JP2006138779A - Autoanalyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input method where information can be inputted without an external input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, the operation comfortableness included in a conventional autoanalyzer operation screen is used as it is, and an effect can be produced, in an autoanalyzer and its support system. <P>SOLUTION: An operator can know an object to be input based on the display contents of a start-origin ID display area 402 on a software keyboard 401 with a full key array editing area and can know one's own inputted contents based on the display contents of an editing area 403. At this time, the autoanalyzer has a mechanism for restricting the movable range of the display position in the operation screen of the software keyboard 401 with the full key array editing area into a work area 209 except for a global action button area 201 and an information area 207. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine, and more particularly to an automatic analyzer that can input information without a keyboard or mouse.

  Automatic analyzers that automatically perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of components to be measured in biological samples such as patient-derived blood and urine are widely used in hospitals and clinical laboratories to diagnose pathological conditions.

  In these automatic analyzers, in addition to operations for analysis, various operations such as various maintenance, reagent replacement, replenishment, calibration as calibration curve calibration, and accuracy management are required. Much of the information required for these tasks must be entered by the operator after selecting appropriate values. Although it is not necessary to reset the information every time the device is started, the input work is complicated because there are many types of information, and it takes time for a skilled operator to check and execute all of the information. .

  Various devices have been devised on the input screen of the automatic analyzer in order to eliminate the complexity of operation and to carry out all necessary work without omission regardless of the skill of the operator. For example, in Patent Document 1, as a simple and quick method for easily displaying information that defines the state of the entire system, a general function button, a specific function button, and an information message are displayed on the first information display screen. A screen configuration for displaying various text areas in combination is disclosed. In this prior art, in particular, repeatedly appearing function buttons (eg, search, print, etc.) are arranged to be displayed in the same position and in the same order so that they match on all screens using the common function, This provides a consistent button arrangement for the operator.

  In addition to simplification of the operation method, it is also important that the automatic analyzer is of a size suitable for its processing capacity and operating environment. Small automatic analyzers are used in hospitals and clinical laboratories where the number of specimens handled is small, but care must be taken not to consume more space than necessary.

  According to Patent Document 1, a visual touch screen is provided as a means for operating an analyzer support system without using an external input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and numerical or alphanumeric data needs to be input. Discloses a computer interface display module for displaying a pop-up keyboard (soft keyboard). As a result, it is possible to save the space for installing the keyboard and mouse from the automatic analyzer main body, which is effective in reducing the size of the apparatus.

JP-T-2004-502179

  However, it can be seen that there are some inconveniences when the functions of the prior art are compared with the input operation on the actual automatic analyzer operation screen.

  First, when an operator inputs numerical or alphanumeric data using a soft keyboard, he / she wants to change the display position of the soft keyboard to refer to the values of other related data displayed on the screen. That would be easy to guess. However, the prior art does not describe anything about the movement of the display position of the soft keyboard.

  In addition, when a soft keyboard that allows the operator to freely move the display position is provided, depending on the display position, function buttons common to all screens provided for the purpose of providing a consistent button layout to the operator are provided. There is a possibility of blocking the display area. For example, if an emergency stop button at the time of failure occurs in the function button display area, it is necessary to follow the procedure of pressing the emergency stop button after moving the soft keyboard. It indicates that there is a possibility of hindering the achievement of the original purpose placed at that position.

  Furthermore, even if only the buttons for general operation are arranged in the function button display area, the original purpose may not be achieved. For example, when the button “Undo” is arranged, an operator who wants to execute “Undo” while inputting with the soft keyboard binds the soft keyboard or places the soft keyboard until the “Undo” button is visible. “Undo” cannot be executed unless it is moved.

  An object of the present invention is to allow an automatic analyzer and its support system to input information without an external input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and to operate the conventional automatic analyzer operation screen. The purpose is to provide an automatic analyzer equipped with an input method that can utilize the comfort as it is and obtain an effect.

  The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

  An automatic analyzer that is applied to an automatic analyzer that automatically analyzes a sample to obtain the concentration of a test item, and its support system. In the operation screen, there is a function button display dedicated area that is common to all screens. In addition, it has a soft keyboard that can move the display position as information input means other than external input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and can be controlled so that the movement range of the soft keyboard is limited to areas other than the dedicated function button display area. Automatic analyzer support system.

  According to the present invention, the data input means is changed to a soft keyboard without impairing the conventional feature of the operation screen that access to important and frequently used functions can be performed quickly and easily. I can do things.

  That is, since the disadvantage caused by the change of the input method can be avoided, the keyboard and the mouse can be omitted from the automatic analyzer main body, thereby realizing space saving of the automatic analyzer main body.

