Data compression method, data compression program, data compression device, output device, and specimen analysis device

Abstract

This data compression method is for compressing measurement information that includes measurement results. The data compression method includes: a combined data generation step; a conversion table information generation step; and an output data conversion step. In the combined data generation step, character data included in measurement information is converted into binary data on the basis of a plurality of data conversion tables, and combined data is generated in which a plurality of pieces of the converted binary data are combined. In the conversion table information generation step, conversion table information is generated, indicating which data conversion table among the plurality of data conversion tables has been used for the conversion to binary data, and the conversion table information is attached to the combined data. In the output data conversion step, the conversion table information and the combined data are each converted into output data.

Description

Data compression method, data compression program, data compression device, output device, and sample analyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to a data compression method, a data compression program, a data compression device, an output device, and a sample analyzer.

[0002] A blood analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, is known. This blood analyzer generates code information by adding access destination information, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), to measurement results such as blood cell count. The code information is printed on paper, for example, in the form of a QR code (registered trademark). By reading the code information printed on the paper using a personal device, such as a smartphone, owned by the user (e.g., a patient), the user can access a website from the personal device. The contents of the website can then be viewed on the display screen of the personal device.

[0003] WO 2023 / 100790

[0004] QR codes are composed of white and black cells arranged two-dimensionally. In recent years, there has been a trend toward an increase in the amount of data (information) generated from measurement results obtained by blood analyzers. To represent a large amount of information using a QR code, it is necessary to reduce the size of the QR code's eyes, i.e., the white and black cells. However, if the QR code's eyes are made smaller, it is easy to predict that personal devices (especially older models) that cannot read the QR code will appear. Therefore, there is a need for a simple method for compressing data (that does not require the QR code's eyes to be made smaller), even when the amount of data is large.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a data compression method, a data compression program, a data compression device, an output device, and a sample analysis device that can easily compress and output measurement information even if the amount of data of the measurement information including the measurement results increases.

[0006] A data compression device according to one aspect of the present invention is a data compression method for compressing measurement information including measurement results, and includes a combined data generation step of converting character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generating combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation step of generating conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for the conversion to the binary data, and attaching the conversion table information to the combined data; and an output data conversion step of converting the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

[0007] A data compression program according to another aspect of the present invention is a data compression program that causes a computer to execute a process of compressing measurement information including measurement results, and that causes the computer to execute the following steps: a combined data generation step of converting character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generating combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation step of generating conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for the conversion to the binary data, and attaching the conversion table information to the combined data; and an output data conversion step of converting the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

[0008] A data compression device according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a data compression device that compresses measurement information including measurement results, and includes: a combined data generation unit that converts character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generates combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation unit that generates conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for the conversion to the binary data, and attaches it to the combined data; and an output data conversion unit that converts the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

[0009] An output device according to yet another aspect of the present invention comprises the data compression device, which further comprises a non-reserved character conversion unit that converts the output data into URI non-reserved character data, and an output unit that outputs the URI non-reserved character data obtained by the data compression device.

[0010] A sample analyzer according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes the output device described above and a sample analyzer that acquires the measurement information to be compressed by the data compression device.

[0011] According to the present invention, even if the amount of data of measurement information including measurement results increases, the measurement information can be easily compressed and output.

[0012] 1. A perspective view showing the external configuration of a blood analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2. A block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the blood analyzer. 3. An explanatory diagram schematically showing the procedure for accessing an external site from a user's personal terminal based on information output from an output device of the blood analyzer. 4. An explanatory diagram showing an example of blood measurement results for an arbitrary user. 5. An explanatory diagram showing a table for converting the item name and unit of a measurement item into numeric data. 6. An explanatory diagram showing a table for converting a flag into numeric data. 7. An explanatory diagram showing examples of two types of data conversion tables. 8. An explanatory diagram showing a specific example of various data generated based on the data conversion table of FIG. 7. 9. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a URI unreserved character conversion table. 10. A flowchart showing the processing flow in a data compression device provided in the output device. 11. An explanatory diagram showing examples of four types of data conversion tables. 12. An explanatory diagram showing a specific example of various data generated based on the data conversion table of FIG.

[0013] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. Overview of the Blood Analyzer Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a blood analyzer 1 as a sample analyzer to which a data compression device, described below, is applied. The blood analyzer 1 includes an information display unit 3 on the upper front surface of the main body 2. The information display unit 3 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays blood analysis results, etc.

[0014] A specimen container loading section 4 is provided at the bottom of the device main body 2. The specimen container 10 can be loaded into the device main body 2 by opening the cover 4a of the specimen container loading section 4, setting a specimen container 10 containing a blood specimen, and closing the cover 4a.

[0015] Blood analyzer 1 has a built-in output device 6. Output device 6 is a small printer (printing device) that prints blood analysis results (measurement results) on paper and discharges them from discharge outlet 6a. In FIG. 1, discharge outlet 6a is provided on the front of device main body 2, but it may also be provided on the top surface of device main body 2, etc.

