JP2013011481A - Sample placement space scanning device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample storage device capable of managing placement spaces for sample containers without any work for accurately associating the sample containers with compartments where the sample containers are disposed, in put-in/out work.SOLUTION: A plurality of sample containers 4 include sample identification parts 41 for identifying respective sample containers on their upper sides. A sample placement space scanning device for scanning the placement spaces for the plurality of sample containers that are placed on a storage housing 3 divided by partitions 32 includes: a photographing part 23 for photographing the storage housing and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage housing, from the upper side; and an identification part for determining the sample identification parts included in an image photographed by the photographing part so as to identify a compartment where each of the plurality of sample containers is placed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample placement location reading device for reading placement locations of a plurality of sample containers placed on a storage box partitioned by a partition, and a computer program for realizing the sample placement location reading device.

  In drug discovery research and chemical substance analysis, sample containers such as vials and test tubes filled with a solution in which a sample is dissolved are arranged and stored in a tray partitioned by a partition. And in order to identify what kind of sample is sealed in each sample container, a barcode is attached to the sample container, and the barcode is read and managed using a handy type code reader. Yes.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, an arrangement determining unit that determines the arrangement of a sample container to be stored in a tray according to a dispensing instruction, and an identification code of the sample container corresponding to the arrangement on the printing paper placed on the inner bottom of the tray Printing means for color printing, imaging means for imaging the tray on which the sample container is arranged, and an identification code is read from the image obtained by imaging, and whether or not the sample is used is determined according to whether or not it can be read A medicine management system including a reading program and a determination unit is disclosed.

JP 2011-24663 A

  However, since the chemical management system according to Patent Document 1 is configured to preliminarily determine and manage the sample containers to be arranged in each section of the tray, the sample containers and the sample containers are arranged at the time of loading and unloading operations. There is a problem that it is necessary to accurately associate the compartment with the power, and the work of storing the sample container is complicated and inefficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the placement location of the sample container can be changed without performing an operation of accurately associating the sample container with the section in which the sample container is to be placed at the time of loading and unloading work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample placement location reader that can be read and managed.

  A sample placement location reading device according to the present invention is a sample placement location reading device that reads placement locations of a plurality of sample containers placed on a storage box partitioned by a partition. A sample identification unit for identifying the container is provided on the upper side, an imaging unit that images the storage bowl and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage bowl from the upper side, and an image captured by the imaging unit It is characterized by comprising a section specifying section for specifying a section in which the plurality of sample containers are respectively mounted by discriminating the included sample identifying section.

  In the sample placement location reading device according to the present invention, the storage bowl has a void identifying portion on the upper side of each section indicating that a sample container is not arranged, and an image captured by the imaging unit It is characterized by comprising a void identifying portion for identifying a section in which the plurality of sample containers are not placed by discriminating the void identifying portion included therein.

  In the sample placement location reading device according to the present invention, the sample container has a characteristic portion indicating that the sample container is placed in the section, and the void specifying portion is imaged by the imaging unit. By distinguishing the characteristic portion of the sample container included in the image, the section that is not empty is specified, and the section specifying unit includes the sample identification unit included in the image of the section that is not empty. It is characterized in that it is determined again.

  The sample placement location reading device according to the present invention includes an illumination unit that illuminates the storage bowl and a plurality of sample containers placed on the storage bowl from above.

  The sample placement location reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging condition changing unit that changes an imaging condition by the imaging unit, and the imaging unit images the storage basket and the sample container under a plurality of different imaging conditions. The section specifying unit specifies the section on which the plurality of sample containers are placed based on images captured under a plurality of different imaging conditions.

  The sample placement location reading device according to the present invention has a chemical substance name or a chemical formula corresponding to the sample identification unit of the sample container placed in the section on the image of each section captured by the imaging unit. A superimposing unit that superimposes an image is provided.

  In the sample placement location reading device according to the present invention, the section specifying unit determines whether or not each section in the image captured by the imaging unit includes the center of the sample identification unit. When the central portion of the sample identification unit is included in one section, the one section is specified as a place where the sample container corresponding to the sample identification section is placed It is characterized by that.

  In the sample placement location reading device according to the present invention, the storage case has a position specifying unit on the upper side for specifying the position and direction of the storage case in the image captured by the imaging unit, A storage unit that stores partition position information indicating the position of each partition in an image obtained by capturing the storage basket arranged in the position and orientation, and a position specifying unit included in the image captured by the imaging unit A storage bowl position specifying unit that specifies the position and orientation in which the storage basket is disposed, and the section specifying unit is configured to specify the position and direction specified by the storage basket position specifying unit, The section where the plurality of sample containers are placed is specified based on the section position information stored in the storage section and the position of the sample identification section in the image captured by the imaging section. Features.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, a plurality of sample containers have a sample identification unit on the upper side for identifying each sample container, and a plurality of sample containers placed on a storage box partitioned by a partition are stored. In a computer program for causing a computer to specify a placement location, the computer discriminates a sample identification unit included in an image obtained by imaging the storage bowl and a plurality of sample containers placed on the storage bowl from above. By this, it is made to function as a division specific | specification part which specifies the division in which the said some sample container is each mounted.

