Determination device, determination method, and program

Abstract

This determination device comprises: an information acquisition unit that acquires information used for making a determination indicating a prescribed condition of a target piercer on the basis of a captured image obtained as a result of imaging by an imaging unit provided so as to image the target piercer that is provided to a measurement unit and is in a prescribed position condition; and a determination unit that makes a determination pertaining to wear of the target piercer on the basis of the information used for making a determination acquired by the information acquisition unit.

Description

Determination device, determination method, and program

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-044133, filed on March 19, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] An inspection device is known that uses a punching tool to pierce a sealing membrane of a liquid container containing a liquid, photographs the state of the liquid splashing on the surface of the sealing membrane when the piercing is completed, and outputs the photographed image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 182167

[0004] A piercing tool (piercer) wears as it is repeatedly used to pierce holes. This wear can lead to errors, such as failed piercing. Currently, the wear state of a piercer is visually checked at predetermined intervals, or the piercer is periodically replaced at predetermined intervals. However, the degree of wear on a piercer varies depending on factors such as the material of the container lid to be pierced, the frequency of use, and the material of the piercer. In this regard, the above-mentioned periodic visual checks and piercer replacement may not adequately address the actual wear state of the piercer.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to appropriately determine the wear of a piercer.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a determination device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires determination utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit that is provided in a measurement unit and configured to image the target piercer in a predetermined positional state, and a determination unit that makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a determination method for a determination device, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires determination utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to image the target piercer in a predetermined position; and a determination step in which the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination utilization information acquired in the information acquisition step.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer serving as a judgment device to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires judgment-use information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to image the target piercer in a predetermined position, and as a judgment unit that makes a judgment regarding wear of the target piercer based on the judgment-use information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to appropriately determine the wear of the piercer.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an analysis device in this embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the mode of wear of a piercer in this embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining an example of a method for determining wear of a piercer in this embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining an example of a method for determining wear of a piercer in this embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining an example of a method for determining wear of a piercer in this embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by an analysis device in this embodiment in relation to determining wear of a piercer; and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an analysis device in this embodiment.

[0011] [Overview] The following describes the determination device, determination method, and program of this embodiment, using an analytical device as an example. The analytical device of this embodiment is an apparatus that dispenses a sample to be analyzed from a sealed container and analyzes the dispensed sample as a specimen. Furthermore, when dispensing the sample from the container, the analytical device of this embodiment pierces the lid of the sample with a piercer. Furthermore, the analytical device of this embodiment is configured to determine piercer wear using an image obtained by imaging the piercer.

[0012] [Example of Functional Configuration of Analytical Apparatus] Fig. 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of an analytical apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The analytical apparatus 100 may be configured to include, as hardware, a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs). The functions of the analytical apparatus 100 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU provided in the analytical apparatus 100 executing a program. The analytical apparatus 100 shown in the figure includes a measurement unit 101, a camera 102, a control unit 103, a storage unit 104, an operation unit 105, a display unit 106, and a communication unit 107.

[0013] The measurement unit 101 is a component that performs a series of operations from dispensing a sample to measuring a specimen. The measurement unit 101 stores containers 113 containing samples, dispenses samples from the stored containers 113 in order, collects the dispensed samples as specimens, and performs measurements on the collected specimens. When collecting a sample from a container 113 in the measurement unit 101, a piercer 112 is used to pierce the lid of the container 113. The piercer 112 is driven by a drive unit 111 to move vertically at a predetermined collection position in the measurement unit 101. With the container 113 placed at the collection position, the piercer 112 is moved from top to bottom to pierce the lid of the container 113.

[0014] Camera 102 is provided to capture an image of piercer 112 in measuring unit 101. The captured image obtained by camera 102 capturing an image of piercer 112 is acquired by control unit 103. Control unit 103 uses the acquired captured image to make a determination regarding wear on piercer 112.

