Transport device, specimen transport system, and method for connecting communication path in transport device

Abstract

Each communication control part 120 has one or more transport path communication ports 122 corresponding to transport path information, and one or more redundant configuration communication ports 123 not corresponding to the transport path information. The transport path communication ports 122 are connected to each other at locations where transport units 110 are located adjacently, and the redundant configuration communication ports 123 are used for connection at locations where the transport units 110 are not located adjacent to each other. Thereby, the present invention provides a transport device, a specimen transport system, and a method for connecting a communication path in the transport device, with all of which it is possible to improve the continuity of transport and the ease of setup as compared to conventional configurations.

Description

Transport device, specimen transport system, and method for connecting communication paths within the transport device

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device and a method for connecting communication paths within the transport device that are suitable for use in a sample analysis system, such as a sample analyzer that performs analysis of biological samples (hereinafter referred to as "samples") such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids, and a sample pre-processing device that performs pre-processing required for this analysis.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a distributed control device and a distributed control system that enables system expansion by connecting a new parent station device to an existing network without requiring any modifications to the network, and that can improve communication performance in the expanded system.The document states that the distributed control device includes a parent station device that oversees communication control, and multiple child station devices that execute control processing for at least one control device, and that the child station devices have a master / slave switching unit that switches between a master communication mode in which data is sent and received with the parent station device via a communication path, and a slave communication mode in which data is sent and received via the parent station device and other child station devices.

[0003] JP 2018-19199 A

[0004] A sample analysis system for clinical testing performs tests on specified analysis items on samples such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids.

[0005] This sample analysis system connects devices with multiple functions and automatically performs each process. In other words, to streamline laboratory operations, an analysis section that performs multiple analyses such as biochemistry and immunology, and a pre-processing section that performs multiple pre-processing steps required for these analyses are connected by a conveying line and used as a single sample analysis system.

[0006] In recent years, the importance of sample analysis has increased due to advances in medical care and the aging of patients. Therefore, in order to improve the analytical processing capacity of sample analysis systems, there is a demand for high-speed sample transport, large-volume transport, simultaneous transport, and transport in multiple directions.

[0007] There is also a demand for a sample analysis system that is scalable to accommodate laboratory layouts and testing workflows.

[0008] As background art in this technical field, there is Patent Document 1. However, the specimen transport device described in Patent Document 1 does not mention the continuity of transport control and ease of system setup, and it has become clear that there is room for improvement.

[0009] For example, when there are transported objects holding sample containers holding samples on multiple modules and the transported objects are to be transferred between modules, it is necessary to adjust the transport path so that the transported objects do not collide with each other.

[0010] For this reason, it is expected that the parent station in the specimen transport device will monitor and control the status of the transport module. However, if, for example, the parent station becomes unusable due to an abnormality, it is desirable for adjacent transport modules to communicate with each other. However, there is a risk that the transport modules may not be able to grasp each other's status, and it has become clear that there is room for more reliable transport that prevents collisions between transported objects.

[0011] The present invention provides a transport device, a sample transport system, and a method for connecting communication paths within a transport device that can improve the continuity of transport and ease of setup compared to conventional configurations.

[0012] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above-mentioned problems, and one example is a conveying device for conveying objects, comprising a plurality of conveying units that move the objects, a control unit that manages the operation of the plurality of conveying units, a control driver that is provided for each of the conveying units and drives and detects the status of the conveying units, and a communication control unit that is provided for each of the conveying units and receives conveying route information for the objects generated by the control unit and outputs it to the control driver, and notifies the control unit and another of the conveying units of the status of the conveying unit detected by the control driver, wherein the communication control unit has one or more route communication ports that correspond to the conveying route information and one or more redundant configuration communication ports that do not correspond to the conveying route information, and the route communication ports are connected to each other where the conveying units are adjacent, and the redundant configuration communication ports are used for connection where the conveying units are not adjacent.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the continuity of transport and ease of setup compared to conventional configurations. Objects, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a sample testing automation system including a sample transport system equipped with a transport device of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the transport device of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a transport unit in the transport device of an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation form of a communication control unit in the transport device of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a connection form of a communication control unit in the transport device of an embodiment. A flowchart of transport processing when an abnormality occurs in the control unit in the transport device of an embodiment. A flowchart of determining whether or not an adjacent unit is present in the transport device of an embodiment. A flowchart of determining an end unit in the transport device of an embodiment. A flowchart of carrier evacuation processing in the transport device of an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a configuration for checking transport unit operation in the transport device of an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a configuration for checking transport unit operation in the transport device of an embodiment.