  Furthermore, since the input method is changed from the conventional keyboard and mouse to the soft keyboard, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness and mental burden for the operator to re-learn the operation method.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer and an automatic analyzer support system that can effectively use the present invention. The automatic analyzer 101 includes an operation unit 102 and an analysis unit 103. In FIG. 1, an operation unit 102 and an analysis unit 103 transmit information via an interface 111. The analysis unit 103 includes an A / D converter 112, a reagent pump 113, a reagent disk 114, a reagent barcode reader 115, a reagent container 116, a reagent dispensing probe 117, a reaction tank 118, a reaction container 119, a cleaning mechanism 120, The multi-wavelength photometer 121, the stirring mechanism 122, the specimen pump 123, the specimen dispensing mechanism 124, the sample disk 125, and the specimen container 126 are configured, and the operation of the automatic analyzer 101 is sampled using the above-described components. It is performed in the order of reagent dispensing, stirring, photometry, and washing of the reaction vessel. The analysis operation to be performed is well known in the art, and is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-015047.

  On the other hand, the operation unit 102 includes a computer 104 that performs overall control of analysis, and an input unit 105 and an output unit 106 connected thereto. Examples of the output unit include a CRT 109 and a printer 110. Examples of the input unit include a mouse 107 as a pointing device linked with a general keyboard 108 and CRT 109, a touch panel operated by touching an operation screen (CRT 109), and the like. In that case, it can be said that the CRT 109 is an input / output unit. In addition, as an input method, for example, a method in which a portion to be selected is sequentially changed by a TAB key or an arrow key in a general keyboard and a selection by an Enter key is also a desirable method. As the operation unit 102, a personal computer having a low price and excellent operability can be used.

  Since the analysis operation by the automatic analyzer 101 uses a plurality of components as described above and needs to operate them appropriately, the operator inputs appropriate control parameters in the operation unit 102. However, since there are a large number of types and numbers of parameters to be input, input errors or input omissions are likely to occur. For this reason, apparatus development manufacturers are tired of designing the screen of the operation unit 102 that is unlikely to cause an input error by an operator.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation screen displayed on the CRT as the output unit in FIG. The operation screen is designed to be divided into three areas, a global action button area 201, an information area 207, and a work area 209, for each purpose.

  The global action button area 201 is an area provided for the purpose of enabling quick access to important and frequently accessed functions. Items to be displayed in this area are determined by application conditions and function severities, and must be maintained so that functions and data that are always accessible can be called. In the example shown in FIG. 2, Print 205 is displayed as a general function execution button that is frequently accessed, and Stop 202, S.Stop 203, Alarm 204, and Start 206 are displayed as direct access execution buttons to the apparatus.

  The information area 207 is an area provided for the purpose of displaying a message necessary for the operator without interrupting the work workflow. For example, an alarm message is displayed when an alarm occurs, and an input operation guide message is displayed when normal input is performed. An example when the input operation guide message is displayed will be shown later in FIG. A help button 208 is provided at the leftmost end of the information area, and is linked to activate an online help screen related to the displayed operation screen when pressed. As a result, the operator can quickly obtain help information regarding the screen without performing a search operation.

On the operation screen, an area other than the global action button area 201 and the information area 207 is used as a work area 209. The work area 209 displays the application specifying function and data of the automatic analyzer support system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an information area in which an input operation guide is displayed in the example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. When an arbitrary input area 301 on the operation screen is in an editing state, a corresponding input operation guide 302 is displayed in the information area 207. Specifically, the edit state means when the input area is touched during touch panel input, and when the mouse pointer or cursor is in the input area in other input methods. FIG. 3 shows an example in which “time” is in the editing state on one operation screen in the automatic analyzer support system in the Japanese environment. The range of values that can be entered as time information is indicated, and guidance is provided to press the Enter key to confirm the input. As a result, even if the operator is not an experienced operator who memorizes the value ranges of all parameters, it is possible to set appropriate values without hesitation. Needless to say, in a foreign language environment, the guide is presented using the corresponding appropriate foreign language.

  As described above, various characteristic design techniques are implemented in the automatic analyzer support system capable of implementing the present invention for the purpose of improving the operational comfort of the operator. By changing the input device to a soft keyboard, you should not lose these features and reduce operability.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a full-key arrangement soft keyboard with an editing area, which is a specific example of the present invention. An activation source ID display area 402 is provided in the soft keyboard 401, and the ID of the input area currently being edited is displayed in this area. FIG. 4 shows an example in which “Dec. (Decrease) Volume (2)” is displayed as an ID. At this time, by restricting the movable range of the soft keyboard 401 within the work area 209, for example, “Enter the diluted sample amount. 0, 2.0 to the information area 207 as the ID value range. 20.0: Enter key after input "can be displayed, and the operator can input an appropriate value according to the operation guide. The operator can change the display position of the soft keyboard 401 in the same manner as the mouse drag by moving the pressing position while pressing the touch panel of the display portion of the soft keyboard 401. Even in such a case, when the operator instructs the global action button (display) area 201 to be partially covered with the soft keyboard 401, the soft keyboard 401 does not cover the global action button (display) area 201. The movement of 401 stops.

  Further, when any alarm occurs, the automatic analyzer support system notifies the operator of the occurrence of the alarm by blinking the Alarm button 204 in the global action button area 201, but the value is being input by the soft keyboard 401. However, since the entire global action button area 201 is visible, the operator can immediately know the occurrence of the alarm, and further press the Alarm button 204 immediately without ending the soft keyboard 401 to check the detailed alarm contents. I can do things.