[0015] The control unit 103 executes various controls in the analyzer 100. The control unit 103 controls the measurement operation of the measurement unit 101. For example, the control unit 103 may acquire measurement result information for each sample output from the measurement unit 101, and store the acquired measurement result information in the storage unit 104. The control unit 103 may display the measurement result information for the sample on the display unit 106 in a predetermined format.

[0016] The control unit 103 also executes processing related to wear determination of the piercer 112 based on the image captured by the camera 102. The control unit 103 includes an information acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, and a notification unit 133 as functional units related to wear determination of the piercer 112.

[0017] Information acquisition unit 131 acquires an image obtained by camera 102 capturing an image of piercer 112, the wear of which is to be determined. Based on the acquired image, information acquisition unit 131 acquires (generates) information (determination use information) used to determine wear on piercer 112, the wear of which is to be determined. The determination use information is a predetermined parameter having a value corresponding to the wear state of piercer 112, the wear of which is to be determined.

[0018] The determination unit 132 determines wear on the piercer 112 to be determined based on the determination use information acquired from the captured image by the information acquisition unit 131. When determining wear, the determination unit 132 compares the determination use information with the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 141. The reference information may be a parameter whose value corresponds to the unused state of the piercer 112.

[0019] The notification unit 133 controls notification of the determination result by the determination unit 132 for the piercer 112 being determined. Specifically, the notification unit 133 may cause the determination result by the determination unit 132 to be displayed on the display unit 106. Furthermore, the notification unit 133 may transmit the determination result by the determination unit 132 to a user terminal used by a user of the analysis device 100, so that the determination result is notified to the user on the user terminal.

[0020] The storage unit 104 stores various types of information corresponding to the analysis device 100. The storage unit 104 includes a reference information storage unit 141. The reference information storage unit 141 stores reference information. The reference information may correspond to, for example, determination use information generated by the information acquisition unit 131 based on an image obtained by capturing an image of an unused piercer 112 with the camera 102. The determination use information corresponding to such an unused piercer 112 becomes a parameter having a value corresponding to the unused state of the piercer 112.

[0021] The operation unit 105 includes various operators and input devices provided in the analysis apparatus 100. The operation unit 105 may also include an input device connected to the analysis apparatus 100. The operation unit 105 outputs operation signals corresponding to operations performed on the various operators and input devices to the control unit 103. The control unit 103 executes processing corresponding to the input operation signals.

[0022] The display unit 106 displays an image under the control of the control unit 103 .

[0023] The communication unit 107 communicates with other devices such as terminals via a network.

[0024] [Piercer Wear] An example of wear on the piercer 112 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figures 2(A) and 2(B) show an unused piercer (unused piercer) 112. Figure 2(A) is a side view of the unused piercer 112 attached to the drive unit 111 of the measuring unit 101, with respect to the opening 112d, and Figure 2(B) is a front view of the unused piercer 112 attached to the drive unit 111, with respect to the opening 112d.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the piercer 112 has a main body 112a that is, for example, a hollow cylindrical column (an example of a cylindrical shape). The main body 112a is made of, for example, metal. When the piercer 112 is attached to the drive unit 111, the main body 112a is aligned vertically and the tip portion (tip) 112b faces downward. The tip 112b is cut obliquely to form an opening 112d and a sharp tip.

[0026] An insulating coating 112c is applied to the main body 112a from the tip 112b upward to a predetermined length. The lid of the container 113 may be provided with a conductor such as aluminum foil. The measuring unit 101 uses a sensor to detect whether the piercer 112, which has pierced the lid of the container 113, is in contact with the sample inside the container 113. If the main body 112a of the piercer 112 is in contact with the conductor provided on the lid of the container 113, the piercer 112 may be erroneously detected as being in contact with the sample (liquid contact) even though it is not. To prevent such erroneous detection, the coating 112c is applied.

[0027] 2(C) and 2(D) show piercer 112 in a worn state after a certain number of uses (piercing the lid of container 113). Fig. 2(C) is a side view of piercer 112 in a worn state attached to drive unit 111 of measuring unit 101, viewed from the side relative to opening 112d, and Fig. 2(D) is a front view of piercer 112 in a worn state attached to drive unit 111, viewed from the front relative to opening 112d.