[0015] 1 to 11, a description will be given of an embodiment of a transport device, a specimen transport system, and a method of connecting a communication path within the transport device according to the present invention.

[0016] In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following examples, the constituent elements (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or unless they are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0018] First, the overall configuration of the entire sample transport system including the transport device will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the sample transport system including the transport device according to this embodiment.

[0019] The main components of the sample transport system 1 shown in Fig. 1 are a plurality of transport devices 100 (five in Fig. 1) that transport transport containers 103 (see Fig. 10) containing sample containers or empty transport containers 103 with no sample containers loaded therein to a predetermined destination, analyzers 2 (two in Fig. 1) that perform sample analysis, and a control computer 3 that manages the destinations of samples in the sample transport system 1. Of these, one or more transport devices 100 constitute the sample transport system.

[0020] The control computer 3 controls the operation of the entire system including the transport device 100 and the analyzer 2, and is composed of a computer having a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an input device, a storage device, a CPU, a memory, etc. The control computer 3 controls the operation of each device based on various programs recorded in the storage device.

[0021] The control processes for the operations executed by the control computer 3 may be integrated into one program, or may be divided into multiple programs, or may be a combination of these. Furthermore, some or all of the programs may be realized by dedicated hardware, or may be modularized.

[0022] The analyzer 2 is a unit that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of the components of the sample transported by the transport device 100. The analysis items in this unit are not particularly limited, and the configuration of a known automatic analyzer that analyzes biochemical items or immunological items can be adopted. Furthermore, when multiple analyzers are provided, they may have the same specifications or different specifications and are not particularly limited.

[0023] 1, the case where two analyzers 2 are provided is described, but the number of analyzers 2 is not particularly limited and may be one or more. Similarly, the number of transport devices 100 is also not particularly limited and may be one or more.

[0024] Furthermore, various specimen pre-processing and post-processing units that perform pre-processing and post-processing on specimens can be provided in the specimen transport system 1. The detailed configuration of the specimen pre-processing and post-processing units is not particularly limited, and the configuration of a known pre-processing unit can be adopted.

[0025] Next, a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2 and subsequent figures. Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the conveying device according to the present invention.

[0026] The conveying device 100 shown in Figure 2 is a device for conveying conveying containers 103, and has a plurality of conveying units 110 that move the conveying containers 103, and a control unit 101 that manages the operation of the plurality of conveying units 110 by calculating the destination and conveying route of each conveying container 103 and sending commands to each conveying unit 110.

[0027] The control unit 101 is configured as hardware using a dedicated circuit board, but may also be configured as software executed by a computer. When configured as hardware, it can be realized by integrating multiple arithmetic units that execute processing on a wiring board, or in a semiconductor chip or package. When configured as software, it can be realized by installing a high-speed general-purpose CPU in a computer and executing a program that executes the desired arithmetic processing. It is also possible to upgrade existing devices using a recording medium on which this program is recorded. Furthermore, these devices, circuits, and computers are connected by a wired or wireless network, and data is sent and received as appropriate.

[0028] Each transport unit 110 has a control driver 111 and a communication control unit 120 provided for each transport unit 110. The control driver 111 drives and detects the status of the transport unit 110. The communication control unit 120 receives transport route information for the transport container 103 generated by the control unit 101 and outputs it to the control driver 111, and notifies the control unit 101 and other transport units 110 of the status of the transport unit 110 detected by the control driver 111.

[0029] In each transport unit 110 , a transport command from the control unit 101 is received by the communication control unit 120 , and the control driver 111 carries out the transport of each transport container 103 .

