JPH11142410A - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate automatic analyzers with another operation section until an abnormality is recovered when the abnormality occurs on a main operation section by providing the other operation section connected to the same local area network as the main operation section. SOLUTION: Information is exchanged among units of automatic analyzers 1, 2 and operation sections 3, 4 via the hub 71 of a local area network such as an Ethernt in this system. When some abnormality occurs in the operation section a3 and it cannot be operated normally, the operation section b4 connected to the same network as the operation section a3 can be used as an operation section. When a function as a service processor is given to the operation section b4, the failure information that the abnormality occurs in the operation section a3 can be transferred to an operation state analysis center 83 via a public circuit 82. The repair of the operation section a3 can be immediately started, and the service function is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer, and an automatic analyzer in which an operation unit and a service processor communicate with each other on the same network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of connecting a line with a data communication device such as a service processor between an automatic analyzer and an operation information analysis center, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-87339 is known. The automatic analyzer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-87339 has an automatic analyzer, a data communication device attached thereto, and an automatic analyzer, a host computer, and at least one or more external devices via the data communication device. The method of obtaining the maintenance information of the system by communication is adopted.

[0003]

In the data communication apparatus according to the prior art described above, only the operation status is communicated to the operation status analysis center of the automatic analyzer, and the data flowing is not analyzed. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the operation unit, it is only possible to send data indicating that the operation unit is abnormal to the operation information analysis center. Further, there is a problem that the automatic analyzer cannot be used until the abnormality of the operation unit is repaired.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for automatically controlling an operation of an automatic analyzer in the event that an abnormality occurs in the operation unit and the processing cannot be performed normally. Automatic analysis that allows another operation unit to operate the automatic analyzer until the abnormality of the main operation unit is repaired by performing the processing performed by the main operation unit instead of the main operation unit It is to provide a device.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, another operation unit connected to the same network as the automatic analyzer and the operation unit operates the same or at least the automatic analyzer as the main operation unit. By installing as many application programs as possible and changing the settings of the other operation units, the processing performed by the main operation unit is shifted from the main operation unit to another operation unit.

Further, a function as a service processor capable of transferring data of the operation status of the automatic analyzer to the operation information analysis center via a public line or the like is added to another operation unit.

Further, an operation unit abnormality detection unit is introduced into the application program of the other operation unit, and the service processor detects that an abnormality has occurred in the operation unit and the processing cannot be performed normally.

That is, in a system constructed by connecting each unit of an automatic analyzer and an operation unit to a local area network represented by an Ethernet or the like and exchanging information on this network, another system is constructed. Introduce an application program to the operation unit that is the same as the main operation unit, or at least to operate the automatic analyzer, and change the settings that were performed by the main operation unit from the other operation units with a simple change of settings. By shifting to another operation unit, if any abnormality occurs in the main operation unit, the setting of the other operation unit is changed so that it can be used as the operation unit, and the automatic analyzer and the operation unit In a communication system such as Ethernet, other operation units connected on the same network replace the main operation unit, and the main operation unit operates. By performing was processing, it can be used an automatic analyzer.

A function as a service processor capable of accumulating operation status data of the automatic analyzer in another operation unit and transferring the operation status to the operation information analysis center via a public line or the like. , The serviceability can be improved.

[0010] Further, the service processor is provided with a service processor abnormality detecting section for detecting an abnormality of the main operating section by another operating section and automatically switching over the processing performed by the main operating section in place of the main operating section. In this case, the analysis of the sample can be continuously performed without stopping the automatic analyzer.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer and an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, automatic analyzers a and b (two in FIG. 1 for simplicity of explanation) composed of one automatic analyzer or a combination of a plurality of automatic analyzers, and their operation units (described in FIG. 1) The system is used in combination with two devices for simplicity. Automatic analyzers a and b1, 2 in this embodiment
Is to analyze a sample by mixing a sample and a reagent in a reaction vessel 51 and measuring the absorbance of the mixed solution with a multi-wavelength photometer 52 at a wavelength corresponding to each analysis item.

