Particle size distribution measurement device, particle size distribution data processing method, and particle size distribution data processing program

Abstract

A particle size distribution measurement device 100 comprises a particle size distribution data sorting unit 54 that receives particle size distribution data obtained from diffracted light and / or scattered light and sorts the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets and a data output unit 55 that outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit 6 such that the particle size distribution data can be compared.

Description

Particle size distribution measuring device, particle size distribution data processing method, and particle size distribution data processing program

[0001] The present invention relates to a particle size distribution measuring device, a particle size distribution data processing method, and a particle size distribution data processing program.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measuring devices that use the diffraction phenomenon and Mie scattering phenomenon to measure the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, this type of laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measuring device includes a cell in which a sample flows, a laser light source that irradiates laser light onto the sample flowing through the cell, and a detector that detects transmitted light and scattered light generated from the sample by the laser light irradiated from the laser light source.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-28778

[0005] In conventional particle size distribution measuring devices, particle size distribution data for one particle size distribution measurement is stored in one data set, and the particle size distribution data stored in that data set is displayed on a display unit.

[0006] Here, for example, due to different samples or different measurement times, multiple data sets may be created for each sample or measurement time, and particle size distribution data may be classified and stored in these multiple data sets. In this case, the particle size distribution measuring device only displays particle size distribution data stored in one data set on the display unit, so the user cannot compare particle size distribution data stored in multiple data sets on the display unit.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main object to provide a particle size distribution measuring device that enables comparison of one or more particle size distribution data sets from each of a plurality of data sets.

[0008] That is, the particle size distribution measuring device of the present invention is a particle size distribution measuring device for measuring the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample, and is characterized by comprising: a particle size distribution data classifying unit that receives particle size distribution data of the particles and classifies the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets; and a data output unit that outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other.

[0009] With this configuration, the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit so that the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets can be compared with each other, and the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets is displayed on the display unit, allowing the user to compare one or more pieces of particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets with each other.

[0010] The data output unit preferably displays a list of the particle size distribution data for each of the plurality of data sets on the display unit.

[0011] With this configuration, the data output unit displays one or more pieces of particle size distribution data for each of the plurality of data sets on the display unit in a list, allowing the user to easily compare particle size distribution data between data sets. Furthermore, since the particle size distribution data within a data set is also displayed in a list on the display unit, the user can easily compare particle size distribution data within the data set.

[0012] Specifically, the data output unit preferably outputs one or more pieces of particle size distribution data for each of the plurality of data sets to the same graph on the display unit.

[0013] With this configuration, the data output unit outputs one or more pieces of particle size distribution data for each of the multiple data sets to the same graph on the display unit, so that one or more pieces of particle size distribution data for each of the multiple data sets are superimposed on the same graph, allowing the user to more easily compare particle size distribution data between data sets and particle size distribution data within a data set.

[0014] The data output unit may assign visual identification information for visually identifying the data set to each of the data sets, and output the particle size distribution data reflecting the visual identification information to the display unit.

[0015] With this configuration, the data output unit assigns visual identification information for visually identifying the data set in which the particle size distribution data is classified to each data set, and the particle size distribution data reflecting the visual identification information is displayed on the display unit, allowing the user to visually compare particle size distribution data in multiple data sets.

[0016] Specific examples of the visual identification information include the color of the particle size distribution data, the type of line of the particle size distribution data, or the shape of a marker for the particle size distribution data when the particle size distribution data is displayed on the display unit.

[0017] With this configuration, the color, line type, marker shape, or the like of the particle size distribution data is assigned to each data set, and therefore, when the particle size distribution data is displayed on the display unit, the user can easily visually distinguish the particle size distribution data for each data set.

[0018] The particle size distribution data classification unit may further include a classification command receiving unit that receives a classification command, which is a command from a user for classifying the particle size distribution data into at least one of the plurality of data sets, and the particle size distribution data classification unit may classify the particle size distribution data into at least one of the plurality of data sets based on the classification command.

[0019] With this configuration, the particle size distribution data classifying unit classifies the particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets based on a classification command from the user, thereby saving the user the trouble of classifying the particle size distribution data into data sets and enabling the particle size distribution data to be classified into a data set desired by the user.