[0030] The communication control unit 120 of the sample transport system 1 forms a network between the control unit 101 and the transport unit 110 via a communication path 121. The communication path 121 connects the control unit 101 and the communication control unit 120, and also connects each communication control unit 120 to each other.

[0031] Next, the transport path of the transport device of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing five transport units 110 arranged side by side.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit 110 has a plurality of transport paths 112 along which the transport container 103 can move, and the transport container 103 can move up, down, left, and right along the points indicated by these transport paths 112 .

[0033] Next, the communication control unit 120 of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control unit 120 has one or more transport route communication ports 122 corresponding to the transport route information, and one or more redundant configuration communication ports 123 not corresponding to the transport route information.

[0035] The number of transport path communication ports 122 is equal to the number of sides of the transport unit 110 that can connect the transport path 112 to adjacent transport units 110. For example, in the transport unit 110 shown in Figure 3, transport paths 112 exist on all four sides (top, bottom, left, and right), and other transport units 110 can be connected on all four sides, so there are four transport path communication ports 122.

[0036] The redundant configuration communication port 123 is used when a redundant configuration of the communication path 121 is adopted for each transport unit 110. An example of the redundant configuration will be described later.

[0037] The transport unit 110 can be provided with one or more redundant communication ports 123 depending on the system configuration and control operation. If unnecessary, it can also be selected not to use the port.

[0038] Next, the redundant configuration of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows an example of a network configuration in the transport device configuration of Fig. 2.

[0039] 5, the communication path 121 connects the control unit 101 and each communication control unit 120. At this time, by connecting some non-adjacent transport units 110 together, the communication path forms a loop. By forming a loop in this way, even if one communication path 121 becomes unusable due to, for example, a disconnection, the transport device 100 can continue control by using the other communication path of the loop.

[0040] 5, when connecting non-adjacent transport units 110, the redundant configuration communication port 123 described above is included in one of the connections. When connecting adjacent transport units 110, the connection is made using only the transport path communication ports 122. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable that the redundant configuration communication port 123 be used for connection at a location where the transport units 110 branch off.

[0041] Next, control of the transfer container when the control unit malfunctions in the transfer device 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the transfer process when the control unit malfunctions in the transfer device of the embodiment.

[0042] 6, when the transport units 110 recognize that communication from the control unit 101 has been interrupted (step S101), each transport unit 110 determines whether or not there is an adjacent transport unit 110 (step S102). If it is determined that there is an adjacent transport unit 110, the process is completed.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined that an adjacent transport unit 110 exists, the transport unit 110 determines whether it is an end unit within the system (step S103; for details, see Figure 8 and its explanation below), and starts the evacuation process of the transport container 103 (step S104).

[0044] Next, the transport unit 110 checks whether or not a transport container 103 is present on the unit itself (step S105). If it is confirmed that a transport container 103 is present in step S105, step S104 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that a transport container 103 is present, it determines whether or not the unit itself is the end transport unit 110 (step S106).

[0045] In step S106, if it is determined that the transport container 103 is not present and that the transport unit 110 itself is the end transport unit 110, the transport unit 110 transmits an evacuation completion packet to the adjacent transport unit 110 (step S107) and completes the process. The communication port used at this time is the transport path communication port 122, as described in FIG. 4.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the transport unit 110 is not the end transport unit 110, the process proceeds to step S108, where the transport unit 110 determines whether or not it has received an evacuation completion packet from the designated adjacent transport unit 110 (step S108). If it is determined that the evacuation completion packet has been received, the transport unit 110 executes step S107.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined that the transport container 103 has not been received, the transport unit 110 prepares to receive the transport container 103 (step S109), and after the transport container 103 arrives, the transport container 103 evacuation process of step S104 is performed.

[0048] In this way, when an abnormality occurs in the control unit 101, it is desirable that the transport unit 110 distinguishes between itself and the adjacent transport unit 110 and transports the transport container 103 to a specified position on the transport unit 110.

[0049] The method of determining whether there is an adjacent transport unit 110 (step S102) in the transport device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the determination of whether there is an adjacent transport unit 110 in the transport device of this embodiment.