[0016] Furthermore, output device 6 may be provided outside blood analyzer 1 and may be connected to blood analyzer 1 so as to be able to communicate with it via wire or wirelessly. Details of output device 6 will be described later.

[0017] An input unit 7 such as a touch panel is provided on top of the information display unit 3. The input unit 7 accepts various instruction inputs from a user (e.g., a medical professional). The input unit 7 may be configured as a mechanical push button provided in a position different from the information display unit 3.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of blood analyzer 1. Blood analyzer 1 includes a blood analyzer 8 and a control device 9 in addition to information display unit 3, output device 6, and input unit 7 described above.

[0019] The blood analysis unit 8 is a sample analysis unit that performs blood analysis, such as counting the blood cells contained in the blood sample. The blood analysis unit 8 has multiple chambers (not shown) that receive blood samples aspirated and discharged from a sample container 10 (see FIG. 1) using a nozzle (not shown). A counting device is provided in the chamber for blood cell counting. The counting device can perform measurement methods such as impedance analysis, flow cytometry, and focused flow impedance analysis, depending on the blood cells to be counted. Blood cells to be counted include, for example, red blood cells and white blood cells (basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils).

[0020] The above chambers may further include chambers corresponding to other measurement items, such as CRP (C-reactive protein) value, hemoglobin amount, hemoglobin concentration, etc. Measurement results from blood analysis in blood analysis unit 8 are sent from blood analysis unit 8 to output device 6 as measurement information. Control device 9 is composed of a central processing unit, for example, called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of each part of blood analysis device 1.

[0021] 2, the output device 6 includes a measurement information receiving unit 61, a data compression unit 62, an output unit 63, and an output control unit 64. The output control unit 64 is configured with a CPU that controls the operation of each unit of the output device 6. The control device 9 may also function as the output control unit 64.

[0022] The measurement information receiving unit 61 receives information sent from the blood analysis unit 8, i.e., measurement information including the measurement results of the blood sample. For example, measurement information such as the number of white blood cells, the number of red blood cells, and the CRP value is sent from the blood analysis unit 8 to the measurement information receiving unit 61 and received by the measurement information receiving unit 61. Such measurement information receiving unit 61 is composed of a connector to which wiring leading to the blood analysis unit 8 is connected.

[0023] Blood analysis unit 8 and measurement information receiving unit 61 may be configured to communicate wirelessly within blood analysis apparatus 1. In this case, measurement information receiving unit 61 is configured as a communication interface that transmits and receives information.

[0024] The data compression device 62 is configured, for example, by a CPU. The data compression device 62 compresses the measurement information received by the measurement information receiving unit 61 and generates code information by adding the compressed data (measurement information) to access destination information (URL) for accessing a website owned by the server. The code information is configured, for example, by a two-dimensional code such as a QR code. The data compression device 62 may encrypt the measurement information and add it to the access destination information to generate the code information. Details of the data compression device 62 will be described later.

[0025] The output unit 63 outputs the code information generated by the data compression device 62. The output unit 63 includes a printing device 63a. That is, the printing device 63a prints the code information on paper. The paper is discharged from the discharge port 6a (see FIG. 1) described above.

[0026] 3 shows a schematic diagram of a procedure for accessing the server 100 from a personal terminal T of a user (e.g., a patient) based on information printed on a sheet P output from the output device 6 (printing device 63a). The personal terminal T may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer.

[0027] First, the printing device 63a of the output unit 63 prints the code information Co generated by the data compression device 62 along with the measurement information M on paper P. Here, the measurement information M is information including the measurement results (e.g., the number of red blood cells) obtained by the blood analysis unit 8 (see FIG. 2). The code information Co is information that is coded (e.g., represented as a two-dimensional code) by combining access destination information A (URL) of the website owned by the server 100 and encrypted information B obtained by encrypting the above-mentioned measurement information M. Note that the measurement information M may also include information such as flags and units of measurement items, which will be described later. Note that it is not necessary to encrypt the measurement information M, and it does not have to be encrypted. Measurement information M that is not encrypted is also referred to as unencrypted information.

[0028] Next, the user (e.g., a patient) reads the code information Co printed on the paper P using the user's own personal terminal T. This allows the user to access the server 100 (website) from the personal terminal T based on the access destination information A included in the code information Co.

[0029] When the server 100 is accessed from the personal terminal T, the server 100 decrypts the encrypted information B included in the code information Co, thereby obtaining the measurement results. Therefore, the server 100 generates additional information based on the obtained measurement results, and can display the additional information together with the measurement results on its own website. In other words, the user can access the server 100 from the personal terminal T and communicate between the personal terminal T and the server 100, thereby checking the display content of the website (measurement information, additional information) on the display screen of the personal terminal T. Examples of additional information include dietary advice, the possibility of a specific disease, precautions to take in daily life, advice on disease prevention, and explanations of measurement items, as well as other information that the user cannot directly grasp from the measurement information alone.