  In the present invention, the storage case and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage case are imaged from above. Since the sample container has a sample identification part on the upper side for identifying each sample container, the section where each of the plurality of sample containers is placed is specified by discriminating the sample identification part included in the captured image Is possible.

  In the present invention, since the storage bowl has a void identification unit indicating that the sample container is not arranged on the upper side of each section, the void identification unit included in the image captured by the imaging unit is provided. By discriminating, it is possible to specify a section where a plurality of sample containers are not placed. When the sample container is placed in the compartment, the void identifying unit is hidden by the sample container, and the sample identifying unit is imaged.

  In the present invention, it is possible to identify a non-vacant section by discriminating the characteristic portion of the sample container. Depending on the imaging conditions, determination of the sample identification unit may fail, and in this case, determination of the void identification unit is performed. However, the image of the space identification part is not included in the section where the discrimination of the sample identification part has failed. In this case, the processing time is shortened by reading the characteristic portion of the sample container and determining that the section is not a vacant space, rather than trying to read the vacant space identifying unit many times.

  In the present invention, the specific accuracy or the specific processing speed of the compartment in which the sample container is placed is improved by illuminating the storage case and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage case from above.

  In the present invention, the storage basket and a plurality of sample containers placed on the storage basket are imaged under a plurality of different imaging conditions, and the section on which the sample container is placed is specified based on the plurality of images. To do. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the accuracy of specifying the section in which the sample container is placed and the processing time required for the specification. In other words, rather than using only one image for which it is difficult to specify the section in which the sample container is placed, and taking a long time to discriminate the sample identifying section, the sample identifying section from a plurality of images for each section It is possible to identify the section in which the sample container is placed in a shorter time by selecting an image that can be discriminated in a short time and discriminating the sample identification unit. Note that the present invention includes a process of determining the sample identifying unit from one image when specifying one section, and determining the sample identifying unit from another image when specifying another section.

  In the present invention, the image of the chemical substance name or chemical formula of the sample stored in each sample container is superimposed on the image of the storage container and the sample container placed on the storage container. Therefore, the user of the sample placement location reading device can easily grasp the contents of the sample container placed on the storage basket.

  In the present invention, when a long container is set up in a storage basket, the image of the sample identification part of the sample container in the image obtained by imaging may protrude from the section where the sample container is arranged. However, it is possible to specify the mounting location without error by specifying the mounting location of the sample container from the positional relationship between the central portion of the sample identifying unit and the section.

  In the present invention, it is possible to specify the placement location of the sample container regardless of the position and orientation of the storage basket with respect to the imaging unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the placement location of a sample container without performing an operation of accurately associating a sample container with a section in which the sample container is to be placed at the time of loading / unloading work.

It is the schematic diagram which showed one structural example of the sample management apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the top view which showed one structural example of the tray. It is the block diagram which showed the internal structure of management PC. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the data layout structure of sample information. It is a functional block diagram of management PC. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the method of specifying the mounting place of a sample container. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the method of displaying the image of a tray and a sample container on a display part. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the space | gap identification part which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a sample management device (sample placement location reading device) according to the present embodiment. The sample management device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a tray 3 partitioned by a partition 32, a plurality of sample containers 4 placed on the tray 3, an imaging device 2 that images the tray 3, and a sample A management PC (Personal computer) 1 for managing the placement location, a code reader 5 and a positioning guide 6 are provided.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the tray 3. The tray 3 has a shallow flat plate shape, and includes a substantially rectangular bottom 30 and a side wall 31 provided on the periphery of the bottom 30. Further, the tray 3 is partitioned vertically and horizontally by a partition 32 so that a plurality of sample containers 4 are placed separately. The shape and partitioning method of the tray 3 are not particularly limited, and the tray 3 may be partitioned in a honeycomb shape, or the tray 3 may be partitioned in a uniform lattice shape. The tray 3 may be formed in a round shape.
Furthermore, a void identification code portion (vacancy identification portion) 34 indicating that the sample container 4 is not placed is attached to the upper surface of each section. The space identification code part 34 is a seal on which a two-dimensional code such as a data matrix or a QR code is printed, for example, and the space identification code part 34 affixed to each section may be the same. Note that the two-dimensional code is an example of the space identification code unit 34, and the form thereof is not limited as long as it can indicate that a certain section is a space.
Furthermore, a position specifying code portion (position specifying portion) 35 for specifying the position and direction of the tray 3 in an image picked up by the image pickup portion 23 is provided at an appropriate position on the upper side of the tray 3 as will be described later. It has been. The position specifying code part 35 is, for example, a cross mark having anisotropy formed at a substantially central part of the tray 3. The cross mark is an example of the position specifying code unit 35, and the form thereof is not particularly limited as long as the position and direction of the tray 3 can be specified.
Furthermore, only one tray 3 is shown in FIG. 1, but when storing the sample container 4 using a plurality of trays 3, it is necessary to identify each of the plurality of trays 3. Therefore, a tray identification code portion 33 for identifying each of the plurality of trays 3 is attached to the side wall 31 of the tray 3. The tray identification code part 33 is a barcode, for example. Note that the tray identification code portion 33 may be composed of a two-dimensional code or other codes. The plurality of trays 3 are stored in a storage shelf (not shown).