[0020] It is preferable that the system further includes a dataset identification information receiving unit that receives a plurality of dataset identification information that is information that identifies a dataset selected by a user on the display unit, and the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of datasets corresponding to the plurality of dataset identification information received by the selected dataset receiving unit to the display unit so that the particle size distribution data can be compared with each other.

[0021] With this configuration, when a user selects a data set on the display unit, the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data of each data set corresponding to the data set identification information to the display unit in a comparable manner, so that the user can select a desired data set and compare the particle size distribution data stored in the selected data sets.

[0022] It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a data identification information receiving unit that receives data identification information that is information that identifies one or more particle size distribution data items selected by a user on the display unit from among the plurality of data sets, and the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data items corresponding to the one or more pieces of data identification information received by the data identification information receiving unit to the display unit so that the data items can be compared with each other.

[0023] With this configuration, when a user selects particle size distribution data in the data set, the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data corresponding to the data specifying information to the display unit so that the particle size distribution data can be compared with each other, allowing the user to freely select and compare the particle size distribution data that the user desires from the data set.

[0024] It is preferable that the system further includes a particle information calculation unit that calculates particle information, which is information indicating the state of the particles, in the particle size distribution data of each of a plurality of data sets corresponding to a plurality of pieces of data set-identifying information and / or the particle size distribution data corresponding to one or a plurality of pieces of data identifying information, and that the data output unit outputs the particle information calculated by the particle information calculation unit to the display unit so that the particle information can be compared with other pieces of particle information.

[0025] With this configuration, the particle information calculation unit calculates particle size distribution data for each of a plurality of data sets corresponding to a plurality of pieces of data set-identifying information and / or particle information in the particle size distribution data corresponding to one or more of the data set-identifying information, and the data output unit outputs the particle information, so that particle information in the data set and / or particle size distribution data desired by the user is displayed on the display unit, allowing the user to check particle information in the desired data set and / or particle size distribution data on the display unit.

[0026] A particle size distribution measuring method for measuring the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample, comprising: receiving particle size distribution data of the particles, classifying the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets, and outputting the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other. A particle size distribution measuring program for use in a particle size distribution measuring device for measuring the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample, comprising: causing a computer to function as a particle size distribution data classifying unit that receives particle size distribution data of the particles and classifies the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets; and causing a computer to function as a data output unit that outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other.

[0027] With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the particle size distribution measuring device described above.

[0028] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a particle size distribution measuring device that makes it possible to compare one or more particle size distribution data sets from each of a plurality of data sets.

[0029] 1 is a schematic diagram of a particle size distribution measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of a control and arithmetic device according to the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the display content displayed on a display unit according to the embodiment; and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a particle size distribution measuring method according to the embodiment.

[0030] A particle size distribution measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated in schematic form for ease of understanding. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0031] <Device Configuration> The particle size distribution measuring device 100 of this embodiment is a laser diffraction / scattering type that measures the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample based on diffracted light and / or scattered light generated by irradiating the sample with laser light. In this embodiment, the sample is, for example, a pharmaceutical product, food product, and / or a chemical industrial product. Here, the sample is composed of a liquid dispersion medium and particles, and the particles dispersed in the liquid are the measurement target.

[0032] 1 , the particle size distribution measuring device 100 includes a cell 2 through which a sample flows, a light irradiating unit 3 that irradiates the sample in the cell 2 with laser light, a detector 4 that detects diffracted light and / or scattered light generated from the sample when the light irradiating unit 3 irradiates the sample with light, a control and arithmetic unit 5 that performs various controls, and a display unit 6 that displays the output from the control and arithmetic unit 5. The configuration of each unit will be described below.

[0033] The cell 2 is a circulation-type flow cell and includes an inlet port (not shown) through which a sample is supplied, an outlet port (not shown) through which the sample is discharged, and an internal flow path (not shown) connected to the inlet and outlet ports and through which the sample flows. The cell 2 is provided on the circulation flow path through which the sample circulates, and in addition to the cell 2, the circulation flow path may be provided with a circulation pump and / or a particle agitator for dispersing particles in a liquid. The cell 2 may also be a batch-type cell that contains a sample.

[0034] The light irradiator 3 irradiates the sample flowing through the internal flow path of the cell 2 with laser light that generates diffracted light and / or scattered light. Examples of the light irradiator 3 include a semiconductor laser. The light irradiator 3 may irradiate the sample with laser light via an optical member such as a lens. The light irradiator 3 may further include a light source with low light intensity, such as an LED light source, in addition to a light source with high light intensity, such as a laser light source.