[0030] In this way, the user can check the measurement information, which is the measurement result of the user's blood sample, and the additional information by accessing the server 100 from the personal terminal T. Therefore, the output device 6 does not need to have the function of generating the additional information. Furthermore, there is no need to configure the output unit 63 as a large (high-spec) device capable of outputting the additional information. As a result, the output unit 63 can be configured compactly, preventing the output device 6 from becoming larger, while still providing the user with the measurement information.

[0031] Furthermore, by accessing the server 100 from the personal terminal T, the measurement information included in the code information Co is sent from the personal terminal T to the server 100. Therefore, the server 100 does not need to hold (store) the measurement information in advance. As a result, the management burden on the server 100 can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, even if the output device 6 is small and configured to make it difficult to output additional information in addition to the measurement information M, by configuring the output device 6 to output code information Co, the user can read the code information Co with the personal terminal T, access the server 100, and check the additional information on the display screen of the personal terminal T.

[0033] 3. Character Data Included in Measurement Information FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of blood measurement results (measurement information) for a given user. The measurement information acquired by the blood analysis unit 8 includes measurement values ​​for each item, such as white blood cell count. The measurement information also includes a flag, reference range (lower and upper limits), unit, etc. If the measurement value is outside the reference range, a flag indicating an abnormality is included in the measurement information.

[0034] In this embodiment, all of the measurement information shown in FIG. 4 is provided as character data from the blood analysis unit 8 to the output device 6. The character data may be obtained by converting the measurement information within the output device 6. In this case, the item names, such as the white blood cell count, are replaced with character data (numeric data) indicated by the primary key, as shown in FIG. 5. The units shown in FIG. 4 are also replaced with unit keys (numeric data) indicating the corresponding units, as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, if a flag exists, the flag is replaced with character data (numeric data) indicated by the flag key, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, for example, for the white blood cell count, character data (character string) is obtained in which the primary key "1," the measurement value "8.5," the lower limit of the reference range "4.0," the upper limit of the reference range "9.0," and the unit key "1" are arranged in this order. The same applies to the red blood cell count, etc.

[0035] The amount of data in the measurement information, including the measurement results of blood analysis, increases as the number of measurement items increases. Therefore, the data compression method described in this embodiment is particularly suitable for a blood analyzer 1 having a small output unit 63 in which the amount of data to be output (printed) is limited.

[0036] [4. Details of the Data Compression Device] Next, details of the above-mentioned data compression device 62 will be described, including specific examples of various data. In this embodiment, in order to easily accommodate an increase in the data volume of measurement information including measurement results, the data compression device 62 compresses and outputs the measurement information. As shown in FIG. 2 , the data compression device 62 includes a combined data generation unit 621, a conversion table information generation unit 622, an output data conversion unit 623, an unreserved character conversion unit 624, a code information generation unit 625, a compression control unit 626, and a storage unit 627.

[0037] The combined data generation unit 621, conversion table information generation unit 622, output data conversion unit 623, unreserved character conversion unit 624, code information generation unit 625, and compression control unit 626 are configured by a central processing unit (computer) such as a CPU. The compression control unit 626 controls the operation of each unit of the data compression device 62. The storage unit 627 stores the operating program of the data compression device 62 and also temporarily stores the measurement information received by the measurement information receiving unit 61. The storage unit 627 also stores information on the data conversion table and URI unreserved character conversion table, which will be described later. The storage unit 627 can be configured by, for example, a hard disk, an SSD (solid state drive), an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or non-volatile memory.

[0038] (4-1. Combined Data Generator) The combined data generator 621 converts character data contained in the measurement information into binary data based on multiple data conversion tables. The combined data generator 621 then generates combined data by combining multiple pieces of converted binary data. The combined data is represented, for example, as 8-bit data. In this embodiment, the converted binary data is assigned to the lower 6 bits of the 8-bit combined data, and zeros are entered in the upper 2 bits. This is because the number of URI non-reserved characters used in this embodiment, which will be described later, is 64 (=2 6 ) types, characters can be expressed using 6 bits or less.

[0039] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of two types of data conversion tables. As shown in the figure, the data conversion table is a table that associates predetermined character data with predetermined binary data. In the following, in order to distinguish between the two types of data conversion tables, one data conversion table will also be referred to as a first data conversion table, and the other data conversion table will also be referred to as a second data conversion table.

[0040] The character data included in the measurement information includes ten half-width numeric data characters "0" to "9" and five half-width symbol data characters. Examples of the symbol data include "." (period), "'" (dash), ">" (inequality sign), "-" (hyphen), and "empty." The "empty" character corresponds to a space equivalent to one half-width character. The inequality sign may also be a reversed symbol ("<"). In this embodiment, since the character data included in the data conversion table as the measurement information is 16 characters or less, the measurement information can be specified using two data conversion tables. Therefore, the data compression method described below can be applied.