[0028] In Figures 2(C) and 2(D), the dashed lines in tip 112b indicate the shape of opening 112d of piercer 112 in an unused state. That is, Figures 2(C) and 2(D) show the state of wear in which the shape of opening 112d of tip 112b has changed from that in an unused state. Also, Figures 2(C) and 2(D) show the state of coating 112c, which has worn away from the state shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), with the lower portion peeling off. Thus, as piercer 112 repeatedly pierces the lid of container 113 during use in measuring unit 101, the shape of tip 112b changes and coating 112c wears away, peeling off.

[0029] [Regarding the Timing of Wear Assessment] The analyzer 100 of this embodiment sequentially collects samples from a group of multiple containers 113 stored in the measurement unit 101 and performs measurements on each collected sample. Hereinafter, the period during which samples are collected sequentially from multiple containers 113 and measurements are performed on each collected sample is also referred to as a unit measurement period. The analyzer 100 of this embodiment preferably assesses wear on the piercer 112, for example, before the start of the unit measurement period or after the end of the unit measurement period. Examples of timing before the start of the unit measurement period include when the analyzer 100 is started, or immediately before the start of the unit measurement period after the analyzer 100 is started. For example, the wear assessment of the piercer 112 can be performed each time the piercer 112 pierces a container 113 to collect a sample during the unit measurement period, or after a predetermined number of samples are collected. However, because the change in wear on the piercer 112 is small after only a few piercings, this increases unnecessary processing for wear assessment, which is inefficient. Furthermore, determining that wear has occurred during measurement of a unit period and notifying the user of this determination may be undesirable, as it may confuse the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, wear determination is performed not during the unit measurement period, but before or after the unit measurement period.

[0030] [Wear Determination Method] An example of a method for determining wear on tip 112b of piercer 112 will be described with reference to Figures 3(A) and 3(B). Figure 3(A) shows an image obtained by capturing an image of the side of tip 112b of an unused piercer 112 using camera 102. Analysis device 100 stores area S1 of a region corresponding to tip 112b in the captured image of Figure 3(A) in reference information storage unit 141 as reference information.

[0031] 3B shows an image obtained by capturing an image of the side surface of tip 112b of worn piercer 112 using camera 102. To determine wear, information acquisition unit 131 of analysis device 100 acquires the image shown in FIG. 3B from camera 102 and calculates area S2 of the region corresponding to tip 112b in the acquired image. Area S2 thus calculated serves as information to be used for determination.

[0032] When calculating the area S2 from the captured image, the information acquisition unit 131 may perform edge detection as image processing on the captured image, for example, as follows. First, the information acquisition unit 131 grayscales the captured image acquired from the camera 102. Next, the information acquisition unit 131 binarizes the grayscaled captured image. Next, the information acquisition unit 131 extracts a contour portion (edge) that is the boundary between a white portion and a black portion from the binarized captured image. The contour extracted in this manner represents, for example, the contour of the outer shape of the tip 112b of the piercer 112 shown in FIG. 3(B).

[0033] 3(A) may also be obtained by extracting the contour of the tip 112b from an image captured by the camera 102 of an unused piercer 112 using the same image processing described above. The timing for capturing an image of the unused piercer 112 is preferably after the piercer 112 has been replaced and before the first piercing. After replacement, the piercer 112 is fixedly attached to the measuring unit 101, minimizing image capture errors and further improving the accuracy of wear assessment using the captured image. Alternatively, the reference information may be information indicating the contour of the tip 112b generated based on dimensional data specified in the piercer 112 specification information.