  The sample container 4 is an Eppendorf tube, a microtube, a vial, or the like that encloses a solution in which a sample is dissolved when conducting drug discovery research or chemical substance analysis. The sample container 4 includes a bottomed cylindrical main body and a lid that seals the upper opening of the main body. The shape of the bottom portion 30 of the main body portion need not be flat, and may be a shape that is pointed downward. The lid has an upper surface, and a sample identification code portion (sample identification portion) 41 for identifying each of the plurality of sample containers 4 is attached to the upper surface of the lid. The sample identification code unit 41 is a sticker on which a two-dimensional code such as a data matrix or a QR code is printed. The sample identification code unit 41 is sufficient if it can identify a plurality of sample containers 4, but may include information such as chemical substance names and chemical formulas of the samples sealed in the sample containers 4. In the following description, it is assumed that the sample identification code portion includes information such as a chemical substance name and chemical formula in addition to information for identifying each sample container 4.

  The imaging device 2 has a base 21 that forms a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped. A bendable arm portion 22 is provided at an appropriate location on the upper surface of the base 21. A head having an imaging unit 23 and an illuminating unit 24 is attached to the distal end of the arm unit 22 in such a posture as to capture an image below. The imaging unit 23 is a CCD camera that images, for example, the tray 3 and a plurality of sample containers 4 placed on the tray 3 from above, and has a focus adjustment function, a contrast adjustment function, and the like. The illumination unit 24 is, for example, an LED lamp that illuminates the tray 3 and the plurality of sample containers 4 placed on the tray 3 from above, and includes a dimming circuit that adjusts the brightness of the LEDs. The imaging device 2 has a communication interface (not shown), and is connected to the management PC 1 via the communication interface with a wired cable. The imaging device 2 adjusts the focus of the imaging unit 23 based on the control data transmitted from the management PC 1. Contrast adjustment, brightness adjustment of the illumination unit 24, and the like are performed. After adjusting the imaging conditions, the imaging device 2 captures the tray 3 and transmits the captured image data to the management PC 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the management PC 1.
The management PC 1 is a computer that includes a CPU 11 that controls the operation of each component of the management PC 1. The CPU 11 is connected to the ROM 12, RAM 13, input unit 14, display unit 15, first interface 16, second interface 17, and storage unit 18 via a bus.

The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory such as a mask ROM or EEPROM that stores a control program necessary for the operation of the computer.
The RAM 13 is a volatile memory such as DRAM or SRAM that temporarily stores various data generated when the arithmetic processing of the CPU 11 is executed.
The input unit 14 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like for operating the management PC 1 and accepts instructions such as loading / unloading and disposal of the sample container 4.
The display unit 15 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a CRT, and the like, and displays an image captured by the imaging unit 23.
The first interface 16 is an interface that transmits control data for controlling the operation of the image pickup apparatus 2 to the image pickup apparatus 2 and receives image data picked up by the image pickup unit 23. Controlled by.
The second interface 17 is an interface for receiving information read by the code reader 5, and transmission / reception of various data is controlled by the CPU 11.
The storage unit 18 is a hard disk, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like that stores a computer program 19a for causing the computer to function as the management PC 1 that constitutes the sample management apparatus. Further, the storage unit 18 divides the sample information 18a indicating the placement location of the sample container 4, that is, the tray 3 and the compartment on which the sample is placed, and how each of the plural types of trays 3 is partitioned. Section position information 18b indicating whether or not, and tray shelf information 18c indicating the location of the shelf in which each of the plurality of trays 3 is stored. Details of the sample information 18a and the section position information 18b will be described later.
The computer program 19a is a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM, which records the computer program 19a in a computer-readable manner by the CPU 11 controlling the operation of an external storage device (not shown). A computer program 19 a is read from a recording medium 19 such as a BD (Blu-ray Disc) and stored in the storage unit 18. Needless to say, the optical disk and the optical disk drive are examples of the recording medium 19 and an external storage device, and the computer program 19a is recorded on a flexible disk, a magnetic optical disk, an external hard disk, a semiconductor memory, etc. in a computer-readable manner, and the external You may comprise so that it may read in a memory | storage device. The computer program 19a according to the present invention may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to the communication network.

  The code reader 5 reads the barcode of the tray identification code portion 33 attached to the side wall 31 of the tray 3 and outputs it to the management PC 1. The CPU 11 of the management PC 1 receives the tray identification code unit 33 via the second interface 17 and specifies the tray 3 arranged below the imaging unit 23.