[0041] 7, eight numeric data bits "0" to "7" are associated with three-bit binary data bits. Therefore, by using the first data conversion table, it is possible to convert predetermined character data bits (each character data bit "0" to "7") included in the measurement information into three-bit binary data bits.

[0042] On the other hand, the second data conversion table associates the two numeric data "8" and "9" and the five symbol data described above with 3-bit binary data. Therefore, by using the second data conversion table, it is possible to convert the predetermined character data (the numeric data "8" and "9" and the five symbol data) contained in the measurement information into 3-bit binary data. Note that although the second data conversion table shown in FIG. 7 does not contain character data corresponding to "111" in binary data, it is possible to add the character data as needed to associate it with the binary data of "111."

[0043] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing specific examples of various types of data. Consider six pieces of character data arranged in the order of "1", "'", "1", "3", ".", and "5" as an example of character data to be compressed. The combined data generation unit 621 performs the following conversions: The first character "1" is converted to binary data "001" based on the first data conversion table. The second character "'" is converted to binary data "011" based on the second data conversion table. The third character "1" is converted to binary data "001" based on the first data conversion table. The fourth character "3" is converted to binary data "011" based on the first data conversion table. The fifth character "." is converted to binary data "010" based on the second data conversion table. The sixth character "5" is converted to binary data "101" based on the first data conversion table.

[0044] As described above, the converted binary data is assigned to the lowest 6 bits of the combined data. Therefore, when the converted binary data is represented by 3 bits, it is possible for one combined data piece to contain two binary data pieces. In other words, the combined data generation unit 621 generates combined data by combining two 3-bit binary data pieces. Note that in 8-bit combined data, the highest 2 bits are set to zero, as described above.

[0045] 8, combined data generator 621 generates three 8-bit combined data items: first combined data, second combined data, and third combined data. The first combined data item is generated by combining two binary data items obtained by converting the character data of the first and second characters. Because the most significant two bits of the first combined data item are zero, the 8-bit first combined data item is represented as "00001011."

[0046] The second combined data is generated by combining two binary data pieces obtained by converting the character data of the third and fourth characters. Because the most significant two bits of the second combined data are zero, the 8-bit second combined data piece is represented as "00001011."

[0047] The third combined data is generated by combining two binary data converted from the character data of the fifth and sixth characters. Because the most significant two bits of the third combined data are zero, the 8-bit third combined data is represented as "00010101".

[0048] (4-2. Conversion Table Information Generator) The conversion table information generator 622 generates conversion table information indicating which of a plurality of data conversion tables was used for conversion to binary data, and attaches the generated conversion table information to the combined data. In other words, the conversion table information generator 622 associates the generated conversion table information with the combined data.

[0049] The conversion table information includes an identification value corresponding to each of a plurality of data conversion tables. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , an identification value of "0" is associated with the first data conversion table, and an identification value of "1" is associated with the second data conversion table. The conversion table information is represented, for example, as 8-bit data, and, similar to the combined data, an identification value is assigned to the lower 6 bits of the 8 bits. When the identification value is represented as binary data of "0" or "1" as described above, one identification value can be represented by one bit. Therefore, one conversion table information can include six identification values. Note that, in the 8-bit conversion table information, the upper 2 bits are set to zero, similar to the combined data.

[0050] In the example of character data shown in FIG. 8, the first data conversion table (discrimination value is "0") is used to convert the first character "1" into binary data. The second data conversion table (discrimination value is "1") is used to convert the second character "'" into binary data. The first data conversion table (discrimination value is "0") is used to convert the third character "1" into binary data. The first data conversion table (discrimination value is "0") is used to convert the fourth character "3" into binary data. The second data conversion table (discrimination value is "1") is used to convert the fifth character "." into binary data. The first data conversion table (discrimination value is "0") is used to convert the sixth character "5" into binary data. Therefore, the lowest 6 bits of the conversion table information are arranged in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit, from the discrimination value of the data conversion table used to convert the first character to the discrimination value of the data conversion table used to convert the sixth character. Therefore, the 8-bit conversion table information is "00010010".

[0051] Conversion table information generator 622 associates the generated conversion table information with three pieces of combined data (first combined data, second combined data, and third combined data). As a result, the data conversion tables used for conversion into each binary data included in the three pieces of combined data are identified by a single piece of conversion table information.

[0052] (4-3. Output Data Conversion Unit) The output data conversion unit 623 converts the conversion table information and the combined data into output data, which may be decimal data, for example.

[0053] In the example of Figure 8, the 8-bit conversion table information ("00010010") is converted to decimal data "18". The first combined data ("00001011") is converted to decimal data "11". The second combined data ("00001011") is converted to decimal data "11". The third combined data ("00010101") is converted to decimal data "8".

