JP4045999B2 - Data analysis device for instrument analysis - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data management apparatus for storing and managing various data obtained by various analyzers (eg, chromatograph apparatus, spectrophotometer, mass spectrometer, etc.) used for instrumental analysis.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, networking using a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like is also progressing in the field of instrument analysis, and a plurality of analysis instruments are connected to each other and data obtained by analysis has been shared. Yes. For example, in a server / client system in which a computer having a database function is used as a server and a computer included in various analyzers or a computer used by a general user is used as a client, measurement data obtained by the various analyzers is stored in each analyzer. In addition to being stored in the provided storage device, it is also stored in the server database. Data stored in the database in this way can be read out by each user using his / her computer and displayed on a display or edited.
[0003]
In companies and universities where instrumental analysis is used, analysis data acquired by analytical instruments is often approved by the validity and credibility of the analysis after being processed by multiple persons. . In the analysis system using the computer network described above, such analysis data can be handed over, the result of the examination from the analyst to the supervisor, or signature work such as approval can be performed on the network centered on the database. As a result, data and documents can be transferred quickly and easily without spending effort on transporting documents (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-340904
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When approving such analysis data, the signer may open the data file to be approved and display the analysis data on the display screen, thereby reviewing and approving the validity of the analysis data. Determine whether or not. In the case of approval, data indicating “approval” is added to the data file, and the data file is stored in the database.
[0006]
However, since analysis data is usually a simple enumeration of numerical values, it is difficult to intuitively understand the results simply by looking at them. In many cases, chromatograms stored in a format such as PDF format are difficult. It is necessary to open an analysis report file that includes graphs such as gram waveforms and spectrum waveforms, and display the results on the screen or refer to the printed graphs to determine the validity of the analysis data. was there. For this reason, the signer has to perform several stages of operations in order to perform the signing work, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated and time-consuming.
[0007]
In addition, when several people in charge of a single analysis data sign, the criteria for judgment of the person in charge, such as those who judge only with numerical data or those who make decisions by referring to the graphs, vary. In some cases, it was also a problem in terms of uniformity of approval standards.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to perform such signature work more efficiently and to unify judgment criteria by a plurality of signers. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use equipment analysis data management apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problems and effects]
The present invention made to solve the above problems is a data management apparatus for storing and managing analysis data acquired by instrumental analysis and various data derived from this analysis data.
a) a first storage unit for storing analysis data acquired by analysis or analysis processing for each analysis;
b) a second storage unit for storing a document including a chart such as a graph corresponding to the analysis data stored in the first storage unit or information corresponding to the document as a document file of a predetermined format;
c) Upon receiving an instruction to start an electronic signature process relating to analysis data stored in the first storage unit, the analysis data is read from the first storage unit, and a document file corresponding to the analysis data is read out from the first storage unit. 2 reading means for reading from the storage unit;
d) program starting means for starting a processing program for analyzing and displaying the data of the document file as necessary;
e) display control means for simultaneously displaying the read analysis data and the document formed by the document file data processed by the processing program on the screen of the display means;
It is characterized by having.
[0010]
In the device analysis data management apparatus according to the present invention, when the person in charge selects and designates a target analysis data file for performing electronic signature processing, the reading means reads the instructed analysis data from the first storage unit. At the same time, the document file associated therewith is automatically read from the second storage unit. Further, the program activation means automatically activates a processing program necessary for opening and displaying the document file if it is not activated. The display control means displays the numerical value of the analysis data and the document image formed by the document file data processed by the processing program in the same screen of the display means by, for example, screen division such as left and right or top and bottom. . Depending on the type of analysis, this document file contains a kind of graph such as a chromatogram or spectrum, so the person in charge can approve it by referring to the graph or photograph of such a graph in addition to the analysis data. A determination can be made as to whether or not there is.
