JP2009085885A - Program version management method, server, and automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program version management method, a server, and an automatic analyzer capable of reducing the burden that an operator or service person bears in changing the version of a program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer. <P>SOLUTION: The server connected communicably to an automatic analyzer via a communication network extracts, in accordance with program version information received from the automatic analyzer, a program whose version is to be changed. The server then sends the extracted program to the automatic analyzer. After that, the server sends, to the automatic analyzer, verification information that is used in verifying the validity of the way the automatic analyzer works in accordance with the program after the version has been changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, a server connected to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of the specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent and optically measures a result of the reaction is connected to the automatic analyzer via a communication network. The present invention relates to a program version management method for managing the version of a program that controls the operation of the analyzer, a server that performs the program version management method, and an automatic analyzer that is installed with a program for managing the version by the server.

  Conventionally, in an automatic analyzer that analyzes a sample component by reacting a sample with a reagent and optically measuring the result of this reaction, when managing version information of a program that controls various operations, product shipment It is common to manage based on time records. For this reason, when the program is upgraded after shipment, the latest version information cannot be confirmed unless the automatic analyzer is operated, and this is an obstacle for the administrator to grasp accurate version information. It was.

  In order to solve this problem, a technique for managing version information of a program installed in an automatic analyzer on a server on the administrator side is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this prior art, the corresponding program can be downloaded from the server to the automatic analysis device and installed in the automatic analysis device that requires program upgrade.

International Publication No. 01/67113 Pamphlet

  However, in the above-described prior art, since the upgraded program is only installed in the automatic analyzer, it is unclear whether the automatic analyzer performs a valid operation according to the program. For this reason, an operator of an automatic analyzer or a service person who performs maintenance and inspection of the automatic analyzer must always verify the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the upgraded program. It was a burden.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a program version management method, a server, and a server capable of reducing the burden on an operator and a service person when changing the version of a program for performing operation control of an automatic analyzer An object is to provide an automatic analyzer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the program version management method according to the present invention analyzes a component of the specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent and optically measuring the result of the reaction. A server that is communicably connected to an automatic analyzer via a communication network is a program version management method for managing a version of a program that controls the operation of the automatic analyzer, and transmitted by the automatic analyzer A receiving step of receiving version information of the program, a storing step of storing the version information of the program received in the receiving step in a storing unit, and reading out the version information of the program stored in the storing unit, The program whose version should be changed based on the version information of the program An extraction step for extracting a gram, a program transmission step for transmitting the program extracted in the extraction step to the automatic analysis device, and a validity of the operation of the automatic analysis device according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step. And a verification information transmission step of transmitting verification information used for verification to the automatic analyzer.

  In the program version management method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the verification information is a verification that executes a process for verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step. It is a program for use.

  In the program version management method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the verification information includes executing the process for verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step. It includes information prompting the user of the automatic analyzer.

  A server according to the present invention is a server that is communicably connected to an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of the specimen by reacting the specimen with a reagent and optically measuring a result of the reaction via a communication network. And receiving means for receiving version information of a program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer transmitted by the automatic analyzer, and storage means for storing at least version information of the program received by the receiver. Reading the version information of the program stored in the storage means, extracting the program whose version should be changed based on the read version information of the program, and extracting the program extracted by the extraction means Transmitted to the automatic analyzer and transmitted to the automatic analyzer Characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting to said automatic analyzer verification information used for verifying the validity of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to program.

  Further, in the above invention, the server according to the present invention is the verification program for executing the processing for verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted by the transmission unit. It is characterized by that.

  Further, the server according to the present invention is the server according to the above-mentioned invention, wherein the verification information includes the execution of the process for verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted by the transmitter. It contains information that prompts the user.

  The server according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the storage means stores a plurality of versions of the program and the verification information.

  The server according to the present invention is connected to the user terminal through the communication network so as to be communicable with each other, and the receiving means sends a request for browsing the version information of the program transmitted by the user terminal. The transmission means receives the version information of the program corresponding to the browsing request to the user terminal.

