Networked Analysis Apparatus Search Using Progress and Travel Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis systems that connect multiple analysis apparatuses via a network for viral detection struggle to efficiently identify the most available apparatus due to reliance on scheduled end times, leading to increased operator burden and reduced usability as the number of apparatuses and installation places increases, especially when apparatuses are dispersively installed across different locations.
Innovation Solution
An analysis apparatus and system that collect and utilize both analysis progress information and required movement time information to identify the first available apparatus, considering both waiting time and travel time, and display this information to operators, thereby improving operational efficiency and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only scheduled analysis end time is used to search for available analysis apparatus, then the system is simple to operate, but the system cannot accurately identify the first available apparatus when apparatuses are dispersively installed in multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters used for searching available apparatus from only scheduled end time to a composite parameter including both scheduled end time and required movement time. This allows accurate identification of the first available apparatus by calculating total time (scheduled end time + movement time) for each apparatus and selecting the minimum, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the operator manually considers movement time between installation places, then the search accuracy improves, but the operator burden increases as the number of apparatuses and installation places increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically collecting scheduled end time information from each apparatus and storing required movement time information, then automatically calculating the total time and identifying the first available apparatus. This eliminates the need for operators to manually consider movement time, reducing operator burden while maintaining search accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring scheduled end time information from multiple apparatuses and comparing it with required movement time information to dynamically determine which apparatus will be first available. This automated feedback loop replaces manual operator judgment, reducing burden while improving accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analysis apparatuses are dispersively installed in multiple installation places, then the system flexibility and coverage improve, but the usability and operation efficiency are reduced due to difficulty in identifying the first available apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by creating a centralized management mechanism that handles multiple apparatuses across different installation places through a unified search criterion (minimum total time). This allows the system to maintain flexibility and coverage while improving usability through automated calculation and presentation of the first available apparatus regardless of location.
Data Source
AI summary
An analysis system 1 includes analysis apparatuses 2A to 2E which are dispersively installed in a plurality of installation places and are connected through a network 3 so as to be communicable with each other. At least one analysis apparatus in each installation place includes: an information collection unit 20 that collects analysis progress information of the host analysis apparatus and the other analysis apparatuses and required movement time information of each of the other analysis apparatuses indicating the required movement time which is the time required for an operator to move from the installation place of the host analysis apparatus to the installation places of the other analysis apparatuses; a search unit 21 that searches for an analysis apparatus that is available first among the host analysis apparatus and the other analysis apparatuses on the basis of the collected analysis progress information and the collected required movement time information; and a display control unit 22 that displays information indicating the searched analysis apparatus that is available first on a display unit 12 of the analysis apparatus.