  The positioning guide 6 is a member that positions the tray 3 with respect to the imaging unit 23 by contacting the side wall 31 of the tray 3. For example, the positioning guide 6 is a long member, and its longitudinal direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base 21 and is connected to the base 21 so as to be substantially parallel to the installation surface of the base 21. Has been. A user of the sample storage device can position the tray 3 with respect to the imaging unit 23 by bringing two adjacent side walls 31 of the tray 3 into contact with the base 21 and the positioning guide 6 respectively.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the data layout configuration of the sample information 18a. The sample information 18a includes a plurality of columns (fields), for example, “registration date / time”, “tray identification code”, “mounting position”, “sample identification code”, “chemical substance name”, “chemical formula”, “entrance / exit status”. ”And“ discard due date ”columns, etc., and each row (record) has information corresponding to each column.
The “registration date and time” column stores the date and time when the sample container 4 is newly placed on the tray 3 for the first time. The “tray identification code” column stores the tray identification code read from the tray identification code portion 33 attached to the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 is placed. The “placement position” column stores a symbol that identifies a section in which the sample container 4 is placed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the tray section is specified by a combination of one alphabetic character and one numeric character. The “sample identification code” column stores information read from the sample identification code portion 41 attached to the sample container 4. The “chemical substance name” column stores chemical substance names indicating the contents of the sample sealed in the sample container 4. The “Chemical Formula” column stores a chemical formula displaying the content of the sample sealed in the sample container 4. The “in / out status” column stores information indicating whether the corresponding sample container 4 is placed in the tray 3 and stored in the storage shelf, or whether the sample container 4 is taken out from the tray 3. To do. In the “Disposal deadline” column, the disposal deadline of the sample sealed in the sample container 4 is registered.

  The partition position information 18b is information indicating how each of the plurality of trays 3 is partitioned. For example, the section position information 18b is information indicating the position of each section in an image obtained by imaging the tray 3 arranged at a predetermined position and orientation in coordinates. When the tray 3 is introduced, the section position information 18 b is input by the user using the input unit 14 and is stored in the storage unit 18.

  The tray shelf information 18c is, for example, information in which a tray identification code is associated with information indicating the position of the shelf in the storage shelf in which the tray 3 to which the tray identification code is attached is stored. When the tray 3 is newly introduced, the tray shelf information 18 c is input by the user using the input unit 14 to input the position of the shelf in which the tray 3 is stored, and is stored in the storage unit 18.

Next, functions realized by the CPU 11 of the management PC 1 will be described together with how to use the sample management apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the management PC 1. The CPU 11 of the management PC 1 reads the computer program 19a stored in the storage unit 18 into the RAM and executes it, thereby specifying the tray 3 and the section on which the sample container 4 is placed, and further the place on which the sample container 4 is placed. Is stored in the storage unit 18, thereby functioning as the specifying unit 110 that performs processing for managing the storage and disposal of the sample. Further, the specifying unit 110 includes a tray position specifying unit 111 that specifies the arrangement position of the tray 3, a section specifying unit 112 that specifies a section on which the sample container 4 is placed, and a section on which the sample container 4 is not placed. On the image of each section of the tray 3, the space specifying section 113 to be identified, the imaging condition changing section 114 that changes the imaging condition of the tray 3 when the identification of the section in which the sample container 4 is placed fails. It functions as a superimposition processing unit 115 that superimposes chemical substance names and chemical formulas indicating the contents of the sample container 4 and an entry / exit registration processing unit 116 that registers the entry / exit information of the sample container 4 using the specified section information.

  A user of the sample management device positions the tray 3 by placing the tray 3 below the imaging device 2 and bringing two adjacent side walls 31 of the tray 3 into contact with the base 21 and the positioning guide 6. And when a user performs operation which instruct | indicates loading / unloading of a sample using the input part 14 of management PC1, each structure part of the specific | specification part 110 performs the process which concerns on loading / unloading demonstrated below.

  First, the tray position specifying unit 111 turns on the illumination unit 24, adjusts the focus and contrast of the imaging device 2, and causes the imaging unit 23 to image the tray 3. The tray position specifying unit 111 acquires an image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit 23, and determines the position specifying code unit 35 included in the image. The position specifying code unit 35 is determined by, for example, pattern matching processing. Next, the tray position specifying unit 111 specifies the position and direction in which the tray 3 is arranged based on the position and direction of the position specifying code unit 35 in the captured image.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a method for specifying the placement location of the sample container 4.
The section specifying unit 112 specifies the section in which each of the plurality of sample containers 4 is placed by determining the sample identification code unit 41 included in the image captured by the imaging unit 23. Specifically, the section specifying unit 112 is a region on the image corresponding to each section of the tray 3 based on the position and orientation information of the tray 3 specified by the tray position specifying unit 111 and the section position information 18b. Is identified. Then, the section specifying unit 112 determines whether each section in the image captured by the imaging unit 23 includes the center of the sample identification code unit 41. When the center of the sample identification code portion 41 is included in one section, the one section is specified as a place where the sample container 4 corresponding to the sample identification code section 41 is placed. is there. As shown in FIG. 6, since the sample container 4 placed in the section on the end side of the tray 3 is imaged from an oblique direction, the image of the sample identification code portion 41 attached to the lid of the sample container 4 is displayed in the section. It will stick out of the image. Therefore, if it is determined whether the apex of the sample identification code unit 41 or the entire sample identification code unit 41 is in the compartment, there is a possibility that the placement location of the sample container 4 is erroneously determined. For this reason, the mounting location of the sample container 4 is determined by determining whether or not the substantially central portion of the sample identification code portion 41 is in the compartment. Similar processing is executed for all the sections. Note that the time for reading the sample identification code unit 41 is limited to a predetermined time, and when reading of the sample identification code unit 41 fails, a process for determining the void identification code unit 34 as described later is performed. Run.