[0035] The detector 4 detects the light intensity of the diffracted light and / or scattered light generated by the irradiation of the laser light according to the spread angle, and here, a plurality of detectors 4 are provided to measure the light intensity of the diffracted light and / or scattered light according to the spread angle in a side view seen from the side of the cell 2. The detectors 4 are provided in front of and behind the irradiation surface of the cell 2, but may be provided either in front of or behind the irradiation surface of the cell 2.

[0036] The control and calculation device 5 is a general-purpose or dedicated computer equipped with a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, etc., and by causing the CPU and peripheral devices to cooperate in accordance with a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the memory, the control and calculation device 5 at least performs the functions of a particle size distribution calculation unit 51, a particle size distribution data storage unit 52, a classification command receiving unit 53, a particle size distribution data classification unit 54, a data output unit 55, a data set identification information receiving unit 56, a data identification information receiving unit 57, and a particle information calculation unit 58, as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0037] The display unit 6 is, for example, a display etc. As shown in Fig. 3, the display unit 6 is provided with a tab selection region R1, a data set display region R2, a graph display region R3, a data set selection region R4, a data selection region R5, and a particle information display region R6.

[0038] Hereinafter, the operation of the control and arithmetic device 5 and the operation of the display unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, along with an explanation of each part of the control and arithmetic device 5 and the display unit 6. FIG.

[0039] The particle size distribution calculation unit 51 calculates particle size distribution data of particles contained in the sample based on the light intensity signals output from the detectors 4. Specifically, the particle size distribution calculation unit 51 calculates particle size distribution data corresponding to the scattering pattern based on a scattering pattern indicated by the light intensity signals output from each detector 4, which is composed of the scattering angle and the intensity of the scattered light at that scattering angle, and a theoretical calculation formula such as Mie scattering theory. The particle size distribution data referred to here indicates the particle size distribution of particles, and specifically indicates the proportion (hereinafter also referred to as frequency) of particles of a certain particle size relative to the entire particle group. Note that the particle size distribution data may include statistical information such as the representative diameter of particles obtained from the particle size distribution of particles.

[0040] The particle size distribution data storage unit 52 stores the particle size distribution data in each data set. Specifically, the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 acquires the particle size distribution data calculated by the particle size distribution calculation unit 51 from the particle size distribution calculation unit 51 and stores the particle size distribution data. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 stores a plurality of data sets such as data set A, data set B, data set C, data set D, ..., and stores particle size distribution data in each of the plurality of data sets.

[0041] The tab selection region R1 is configured to allow selection between a dataset creation tab for creating a dataset that compiles one or more particle size distribution data into a single group according to a predetermined purpose, and a dataset handling tab for handling datasets and / or particle size distribution data stored in the dataset. Specifically, when the user selects the dataset creation icon R1a, the dataset creation tab is displayed on the display, and when the user selects the dataset handling icon R1b, the dataset handling tab is displayed on the display. In addition to creating a dataset, the dataset creation tab may also have other functions, such as being configured to enable classification of particle size distribution data for each created dataset.

[0042] With the dataset creation tab displayed on the display, the user can create multiple datasets such as dataset A, dataset B, dataset C, dataset D, etc. Here, the multiple datasets are created for different purposes, such as the measurement time of particle size distribution measurement, measurement conditions, type of sample, type of measurer, type of particle, etc. In the dataset creation tab, the user can create multiple datasets via input means such as a keyboard or mouse, and the created multiple datasets are stored in the particle size distribution data storage unit 52. Note that the user is not limited to creating datasets; a computer may also create datasets.

[0043] When multiple data sets are created, the user issues a classification command via the input means to instruct the computer to classify the particle size distribution data calculated by the particle size distribution calculation unit 51 into a data set. The classification command is output to the classification command receiving unit 53. The classification command includes information such as the name of the data set corresponding to the purpose for which the data set was created and / or the name of the data set specified by the user. The user's classification command may be issued in the Data Set Creation tab or the Data Set Handling tab.