[0054] (4-4. Non-reserved character conversion unit) The non-reserved character conversion unit 624 converts the output data converted by the output data conversion unit 623 into URI non-reserved character data. RFC 3986, the standard specification for URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers), defines the characters that can be used in URIs. Characters that can be used in URIs are classified into URI reserved characters and URI non-reserved characters. URI reserved characters are characters that are reserved for specific purposes such as delimiters. Therefore, URI reserved characters cannot be used in URIs for purposes other than the specific purpose. On the other hand, URI non-reserved characters are characters that can be used freely in URIs.

[0055] In this embodiment, the non-reserved character conversion unit 624 converts the decimal data, which is the output data, into non-reserved URI character data based on a non-reserved URI character conversion table. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a non-reserved URI character conversion table. Using the conversion table shown in FIG. 9, decimal data from "0" to "9" is converted into non-reserved URI character data from "0" to "9" (numeric data). Decimal data from "10" to "35" is converted into non-reserved URI character data from "a" to "z" (lowercase alphabet data). Decimal data from "36" to "61" is converted into non-reserved URI character data from "A" to "Z" (uppercase alphabet data). Decimal data of "62" and "63" is converted into non-reserved URI character data (symbol data) of "-" (hyphen) and "." (period), respectively. In this way, by using the URI unreserved character conversion table, a total of 64 types of decimal data (output data) are converted into URI unreserved character data.

[0056] 8, the decimal data "18" in the conversion table information is converted to the non-URI reserved character data "i." The decimal data "11" in the first combined data and the second combined data is converted to the non-URI reserved character data "b." The decimal data "8" in the third combined data is converted to the non-URI reserved character data "l" (lowercase "L").

[0057] (4-5. Code Information Generating Unit) The code information generating unit 625 generates unencrypted information by combining the URI unreserved character data obtained by the unreserved character converting unit 624, and adds the access destination information A to this to generate the above-mentioned code information Co.

[0058] 5. Processing Flow in the Data Compression Device FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the data compression device 62. The processing flow in the data compression device 62 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. Here, N pieces of character data are considered as the character data to be compressed. N is a positive integer equal to or greater than 7. Of the N pieces of character data, the first six pieces are the same six character data as in FIG. 8 ("1", "'", "1", "3", ".", and "5"). Furthermore, the most significant two bits of the 8-bit conversion table information and combined data are assumed to be zero.

[0059] The measurement information receiving unit 61 of the output device 6 receives the measurement information sent from the blood analysis unit 8, and when the measurement information is supplied from the measurement information receiving unit 61 to the data compression device 62, the combined data generation unit 621 of the data compression device 62 acquires the first (first character) character data from the string of measurement information (S1).

[0060] Next, the combined data generation unit 621 converts the character data of the first character into 3-bit binary data based on the multiple data conversion tables shown in Figure 7 (S2).The combined data generation unit 621 then adds the converted binary data to the combined data (S3).In this case, since the character data is the data of the first character ("1"), the converted 3-bit binary data ("001") is entered as the most significant 3 bits of the least significant 6 bits of the first combined data (see Figure 8).

[0061] Next, the conversion table information generation unit 622 adds the identification value of the data conversion table used for the conversion to the binary data to the conversion table information (S4). In this case, the data conversion table used for the conversion is the first data conversion table, so the identification value "0" of the first data conversion table is entered in the third most significant bit in the 8-bit conversion table information (see FIG. 8).

[0062] Next, compression control unit 626 determines whether the combined data is complete (S5). At the point when the binary data converted from the character data of the first character is added to the combined data, the combined data is incomplete, so the process proceeds from S5 to S8. In S8, compression control unit 626 determines whether processing has been completed up to the final character, i.e., up to the Nth character data. In this case, processing has not been completed up to the final character, so the process proceeds to S13.

[0063] In S13, the compression control unit 626 determines whether one set of data, consisting of one conversion table information and three combined data, is complete. Since the combined data (particularly the first combined data) is incomplete in S5, the set of data is not complete. Therefore, the process returns from S13 to S1, and the process from S1 onward continues.

[0064] In the second cycle, S1, the combined data generation unit 621 acquires the second character of the character string from the measurement information. Then, based on the multiple data conversion tables shown in FIG. 7, the combined data generation unit 621 converts the second character of the character string into 3-bit binary data and adds the converted binary data to the combined data (S3). Here, the 3-bit binary data ("011") obtained by converting the second character of the character string ("'") is entered in the lowest 3 bits of the lowest 6 bits of the first combined data (see FIG. 8).

[0065] Next, the conversion table information generation unit 622 adds the identification value of the data conversion table used to convert the character data of the second character into binary data to the conversion table information (S4). In this case, the data conversion table used for the above conversion is the second data conversion table, so the identification value "1" of the second data conversion table is entered in the fourth most significant bit in the 8-bit conversion table information (see FIG. 8).