  Next, the void identifying unit 113 identifies a void in which the sample container 4 is not placed by determining the void identification code unit 34 included in the image captured by the imaging unit 23.

  The imaging condition changing unit 114 determines whether or not there is a partition in which neither the sample identification code unit 41 nor the space identification code unit 34 can be determined by the processing of the partition specifying unit 112 and the space specifying unit 113. When it is determined that there is a section in which neither the sample identification code unit 41 nor the space identification code unit 34 can be determined, the imaging condition is changed, and the tray 3 and the sample are obtained under a plurality of different imaging conditions. The container 4 is imaged by the imaging device 2, and the section identification unit 112 and the space identification unit 113 are made to perform the discrimination of the sample identification code unit 41 or the space identification code unit 34 again. As the imaging conditions, for example, the brightness of the illumination unit 24, the focus and contrast of the imaging unit 23, and the like are changed. When changing the imaging condition, start from a good predetermined imaging condition that is experimentally determined in advance, and initially increase the imaging condition change range and gradually reduce the change condition change range while approaching the processing imaging condition. It is better to change the imaging conditions so that it continues. For example, when the brightness of the illumination unit 24 is 256 tones and the tone value of the illumination unit 24 under the predetermined imaging condition is 128, the beginning starts with the tone value 128, and then the tone values 192 and 64 , 160, 96, 144, 122 in order of brightness. The same applies to the contrast and other imaging conditions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a method for displaying images of the tray 3 and the sample container 4 on the display unit 15.
The superimposing processing unit 115 is based on the sample identification code unit 41 corresponding to each section and the sample information 18a shown in FIG. 4, and the chemical substance of the sample enclosed in the sample container 4 placed in each section The name and chemical formula are specified, and the image of the chemical substance name or chemical formula corresponding to the sample identification code portion 41 of the sample container 4 placed in the section on the image 70 of each section captured by the imaging unit 23 71 and 72 are superimposed. Then, the superimposition processing unit 115 causes the display unit 15 to display an image of the tray 3 on which the chemical substance name and the chemical formula are superimposed.
The user of the sample management device can find the desired sample container 4 using the image of the tray 3, the chemical substance name or chemical formula images 71 and 72 displayed on the screen.

The entry / exit registration processing unit 116 includes the tray identification code unit 33 identified by the above-described processing, the information indicating the placement position, that is, the section on which the sample container 4 is placed, and the sample identification code unit 41. The data are stored in the storage unit 18 in association with each other. Further, the chemical substance name and chemical formula included in the sample identification code unit 41 are read, and each read information is also stored in the storage unit 18 in association with the sample identification code unit 41.
When discarding the sample container 4, in order to ensure the management contents of the sample container 4, the sample identification code part 41 of the sample container 4 to be discarded is read using the code reader 5, and a disposal instruction is given to the input unit 14. In this case, the information of the sample identification code unit 41 may be deleted from the storage unit 18 from the sample information 18a. Of course, the tray 3 in which the sample containers 4 to be discarded are arranged can be imaged by the sample management apparatus, and the information of the plurality of sample containers 4 can be deleted collectively.
Next, a new warehousing registration procedure, a warehousing procedure, a warehousing procedure, and a disposal procedure for the sample container 4 will be specifically described. Also, an inventory method will be described.

<New goods receipt registration procedure>
The user takes out the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 to be newly placed is placed from the storage shelf, and causes the management PC 1 to read the tray identification code portion 33 using the code reader 5. The management PC 1 reads the information of the tray identification code section 33 by the code reader 5 according to the operation of the user, and based on the read information, how the tray 3 is partitioned from the partition position information 18b. Read the indicated information. Then, the user designates new warehousing registration using the input unit 14.
Next, the user places the sample container 4 to be newly received in an arbitrary section of the tray 3, and places the tray 3 below the imaging device 2. Then, the imaging device 2 is caused to image the tray 3 on which the new sample container 4 is placed. The management PC 1 captures an image of the tray 3 in accordance with a user operation, and specifies an area on the image corresponding to each section of the tray 3. Then, the management PC 1 specifies the section in which each of the plurality of sample containers 4 is stored by reading the sample identification code part 41 or the space identification code part 34 of the sample container 4 placed in each section. The management PC 1 additionally registers a record related to the unregistered sample identification code in the sample information 18a. The record related to the unregistered sample identification code includes the registration date and time when registration was performed, the tray identification code read first, the placement position indicating the section where the sample container 4 is placed, the sample identification code, and the chemical substance name , Register chemical formula, loading / unloading status, disposal deadline, etc. The warehousing information at the time of new registration indicates that the warehousing state is set.