[0044] The particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 receives particle size distribution data and classifies the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets. In this embodiment, the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 classifies the particle size distribution data into a data set corresponding to the classification command, based on the classification command received by the classification command receiving unit 53. Note that the particle size distribution data classified by the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 may or may not be stored in a predetermined data set in the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 before classification. Furthermore, the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 may receive all particle size distribution data and classify it into a data set, or may receive only a portion of the particle size distribution data and classify it into a data set.

[0045] For example, in response to a classification command to classify the first particle size distribution data, the second particle size distribution data, the third particle size distribution data, and the fourth particle size distribution data into data set A, data set B, data set C, and data set D, respectively, the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 classifies the first particle size distribution data, the second particle size distribution data, the third particle size distribution data, and the fourth particle size distribution data into data set A, data set B, data set C, and data set D, respectively.

[0046] When the user selects the dataset handling icon R1b, the dataset handling tab appears on the display, which in turn displays a dataset display area R2, a graph display area R3, a dataset selection area R4, a data selection area R5, and a particle information display area R6, as shown in FIG.

[0047] The dataset display area R2 displays information specifying the type of dataset, such as the dataset name. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the dataset display area R2 displays a list of dataset names in a scrollable manner, and also provides a search window W for searching for dataset names. The user can search for dataset names via the input means.

[0048] The graph display region R3 displays a graph of particle size distribution data. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the graph displayed in the graph display region R3 is a graph in which one axis represents particle size and the other axis represents frequency. The other axis may also represent cumulative frequency.

[0049] The data output unit 55 outputs particle size distribution data of each of a plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 so that the data can be compared with each other. Specifically, the data output unit 55 acquires one or more pieces of particle size distribution data stored in a plurality of different data sets from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 and outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets on a graph in the graph display region R3 so that the data can be compared with each other. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets is displayed on the display so that the data can be compared with each other on the graph in the graph display region R3. The data output unit 55 may output all of the particle size distribution data stored in the data sets, or may output only a portion of the particle size distribution data stored in the data sets.

[0050] For example, the data output unit 55 acquires the particle size distribution data stored in dataset A, the particle size distribution data stored in dataset B, the particle size distribution data stored in dataset C, and the particle size distribution data stored in dataset D from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52. Then, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data stored in dataset A, the particle size distribution data stored in dataset B, the particle size distribution data stored in dataset C, and the particle size distribution data stored in dataset D on a graph in graph display region R3 so that the data can be compared with one another. As a result, in graph display region R3, the particle size distribution data of dataset A, the particle size distribution data of dataset B, the particle size distribution data of dataset C, and the particle size distribution data of dataset D are displayed on the graph in graph display region R3 so that they can be compared with one another.

[0051] Here, the data output unit 55 outputting the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 in a manner that allows them to be compared with one another means that, when the particle size distribution data is displayed on the display unit 6, the user can identify which particle size distribution data was stored in which data set. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the data output unit 55 displays a list of the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets on the display unit 6. More specifically, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the same graph in the graph display region R3. As a result, the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets is displayed superimposed on the same graph in the graph display region R3.

[0052] The data output unit 55 also assigns visual identification information for visually identifying the data set in which the particle size distribution data is stored to each data set, and outputs the particle size distribution data reflecting the visual identification information to the display unit 6. Here, the visual identification information is information that indicates the data set in which the particle size distribution data is stored. Specifically, the visual identification information is, for example, the color of the particle size distribution data assigned to each data set, the line type of the particle size distribution data assigned to each data set, or the shape of the marker of the particle size distribution data assigned to each data set when the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data to the display unit 6.

[0053] Specifically, the data output unit 55 assigns visual identification information to each data set and reflects the visual identification information in the particle size distribution data stored in the data set corresponding to the visual identification information. As a result, when the particle size distribution data is displayed on the graph in the graph display region R3, different visual identification information is reflected in the particle size distribution data stored in different data sets, as shown in Fig. 3. The visual identification information to be assigned to each data set may be set by the user or by a computer.

