Automatic Analyzer Reagent Matrix Display for Screen Space Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in displaying sufficient reagent information without reducing the number of reagents visible on a screen, and in effectively managing reagent data, particularly due to limitations in screen space and information density.

Innovation Solution

The automatic analyzer employs a matrix format for displaying reagent management items on a first screen, with each item including position, remaining amount, test name, and recommended actions, and allows for easy transition to a detailed second screen for further information, using color-coded icons to represent reagent states and positions, thereby optimizing screen space and information density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If reagent information is displayed in a table format with one line per reagent, then the layout is simple and clear, but the number of reagents that can be displayed on a single screen is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent information completenessVSAvoidscreen space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a traditional one-dimensional table layout to a two-dimensional matrix grid layout for displaying reagent information. This dimensional change allows multiple reagents to be arranged in rows and columns, significantly increasing the number of reagents visible on a single screen while maintaining clear organization and readability of all reagent parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If reagent information is displayed on a disk-shaped screen simulating reagent arrangement, then the visual representation is intuitive, but the amount of character information that can be displayed is limited and functions must be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent position recognitionVSAvoidreagent detail information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of information in optimized formats within the matrix grid. Each cell in the matrix can display position information, reagent names, status indicators, and detailed parameters according to the specific needs of that reagent, allowing comprehensive information display while maintaining intuitive position recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the number of reagents displayed on screen is increased, then more reagents can be monitored at once, but the browsability and readability of individual reagent information decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereagent monitoring efficiencyVSAvoidreagent information browsability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments reagent information into discrete matrix cells, with each cell representing a specific reagent and containing all its relevant parameters. This segmentation allows users to quickly scan multiple reagents simultaneously while maintaining the ability to focus on and read detailed information for any individual reagent without interference from others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The matrix grid display is designed to be dynamic, allowing for interactive exploration of reagent information. Users can navigate through the matrix, and the system can provide detailed information about selected reagents while maintaining the overall context of all displayed reagents, thus preserving both comprehensive monitoring and detailed browsability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3779460B1Automated analysis device
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3779460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3779460B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3779460B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention is directed to an automatic analyzer in which information necessary for reagent management is displayed without a decrease in the number of reagents capable of being displayed on the same screen and browsability of reagent information is improved. A display area is compressed by limitation of the number of display items per reagent and the amount of text to be displayed on a first screen, and reagent management items capable of being displayed per screen are magnified by arranging and displaying respective reagents in a matrix form. The respective reagent management item displaying areas are selected using buttons formed at the respective displaying areas, whereby a detailed information display screen of a target reagent is displayed.