<Shipping procedure>
The user inputs the sample identification code of the sample container 4 in which the necessary sample is sealed into the management PC 1 using the input unit 14 and instructs the search for the sample container 4. Based on the sample identification code received by the input unit 14, the management PC 1 searches the sample information 18a for the tray identification code of the tray 3 on which the corresponding sample container 4 is placed. Based on the tray identification code, the management PC 1 searches the storage location of the tray 3 on which the corresponding sample container 4 is placed from the tray shelf information 18 c and displays the search result on the display unit 15. In addition to the position of the shelf in which the corresponding tray 3 is stored, the management PC 1 displays in which section in the tray 3 the sample container 4 is arranged. For example, based on the sample identification code received by the input unit 14, the management PC 1 specifies a section in which the sample container 4 desired by the user is placed from the sample information 18 a. Further, the management PC 1 reads information indicating how the corresponding tray 3 is partitioned from the partition position information 18b based on the tray identification code. Then, the management PC 1 superimposes an image obtained by viewing the tray 3 from the upper side and an image indicating a section on which the desired sample container 4 is placed on the display unit 15.
The user confirms the search result displayed on the display unit 15 in this manner, and takes out the tray 3 on which the desired sample container 4 is placed from the storage shelf. If the user stores the storage location of the tray 3, the tray 3 may be directly taken out from the storage shelf without searching for the position of the shelf in which the tray 3 is stored.

  Next, the user takes out the desired sample container 4 from the tray 3. If the tray 3 is directly removed from the storage shelf without inputting the sample identification code to the management PC 1, it is used when it is desired to check in which section of the tray 3 the sample container 4 is placed. The person can also display the content of the sample container 4 placed in the tray 3 on the management PC 1 on the display unit 15. Specifically, the user uses the code reader 5 to cause the management PC 1 to read the tray identification code portion 33 and arrange the tray 3 below the imaging device 2. The management PC 1 images the tray 3 according to the user's operation and causes the display unit 15 to display the video of the tray 3. Then, the management PC 1 reads the information of the sample container 4 placed in each section of the tray 3 from the sample information 18a, and displays the read chemical substance name and chemical formula on the display unit 15 as shown in FIG. Let

  Next, the user causes the management PC 1 to read the tray 3 identification code of the tray 3 from which the sample container 4 has been taken out by using the code reader 5, arranges the tray 3 below the imaging device 2, and issues an instruction to leave the input unit. 14 The management PC 1 images the tray 3 according to the user's operation, and specifies the sample container 4 placed in each section of the tray 3. On the other hand, the management PC 1 specifies the sample container 4 placed on the tray 3 from the sample information 18a, and unloads the sample container 4 that is not currently placed on the tray 3 among the specified sample containers 4. The sample container 4 is identified. Then, the management PC 1 registers information indicating that the sample container 4 has been delivered in association with the sample identification code of the sample container 4. Moreover, about the thing in which the mounting location of each sample container 4 was changed, a new mounting position is registered into the sample information 18a. After finishing the exiting process in this way, the user returns the tray 3 to a predetermined position on the storage shelf.

<Receiving procedure>
The user inputs the sample identification code of the sample container 4 to be returned to the tray 3 to the management PC 1 using the input unit 14 and instructs the search for the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 should be placed. Based on the sample identification code received by the input unit 14, the management PC 1 searches the sample information 18a for the tray identification code of the tray 3 on which the corresponding sample container 4 is to be placed. Based on the tray identification code, the management PC 1 searches the storage location of the tray 3 on which the corresponding sample container 4 is placed from the tray shelf information 18 c and displays the search result on the display unit 15.
The user confirms the search result displayed on the display unit 15 in this way, and takes out the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 is to be placed from the storage shelf. If the user stores the storage location of the tray 3, the tray 3 may be directly taken out from the storage shelf without searching for the position of the shelf in which the tray 3 is stored.

  Next, the user places the sample container 4 in an arbitrary section of the tray 3. Then, the user causes the management PC 1 to read the tray 3 identification code of the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 is placed by using the code reader 5, arranges the tray 3 below the imaging device 2, and inputs a warehousing instruction. Input to section 14. The management PC 1 images the tray 3 according to the user's operation, and specifies the sample container 4 placed in each section of the tray 3. On the other hand, the management PC 1 identifies the sample container 4 placed on the tray 3 from the sample information 18a, and stores the sample container 4 currently placed on the tray 3 among the identified sample containers 4. The sample container 4 is identified. Then, the management PC 1 registers information indicating that the sample container 4 has been received in association with the sample identification code of the sample container 4. Moreover, about the thing in which the mounting location of each sample container 4 was changed, a new mounting position is registered into the sample information 18a. After completing the warehousing process in this manner, the user returns the tray 3 to a predetermined position on the storage shelf.