[0054] For example, the data output unit 55 assigns visual identification information such as a thick line, a thin line, a dashed line, and a two-dot chain line to data sets A, B, C, and D, respectively. When outputting the particle size distribution data stored in each data set to the graph in graph display area R3, the data output unit 55 displays the particle size distribution data stored in data set A as a thick line, the particle size distribution data stored in data set B as a thin line, the particle size distribution data stored in data set C as a dashed line, and the particle size distribution data stored in data set D as a two-dot chain line. As a result, in the graph in graph display area R3, the particle size distribution data stored in data set A is displayed as a thick line, the particle size distribution data stored in data set B as a thin line, the particle size distribution data stored in data set C as a dashed line, and the particle size distribution data stored in data set D as a two-dot chain line, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0055] Furthermore, the dataset selection area R4 allows the user to select a dataset via the input means. As shown in FIG. 3 , the dataset selection area R4 has check boxes for selecting a dataset, one for each dataset. When the user checks multiple check boxes via the input means, the dataset identification information receiving unit 56 receives dataset identification information that identifies the dataset corresponding to the checked check boxes. Note that dataset selection is not limited to using check boxes, and may also be by coloring, for example.

[0056] The data output unit 55 then outputs to the display unit 6 the particle size distribution data of each of the multiple data sets corresponding to the multiple data set identifying information received by the data set identifying information receiving unit 56 so that the data can be compared with each other. Specifically, the data output unit 55 acquires the particle size distribution data stored in the multiple data sets corresponding to the multiple data set identifying information from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 and outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the data sets to a graph in the graph display area R3 so that the data can be compared with each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 , the graph in the graph display area R3 displays the particle size distribution data stored in the data sets selected by the user in the data set selection area R4 so that the data can be compared with each other. Note that the data output unit 55 may output all of the particle size distribution data stored in the data sets selected by the user in the data set selection area R4, or may output only a portion of the particle size distribution data stored in the data sets selected by the user in the data set selection area R4.

[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user checks the checkboxes corresponding to dataset A, dataset B, dataset C, and dataset D in the dataset selection area R4, the dataset identification information receiving unit 56 receives dataset identification information that identifies dataset A, dataset identification information that identifies dataset B, dataset C, and dataset D.

[0058] The data output unit 55 acquires the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set A, the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set B, the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set C, and the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set D from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 based on the dataset identification information. Then, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set A, the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set B, the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set C, and the particle size distribution data stored in Data Set D on a graph in the graph display area R3 so that they can be compared with one another. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3 , the graph in the graph display area R3 displays the particle size distribution data stored in the datasets selected by the user in the dataset selection area R4, i.e., Data Set A, Data Set B, Data Set C, and Data Set D, so that they can be compared with one another.

[0059] Furthermore, the data selection area R5 allows the user to select one or more particle size distribution data from the particle size distribution data stored in a certain data set via the input means. As shown in FIG. 3 , the data selection area R5 displays, for each particle size distribution data in a certain data set, information constituting the particle size distribution data, such as the sample name, median diameter, and average particle diameter. Also, check boxes for selecting particle size distribution data are provided for each particle size distribution data. When the user checks one or more check boxes via the input means, the data identification information receiving unit 57 receives data identification information that identifies the particle size distribution data corresponding to the checked check boxes. Note that the selection of particle size distribution data is not limited to check boxes and may also be performed, for example, by coloring.

[0060] The data output unit 55 then outputs to the display unit 6 particle size distribution data corresponding to the one or more pieces of data identification information accepted by the data identification information accepting unit 57 in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other. Specifically, the data output unit 55 acquires particle size distribution data corresponding to the one or more pieces of data identification information accepted by the data identification information accepting unit 57 from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52 and outputs the particle size distribution data to the graph in the graph display area R3. As a result, the graph in the graph display area R3 displays particle size distribution data for a certain data set that the user selected in the data set selection area R4 in a manner that allows them to be compared with each other.

[0061] The particle information calculation unit 58 calculates particle information in the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets corresponding to the plurality of data set-specific information, and / or particle information in the particle size distribution data corresponding to one or more data set-specific information. Here, the particle information is information indicating the particle shape and / or particle size, separate from the particle size distribution of the particles, such as the particle's circle-equivalent diameter, aspect ratio, length-to-ellipse ratio, and envelopment index. The particle information is calculated by the particle information calculation unit 58.

[0062] Specifically, the particle information calculation unit 58 acquires particle size distribution data stored in a plurality of data sets corresponding to a plurality of pieces of data set-identifying information from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52, and calculates particle information for the particle size distribution data for each of the data sets. Also, the particle information calculation unit 58 acquires particle size distribution data corresponding to one or more pieces of data identifying information accepted by the data identifying information accepting unit 57 from the particle size distribution data storage unit 52, and calculates particle information for the particle size distribution data.

