grips the consumable 2.

[0029] When the gripping unit 133 accesses the consumable 2, it is necessary to open the transmission window 121. For example, the gripping unit 133 may be provided with a mechanism for opening and closing the transmission window 121, and the mechanism may open and close the transmission window 121. Alternatively, the storage facility 12 may be provided with a mechanism for opening and closing the transmission window 121 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 14 or the transport mechanism 13, and the mechanism may open and close the transmission window 121.

[0030] 2C is a schematic top view illustrating the process in which the transport mechanism 13 removes the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12. In FIG. 2B, when the gripping unit 133 grips the consumables 2, the gripping unit 133 removes the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12. The transport mechanism 13 transmits the type / quantity / location of the removed consumables 2 to the control unit 14. Based on this, the control unit 14 updates information regarding the number / location of each type of consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12.

[0031] The control unit 14 can also instruct the transport mechanism 13 to acquire an image of the coded marker 21, separately from the above. For example, it is conceivable that such an instruction is given when an event is detected in which at least one of the following may have changed: (a) the type of consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12; (b) the remaining amount of consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12; or (c) the storage location of the consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12.

[0032] The open / close sensor 123a serves as a means for detecting the above-described events. For example, when the transparent window 121 is opened or closed, the open / close sensor 123a detects the opening or closing operation and notifies the control unit 14 of the event, thereby enabling the control unit 14 to detect the above-described event. This is because when the transparent window 121 is opened or closed, the consumable 2 inside may have been accessed, and one of the attributes (a), (b), or (c) of the consumable 2 may have changed. Therefore, the control unit 14 instructs the transport mechanism 13 to photograph the coded marker 21 in order to reacquire information about the consumable 2.

[0033] The open / close sensor 123a may be mounted in any manner. For example, it may be a proximity sensor that detects when a person or the transport mechanism 13 approaches the transparent window 121, or an optical sensor that detects when a light beam is blocked by an object. Any other suitable detection method may also be used.

[0034] Summary of First Embodiment The automated analysis system 1 according to this embodiment acquires the type, remaining amount, and storage location of the consumable 2 using an image of the coded marker 21 (and / or the coordinate marker 122), and then removes the consumable 2 from the storage facility 12 using the transport mechanism 13 and transports it to the automated analysis device 11. If an event that may change the type, remaining amount, or storage location of the consumable 2 is detected, the image of the coded marker 21 is recaptured. This allows the transport mechanism 13 to accurately and efficiently grasp the status of the consumable 2 when both a person and a robot (the transport mechanism 13) access the consumable 2 in the storage facility 12. This is because the status of the consumable 2 can be grasped based on the image of the coded marker 21 or the event detection by the open / close sensor 123a, without having to perform a full scan of the interior of the storage facility 12.

[0035] 3 is a perspective schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the storage facility 12 in the automated analysis system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the configuration described in the first embodiment, the storage facility 12 may include an internal transfer mechanism 124 that transfers the consumables 2 inside the storage facility 12. For example, the consumables 2 may be placed on a tray and stored inside the storage facility 12, and the tray may be transferred by the internal transfer mechanism 124, thereby transferring the consumables 2 within the storage facility 12. The internal transfer mechanism 124 may also be configured using any other appropriate mechanism. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0036] For example, it is conceivable to configure at least one of the transmission windows 121 as an inlet for inputting the consumables 2 into the storage facility 12, and to configure at least one of the other transmission windows 121 as an outlet for removing the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12. In this case, the internal transfer mechanism 124 can transfer the consumables 2 input from the inlet to the outlet. This contributes to automating the operation of the transfer mechanism 13, since it is sufficient for the transfer mechanism 13 to access a specific transmission window 121.