[0066] Next, compression control unit 626 determines whether the combined data is complete (S5). Adding the 3-bit binary data converted from the character data of the second character to the first combined data completes the 8-bit first combined data. Therefore, the process moves from S5 to S6. In S6, output data conversion unit 623 converts the first combined data ("00001011") into decimal output data ("11"). Next, non-reserved character conversion unit 624 converts the output data ("11") into non-reserved URI character data ("b") based on the URI non-reserved character conversion table shown in FIG. 9 (S7).

[0067] Thereafter, the compression control unit 626 determines whether processing has been completed up to the final character (S8). In this case, processing has not been completed up to the final character, so the process proceeds to S13 and the processes from S13 onward are performed. Thereafter, the same process as above is repeated for the data of the third character, the data of the fourth character, ..., up to the data of the sixth character of the string.

[0068] When the above processing is performed up to the sixth character data, one piece of conversion table information ("00010010") and three pieces of combined data ("00001011", "00001011", "00010101") are completed. Therefore, if the sixth character data is not the final character data in S8 (No in S8), the answer in S13 is Yes. In this case, output data conversion unit 623 converts the conversion table information ("00010010") into decimal output data ("18") (S14). Then, non-reserved character conversion unit 624 converts the output data ("18") into URI non-reserved character data ("i") based on the URI non-reserved character conversion table (S15). In addition, the three combined data have already been converted into decimal output data ("11", "11", "8") in S6, and into URI non-reserved character data ("b", "b", "l") in S7.

[0069] Non-reserved character conversion unit 624 adds the conversion table information and each URI non-reserved character data of the three combined data to the encoded data (S16). After that, the process returns to S1, and the processes from S1 onwards are repeated until the process for the final character data is completed.

[0070] In S8, when the above process is completed up to the last character (Yes in S8), if N, which indicates the ordinal number of the last character, is odd, a gap will be generated in the combined data, and the combined data generation unit 621 will supplement the missing data to the combined data (S9). Specifically, the combined data generation unit 621 supplements the least significant three bits of the combined data with the binary data "110" (corresponding to the character data "empty") in the second data conversion table shown in FIG. 7. This completes the combined data. On the other hand, if N is even, the above supplementation process is unnecessary, and S9 is skipped.

[0071] Depending on the value of N, the combined data may be completed with the first combined data, and the second and third combined data may not be generated. Even in this case, the same interpolation process as described above can be performed on the second and third combined data. That is, the combined data generation unit 621 may insert two pieces of 3-bit binary data corresponding to the character data "empty" into the lowest 6 bits of the second and third combined data. In this case, the identification value of the second data conversion table is also inserted into the bits of the conversion table information corresponding to the interpolated binary data.

[0072] Next, output data conversion unit 623 converts the conversion table information and combined data into decimal output data (S10). Note that if the combined data has already been converted into output data in S6, only the conversion table information needs to be converted into output data in S10. Next, non-reserved character conversion unit 624 converts the output data of S10 into URI non-reserved character data based on the URI non-reserved character conversion table (S11). Thereafter, non-reserved character conversion unit 624 adds each URI non-reserved character data in the conversion table information and combined data to encoded data (S12). This completes the series of processes. The above encoded data is added to code information by code information generation unit 625.

[0073] As described above, the data compression method of this embodiment includes a combined data generation step (S2, S3, S9), a conversion table information generation step (S4, S9), and an output data conversion step (S6, S10, S14). In the combined data generation step, combined data generation unit 621 converts character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on multiple data conversion tables, and generates combined data by combining multiple pieces of converted binary data. In the conversion table information generation step, conversion table information generation unit 622 generates conversion table information and attaches it to the combined data. In the output data conversion step, output data conversion unit 623 converts the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

[0074] According to the above compression method, multiple character data included in measurement information can be converted (compressed) into data with a smaller data volume (number of bits) than conventional methods (without using a data conversion table) and output as output data. For example, in conventional compression methods that represent one character per byte (8 bits), 48 bits (8 bits x 6 characters) were required to represent six characters. According to the compression method of this embodiment, by using conversion table information and combined data, the number of bits required to represent six characters can be reduced to 32 bits (8 bits x 4 characters) (see FIG. 8). In other words, a compression rate of (32 / 48) x 100 = 66.7% can be achieved. Therefore, even if the amount of measurement information including measurement results increases, the measurement information can be appropriately compressed and output as output data. As a result, even if the amount of measurement information increases, it is not necessary to reduce the size of the QR code to be generated. Furthermore, by using multiple data conversion tables, measurement information can be easily compressed using a simple method of combining conversion table information and combined data. Furthermore, regardless of the content of the measurement information, compressed data can be obtained at a constant compression rate.