[0063] When the particle information calculation unit 58 calculates the particle information, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle information to the display unit 6. Specifically, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle information calculated by the particle information calculation unit 58 to the particle information display area R6. In this embodiment, the data output unit 55 displays a list of particle information in the particle size distribution data of each of the multiple data sets in the particle information display area R6.

[0064] The particle information display region R6 displays particle information, which is information indicating the state of particles in the particle size distribution data. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the particle information display region R6 displays particle information in the particle size distribution data of each of a plurality of data sets in a scrollable list.

[0065] <Particle Size Distribution Data Processing Method> Next, a particle size distribution data processing method for processing particle size distribution data using the particle size distribution measuring device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] First, a sample is introduced into the cell 2, and the light irradiating unit 3 irradiates the sample with laser light. As a result, diffracted light and / or scattered light is generated from the sample, and the detector 4 detects the diffracted light and / or scattered light from the sample. The particle size distribution calculating unit 51 calculates particle size distribution data based on the light intensity signal output by the detector 4. Note that the data set may be created before, during, or after the calculation of the particle size distribution data.

[0067] When the particle size distribution data is calculated, the user issues a command to classify the particle size distribution data via the input means in the data set creation tab, and the classification command receiving unit 53 receives the classification command (S1).

[0068] Next, the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 classifies the particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets (S2) based on the classification command received by the classification command receiving unit 53. The data set into which the particle size distribution data has been classified is stored in the particle size distribution data storage unit 52.

[0069] Then, with the particle size distribution data classified into data sets, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 so that they can be compared with each other (S3). Note that, when the data set identification information receiving unit 56 has received data set identification information and / or when the data identification information receiving unit 57 has received data identification information, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 so that they can be compared with each other, based on the data set identification information and / or the data identification information.

[0070] Furthermore, when the particle information calculation unit 58 is calculating particle information, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle information to the display unit 6 (S4). Note that when the data set identification information reception unit 56 has received the data set identification information and / or when the data identification information reception unit 57 has received the data identification information, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle information to the display unit 6 based on the data set identification information and / or the data identification information. Furthermore, the data output unit 55 may output the particle information to the display unit 6 before outputting the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 so that they can be compared with each other, or may output the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets and the particle information simultaneously.

[0071] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the particle size distribution measuring device 100 of this embodiment, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the display unit 6 in a manner that allows the data to be compared with each other, and therefore the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets is displayed on the display unit 6. As a result, the user can compare the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets on the display unit 6.

[0072] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the particle size distribution measuring device 100 is a wet type that measures the particle size distribution of particles contained in a liquid dispersion medium, but it may also be a dry type that measures the particle size distribution of particles contained in a gaseous dispersion medium.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the particle size distribution measuring device 100 measures particle size distribution using a light intensity signal obtained from diffracted light and / or scattered light, but is not limited to this. For example, the particle size distribution measuring device 100 may measure particle size distribution using other analytical methods such as dynamic scattering, centrifugal sedimentation, and particle trajectory analysis.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to the same graph in the graph display region R3, but the manner in which the data output unit 55 displays a list on the display unit 6 is not limited to this. For example, the data output unit 55 may output the particle size distribution data of each of one or more data sets to a plurality of mutually different graphs displayed on the same display.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the data output unit 55 outputs the particle size distribution data to the display unit 6 based on the user's selection, but the particle size distribution data may be output regardless of the user's selection.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the data output unit 55 outputs particle size distribution data and particle information, but is not limited to this. For example, the particle size distribution measuring device 100 may further include an imaging unit (not shown) that images the sample in the cell 2, and the data output unit 55 may output the image captured by the imaging unit to the display unit 6.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the particle size distribution data displayed in the graph display region R3 may be associated with information constituting the particle size distribution data displayed in the data selection region R5. For example, the user may select particle size distribution data displayed in the graph display region R3 via the input means, and information on the particle size distribution data corresponding to the selected particle size distribution data may be displayed on the display unit 6.