Therefore, the automatic analyzers 1 and 2 are provided with a dispensing mechanism 53 for dispensing a sample into the reaction vessel 51 and a reaction vessel 51.
A reagent dispensing mechanism 54 for injecting a reagent into the reaction vessel 51, a mechanism 55 for stirring the mixture in the reaction vessel 51, a multi-wavelength photometer 52 for measuring the absorbance of the mixture in the reaction vessel 51, and a reaction vessel 51 that has been used. A cleaning mechanism 56 is provided.

The operation units a, b3 and 4 are used to input analysis items requested to be tested for each sample, to start / stop analysis, and to provide details when an alarm is generated in the automatic analyzers 1 and 2. It is used as a man-machine interface with an automatic analyzer such as a screen display.

In a system in which an automatic analyzer composed of one automatic analyzer or a combination of a plurality of automatic analyzers and an operation unit thereof are used in combination, an interface such as communication between individual units is defined, By independently developing, development man-hours can be reduced. In addition, a single CPU alone controls the entire system, so that the load becomes too large, and it is difficult to operate each unit efficiently. In C
PUs 61, 62, 63, and 64 need to be distributed and each unit needs to control.

In such a system, a hub (multi-port repeater) is connected to a local area network typified by Ethernet or the like which is generally used today.
71, the respective units are connected using the Ethernet cards 65, 66, 67, 68, and information is exchanged between the units of the automatic analyzers 1, 2 and the operation units 3 and 4, thereby implementing the system. It can be built simply. Further, when adding a unit to such a system, it is possible to easily connect to an existing system by providing a CPU for the unit to be added and incorporating a commonly used Ethernet card.

By using a commercially available personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) for the operation unit, an application program for the operation unit is developed using software including an OS preinstalled on the PC. The development man-hour can be reduced, and the price of the entire automatic analyzer can be set lower.

In order to provide a system having a plurality of operation units, the main operation unit 3 (operation unit a) and the sub operation unit 4 (operation unit b) are constructed by using the same hardware and the same OS and driver software. By developing using the software including the operation unit b4, it is possible to easily develop an application program that can operate the same or at least the automatic analyzer as the operation unit a3 with a slight change.
By changing the setting, the processing performed by the operation unit a3 can be converted into an application program that can be transferred from the operation unit a3 to the operation unit b4.

When an abnormality occurs in the operation unit a3 and the processing cannot be performed normally, the setting of the operation unit b4 is changed so that the operation unit can be used as the operation unit.
3 and a communication system such as Ethernet, the operation unit b4 connected to the same network is replaced with the operation unit a3, and the processing performed by the operation unit a3 is performed to change the setting of the operation unit b4. The automatic analyzers 1 and 2 can use the automatic analyzers 1 and 2 by stopping the process of analyzing the sample or the like for the time.

In such a case, and even when a communication cable or the like connected to the operation unit a3 has to be reconnected to the operation unit b4, a simple operation of changing the connection of several cables is performed. Automatic analyzers a and b
1 and 2 can be operated, the maintenance time can be shortened, and the reliability of this system can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the automatic analyzer, the operation unit, and the operation status analysis center of the automatic analyzer. In FIG. 2, a system is used in which one automatic analyzer or an automatic analyzer composed of a combination of a plurality of automatic analyzers (two in FIG. 2 for simplicity of description) and its operation unit are used. . One of the plurality of operation units can be used as a service processor (in FIG. 2, the operation unit b is a service processor for simplicity of description).

Here, the service processor accumulates operation status data of the automatic analyzer, such as periodic information necessary for performing a periodic inspection of the automatic analyzer and fault information that is logged when the automatic analyzer detects a fault. It is used to transfer the operation status of these automatic analyzers via the operation information analysis center 83 and the public line 82.

When any abnormality occurs in the operation unit a3 and the processing cannot be performed normally, the operation unit b4 connected on the same network as the operation unit a3 can be used as the operation unit. Also has the function as the service processor described above, so that fault information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the operation unit a3 can be transferred to the operation information analysis center via a public line or the like. Service technician
Since it is possible to immediately start preparations for repairing the device 3, the service function of the device can be improved.