[0075] The identification value corresponding to the data conversion table may be represented using multiple bits of the conversion table information (details will be described later). That is, the identification value is represented using at least one bit of the conversion table information. In this embodiment, the digit of the bit representing the identification value in the conversion table information specifies which data conversion table was used to convert the binary data converted based on the data conversion table corresponding to the identification value. In particular, the digit (position) of the bit representing the identification value in the conversion table information specifies the binary data converted based on the data conversion table corresponding to the identification value and the combined data including the binary data. For example, in the conversion table information of FIG. 8, the third most significant bit specifies that the combined data including binary data converted based on the first data conversion table corresponding to the identification value ("0") entered in that bit is the first combined data, and that the binary data included in the first combined data is predetermined binary data ("001").

[0076] This makes it possible to reliably link the conversion table information with each piece of combined data, and also to reliably link the conversion table information with the binary data included in each piece of combined data.

[0077] The identification value is included in the lower 6 bits of the conversion table information. In this case, zeros are added to the upper 2 bits of the conversion table information to generate 8-bit conversion table information, and when this is converted to decimal data (output data), the output data is converted to 2 6 Therefore, the compression process of this embodiment can be performed to convert the output data in association with 64 types of URI unreserved characters.

[0078] In the combined data generation step, combined data generation unit 621 converts character data included in the measurement information into 3-bit binary data based on two types of data conversion tables, and generates combined data by combining two pieces of converted binary data (see FIG. 8). In this case, one piece of combined data can include binary data (for two characters) corresponding to two characters of character data.

[0079] In the conversion table information generating step, conversion table information generating unit 622 generates one piece of conversion table information for each of the three pieces of combined data (see FIG. 8). In this case, the single piece of conversion table information can indicate which data conversion table was used to convert each of the six characters of binary data contained in the three pieces of combined data.

[0080] The data compression method of this embodiment further includes non-reserved character conversion steps (S7, S11, S15) for converting output data into non-reserved URI character data. Non-reserved URI characters can be used in URIs without percent encoding, which increases the amount of information. Therefore, the output data can be compressed into data with a smaller amount of information and output to a website. Note that the output data need only be converted into specific character data that is readable at the output destination, and is not limited to being converted into the non-reserved URI character data described above.

[0081] The output data is decimal data (see FIG. 8). In this case, it is easy to obtain 64 types of URI non-reserved characters by associating each of the decimal data with a URI non-reserved character. Note that the output data may be expressed in a format other than decimal, as long as it can be converted into 64 types of URI non-reserved characters.

[0082] The data conversion table includes numbers and symbols, so data compression can be performed even when the character data includes symbols other than numbers.

[0083] 2, the output device 6 of this embodiment includes the above-described data compression device 62 and an output unit 63. The output unit 63 outputs (e.g., prints) the measurement information compressed by the data compression device 62. This makes it possible to output and provide a large amount of data to a user (e.g., a patient) even if the output device is small.

[0084] The blood analyzer 1 serving as the sample analyzer of this embodiment includes the output device 6 and a sample analysis unit that acquires measurement information to be provided to the data compression device 62. The sample analysis unit is configured, for example, with a blood analysis unit 8. The effects of this embodiment can be achieved in a sample analyzer that includes the output device 6 described above.

[0085] 6. Other Examples of Data Conversion Tables In the above, an example has been described in which one character data item is converted into 3-bit binary data using the two types of data conversion tables shown in FIG. 7, but the data conversion tables used are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7.

[0086] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of four types of data conversion tables. In each data conversion table shown in FIG. 11, the 15 character data shown in FIG. 7 are divided into four groups, and each group of character data corresponds to two-bit binary data. Therefore, by using one of the four data conversion tables, the character data included in the measurement information can be converted into two-bit binary data. Each data conversion table provides four two-bit identification values ​​("00", "01", "10", and "11").

[0087] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing specific examples of various types of data. As an example of character data to be compressed, consider three pieces of character data arranged in this order: "1", ".", and "5". The combined data generation unit 621 performs the following conversions. The first character, "1", is converted to binary data "01" based on the first data conversion table. The second character, ".", is converted to binary data "10" based on the third data conversion table. The third character, "5", is converted to binary data "01" based on the second data conversion table.

[0088] The converted binary data is assigned to the lowest 6 bits of the combined data. As described above, when the converted binary data is represented by 2 bits, it is possible for one combined data piece to contain three binary data pieces. In other words, the combined data generation unit 621 generates combined data by combining three 2-bit binary data pieces. Note that in 8-bit combined data, zeros are inserted into the highest 2 bits. Therefore, in the above example, the 8-bit combined data piece is represented as "00011001."

[0089] Furthermore, the first data conversion table (identification value is "00") is used to convert the binary data of the first character "1". The third data conversion table (identification value is "10") is used to convert the binary data of the second character "." The second data conversion table (identification value is "01") is used to convert the binary data of the third character "5". Therefore, the 8-bit conversion table information generated by the conversion table information generation unit 622 has zeros inserted in the most significant two bits, resulting in "00001001".

[0090] The 8-bit conversion table information ("00001001") is converted to decimal data "9" by output data conversion unit 623. The decimal data "9" is converted to "9" by unreserved character conversion unit 624 based on the URI unreserved character conversion table shown in FIG.