[0034] The determination unit 132 determines the wear state of the piercer 112 being evaluated by comparing the area S1 corresponding to the unused state with the area S2, which is the evaluation utilization information corresponding to the piercer 112 being evaluated. Specifically, the determination unit 132 may, for example, calculate the ratio R (= S2 / S1) between the area S1 and the area S2, and determine that the piercer 112 is in a worn state if the calculated ratio R is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The "wear state" here may, for example, be a state of wear in which the piercer 112 has worn down to a certain extent and requires notification that the time for replacement is approaching (first wear state). Alternatively, it may be a state of wear in which replacement of the piercer 112 is necessary (second wear state). The determination unit 132 may determine either the first wear state or the second wear state by setting a single threshold, or may be able to determine the first wear state and the second wear state in stages by setting two thresholds. The determination unit 132 may perform the wear determination by comparing the difference between the areas S1 and S2 with a predetermined threshold value. The determination unit 132 may continuously store the ratio R of the areas S1 and S2 and the difference between the areas S1 and S2 used in the wear determination in the memory unit 104, calculate a regression line using the stored ratio R and difference value, and perform the wear determination by estimating that the predetermined threshold value will be reached using the calculated regression line. If the determination unit 132 determines that the piercer 112 is in a worn state requiring replacement, the determination unit 132 may interrupt the measurement, or may skip the measurement of the container 113 with a lid that requires piercing with the piercer 112 and continue the measurement only for the container without a lid that does not require piercing with the piercer 112.

[0035] In determining wear, instead of the captured image (first captured image) of the side of piercer 112 as shown in Figure 3(B), a captured image (second captured image) may be used, which is captured after piercer 112 is rotated a predetermined angle in the range of approximately 30° to 45° from the state shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B) so that opening 112d is visible. In this case, the reference coordinates are generated corresponding to the state in which piercer 112 is rotated approximately 30° to 45° from the state shown in Figure 3(A) so that opening 112d is visible.

[0036] Furthermore, the wear determination may use both the first and second captured images. In this case, in the wear determination, the camera 102 captures the first and second captured images of the piercer 112. For this purpose, for example, one camera 102 may be configured to be movable between a first capturing position where the first captured image is captured and a second capturing position where the second captured image is captured. Alternatively, a camera 102 may be provided at each of the first and second capturing positions. Alternatively, one camera 102 may be fixed in place, and the drive unit 111 may be configured to rotate the piercer 112 to an angle that allows the first and second captured images to be captured under the control of the information acquisition unit 131.

[0037] In addition, as a wear determination process using both the first captured image and the second captured image, for example, the determination unit 132 compares the ratio of the first captured image to a reference image (first reference image) corresponding to the first captured image with a threshold value and outputs a determination result (first determination result) indicating whether or not wear has occurred. The determination unit 132 also compares the ratio of the second captured image to a reference image (second reference image) corresponding to the second captured image with a threshold value and outputs a determination result (second determination result) indicating whether or not wear has occurred. The determination unit 132 may determine that wear has occurred if either the first determination result or the second determination result indicates that wear has occurred. Alternatively, the determination unit 132 may estimate a first degree of wear based on, for example, a result of comparing the first captured image with the first reference image and calculate a first score corresponding to the estimated first degree of wear. Similarly, the determination unit 132 estimates a second degree of wear based on a result of comparing the second captured image with the second reference image and calculates a second score corresponding to the estimated second degree of wear. The determination unit 132 may make a determination regarding wear based on the combined result of the calculated first score and second score.

[0038] Furthermore, the determination unit 132 may estimate the degree of wear of the piercer 112 being determined, for example, based on the score (first score or second score) calculated as described above.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIG. 4 , an example of a method for determining wear based on an image obtained by capturing an image of the piercer 112 from the front will be described. FIG. 4 shows an image of the piercer 112, which is the subject of the determination, captured from the front by the camera 102. In this case, the information acquisition unit 131 performs edge detection on the captured image in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 3 to obtain an outline of the piercer 112 similar to that shown in FIG. 4 . The information acquisition unit 131 then calculates the area S11 of the image region AR11 corresponding to the opening 112d of the piercer 112. The information acquisition unit 131 also calculates the area S12 of the image region AR12, which is outside the image region AR11 in the region of the image of the piercer 112 to be determined. In this case, the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 141 is the areas S11 and S12 of the image regions AR11 and AR12, respectively, based on the unused piercer 112.