  The automatic analyzer according to the present invention is communicably connected to a server via a communication network, and reacts a sample and a reagent and analyzes the component of the sample by optically measuring the result of the reaction. A storage means for storing a program for controlling the operation of the automatic analysis apparatus, and a transmission means for transmitting version information of the program stored in the storage means to the server at a predetermined timing; It is provided with.

  According to the present invention, a server that is communicably connected to an automatic analyzer via a communication network extracts a program whose version is to be changed based on the version information of the program received from the automatic analyzer, and the extracted After sending the program to the automatic analyzer, the operator and service personnel change it to send the verification information used to verify the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program after the version change. The verification processing of the automatic analyzer according to the later program can be performed at an appropriate timing while receiving support from the server. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator and service person when changing the version of the program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention and a management server for the automatic analyzer. The automatic analyzer 1 and the server 3 shown in the figure are connected via a communication network N so as to be communicable. The automatic analyzer 1 and the server 3 are also connected to the user terminal 5 via the communication network N so as to be communicable.

  The automatic analyzer 1 dispenses a specimen (sample) and a reagent into a reaction container, and optically measures a reaction occurring in the reaction container, and the control of the automatic analyzer 1 including the measurement unit 101. And a data processing unit 201 that analyzes the measurement result in the measurement unit 101, and these two units cooperate to automatically and continuously perform biochemical analysis of the components of a plurality of specimens. Device.

  The measurement unit 101 reacts the specimen and the reagent with the specimen container holding section 11 that houses a plurality of racks 81 on which specimen containers 71 that contain specimens are mounted, the reagent container holding section 12 that holds the reagent container 72, and the like. The reaction container holding unit 13 that holds the reaction container 73, the sample dispensing unit 14 that dispenses the sample contained in the sample container 71 held by the sample container holding unit 11 into the reaction container 73, and the reagent container holding unit 12 are held. The reagent dispensing unit 15 that dispenses the reagent contained in the reagent container 72 into the reaction container 73, the stirring unit 16 that stirs the liquid inside the reaction container 73, and the light that has been irradiated from the light source and passed through the reaction container 73. A photometric unit 17 that receives light and measures the intensity of a predetermined wavelength component and the like, and a reaction vessel cleaning unit 18 that cleans the reaction vessel 73 are provided.

  The data processing unit 201 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The data processing unit 201 includes an input unit 21 for inputting information necessary for analyzing the sample and operation information of the automatic analyzer 1, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and a printer. An output unit 22 for outputting information on the analysis of the data, a transmission unit 23 for transmitting information via the communication network N, a reception unit 24 for receiving information transmitted via the communication network N, and an automatic analysis A control unit 25 that controls the apparatus 1 and a storage unit 26 that stores various types of information including information related to sample analysis are provided.

  The control unit 25 includes a data generation unit 251 that generates analysis data of the component of the sample by performing a predetermined calculation based on the measurement result in the measurement unit 101. The data generation unit 251 calculates the absorbance of the liquid inside the reaction vessel 73 based on the measurement result sent from the photometry unit 17, or uses the calculation result of the absorbance and various information such as a calibration curve and analysis parameters. The component of the liquid inside the reaction vessel 73 is calculated.

  In addition to the analysis data generated by the data generation unit 251, the storage unit 26 includes analysis items, sample information, reagent types, sample and reagent dispensing amounts, sample and reagent expiration dates, and calibration curves used for analysis. Memorize parameters required for analysis. In addition, the storage unit 26 has a program storage area 261 that stores programs for performing various operation controls in the automatic analyzer 1.

  The data processing unit 201 having the above configuration is realized by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  The server 3 includes an input unit 31 to which various information is input, an output unit 32 that outputs information according to the processing content of the server 3, and a reception unit 33 that receives information transmitted via the communication network N. , A transmission unit 34 that transmits information via the communication network N, a control unit 35 that controls the server 3, and a storage unit 36 that stores various types of information including version information of a program transmitted from the automatic analyzer 1. And is realized by one or a plurality of computers including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  The control unit 35 extracts an extraction unit 351 that extracts a program whose version should be changed based on the version information of the program stored in the storage unit 36, and the version information requested by the version information browsing request transmitted by the user terminal 5. A search unit 352 that searches and acquires from the storage unit 36.