[0079] In the above embodiment, once particle size distribution data is calculated, the user issues a command to classify the particle size distribution data. However, the user may issue a command to classify the particle size distribution data during or after the particle size distribution measurement.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the creation of a dataset is performed in the dataset creation tab, but it may be performed in the dataset handling tab. Furthermore, in the dataset handling tab, not only the creation of a dataset but also, for example, editing of a dataset, deletion of a dataset, etc. may be performed.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the particle information calculation unit 58 calculates particle information in particle size distribution data in a data set selected by the user and / or particle information in particle size distribution data selected by the user, but is not limited to this. For example, the particle information calculation unit 58 may calculate particle information in predetermined particle size distribution data regardless of the user's selection, or may calculate particle information in particle size distribution data in all data sets.

[0082] In the above embodiment, in order to make it possible to compare one or more particle size distribution data sets of each of a plurality of data sets, the control and arithmetic device 5 only needs to have at least the function of the particle size distribution data classifying unit 54 and the function of the data output unit 55. That is, the control and arithmetic device 5 does not need to have the function of the particle size distribution calculating unit 51, the function of the particle size distribution data storage unit 52, the function of the classification command receiving unit 53, the function of the data set identifying information receiving unit 56, the function of the data identifying information receiving unit 57, and the particle information calculating unit 58. In this case, it is sufficient that the display unit 6 is provided with at least the graph display area R3.

[0083] In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0084] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a particle size distribution measuring device that makes it possible to compare one or more particle size distribution data sets from each of a plurality of data sets.

[0085] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Particle size distribution measuring device 2: Cell 3: Light irradiation unit 4: Detector 5: Control and calculation unit 51: Particle size distribution calculation unit 52: Particle size distribution data storage unit 53: Classification command reception unit 54: Particle size distribution data classification unit 55: Data output unit 56: Data set identification information reception unit 57: Data identification information reception unit 58: Particle information calculation unit 6: Display unit R1: Tab selection area R2: Data set display area R3: Graph display area R4: Data set selection area R5: Data selection area R6: Particle information display area

Claims

1. A particle size distribution measuring device for measuring the particle size distribution of particles contained in a sample, comprising: a particle size distribution data classifying unit that receives particle size distribution data of the particles and classifies the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets; and a data output unit that outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other.

2. The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the data output unit causes the display unit to display a list of the particle size distribution data for each of the plurality of data sets.

3. The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data for each of the plurality of data sets to the same graph on the display unit.

4. The particle size distribution measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data output unit assigns visual identification information for visually identifying the data set from which the particle size distribution data was stored to each data set, and outputs the particle size distribution data reflecting the visual identification information to the display unit.

5. The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the visual identification information is a color of the particle size distribution data, a line type of the particle size distribution data, or a shape of a marker of the particle size distribution data when the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data to the display unit.

6. The particle size distribution measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a classification command receiving unit that receives a classification command, which is a command from a user when classifying the particle size distribution data into at least one of the plurality of data sets, and the particle size distribution data classifying unit classifies the particle size distribution data into at least one of the plurality of data sets based on the classification command.

7. The particle size distribution measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a data set identification information receiving unit that receives a plurality of pieces of data set identification information that identify a data set selected by a user on the display unit, and the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets corresponding to the plurality of pieces of data set identification information received by the data set identification information receiving unit to the display unit so that the particle size distribution data can be compared with each other.

8. The particle size distribution measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a data identification information receiving unit that receives data identification information that is information that identifies one or more particle size distribution data selected by a user on the display unit from among a plurality of the data sets, and the data output unit outputs the particle size distribution data corresponding to the one or more pieces of data identification information received by the data identification information receiving unit to the display unit so that the particle size distribution data can be compared with each other.

9. The particle size distribution measuring device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a particle information calculation unit that calculates particle information, which is information indicating the state of the particles, in the particle size distribution data of each of a plurality of data sets corresponding to a plurality of pieces of data set identifying information and / or in the particle size distribution data corresponding to one or a plurality of pieces of data identifying information, and wherein the data output unit outputs the particle information calculated by the particle information calculation unit to the display unit so that the particle information can be compared with each other.

10. A particle size distribution data processing method for processing particle size distribution data of particles contained in a sample, comprising: receiving particle size distribution data of the particles; classifying the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets; and outputting the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other.

11. A particle size distribution data processing program for processing particle size distribution data of particles contained in a sample, the program causing a computer to function as a particle size distribution data classifying unit that receives particle size distribution data of the particles and classifies the received particle size distribution data into at least one of a plurality of data sets, and as a data output unit that outputs the particle size distribution data of each of the plurality of data sets to a display unit so that the data can be compared with each other.

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