[0040] The determination unit 132 determines wear on the piercer 112 to be determined by comparing the areas S11 and S12 calculated for the piercer 112 to be determined with the areas S11 and S12 in the reference information. Wear on the opening 112d of the piercer 112, for example, changes such that the tip of the image area AR111 at the tip of the image area AR111 is worn upward, while the upper image area AR112 is worn upward. In this case, as wear progresses, the area of ​​the image area AR111 decreases, while the area of ​​the image area AR112 increases. In this case, although the shape of the image area AR11 changes as wear progresses, the area S11 may not change significantly. On the other hand, as wear progresses, the image area AR12 above the opening 112d of the piercer 112 decreases in area as the boundary line between the image area AR121 and the opening 112d moves upward, but the area above remains unchanged. In other words, the area S12 of the image area AR12 inevitably decreases as wear progresses. Therefore, the determination unit 132, for example, performs a wear determination in a first step based on the results of comparing the area S11 calculated for the piercer 112 to be determined with the area S11 of the reference information. If it is determined that there is no wear, the determination unit 132 performs a wear determination in a second step by comparing the area S12 calculated for the piercer 112 to be determined with the area S12 of the reference information. By performing the determination in this manner, highly accurate determination results can be obtained.

[0041] Next, a method for determining wear based on the wear state of the tip 112b and coating 112c of the piercer 112 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . When determining wear based on the wear state of the tip 112b and coating 112c of the piercer 112, the information acquisition unit 131 performs edge detection on an image obtained by capturing an image of the piercer 112 to be determined. Through edge detection, the information acquisition unit 131 extracts an image region AR11 corresponding to the opening 112d, an image region AR13 representing the uncoated portion of the shank above the opening 112d where the coating 112c has peeled off, and an image region AR14 representing the uncoated portion of the shank where the coating 112c remains. The information acquisition unit 131 then calculates the areas S11, S13, and S14 of the extracted image regions AR11, AR13, and AR14. In this case, the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 141 is the areas S11, S13, and S14 of the image regions AR11, AR13, and AR14 corresponding to the unused piercer 112, respectively.

[0042] The determination unit 132 may perform a wear determination by comparing the areas S11, S13, and S14 determined for the piercer 112 being evaluated with the areas S11, S13, and S14 in the reference information. In this case, the determination unit 132 may perform a wear determination for the tip 112b using a method similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4. Furthermore, the determination for the wear of the coating 112c may be performed based on the results of comparing the area S14 of the piercer 112 being evaluated with the area S14 in the reference information. In this case, the determination unit 132 may determine that the piercer 112 being evaluated is worn when a wear determination result is obtained for at least one of the tip 112b and the coating 112c. Alternatively, the judgment unit 132 may calculate, for example, a score (tip score) corresponding to the degree of wear of the tip 112b and a score corresponding to the degree of wear of the coating 112c, and make a judgment regarding wear based on the combined result of the calculated scores.

[0043] 2 to 5, wear determination is performed by comparing the areas of predetermined image regions indicated by the determination use information and the reference information. However, the determination use information and the reference information may be the shapes of the corresponding predetermined image regions. In this case, the information acquisition unit 131 obtains, based on the captured image, information indicating the shape of the region to be used for comparison with the reference information as the determination use information. The determination unit 132 performs wear determination based on the results of comparing the shape indicated by the determination use information with the shape indicated by the reference information. In this case, the determination unit 132 may calculate the similarity between the shape indicated by the determination use information and the shape indicated by the reference information, and determine whether or not wear has occurred or the degree of wear based on the calculated similarity.

[0044] 6, an example of a process performed by the analyzer 100 of this embodiment in relation to the wear determination of the piercer 112 will be described. Step S100: In the analyzer 100, the control unit 103 waits for the timing to perform the wear determination. The timing to perform the wear determination may be, for example, when the analyzer 100 is started up, or immediately before the start of a unit measurement period after the analyzer 100 is started up, or after the end of a unit measurement period, as described above.