[0050] 7, first, the transport unit 110 determines whether or not an error notification has been received from the control unit 101 (step S201). If it is determined that an error notification has been received, the transport unit 110 executes processing according to the error (step S202) and completes the processing.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the signal has not been received, the transport unit 110 checks the connection information of the communication ports among its own communication ports to which a connection has been established (step S203) and determines whether the connection includes the communication port 123 for redundant configuration (step S204).

[0052] If it is determined that the connection includes the redundant configuration communication port 123, it is determined that the connection destination is a non-adjacent transport unit 110 (step S205), and the process is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection does not include the redundant configuration communication port 123, it is determined that the adjacent transport unit is the transport unit 110 (step S206), and the process is completed.

[0053] Next, a method of determining the end transport unit 110 (step S103) in the transport device 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the determination of the end transport unit 110 in the transport device of the embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, first, the transport unit 110 checks the connection information of the transport path communication port 122, among its own communication ports, to which a connection has been established (step S301), and determines whether only communication port 1 is connected (step S302).

[0055] If it is determined that it is connected, it is determined that it is the terminal transport unit 110 (step S303), and the processing is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not connected, it is determined whether only communication port 1 and communication port 4 are connected (step S304). If it is determined that it is connected, it is determined that it is the terminal transport unit 110 (step S303), and the processing is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not connected, it is determined that it is a non-terminal transport unit 110 (step S305), and the processing is completed.

[0056] The communication port used in this determination differs depending on the orientation of the communication port provided with respect to the transport unit 110. In this embodiment, the transport path communication port 122 is allocated according to the positional relationship shown in Figure 4, and it is assumed that the installation orientation of the transport unit 110 is arranged as shown in Figure 5. The communication port referenced in this process changes depending on the policy for the allocation direction of the communication port and the installation orientation of the transport unit 110.

[0057] Next, the retraction process (step S104) of the transfer container 103 in the transfer device 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the carrier retraction process in the transfer device of the embodiment.

[0058] 9, first, the transport unit 110 determines whether or not the transport container 103 has been received from the communication port 1 (step S401). If it is determined that the transport container 103 has been received, the process proceeds to step S410. On the other hand, if it is determined that the transport container 103 has not been received, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0059] If it is determined in step S401 that the transport container 103 has not been received from the direction of communication port 1, the transport unit 110 determines whether or not there is an adjacent unit in the direction of communication port 1 (step S402). If it is determined that there is no adjacent transport unit 110, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined that an adjacent transport unit 110 exists, the transport unit 110 communicates in the direction of communication port 1 (step S403) and inquires whether or not the transport container 103 can be received (step S404).

[0061] If the result indicates that there is room for the container, the transport unit 110 transports the container 103 in the direction of communication port 1 (step S405), and if the result indicates that there is no room for the container, the process ends.

[0062] If it is determined in step S401 that the transport container 103 is being received from communication port 1, it is determined whether or not there is an adjacent transport unit 110 in the direction of communication port 2 (step S410). If it is determined that there is no adjacent transport unit 110, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined that the transport unit 110 is adjacent in the direction of communication port 2, the transport unit 110 communicates in the direction of communication port 2 (step S411) and inquires whether the transport container 103 can be received (step S412).

[0064] If the result indicates that there is room for the container, the transport unit 110 transports the container 103 in the direction of communication port 2 (step S413), and if the result indicates that there is no room for the container, the process ends.

[0065] If it is determined in step S402 that there is no adjacent transport unit 110, or if it is determined in step S410 that there is no adjacent transport unit 110 in the direction of communication port 2, the transport unit 110 determines whether there is an adjacent transport unit 110 in the direction of communication port 4 (step S406). If it is determined that there is no adjacent transport unit 110 in the direction of communication port 4, the process ends.

[0066] If it is determined that there is an adjacent transport unit 110 in the direction of communication port 4, the transport unit 110 communicates in the direction of communication port 4 (step S407) and inquires whether or not the transport container 103 can be received (step S408).

[0067] If the result indicates that there is room for the container, the transport unit 110 transports the container 103 in the direction of communication port 4 (step S409), and if the result indicates that there is no room for the container, the process ends.