[0037] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the storage facility 12. Instead of or in addition to the configuration described above, the storage facility 12 may also include one or more of an opening / closing mechanism 125, an opening / closing switch 126, a weight sensor 123b, and a storage facility control unit 127. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0038] The opening / closing mechanism 125 is a mechanism used by the storage facility 12 itself (i.e., without the involvement of a human being or the transport mechanism 13, etc.) to open and close the transmission windows 121. An opening / closing mechanism 125 may be provided for each transmission window 121, or only some of the transmission windows 121 may be opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 125. Furthermore, one opening / closing mechanism 125 may be configured to open and close two or more transmission windows 121. The opening / closing mechanism 125 may be configured, for example, by a mechanism that applies a rotational force to the rotation axis of the door.

[0039] The open / close switch 126 (second detection unit) is an operating means for instructing the storage facility 12 to open or close the transmission window 121. For example, the open / close switch 126 may be configured to operate the open / close mechanism 125 when operated, or the open / close switch 126 itself may open or close the door by locking or unlocking it. The open / close switch 126 may further notify the control unit 14 when it has been operated. In this way, the open / close switch 126, like the open / close sensor 123a, can have a role of notifying an event that suggests that the attributes of the consumable 2 have changed.

[0040] The weight sensor 123b (second detection unit) is a sensor that detects information that can identify the weight of the consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12. The weight sensor 123b may be configured to detect the weight of objects stored in each storage room in the storage facility 12, for example, or may be configured to detect the total weight of the consumables 2 by detecting the weight of the storage facility 12 itself. In other words, it is sufficient if information that can identify the weight of the consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12 can be obtained from the weight sensor 123b. As a result, the weight sensor 123b can, like the open / close sensor 123a, serve to notify of an event that suggests a change in the attributes of the consumables 2.

[0041] The storage facility control unit 127 controls each unit (e.g., the opening / closing mechanism 125, the internal transfer mechanism 124) included in the storage facility 12. The storage facility control unit 127 receives detection values ​​from sensors such as the opening / closing sensor 123a and the weight sensor 123b, and notifies the control unit 14 of the detection values. Alternatively, the sensors themselves may notify the control unit 14 of the detection values.

[0042] In this embodiment, the operations of the transport mechanism 13 and the storage facility 12 can be automated as follows. For example, before starting an operation to remove the consumable 2 from the storage facility 12, the transport mechanism 13 or the control unit 14 notifies the storage facility 12 of this operation and instructs it to move the consumable 2 to the removal port. In accordance with this instruction, the storage facility control unit 127 controls the internal transfer mechanism 124 to transport the consumable 2 to the removal port. When the transport mechanism 13 approaches the storage facility 12, the transport mechanism 13 or the control unit 14 instructs the storage facility 12 to open the transmission window 121. In accordance with this instruction, the storage facility control unit 127 controls the opening / closing mechanism 125 to open the transmission window 121. This allows the transport mechanism 13 to autonomously remove the consumable 2 from the storage facility without human intervention. If the gripper 133 can operate the opening / closing switch 126, it is not necessarily necessary to instruct the storage facility 12 to open the transmission window 121.

[0043] When the open / close switch 126 and the weight sensor 123b detect an event suggesting that the attributes of the consumable 2 have changed, the control unit 14 may instruct the transport mechanism 13 to re-image the coded marker 21. For example, the control unit 14 may acquire in advance the timing at which the attributes of the consumable 2 are scheduled to change (e.g., the date and time at which the transport mechanism 13 or the user is scheduled to access the storage facility 12 and take out the consumable 2), and when an event suggesting that the attributes of the consumable 2 have changed at a different timing, the control unit 14 may instruct the transport mechanism 13 to re-image the coded marker 21.

[0044] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the storage facility 12 included in the automated analysis system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In the configurations described in the first and second embodiments, the storage facility 12 may further include a mirror body 128. The other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0045] The mirror body 128 is disposed on a vertical surface on the rear side (opposite the transmission window 121) of the storage room in the storage facility 12. This allows the mirror body 128 to reflect a mirror image of the consumables 2 stored in the storage facility 12. The mirror image can be observed (i.e., photographed) from outside the storage facility 12 through the transmission window 121. Figure 5 shows an example in which mirror images 2a' and 2b' of consumables 2a and 2b, respectively, are reflected.