<Disposal procedure>
The user takes out the tray 3 on which the sample container 4 to be discarded is placed from the storage shelf, and uses the code reader 5 to read the tray identification code portion 33 and cause the management PC 1 to read it. The management PC 1 reads the information of the tray identification code section 33 by the code reader 5 according to the operation of the user, and based on the read information, how the tray 3 is partitioned from the partition position information 18b. Read the indicated information. Then, the user designates discard using the input unit 14.
Next, the user takes out the sample container 4 to be discarded from the tray 3 and arranges the tray 3 below the imaging device 2. Then, the imaging device 2 is caused to image the tray 3 from which the sample container 4 has been taken out. The management PC 1 captures an image of the tray 3 in accordance with a user operation, and specifies an area on the image corresponding to each section of the tray 3. Then, the management PC 1 specifies the section in which each of the plurality of sample containers 4 is stored by reading the sample identification code part 41 or the space identification code part 34 of the sample container 4 placed in each section. On the other hand, the management PC 1 identifies the sample container 4 placed on the tray 3 from the sample information 18a, and discards the sample container 4 that is not currently placed on the tray 3 among the identified sample containers 4. The sample container 4 is specified. And management PC1 deletes the record regarding the sample identification code of the sample container 4 specified as discard object from the sample information 18a.

<Inventory>
The user takes out the tray 3 stored in the storage shelf, and causes the management PC 1 to read the tray identification code portion 33 using the code reader 5. The management PC 1 reads the information of the tray identification code section 33 by the code reader 5 according to the operation of the user, and based on the read information, how the tray 3 is partitioned from the partition position information 18b. Read the indicated information.
Then, the user designates inventory using the input unit 14. Next, the user places the tray 3 below the imaging device 2 and causes the imaging device 2 to image the tray 3. The management PC 1 captures an image of the tray 3 in accordance with a user operation, and specifies an area on the image corresponding to each section of the tray 3. Then, the management PC 1 specifies the section in which each of the plurality of sample containers 4 is stored by reading the sample identification code section 41 or the space identification code section 34 of the sample container 4 placed in each section. The management PC 1 superimposes an image of the tray 3 and an image indicating a section in which the desired sample container 4 is placed on the display unit 15 as necessary, and updates the content of the sample information 18a. .
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the sample container 4 can be inventoried with high efficiency.

  According to the sample management device according to the present embodiment, when the sample container 4 is loaded and unloaded, even if the sample is not placed in association with the predetermined section, any sample is stored in each section of the tray 3. It is possible to identify and store whether the container 4 is placed or empty. Therefore, the user of the sample management apparatus places the sample container 4 on the sample management apparatus without performing an operation of accurately associating the sample container 4 and the section in which the sample container 4 is to be arranged at the time of loading / unloading work. You can manage the location. For example, even if the user does not place the delivered sample container 4 in the original section, the sample management apparatus recognizes that the placement location of the sample container 4 has been changed and stores each sample in the storage unit 18. The sample information 18a indicating in which section the container 4 is placed can be updated. In addition, it is possible to reduce an error that the sample container 4 is lost due to an error in the placement location of the sample container 4 or forgetting to read the code.

  In addition, when the sample container 4 is loaded and unloaded, there is no need to read the sample identification code portion 41 attached to the sample container 4 with the code reader 5 separately, and each sample is simply imaged by the sample management device. The place where the container 4 is placed can be read and managed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the section where the sample container 4 is not placed is specified using the void identification code part 34, the place where the sample container 4 is placed can be quickly identified. It can be carried out. In general, in order to determine that the sample identification code unit 41 is not present, it is necessary to perform image analysis from all directions in order to avoid a code reading error, and a very long processing time is required. However, if the void identification code part 34 is attached to each section of the tray 3, the void can be identified in a short time.
In the present embodiment, since the sample container 4 is configured to be imaged from the upper side, the void identification code part 34 can be covered by placing the sample container 4 in each section. The effect of can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the configuration is such that the sample identification code portion 41 affixed to the lid of the sample container 4 is imaged, compared to the case where the sample identification code portion 41 is affixed to the bottom of the sample container 4. The shape of the bottom of the sample container 4 is not restricted, and the degree of freedom in selecting the sample container 4 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the void identification code portion 34 is pasted on the bottom 30 of the tray 3 has been described. However, the sample management apparatus may be configured so that the void identification code portion 34 is not pasted.

  In the present embodiment, each tray is identified by using the tray identification code section 33, but sample identification codes attached to a plurality of sample containers placed on the tray 3 are used. It is also possible to calculate the characteristic amount of the tray 3, that is, the tendency of the usage of the tray 3, and determine the plurality of trays 3 using the characteristic amount. For example, a vector having the information included in the sample identification code affixed to the sample container 4 as an element is calculated, and when the vector amounts of the respective trays 3 are close to each other, the same tray 3 is discriminated. It ’s fine.

  Further, in this embodiment, a light shielding plate may be provided at an appropriate place so that external light does not enter the tray 3.