[0068] Next, a configuration for checking the operation of a plurality of transport units 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are diagrams showing an example of a configuration for checking the operation of the transport units in the transport device of the embodiment.

[0069] As described above, the conveying device 100 is configured by combining and connecting a plurality of conveying units 110 and a control unit 101 .

[0070] When installing the transport device 100, it is assumed that transport unit groups 102, each consisting of four transport units 110, are provided as shown in Fig. 10, and the transport device 100 is configured by combining multiple transport unit groups 102. In this case, it is desirable to be able to confirm that the transport units 110 are operating normally and that the transport units 110 have been installed normally for each transport unit group 102.

[0071] Items to be checked when installing the transport units 110 include, for example, matching the heights of the transport units 110 and adjusting the gaps between the transport units 110. These checks can be performed by the transport unit group 102 alone, without using the control unit 101, which is expected to reduce the time required for the work and the number of required parts.

[0072] In the transport unit group 102 shown in Fig. 10, a transport container 103 is placed in a transport unit 110. The transport unit 110 checks the connection information of its own communication port as shown in Fig. 11, and checks which communication port it is adjacent to another transport unit 110 at.

[0073] Then, the relative position of the own unit in the connection is determined, which can be confirmed, for example, by the determination flow shown in FIG.

[0074] Each transport unit 110 that has performed the determination flow shown in Fig. 8 transports the transport container 103 to the transport unit 110 at the end of the transport unit group 102. In the transport unit group 102 shown in Fig. 10, the transport container 103 is sent to the transport unit 110 located at the far right.

[0075] The transport unit 110 at the end performs transport processing so that the transport container 103 includes all transport routes on its own unit, and verifies that there are no routes that the transport unit 110 cannot transport and that there are no abnormalities during transport.

[0076] After checking all the routes, the transport unit 110 controls the adjacent transport units 110 to transport the transport container 103 along all the adjacent routes, and checks the operation.

[0077] When the transport operation check for all adjacent routes is completed, the transport unit 110 at the end notifies the adjacent transport unit 110 that the operation check is complete, and transports the transport container 103 to the adjacent transport unit 110. The transport unit 110 also executes a process to notify the user that no abnormalities were found. For example, lighting up an LED on the transport unit 110 is assumed as an example, but the means for this is not limited.

[0078] In this way, the communication control unit 120 can notify the status of the transport unit 110 only to the transport unit 110 that is determined to be adjacent.

[0079] When the transport unit 110 receives a notification of completion of operation check and the transport container 103 from the end transport unit 110, it similarly performs operation checks on all routes on its own unit, and similarly notifies the adjacent transport unit 110 of the completion of operation check and removes the transport container 103.

[0080] If there are no adjacent transport units 110 in any direction other than the direction in which the transport unit 110 received the transport container 103, the transport unit 110 ends the process when the operation check on the own unit is completed.

[0081] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0082] The transport device 100 that transports the transport container 103 of the above-mentioned embodiment comprises a plurality of transport units 110 that move the transport container 103, a control unit 101 that manages the operation of the plurality of transport units 110, a control driver 111 that is provided for each transport unit 110 and that drives and detects the status of the transport unit 110, and a communication control unit 120 that is provided for each transport unit 110 and receives transport route information for the transport container 103 generated by the control unit 101 and outputs it to the control driver 111, and notifies the control unit 101 and other transport units 110 of the status of the transport unit 110 detected by the control driver 111, and the communication control unit 120 has one or more transport route communication ports 122 that correspond to the transport route information and one or more redundant configuration communication ports 123 that do not correspond to the transport route information, and the transport route communication ports 122 are connected to each other where the transport units 110 are adjacent, and the redundant configuration communication ports 123 are used for connection where the transport units 110 are not adjacent.