[0046] Depending on how the consumables 2 are placed, the coded marker 21 may not be observable through the transmission window 121. For example, in the example of Figure 5, the consumable 2b is placed behind the consumable 2a, so the coded marker 21 of the consumable 2b is hidden behind the consumable 2a and cannot be observed through the transmission window 121. However, if the coded marker 21 of the consumable 2b is placed facing the mirror body 128, the coded marker 21 can be observed through the mirror image 2b'. As a result, even if the consumable 2 is placed in a recessed position within the storage facility 12, the coded marker 21 can be observed through the transmission window 121.

[0047] The mirror body 128 may be positioned in any position as long as it is arranged so that the coded marker 21 can be observed through the transmission window 121. For example, if the coded marker 21 is attached to the top surface of the consumable 2, the mirror body 128 may be installed on the ceiling surface inside the storage facility 12.

[0048] 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example configuration of the storage facility 12 included in the automated analysis system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. For convenience of description, only one transmission window 121 and its internal structure included in the storage facility 12 are shown. In addition to the above configuration, the storage facility 12 can also include a rack 129.

[0049] The rack 129 can accommodate one or more consumables 2. The storage room in the storage facility 12 can accommodate one or more racks 129 (two in FIG. 6 ). However, the consumables 2 arranged at the back are hidden behind the consumables 2 arranged at the front, and therefore the coded markers 21 cannot be observed through the transmission window 121. Therefore, the rack 129 is provided with rack markers 1291 that describe the attributes of at least the consumables 2 whose coded markers 21 cannot be observed through the transmission window 121. The rack markers 1291 are arranged in positions where all of the rack markers 1291 can be observed through the transmission window 121, even when the consumables 2 are arranged on the rack 129.

[0050] 6, by using rack markers 1291 instead of coded markers 21, information relating to the attributes of all consumables 2 can be obtained via the transparent window 121. Furthermore, even if the racks 129 are placed at the very back of the storage room, the attributes of all consumables 2 can be obtained via the transparent window 121, so that the space in the depth direction of the storage facility 12 can be used effectively.

[0051] It should be noted that the position of the rack marker 1291 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 6, as long as the rack marker 1291 can be observed from outside the storage facility 12 through the transparent window 121.

[0052] <Regarding Modifications of the Present Disclosure> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and it is not necessary to include all of the configurations described. Furthermore, a part of one embodiment can be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a configuration of another embodiment can be added to a configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of each embodiment can be added to, deleted from, or substituted for a part of the configuration of another embodiment.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the storage facility 12 can be configured as any of the following.

[0054] (Configuration example 1 of storage facility 12) The storage facility 12 is configured by installing a jig (reagent holder tray) with information about the position and reagents inside an existing storage facility. The reagent holder tray does not have a drive mechanism, and the transport mechanism 13 accesses the jig using the gripper 133. This configuration example allows the use of an existing storage cabinet, reducing initial investment. Furthermore, particularly when the storage facility is a refrigerator, not having a drive mechanism inside the refrigerator is advantageous in terms of maintaining the refrigeration temperature, preventing condensation, and reducing costs. However, the operation of the transport mechanism 13 (gripper 133) when moving inside the storage facility 12 is relatively complicated.

[0055] (Configuration Example 2 of Storage Facility 12) A drive mechanism for transferring the measurement reagent from inside the storage facility 12 to a specific position outside the storage facility 12 may be further installed outside the storage facility 12 of Configuration Example 1. Compared to Configuration Example 1, this has the advantage of simplifying the operation of the transport mechanism 13 when moving relative to the storage facility 12. However, this incurs the cost of installing the drive mechanism in the storage facility 12.