Furthermore, although the two-dimensional code is exemplified as the space identification code part 34, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is possible to determine that each section is a space from the image obtained by capturing the tray 3. It may be a pattern, color or the like. Similarly, a two-dimensional code is exemplified as the sample identification code portion 41, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as each sample container can be discriminated from the image obtained by imaging the tray 3, and the figure, symbol, pattern, color, etc. May be.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a void identifying unit 134 according to a modification. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the void identifying unit 134 is configured by an arc and a round point. Hereinafter, the operation of the void specifying unit 113 will be mainly described. When the section identifying unit 112 fails to read the sample identification code unit 41, the space identifying unit 113 of the management PC 1 discriminates the space identifying unit 134 composed of arcs and points from the image on the tray 103, thereby determining the space. Determine the partition.
By the way, when the reading of the sample identification code part 41 has failed because the imaging condition is not good despite the sample container 104 being placed in a certain section, the void identifying section 134 of the section Naturally, it cannot be read, and time may be wasted in reading the empty space identification unit 134. Therefore, if the void identifying unit 113 fails to read the void identifying unit 134, the image of the section includes a characteristic curve 42 of the sample container 104, for example, an annular curve corresponding to the contour of the sample container 104. It is determined whether or not. When determining the feature portion 42 included in the image of the section, the space specifying unit 113 recognizes that the sample container 104 is in the section, and stops the processing for specifying the space for the section. After the image capturing condition is changed by the image capturing condition changing unit 114, the section specifying unit 112 of the management PC 1 starts again from the image of the section that is not empty and the sample identification code unit 41 has not yet been read. Reading of the sample identification code unit 41 is executed.
By comprising in this way, the mounting place of the sample container 104 can be read more rapidly.

  The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 management PC
2 Imaging device 3 Tray (storage bowl)
4 Sample container 5 Code reader 6 Positioning guide 11 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Input part 15 Display part 16 1st interface 17 2nd interface 18 Memory | storage part 18a Sample information 18b Section position information 19 Recording medium 19a Computer program 23 Imaging part 24 Illumination part 32 Partition 33 Tray identification code part 34 Empty identification code part ( Void identification part)
35 Position specifying code part (position specifying part)
41 Sample identification code part (sample identification part)
42 Characteristic portion 110 Identification unit 111 Tray position identification unit 112 Section identification unit 113 Empty area identification unit 114 Imaging condition change unit 115 Superimposition processing unit 116 Entry / exit registration processing unit

Claims (9)

In the sample placement location reading device that reads the placement location of a plurality of sample containers placed on a storage box partitioned by a partition,
The plurality of sample containers have a sample identification unit for identifying each sample container on the upper side,
An imaging unit for imaging the storage container and a plurality of sample containers placed on the storage container from above;
A sample mounting unit comprising: a section specifying unit that determines a section in which each of the plurality of sample containers is mounted by determining a sample identifying unit included in an image captured by the image capturing unit. Place reading device. The storage basket is
It has a space identification part indicating that the sample container is not arranged on the upper side of each section,
The image forming apparatus includes a space identifying unit that identifies a space where the plurality of sample containers are not placed by determining a space identifying unit included in an image captured by the imaging unit. 2. The sample placement location reading device according to 1. The sample container is
Having a feature indicating that the sample container is placed in the compartment;
The void identifying unit is configured to identify a non-vacant section by determining a characteristic part of the sample container included in the image captured by the imaging unit,
The sample placement location reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the section specifying unit is configured to determine again a sample identification unit included in an image of a section that is not empty. The sample placement location reading according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an illumination unit that illuminates the storage bowl and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage bowl from above. apparatus. An imaging condition changing unit for changing imaging conditions by the imaging unit;
The imaging unit
The storage basket and the sample container are imaged under a plurality of different imaging conditions,
The section specifying unit is
The section in which the plurality of sample containers are placed is specified based on images picked up under a plurality of different image pickup conditions. The sample placement location reading device according to claim 1. A superimposing unit that superimposes an image of a chemical substance name or chemical formula corresponding to the sample identification unit of the sample container placed in the section on the image of each section imaged by the imaging unit, The sample placement location reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The section specifying unit is
A determination unit that determines whether each section in the image captured by the imaging unit includes a central portion of the sample identification unit;
When the central portion of the sample identification section is included in one section, the one section is specified as a place where a sample container corresponding to the sample identification section is placed. The sample placement location reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The storage trough has a position specifying unit on the upper side for specifying the position and direction of the storage trough in the image captured by the imaging unit,
A storage unit that stores partition position information indicating the position of each partition in an image obtained by imaging the storage basket arranged at a predetermined position and orientation;
A storage rod position specifying unit that specifies a position and orientation of the storage rod by determining a position specifying unit included in an image captured by the imaging unit;
The section specifying unit is
The plurality of sample containers based on the position and direction specified by the storage basket position specifying unit, the section position information stored in the storage unit, and the position of the sample identification unit in the image captured by the imaging unit The sample placement location reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a section in which is placed is specified. The plurality of sample containers have a sample identification unit for identifying each sample container on the upper side, and allows the computer to specify the placement location of the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage box partitioned by the partition. In a computer program,
Computer
The plurality of sample containers are respectively placed by discriminating a sample identification unit included in an image obtained by imaging the storage bowl and the plurality of sample containers placed on the storage bowl from above. A computer program that functions as a partition specifying unit that specifies a partition.