  The storage unit 36 includes a version information database (DB) 361 for storing program version information, a program database 362 for storing various programs for operating the automatic analyzer 1, and the automatic analyzer 1 according to the version-changed program. A verification program database 363 that stores a verification program for executing processing for verifying the correctness of the operation.

  The user terminal 5 is realized by an electronic device such as a computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA, and includes a display unit 51 that displays various types of information.

  The communication network N is any network that can send and receive electrical signals according to a predetermined format, such as the Internet, telephone network, packet network, WAN, wired LAN, wireless LAN, private line network, and intranet. I do not care. Further, the communication network N may be an appropriate combination of the various networks described above.

  FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram showing an outline of communication between the automatic analyzer 1 and the server 3. When the automatic analyzer 1 is activated (step S1), the control unit 25 reads the versions of various programs stored in the program storage area 261 of the storage unit 26, and uses the read versions as identification information ( Along with the device ID and the like), it is transmitted as version information from the transmission unit 23 to the server 3 (step S2). Note that the timing at which the automatic analyzer 1 reads the version of the program stored in the program storage area 261 may not be at the time of activation.

  Thereafter, the server 3 receives the version information sent from the automatic analyzer 1 via the communication network N (step S3), and writes and stores the received version information in the storage unit 36 (step S4).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the version information stored in the storage unit 36. In the table 91 shown in the figure, version information (including revision information) of various programs is recorded for each device ID of the automatic analyzer 1. The version information recorded in the table 91 includes the current value of the version included in the latest version information received from the automatic analyzer 1, the version value at the time of shipment of the automatic analyzer 1, and the version at that time Recommended values are listed. The current version value is updated each time version information is received from the automatic analyzer 1. The recommended version value is updated when a new version of the program is stored in the program database 362 of the server 3 or when the server 3 receives change information of the recommended value from the outside. Note that the version value at the time of shipment is unchanged.

  Next, the extraction unit 351 of the control unit 35 refers to the received version information and extracts a program that needs to be upgraded (step S5). For example, in the table 91 shown in FIG. 3, the current value and the recommended value of each version of the two programs “Reagent Parameter” and “Sampler Control” installed in the automatic analyzer 1 having the device ID “123456” are different. Yes. Therefore, the extraction unit 351 extracts these two programs from the program database 362 as programs that need to be upgraded. Further, the extraction unit 351 reads a verification program corresponding to the extracted program from the verification program database 363.

  Thereafter, the server 3 transmits the program read in step S5 and the verification program to the automatic analyzer 1 via the transmission unit 34 (step S6).

  When the automatic analyzer 1 receives the program to be upgraded and the verification program from the server 3 (step S7), the program is first upgraded (step S8).

  When the automatic upgrade apparatus 1 succeeds in upgrading the program (Yes in step S9), the automatic analyzer 1 executes the verification program to verify the correctness of the operation by the upgraded program, and performs the operation based on the verification program. It performs (step S10). If the verification program is successfully executed in step S10 (step S11, Yes), the automatic analyzer 1 transmits the version upgrade result (in this case, “success”) to the server 3 via the transmission unit 23. (Step S13).

  On the other hand, when the automatic analyzer 1 fails to upgrade the program (step S9, No), or fails to execute the verification program (No, step S11), the automatic analyzer 1 before the program is upgraded. Return to the state (step S12). At this time, the automatic analyzer 1 returns the parameters related to the program to the state before the version upgrade. Note that the uninstall program for executing the process of step S12 may be included in the version upgrade program.

  Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 1 transmits the version upgrade result (in this case, “failure”) to the server 3 via the transmission unit 23 (step S13). At this time, the automatic analyzer 1 may also transmit information regarding the specific content of the failure.

  The server 3 receives the upgrade result sent from the automatic analyzer 1 via the communication network N (step S14), and writes and stores the received upgrade result in the storage unit 36 (step S15). Thereafter, the server 3 may transmit the received version upgrade result to the user terminal 5 by e-mail or the like.

  2 illustrates a case where the extraction unit 351 extracts a program that needs to be upgraded in step S4. However, there may be a case where a program that needs to be upgraded cannot be extracted in step S4. In this case, the server 3 may end the program version management process without performing the processes in and after step S5, and in order to cause the output unit 22 of the automatic analyzer 1 to output the information “No upgrade required”. May be transmitted to the automatic analyzer 1.