[0056] (Configuration example 3 of storage facility 12) By providing a drive mechanism and information related to the position and reagents, a storage facility 12 that is optimally designed for the transport mechanism 13 may be configured. This configuration is optimal from the viewpoint of the transport mechanism 13. On the other hand, if the storage facility 12 is a refrigerator, the refrigerator will have a drive mechanism inside, which poses relatively large challenges in terms of maintaining the refrigeration temperature, preventing condensation, and reducing costs.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the internal transfer mechanism 124 may rearrange the consumables 2 inside the storage facility 12 as appropriate. For example, the control unit 14 may obtain in advance the timing when the transport mechanism 13 is scheduled to remove the consumables 2 from the storage facility 12, and the control unit 14 may instruct the internal transfer mechanism 124 to rearrange the consumables 2 at any timing other than that timing. For example, it is conceivable to move frequently used consumables 2 to a position where they are easy to access, or to arrange multiple consumables 2 close to each other when they are used in combination. Similar rearrangement may also be performed by the transport mechanism 13 (the gripper 133) itself.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the storage facility 12 may be configured to measure and adjust the internal temperature of the storage facility 12. For example, the storage facility 12 may be configured as a refrigerator. Furthermore, the control unit 14 may instruct the transport mechanism 13 to rearrange the consumables 2 only when the internal temperature of the storage facility 12 satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows rearrangement to be performed only when the refrigerator is sufficiently cold. This is to avoid the possibility that the internal temperature will rise above a reference value during rearrangement, since the operation of the transport mechanism 13 is slow. When rearrangement is performed internally using the internal transfer mechanism 124, there is no such concern if the rearrangement can be performed with the door closed. However, if the door needs to be opened during movement, there is a similar concern. Therefore, it is desirable to perform rearrangement when the refrigerator is sufficiently cold.

[0059] In the above embodiment, a configuration example has been described in which the transport mechanism 13 includes the acquisition unit 132 and the first detection unit 131. However, operations similar to those of the above embodiment can be performed by arranging these units separately from the transport mechanism 13 and having the control unit 14 or the transport mechanism 13 communicate with the acquisition unit 132 and the first detection unit 131. The first detection unit 131 may be configured as part of the storage facility 12 (for example, a function of the storage facility control unit 127). The second detection unit may be configured as a function of the transport mechanism 13, the control unit 14, or the storage facility 12, as long as it can receive detection values ​​from a sensor and detect an event based on the detection values.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the second detection unit 131, the control unit 14, and the like may be configured by hardware such as a circuit device implementing these functions, or may be configured by software implementing these functions being executed by a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When the second detection unit is configured by a sensor and a processing unit that processes the detected values, the processing unit may also be configured by hardware or software.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the transport mechanism 13 may open and close the door of the storage facility 12 by itself, for example, using the gripper 133. For example, it is conceivable to operate an opening / closing switch with the gripper 133, or to grasp the handle of the door and slide or push / pull the door.

[0062] In the above embodiment, examples of the coordinate marker 122 and the coded marker 21 include, but are not limited to, a barcode, a QR code, and a 2D matrix (two-dimensional barcode).

[0063] In the above embodiment, the transport mechanism 13 may include a member such as a shelf on which the consumables 2 are placed. The transport mechanism 13 may also be configured as an autonomous mobile robot having a self-propelled mechanism that moves along a passageway along which people, such as users of the automatic analyzer 11, move.

[0064] 1: Automatic analysis system 11: Automatic analysis device 12: Storage facility 121: Transparent window 122: Coordinate marker 13: Transport mechanism 131: First detection unit 132: Acquisition unit 14: Control unit 2: Consumables 21: Encoded marker

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples; storage equipment for storing consumables used by the automatic analyzer; a transport mechanism having a gripping unit for gripping the consumables and transporting the consumables between the automatic analyzer and the storage equipment; a control unit for controlling the transport mechanism; a first detection unit for detecting information about the consumables; an acquisition unit for acquiring images; and a second detection unit for detecting an event that may have caused a change in at least one of the type of the consumables, the remaining amount of the consumables, or the storage location of the consumables, wherein the storage equipment has a transparent window through which the interior of the storage equipment can be observed from outside the storage equipment; the consumables have coded markers that indicate the type of the consumables and attributes of the consumables; the acquisition unit acquires an image of the coded marker through the transparent window from outside the storage equipment; and the first detection unit detects the type of the consumables, the remaining amount of the consumables, and the storage location of the consumables based on the image of the coded marker acquired by the acquisition unit. the transport mechanism moves the consumable from the storage position detected by the first detection unit to the transport mechanism via the gripping unit, and further transports the consumable to the automatic analysis device; and the control unit instructs the acquisition unit to acquire an image of the coded marker based on the event.