[0045] Step S102: When it is determined in step S100 that it is time to perform wear determination, the information acquisition unit 131 controls the drive unit 111 to move the piercer 112 to be determined to an imaging position where it can be imaged by the camera 102.

[0046] Step S104: The information acquisition unit 131 instructs the camera 102 to capture an image of the piercer 112 to be determined, which is located at the image capturing position in step S102.

[0047] Step S106: The information acquisition unit 131 acquires the captured image obtained by the camera 102 capturing an image of the piercer 112 in response to the instruction in step S104.

[0048] Step S108: The information acquisition unit 131 acquires the determination use information based on the captured image acquired in step S106, for example, as described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] Step S110 : The information acquisition unit 131 acquires the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 141 .

[0050] Step S112: The determination unit 132 compares the determination use information acquired in step S108 with the reference information acquired in step S110, and based on the comparison result, makes a determination regarding wear (wear determination) of the piercer 112 being evaluated. As described above, the wear determination here may be a determination of whether or not wear has occurred in the piercer 112 being evaluated, or a determination of the degree of wear.

[0051] Step S114: The notification unit 133 controls notification of the determination result obtained in step S112. As a notification mode, the notification unit 133 may display the determination result on the display unit 106 of the analysis device 100. Alternatively, the notification unit 133 may cause the communication unit 107 to transmit the determination result to the user terminal of the user in charge of the analysis, thereby displaying the determination result on the user terminal. In this case, the notification unit 133 may control the determination result to be displayed in an application or browser installed on the user terminal that has an analysis result display function. Alternatively, the notification unit 133 may notify the determination result by email containing the determination result, addressed to the specified user's email address. The notification may include, for example, notification of the presence or absence of wear or the degree of wear as a determination result. In the case of wear, the notification may also include, in the case of wear, instructions for replacing the piercer 112, information about the future replacement date, and instructions for shutting down the analysis device 100. The future replacement due date may be estimated by the notification unit 133, for example, based on the regression line used for wear determination as described above.

[0052] 7 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the analysis device 100 of this embodiment. The analysis device 100 in the figure includes a measurement unit 1001, a camera 1002, a user interface 1003, a communication device 1004, a ROM 1005, a RAM 1006, a storage 1007, a CPU 1008, and a GPU 1009. The measurement unit 1001, the camera 1002, the user interface 1003, the communication device 1004, the ROM 1005, the RAM 1006, the storage 1007, the CPU 1008, and the GPU 1009 are connected by a bus 1010.

[0053] The measuring unit 1001 is a portion where sample measurement is performed, and corresponds to the measuring unit 101 in FIG. 1 . The camera 1002 captures an image of a container placed at a collection position in the measuring unit 1001 from the side. The camera 1002 corresponds to the camera 102 in FIG. 1 . The user interface 1003 includes hardware corresponding to a user interface. Specifically, the user interface 1003 may include an input device (keys, buttons, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, etc.) that is provided in the analysis device 100 or connected to the analysis device 100. The user interface 1003 may also include a display device, an audio output device, etc. that is provided in the analysis device 100 or connected to the analysis device 100.

[0054] The communication device 1004 is a device that supports communication via a network. The ROM 1005 stores non-rewritable data. The RAM 1006 temporarily stores data used for calculations performed by the CPU 1008 and GPU 1009. The storage 1007 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various data including program data. The CPU 1008 executes programs stored in the storage 1007 to perform calculations corresponding to various controls and processes. The GPU 1009 executes processes related to image processing. Note that functions equivalent to those of the analysis device 100 may be achieved by multiple network-compatible devices that are distributed over a network so that predetermined processes can be performed.

[0055] <Modifications> Modifications of the above embodiments will be described below. [First Modification] The piercer 112 may be integrated with a probe used to dispense the sample. In this case, the wear determination configuration described in the above embodiment may also be applied to a piercer 112 integrated with a probe.