  Further, when the server 3 stores a program for transmitting information recommending version upgrade to the automatic analyzer 1, the server 3 needs to be upgraded before transmitting the program to be upgraded. The existence of a simple program may be transmitted to the automatic analyzer 1 as recommended information. In this case, the automatic analyzer 1 that has received the recommended information from the server 3 performs a display prompting the user to select whether or not to upgrade the version in the output unit 22. Thereafter, the automatic analyzer 1 performs processing according to the selection content input by the user via the input unit 21. For example, when the user selects to upgrade the program, the automatic analyzer 1 transmits the selection information to the server 3. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing after step S6 described above. Note that when the output unit 22 of the automatic analyzer 1 performs a display prompting the user to make a selection, an option “always automatically update” may be added and displayed.

  Further, the server 3 may transmit the verification program with a time difference after transmitting the program to be upgraded.

  Further, the version information transmitted from the server 3 to the automatic analyzer 1 includes information on changes from the old version of the program to be upgraded (for example, the contents of the failure in the old version and the urgency of the version upgrade). You may do it.

  According to the program version management process described above, the version information of the program of the automatic analyzer 1 can be stored on the server 3 side. Further, since the server 3 transmits a program to be upgraded and also transmits a verification program for verifying the correctness of the program, the automatic analyzer 1 according to the program after the upgrade is provided on the automatic analyzer 1 side. The operation verification process 1 can be performed at an appropriate timing while receiving support from the server 3.

  Next, an overview of communication between the server 3 and the user terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, first, the user terminal 5 transmits a version information browsing request input by the user to the server 3 (step S21). This version information browsing request includes information on the device ID of the requested automatic analyzer 1.

  When the reception unit 33 of the server 3 receives the version information browsing request transmitted from the user terminal 5 via the communication network N (step S22), the search unit 352 of the control unit 35 receives the received version information browsing. The version information requested by the request is retrieved from the version information database 361 in the storage unit 36 (step S23).

  Thereafter, the transmission unit 34 of the server 3 transmits the version information acquired by the search unit 352 to the user terminal 5 (step S24).

  The user terminal 5 receives the version information transmitted by the server 3 (step S25), and displays and outputs the received version information on the display unit 51 (step S26). The display mode on the display unit 51 at this time is the same as that of the table 91 shown in FIG. In this case, the version information displayed by the display unit 51 is described using, for example, an HTML format, and can be displayed by any device having a display having a normal browser function.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the version information of the control program installed in the automatic analyzer 1 can be browsed using the user terminal 5, the serviceman is close to the automatic analyzer 1. Even if not present, the version information of the program installed in the automatic analyzer 1 can be grasped. Therefore, for example, when a version-specific problem is detected in the program at the time of shipment, the service person can immediately grasp the automatic analyzer 1 that needs to be upgraded.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, a server that is communicably connected to the automatic analyzer via the communication network should change the version based on the version information of the program received from the automatic analyzer. After extracting the program and sending the extracted program to the automatic analyzer, the verification information used to verify the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program after the version change is sent to the automatic analyzer The operator or service person can perform the verification process of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the changed program at an appropriate timing while receiving support from the server. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator and service person when changing the version of the program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the server transmits the verification program as the verification information, so that the operator who performs the version upgrade by the automatic analyzer upgrades the program without spending effort on the verification operation. As a result, the burden on the operator and service personnel can be further reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described so far, but the present invention should not be limited only by the above-described embodiment. For example, in the present invention, instead of transmitting a verification program for automatically starting the verification operation of the automatic analyzer as the verification information, the operation procedure of the verification operation is displayed on the automatic analyzer side, and the automatic analyzer 1 The operator or service person may send information that allows the verification process to be executed while looking at the output unit of the automatic analyzer. In this case, the verification program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc., and the verification program is referenced while referring to the verification information transmitted from the server by the operator or service person. Can be installed.

  In the above description, the case where the program is upgraded is taken up. However, in the present invention, the version of the program installed in the automatic analyzer can be returned to the previous version. Also in this case, the same processing as described with reference to FIG. 2 may be performed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of automatic analyzers and a plurality of user terminals can be communicably connected to a server via a communication network. In this case, the version information database included in the storage unit of the server stores version information of a plurality of automatic analyzers.