2. The automatic analysis system of claim 1, wherein the storage facility has a coordinate marker that serves as a coordinate reference, the acquisition unit acquires an image of the coordinate marker, and the first detection unit detects a high-precision storage location based on the image of the coordinate marker acquired by the acquisition unit, the high-precision storage location being more accurate than the storage location of the consumable detected based on the coded marker.

3. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is configured as part of the transport mechanism, and the first detection unit is configured as part of at least one of the automatic analysis device, the storage facility, or the transport mechanism.

4. The automated analysis system of claim 1, wherein the storage facility has at least two or more openings, at least one of which is an input port for inputting the consumables into the storage facility, and at least one of which is an output port for removing the consumables from the storage facility, and the storage facility further comprises an internal transport mechanism for moving the consumables from the input port to the output port.

5. The automatic analysis system according to claim 4, wherein the storage facility is equipped with an opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the opening in response to a request from the transport mechanism or the control unit.

6. The automatic analysis system of claim 4, wherein the storage facility is configured such that the internal transport mechanism moves the consumables in accordance with a request from the transport mechanism or the control unit, and the transport mechanism or the control unit instructs the storage facility to move the consumables to the outlet before the gripping unit moves to a position where it can grip the consumables.

7. The automatic analysis system of claim 2, wherein the control unit acquires in advance the type of the consumable, the remaining amount of the consumable, or the scheduled timing at which the storage location of the consumable is scheduled to change, and when the second detection unit detects the event at a timing different from the scheduled timing, the control unit instructs the acquisition unit to acquire images of the coordinate marker and the coded marker.

8. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the storage facility is provided with an openable / closable door and an open / close switch for opening and closing the door, and the second detection unit detects the event based on the operation of the open / close switch.

9. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the storage facility is equipped with an openable / closable door and an open / close sensor that detects whether the door is open or closed, and the second detection unit detects the event based on the open / close sensor detecting whether the door is open or closed.

10. The automatic analysis system of claim 1, wherein the storage facility is equipped with a weight sensor capable of obtaining information identifying the weight of the consumables stored in the storage facility, and the second detection unit detects the event based on the weight detected by the weight sensor.

11. The automatic analysis system described in claim 1, wherein the storage facility has a mirrored body therein, and the mirrored body is positioned so that the coded markers on the consumables stored inside the storage facility can be observed from outside the storage facility through the transparent window and the mirrored body.

12. The automated analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the storage facility comprises a rack for arranging the consumables, and the rack comprises a rack marker that displays information for identifying the rack.

13. The automatic analysis system of claim 12, wherein the rack marker is positioned so that the acquisition unit can photograph the rack marker through the transparent window even when the consumable is positioned in a position where the acquisition unit cannot photograph the coded marker through the transparent window.

14. The automatic analysis system of claim 4, wherein the control unit acquires in advance a scheduled removal timing at which the transport mechanism is scheduled to remove the consumables from the storage facility, and the control unit instructs the transport mechanism or the internal transfer mechanism to rearrange the consumables at a timing other than the scheduled removal timing.

15. The automatic analysis system of claim 4, wherein the storage facility is configured to adjust the internal temperature and measure the internal temperature, and the control unit instructs the conveying mechanism or the internal transfer mechanism to rearrange the consumables when the internal temperature satisfies a specified condition.

16. The automatic analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism is configured as an autonomous robot that moves along a path along which a user of the automatic analysis device moves.

Images