[0056] [Second Modification] In the above embodiment, the wear determination is performed not within the unit measurement period, but before or after the unit measurement period. However, in some cases, the wear determination may be performed once or more times at predetermined timings within the unit measurement period. In this case, the notification unit 133 may be configured to issue a notification after the unit measurement period ends, for example, if a determination result indicating wear is obtained.

[0057] [Third Modification] The determination unit 132 may perform wear determination using a trained model. In this case, the trained model may be constructed, for example, by inputting captured images of the piercer corresponding to various wear states into a learning device and training it to estimate the wear state of the piercer corresponding to the input captured images. When such a trained model is used, in performing wear determination, the information acquisition unit 131 may, if necessary, perform predetermined image processing on the captured image acquired from the camera 102 and pass the resulting image to the determination unit 132 as determination use information. In this case, the determination unit 132 does not need to use reference information for comparison with the determination use information, and therefore the reference information storage unit 141 may be omitted.

[0058] [Fourth Modification] The functions of the analysis device 100 may be distributed among multiple devices, and the multiple devices that are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other may work together to execute processing, thereby realizing the functions of the analysis device 100.

[0059] Alternatively, a program for implementing the functions of the analysis device 100 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the analysis device 100. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" herein includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code executable on a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that is executable on a terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each downloaded at a different time and then combined on a terminal device, or each part may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0060] <Notes> (1) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires determination-use information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit that is provided in a measurement unit and configured to capture an image of the target piercer in a predetermined positional state, and a determination unit that makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination-use information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0061] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device described in (1), in which the determination unit may make a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the results of comparing the determination utilization information with reference information indicating the condition of the piercer in an unused state.

[0062] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device described in (2), in which the information acquisition unit acquires the determination utilization information indicating the area of ​​one or more predetermined portions of the target piercer based on the captured image, and the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the result of comparing the area of ​​the predetermined portions of the target piercer indicated as the determination utilization information with the area of ​​the predetermined portions of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

[0063] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device described in (2) or (3), in which the information acquisition unit acquires the determination utilization information indicating the shape of one or more predetermined portions of the target piercer based on the captured image, and the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the result of comparing the shape of the predetermined portions of the target piercer indicated as the determination utilization information with the shape of the predetermined portions of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

[0064] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device according to (3) or (4), wherein the predetermined portion may include a portion of the tip of the piercer.

[0065] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the predetermined portion may include a portion of a coating applied to the piercer.

[0066] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device described in any one of (3) to (6), wherein the predetermined portion includes a portion of the tip of the piercer and a portion of the piercer that has been coated, and the determination unit may make a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on a result of comparing the condition of the portion of the tip of the target piercer indicated as the determination use information with the condition of the portion of the tip of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information, and a result of comparing the condition of the portion of the coating applied to the target piercer indicated as the determination use information with the condition of the portion of the coating applied to an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

[0067] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination device described in any one of (1) to (7), in which the captured image may be an image of the piercer taken from a side direction so that the cut surface of the piercer, which has a cylindrical shape cut at an angle and formed at the tip, is viewed from the side.

[0068] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is the determination device described in any one of (1) to (8), wherein the captured image is an image of a piercer rotated a predetermined angle in a direction in which the cut surface formed at the tip of the piercer, which is cut at an angle into a cylindrical shape, can be seen from the side, so that the cut surface can be seen from the side.

[0069] (10) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination device described in any one of (1) to (9), wherein the captured image may be an image of the piercer taken from a frontal direction so that the cut surface of the piercer, which has a cylindrical shape cut at an angle and formed at the tip, is viewed from the front.

[0070] (11) One aspect of the present embodiment is the determination device according to any one of (1) to (10), which may further include a notification unit that notifies the user of the determination result by the determination unit.

[0071] (12) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination device described in any one of (1) to (11), wherein the determination unit may make a determination regarding wear of the target piercer by using determination utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit based on an image taken at a predetermined timing before a unit measurement period in which a predetermined number of measurements are continuously performed using the target piercer.