[0091] The 8-bit combined data ("00011001") is converted to decimal data "25" by output data converter 623. Decimal data "25" is converted to "p" by unreserved character converter 624 based on the URI unreserved character conversion table.

[0092] Therefore, even when the four types of data conversion tables shown in FIG. 11 are used to convert character data into 2-bit binary data to generate conversion table information and combined data, data compression can be performed at the same compression rate (e.g., 66.7%) as when the two types of data conversion tables shown in FIG. 7 are used.

[0093] That is, in the combined data generating step, character data included in the measurement information may be converted into 2-bit binary data based on four types of data conversion tables, and three pieces of converted binary data may be combined to generate combined data. In this case, one piece of combined data may include binary data (for three characters) corresponding to three characters of character data.

[0094] In the conversion table information generating step, one piece of conversion table information may be generated for one piece of combined data. In this case, the single piece of conversion table information can indicate which data conversion table was used to convert each of the three binary data characters included in one piece of combined data.

[0095] 7. Data Compression Program The data compression device 62 of this embodiment can be configured to include a computer on which an operating program (application software) is installed. The computer (data compression device 62) reads and executes the program, thereby operating each unit of the data compression device 62 and executing each of the processes (steps) described above. Such a program is acquired, for example, by downloading it from an external device via a network and stored in a storage unit (e.g., storage unit 627) within the computer. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), and read from the recording medium by a reading unit (not shown) and stored in storage unit 627. In other words, the program of this embodiment is a data compression program that causes a computer to execute each of the steps described above. Furthermore, the recording medium is a computer-readable recording medium on which the data compression program is recorded.

[0096] [8. Other] In this embodiment, blood has been described as an example of a sample, but the sample is not limited to blood. For example, the sample may be a body fluid such as plasma, serum, saliva, urine, lymph, or cerebrospinal fluid.

[0097] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, and the invention can be expanded or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0098] The present invention can be used in, for example, an output device of a sample analyzer, and in the sample analyzer.

[0099] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Blood analyzer (sample analyzer) 6 Output device 8 Blood analysis section (sample analysis section) 62 Data compression device 63 Output section 621 Combined data generation section 622 Conversion table information generation section 623 Output data conversion section 624 Unreserved character conversion section M Measurement information

Claims

1. A data compression method for compressing measurement information including measurement results, comprising: a combined data generation step of converting character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generating combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation step of generating conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for conversion to the binary data, and attaching the conversion table information to the combined data; and an output data conversion step of converting the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

2. A data compression method according to claim 1, wherein the conversion table information includes an identification value corresponding to each of the plurality of data conversion tables, the identification value is represented using at least one bit of the conversion table information, and the digit of the bit representing the identification value specifies which data conversion table was used to convert the binary data converted based on the data conversion table corresponding to the identification value.

3. The data compression method according to claim 2, wherein the identification value is included in the lowest 6 bits of the conversion table information.

4. A data compression method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the combined data generation step, the character data included in the measurement information is converted into 3-bit binary data based on two types of data conversion tables, and the combined data is generated by combining two of the converted binary data.

5. The data compression method according to claim 4, wherein said conversion table information generating step generates one piece of conversion table information for three pieces of said combined data.

6. A data compression method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the combined data generation step, the character data included in the measurement information is converted into 2-bit binary data based on four types of data conversion tables, and the combined data is generated by combining three of the converted binary data.

7. The data compression method according to claim 6, wherein said conversion table information generating step generates one piece of said conversion table information for one piece of said combined data.

8. The data compression method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an unreserved character conversion step of converting said output data into URI unreserved character data.

9. The data compression method according to claim 8, wherein the output data is decimal data.

10. A data compression method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the data conversion table includes numbers and symbols.

11. A data compression program that causes a computer to execute a process for compressing measurement information including measurement results, comprising: a combined data generation step of converting character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generating combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation step of generating conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for conversion to the binary data, and attaching the conversion table information to the combined data; and an output data conversion step of converting the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

12. A data compression device that compresses measurement information including measurement results, comprising: a combined data generation unit that converts character data included in the measurement information into binary data based on a plurality of data conversion tables that associate predetermined character data with predetermined binary data, and generates combined data by combining a plurality of the converted binary data; a conversion table information generation unit that generates conversion table information indicating which of the plurality of data conversion tables was used for conversion to the binary data, and attaches it to the combined data; and an output data conversion unit that converts the conversion table information and the combined data into output data.

13. The data compression device according to claim 12, further comprising an unreserved character conversion unit that converts the output data into URI unreserved character data.

14. An output device comprising: the data compression device according to claim 12 or 13; and an output section that outputs the measurement information compressed by the data compression device.

15. A sample analyzer comprising: the output device according to claim 14; and a sample analyzer that acquires the measurement information to be provided to the data compression device.

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