[0083] In addition, the present embodiment also includes a plurality of transport units 110 that move the transport container 103, a control unit 101 that manages the operation of the plurality of transport units 110, a control driver 111 that is provided for each transport unit 110 and that drives and detects the status of the transport unit 110, and a control driver 111 that is provided for each transport unit 110 and receives transport path information for the transport container 103 generated by the control unit 101 and outputs it to the control driver 111, and reports the status of the transport unit 110 detected by the control driver 111 to the control unit 101 and another transport unit. In a method of connecting a communication path 121 in a conveying device 100 equipped with a communication control unit 120 that notifies conveying units 110, the communication control unit 120 has one or more communication ports 122 for the conveying path that correspond to the conveying path information and one or more communication ports 123 for redundant configuration that do not correspond to the conveying path information, and when connecting the communication control unit 120 with the communication path 121, the communication ports 122 for the conveying path are connected to each other in locations where the conveying units 110 are adjacent, and the communication ports 123 for redundant configuration are used for connection in locations where the conveying units 110 are not adjacent.

[0084] Therefore, compared to conventional configurations, it is possible to improve the continuity of transport and ease of setup. In particular, since the connection of the communication ports can be made to roughly correspond to the arrangement of the actual transport units 110, it becomes easier to check each other's information by communicating between the transport units 110.

[0085] Furthermore, for example, when setting up the transport unit 110 in an inspection room, it is desirable to check the operation with a small-scale configuration, and it is expected that the operation check will be to check, for example, whether the control between the transport units 110 and the installation are in a normal state. When checking this operation, preparing a communication master station device would be an unnecessary effort, but with the configuration of this embodiment, the check can be made using only the transport unit 110, and even in this case, it is possible to have the effect of checking that the transport containers 103 do not collide with each other between the transport units 110.

[0086] Furthermore, the communication control unit 120 notifies the status of the transport unit 110 only to the transport unit 110 that is determined to be adjacent, so that confirmation can be performed on a target unit basis.

[0087] Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the control unit 101, the transport unit 110 can distinguish between itself and the adjacent transport unit 110 and transport the transport container 103 to a specified position on the transport unit 110, thereby making it possible to determine and reliably reset from the abnormal state.

[0088] Furthermore, since the location where the redundant configuration communication port 123 is used for connection is the location where the transport unit 110 branches off, the connection relationship does not become too complicated, and it is possible to reliably deal with the part where errors are most likely to occur.

[0089] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the described configurations.

[0090] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... Sample transport system 2... Analytical device 3... Control computer 100... Transport device 101... Control unit 102... Transport unit group 103... Transport container (transported object) 110... Transport unit 111... Control driver 112... Transport path 120... Communication control unit 121... Communication path 122... Transport path communication port (path communication port) 123... Redundant configuration communication port

Claims

1. A transport device for transporting objects, comprising: a plurality of transport units that move the objects; a control unit that manages the operation of the plurality of transport units; a control driver that is provided for each of the transport units and that drives and detects the status of the transport units; and a communication control unit that is provided for each of the transport units and that receives transport route information for the objects generated by the control unit and outputs it to the control driver, and notifies the control unit and other transport units of the status of the transport unit detected by the control driver, wherein the communication control unit has one or more route communication ports that correspond to the transport route information and one or more redundant configuration communication ports that do not correspond to the transport route information, and the route communication ports are connected to each other where the transport units are adjacent, and the redundant configuration communication ports are used for connection where the transport units are not adjacent.

2. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit notifies the status of the transport unit only to the transport unit that is determined to be adjacent.

3. A conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, when an abnormality occurs in the control unit, the conveying unit distinguishes between itself and the adjacent conveying unit and conveys the object to a specified position on the conveying unit.

4. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein the location where the redundant communication port is used for connection is a location where the transport units branch off.

5. A specimen transport system comprising the transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for connecting a communication path in a transport device that includes a plurality of transport units that move transported objects, a control unit that manages the operation of the plurality of transport units, a control driver that is provided for each transport unit and that drives and detects the status of the transport unit, and a communication control unit that is provided for each transport unit and receives transport route information for the transported objects generated by the control unit and outputs it to the control driver, and notifies the control unit and other transport units of the status of the transport unit detected by the control driver, wherein the communication control unit has one or more route communication ports that correspond to the transport route information and one or more redundant configuration communication ports that do not correspond to the transport route information, and when connecting the communication control units with a communication path, the route communication ports are connected to each other where the transport units are adjacent, and the redundant configuration communication ports are used for connection where the transport units are not adjacent.

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