  The present invention has a configuration in which the user terminal can grasp the current state of the automatic analyzer. In view of this point, the maintenance information of the automatic analyzer is periodically transmitted from the automatic analyzer to the server, and the maintenance information received for each automatic analyzer is stored on the server side, similarly to the version information described above. It is also possible. Thus, the service person can grasp the maintenance implementation status without going to the site of the automatic analyzer, and can provide a finer level of service by predicting the next maintenance implementation time.

  The present invention can be applied not only to an automatic analyzer that performs biochemical analysis of a specimen but also to an automatic analyzer that performs immunological analysis of a specimen or genetic analysis of a specimen.

  As described above, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including an automatic analyzer and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing flowchart which shows the outline | summary of communication with the automatic analyzer which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, and a server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the version information which the memory | storage part of the server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention memorize | stores. It is a processing flowchart which shows the outline | summary of communication with a user terminal and a server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic analyzer 3 Server 5 User terminal 11 Sample container holding part 12 Reagent container holding part 13 Reaction container holding part 14 Specimen dispensing part 15 Reagent dispensing part 16 Stirring part 17 Photometry part 18 Reaction container washing | cleaning part 21, 31 Input Unit 22, 32 Output unit 23, 34 Transmission unit 24, 33 Reception unit 25, 35 Control unit 26, 36 Storage unit 51 Display unit 71 Sample container 72 Reagent container 73 Reaction container 81 Rack 91 Table 101 Measurement unit 201 Data processing unit 251 Data generation unit 261 Program storage area 351 Extraction unit 352 Search unit 361 Version information database 362 Program database 363 Verification program database N Communication network

Claims (9)

A server connected to be communicable via a communication network with an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of the sample by reacting a sample with a reagent and optically measuring a result of the reaction is provided in the automatic analyzer. A program version management method for managing a version of a program for controlling operation,
A receiving step of receiving version information of the program transmitted by the automatic analyzer;
A storage step of storing in the storage means the version information of the program received in the reception step;
An extraction step of reading out the version information of the program stored in the storage means, and extracting a program whose version is to be changed based on the read version information of the program;
A program transmission step of transmitting the program extracted in the extraction step to the automatic analyzer;
A verification information transmission step for transmitting verification information to the automatic analysis device for use in verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analysis device according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step;
A program version management method comprising:   2. The program version according to claim 1, wherein the verification information is a verification program for executing processing for verifying the validity of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step. Management method.   The verification information includes information that prompts the user of the automatic analyzer to execute a process of verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted in the program transmission step. The program version management method according to claim 1. A server that is communicably connected via a communication network with an automatic analyzer that analyzes a component of the sample by reacting the sample with a reagent and optically measuring a result of the reaction;
Receiving means for receiving version information of a program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer transmitted by the automatic analyzer;
Storage means for storing at least version information of the program received by the receiving means;
Extraction means for reading out version information of the program stored in the storage means, and extracting the program whose version is to be changed based on the read version information of the program;
Sending the program extracted by the extraction means to the automatic analyzer and verifying information used when verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted to the automatic analyzer Transmitting means for transmitting to the analyzer;
A server characterized by comprising:   5. The server according to claim 4, wherein the verification information is a verification program that executes a process of verifying the validity of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted by the transmission unit.   The verification information includes information that prompts a user of the automatic analyzer to execute a process of verifying the correctness of the operation of the automatic analyzer according to the program transmitted by the transmission unit. Item 5. The server according to item 4. The storage means
The server according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of versions of the program and the verification information are stored. Connected to the user terminal via the communication network so as to be communicable,
The receiving means receives a browsing request for version information of the program transmitted by the user terminal,
The server according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits version information of the program corresponding to the browsing request to the user terminal. An automatic analyzer that is communicably connected to a server via a communication network, reacts a sample and a reagent, and optically measures the result of the reaction, and analyzes the components of the sample,
Storage means for storing a program for controlling the operation of the automatic analyzer;
Transmitting means for transmitting version information of the program stored in the storage means to the server at a predetermined timing;
An automatic analyzer characterized by comprising:

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