  The content being input is displayed in the editing area 403, and when the Enter key is pressed on the soft keyboard 401, a value is displayed in the input area corresponding to the activation source ID on the operation screen. Furthermore, in the soft keyboard 401 shown in FIG. 4, by providing the activation source ID display area 402 and the editing area 403, even if the input area corresponding to the activation source ID is hidden behind the soft keyboard 401, The current editing target is clear.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a full-key arrangement soft keyboard with no editing area, which is a specific example of the present invention. As in FIG. 4, when an arbitrary input area is brought into an editing state by an operator's operation, a soft keyboard 501 is provided on the operation screen so that the user can input data. Area 209
The effect obtained by limiting to the inside is also the same as in FIG. 4 differs from the content shown in FIG. 4 in that the soft keyboard 501 does not include the activation source ID display area 402 and the editing area 403 included in the soft keyboard 401 of FIG. In this format, the edited content is directly reflected in the input area 502 that is currently in the editing state, so that the operator can feel closer to the input operation using the conventional keyboard than the format shown in FIG. The area that can be operated and the soft keyboard occupies the operation screen can be reduced as compared with the format shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a numeric keypad soft keyboard which is a specific example of the present invention. As in FIG. 4, when an arbitrary input area is brought into an editing state by an operator's operation, a soft keyboard 601 is provided on the operation screen so that the user can input data. The effect obtained by limiting the area 209 is the same as in FIG. The difference from FIG. 4 is that when an arbitrary input area is brought into an editing state, the attribute of the input area is judged, and if only numeric data can be input, a numeric keypad soft keyboard 601 is displayed. In that point. As a result, the area occupied by the soft keyboard on the operation screen can be suppressed to be smaller than the format shown in FIG.

  4 is different from the content shown in FIG. 4 in that the soft keyboard 601 does not include the activation source ID display area 402 and the edit area 403 included in the soft keyboard 401 in FIG. By directly reflecting on the input area 602 in the state, it is possible to provide the operator with an operation feeling close to the conventional input operation.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a mobile phone-like key layout soft keyboard which is a specific example of the present invention. As in FIG. 4, when an arbitrary input area is brought into an editing state by an operator's operation, a soft keyboard 701 is provided on the operation screen so that a user can input data. The effect obtained by limiting the area 209 is the same as in FIG.

  The difference from FIG. 4 is that both numerical values and characters can be input with the same soft keyboard size by the input mode switching key 702. When “ABC” is displayed on the input mode switching key 702, it is a numerical value input mode, and the soft keyboard operates in the same manner as the numeric keypad soft keyboard 601. When “123” is displayed on the input mode switching key 702, it is a character input mode, and a soft keyboard has a plurality of keys for one key, like a key arrangement of a mobile phone generally used in daily life. It works as a soft keyboard assigned with alphabet.

In addition, since the soft keyboard 701 does not include the activation source ID display area 402 and the edit area 403 included in the soft keyboard 401 of FIG. 4, the edited content is directly reflected in the input area 703 that is currently in the edit state. Therefore, the operator can operate more like the input operation using the conventional keyboard than the format shown in FIG. 4, and the area occupied by the soft keyboard on the operation screen can be input. However, there is also an effect that it can be kept as small as the numeric keypad soft keyboard shown in FIG.

  By using the above method, the automatic analyzer and its support system can input information without an external input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the conventional automatic analyzer operation screen has been provided. It is possible to provide the operator with an input method that can use the measures for improving the operation comfort as it is and obtain the effect.

  The above-described example has an automatic analyzer other than the configuration shown in the present specification and its support system, for example, a plurality of analysis units and an operation unit common to them. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration that can collectively handle information related to the analysis unit.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of an automatic analyzer support system capable of implementing the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the operation screen displayed on CRT as an output part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an alarm area in which an input operation guide is displayed in the example of the configuration of the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an example of the configuration of the operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a full-key arrangement soft keyboard with an editing area that is a specific example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 2, and further illustrates an editing area-less full key layout soft keyboard that is a specific example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 2, and further illustrates a numeric keypad soft keyboard that is a specific example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a configuration of an operation screen shown in FIG. 2, and further shows a mobile phone-like key arrangement soft keyboard that is a specific example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

201 ... Global action button area, 207 ... Information area,
209... Work area, 401... Soft keyboard with full key layout editing area, 402... Activation source ID display area, 403.

Claims (3)

A display device using a touch panel capable of inputting information by pressing the display screen;
On the display screen, a global action button display area for displaying a global action button including at least a device stop button for instructing the device to stop.
A keyboard for specifying information to be displayed and displayed on the display screen;
In an automatic analyzer equipped with
An automatic analyzer comprising a display restriction unit for restricting a displayable range of the keyboard so that the keyboard display does not overlap the global action button display area. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein
2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the global action button display area is linear or L-shaped along the edge of the display screen. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1 or 2,
The automatic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard has a function capable of displaying an alphabet keyboard capable of directly inputting alphabets or a numeric keyboard capable of directly inputting numerals.

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