If any abnormality occurs in the operation unit a3 during the operation of the automatic analyzer or when the power of the automatic analyzer is turned on, and the processing cannot be performed normally, the operation unit a3
An operation unit b4 connected to the same network as the operation unit b4 has an operation unit abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the operation unit a3, and an application program that automatically executes a function of the operation unit is introduced into the operation unit b4. The operation unit a
When any abnormality occurs in the operation unit 3, the operation unit b 4 transfers failure information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the operation unit a 3 to the operation information analysis center 83 via the public line 83 or the like.
Even if the operator of the automatic analyzer does not perform any operation such as changing the setting of the operation unit b4, the operation unit b4 automatically takes over the processing performed by the operation unit a3 instead of the operation unit a3, and the operation unit abnormality is detected. The service processor performs alarm processing such as output to the screen, logging of analysis data, and processing that allows the automatic analyzer to continue analyzing the sample, so that analysis of the sample can be continued without stopping the automatic analyzer. You can do it. According to the embodiment described above,
Even if a highly reliable (small defect rate) automatic analyzer and a PC with a relatively high defect rate are used as its operation unit or service processor, some abnormality occurs in the operation unit a3, and the processing is normal. In this case, the operation unit b4 takes over the processing performed by the operation unit a3 instead of the operation unit a3, thereby improving the reliability of the entire automatic analyzer including maintenance of the operation unit and the like. it can.

Further, even when the operation section needs to be replaced or repaired, since a commercially available PC is used for the operation section, while the operation section b4 is used as the operation section, any operation can be performed today. With the service and sales base of each PC maker in the region, it is possible to repair the operation unit or prepare an alternative operation unit easily and in a short period of time, and the time when the automatic analyzer cannot be used substantially is extremely short. Can be done in a short time.

Further, by adding a function as a service processor to the operation unit b4, the service technician of the operation information analysis center can immediately start the countermeasure, and the serviceability can be improved.

The use of the service processor in place of the operation unit is only a temporary measure in an emergency when an abnormality occurs in the operation unit, and the function of the operation unit is limited to the man-machine interface. Because
Unlike the analysis unit that requires real-time performance, it does not operate due to the hardware performance of the operation unit. Even when the service processor PC is used as a backup of the operation unit, the screen transition compared to the operation unit Even if the performance is somewhat inferior in terms of processing speed, monitor screen visibility, and ease of use, such as when the speed is slow, the operator of the automatic analyzer will not be overloaded.

Therefore, the PC for the service processor can use a PC which is considerably cheaper than the operation unit, and the automatic analyzer can be used when the service processor is connected to the automatic analyzer and when the service processor is not used. Overall prices do not differ much.

[0029]

The present invention has the following effects. That is, even if an abnormality occurs in one operation unit due to having a plurality of operation units, the automatic analyzer can be used, and the serviceability is improved by adding a function as a service processor. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer and an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer and an operation unit of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic analyzer a, 2 ... Automatic analyzer b, 3 ... Operation part a, 4 ... Operation part b, 51 ... Reaction container, 52 ... Multi-wavelength altimeter, 53 ... Dispensing mechanism, 54 ... Reagent dispensing mechanism, 55: stirring mechanism, 56: cleaning mechanism, 61: CPU of the operation unit a, 62
... CPU of operation unit b, 63 ... CPU of automatic analyzer a,
64: CPU of the automatic analyzer b, 65: Ether card of the operation unit a, 66: Ether card of the operation unit b, 67:
Ether card of automatic analyzer a, 68 Ether card of automatic analyzer b, 71 hub (multi-port repeater).

Claims (5)

[Claims] An automatic analyzer comprising a single automatic analyzer or a combination of a plurality of automatic analyzers and an operating unit connected to the same local area network such as Ethernet. And an at least one other operation unit connected to the same local area network such as Ethernet. 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein another operation section different from the main operation section is used to transmit operation information generated by the automatic analysis apparatus and the main operation section via a public line network or the like. An automatic analyzer for use as a service processor for transferring data to an analysis center. 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the service processor has an operation unit abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormality of the main operation unit. 4. An automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein when an abnormality occurs in the main operation unit while the automatic analyzer is operating, the service processor automatically performs the operation of the main operation unit instead of the main operation unit. An automatic analyzer characterized by continuing processing. 5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the service processor continues the processing performed by the main operation unit in place of the main operation unit when an abnormality occurs in the operation unit when the power of the main operation unit is turned on. An automatic analyzer characterized by the following.