[0072] (13) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination device described in any one of (1) to (11), wherein the determination unit may make a determination regarding wear of the target piercer by using determination utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit based on an image taken at a predetermined timing after a unit measurement period in which a predetermined number of measurements are continuously performed using the target piercer.

[0073] (14) One aspect of this embodiment is a determination method in a determination device, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires determination utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to image the target piercer in a predetermined position; and a determination step in which the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination utilization information acquired in the information acquisition step.

[0074] (15) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer serving as a judgment device to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires judgment utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to capture an image of the target piercer in a predetermined position, and as a judgment unit that makes a judgment regarding wear of the target piercer based on the judgment utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Analysis device 101 Measurement unit 102 Camera 103 Control unit 104 Memory unit 111 Drive unit 112 Piercer 113 Container 131 Information acquisition unit 132 Determination unit 133 Notification unit 141 Reference information memory unit 105 Operation unit 106 Display unit 107 Communication unit 1001 Measurement unit 1002 Camera 1003 User interface 1004 Communication device 1005 ROM 1006 RAM 1007 Storage 1008 CPU 1009 GPU 1010 Bus

Claims

1. A determination device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires determination-use information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to image the target piercer in a predetermined position; and a determination unit that makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination-use information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

2. The determination device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the result of comparing the determination utilization information with reference information indicating the condition of an unused piercer.

3. The determination device according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the determination utilization information indicating the area of ​​one or more predetermined portions of the target piercer based on the captured image, and the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the result of comparing the area of ​​the predetermined portion of the target piercer indicated as the determination utilization information with the area of ​​the predetermined portion of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

4. The determination device according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the determination utilization information indicating the shape of one or more predetermined portions of the target piercer based on the captured image, and the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the result of comparing the shape of the predetermined portion of the target piercer indicated as the determination utilization information with the shape of the predetermined portion of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

5. The determination device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the predetermined portion includes the tip of the piercer.

6. The determination device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the predetermined portion includes a portion of the piercer that is coated.

7. A determination device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the predetermined portion includes a portion of the tip of the piercer and a portion of the piercer that has been coated, and the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on a result of comparing the condition of the portion of the tip of the target piercer indicated as the determination use information with the condition of the portion of the tip of an unused piercer indicated as the reference information, and a result of comparing the condition of the portion of the coating applied to the target piercer indicated as the determination use information with the condition of the portion of the coating applied to an unused piercer indicated as the reference information.

8. A determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the captured image is an image of the piercer taken from the side so that the cut surface of the piercer, which has a cylindrical shape cut at an angle and formed at the tip, is viewed from the side.

9. A determination device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the captured image is an image of a piercer rotated a predetermined angle in a direction in which the cut surface formed at the tip of the piercer, which has been cut obliquely into a cylindrical shape, can be seen from the side, so that the cut surface can be seen from the side.

10. A determination device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the captured image is an image of the piercer taken from a frontal direction so that the cut surface of the piercer, which has a cylindrical shape cut at an angle and formed at the tip, is viewed from the front.

11. The determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of the determination result by the determination unit.

12. A determination device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer by using determination utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit based on an image taken at a predetermined timing before a unit measurement period in which a predetermined number of measurements are made consecutively using the target piercer.

13. A determination device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer by using determination utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit based on an image taken at a predetermined timing after a unit measurement period in which a predetermined number of measurements are made consecutively using the target piercer.

14. A determination method for a determination device, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires determination utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to capture an image of the target piercer in a predetermined position; and a determination step in which a determination unit makes a determination regarding wear of the target piercer based on the determination utilization information acquired in the information acquisition step.

15. A program for causing a computer as a judgment device to function as: an information acquisition unit that acquires judgment utilization information indicating a predetermined state of the target piercer based on an image captured by an imaging unit provided in a measurement unit and configured to capture an image of the target piercer in a predetermined position; and a judgment unit that makes a judgment regarding wear of the target piercer based on the judgment utilization information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

Images