[0011]
As described above, according to the data management apparatus for instrument analysis according to the present invention, information that can be used as a reference for approval determination is displayed on the screen by a simple operation, so that it is possible to reduce the labor of the person in charge in the operation. , The efficiency of approval work is improved. In addition, when multiple persons in charge approve the same analysis, each person in charge can make a decision based on the same information displayed on the screen. There is an advantage that non-conformity of the approval hardly occurs.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a data management apparatus for an analytical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of a device analysis data management system using a network including a device analysis data management device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the device analysis data management device of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a structure.
[0013]
The data management system of this embodiment is configured by a server / client system centered on the server 10. Here, the analyzers 21 to 24 are a liquid chromatograph (LC), a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS), an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV), and an electronic balance, but are not limited thereto. . Each of these analyzers 21 to 24 is provided with computers 25 to 28 for data processing, and these computers 25 to 28 are connected to a network line 11 such as an intranet as a client. Further, individual computers 31 to 34 that are not directly connected to the analyzer are also connected to the network line 11 as clients. The system configuration shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the type and number of analyzers, the number of computers, and the like can be freely changed as necessary.
[0014]
The server 10 stores analysis data and the like acquired by each analysis device in a database so that the files can be shared. In order for the client to use this database, it is necessary to install data management software on the computer, and in addition to reading and writing database data files, various processing can be performed on this data management software. It becomes. Of course, it goes without saying that the same operation can be performed from the server 10.
[0015]
In this embodiment, the server 10 and the computers 25 to 28 and 31 to 34 as clients are data management apparatuses as shown in FIG. That is, the actual state of the data management apparatus is a computer in which data management software is installed.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, a central control unit 40 is installed at the center of control and processing, and a RAM 41 is connected as a temporary storage device, and a hard disk (HD) drive device is connected as a large-capacity storage device. In addition, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse is connected as the input unit 43, and a display unit 45 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is connected via a display control unit 44. Further, an external interface unit 46 is connected to transmit / receive data to / from the network line 11.
[0017]
A database 42 is constructed in the HD drive device, which includes an analysis data file storage unit 422 in which an analysis data file including raw data collected by analysis and data as an analysis processing result is stored, a chromatogram and a spectrum. For example, a document file storage unit 423 that stores a report created by pasting a graph such as a PDF file as a document file, a method file storage unit 424 that stores method files such as analysis conditions and data analysis conditions, and the like. In order to associate analysis data files, document files, method files, etc. for the same analysis, and to easily search these files, sample names, registration dates, registration device names, analysis device names, etc. Stores search key information Airu management information storage unit 421 is provided. In general, since the amount of data in such a database becomes enormous, various files for the same analysis may be compressed together and stored as one compressed file.
[0018]
The central control unit 40 has various functions. The functions that are particularly necessary here are a database management unit 401 for searching each data in the database 42 and reading / writing, and a document file display. It functionally has a document processing unit 402 for enabling processing. That is, all of these functions are achieved by software, and when the software is activated, the above-described units 401 and 402 become effective. However, since the database management unit 401 is substantially always required, it may be considered that the database management unit 401 is always activated when the computer is started up.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, it is described that the database is constructed by the hard disk of one computer, but the hard disks of other computers connected via the network line 11 can be used in the same manner. Therefore, various forms are conceivable, such as the database being constructed in a state of being distributed on the hard disks of a plurality of computers, or being constructed in the hard disk of another computer that is not the computer.
[0020]
Next, a flowchart of FIG. 3 and a display shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 show an operation procedure and a processing operation in the case where an electronic signature process related to analysis data related to analysis that has already been completed is performed by the data management apparatus of the present embodiment. This will be described with reference to an example of the screen.
[0021]
The person in charge who performs the electronic signature (hereinafter simply referred to as the person in charge) executes a predetermined operation using the input unit 43, presents the selection conditions for the analysis data file, and instructs the list display of the analysis data file (step S1). Here, the selection condition may be various conditions such as displaying a list of analysis data files stored in a certain folder or displaying a list of analysis data files having a certain range of registration date and time.
[0022]
When the central control unit 40 receives such an instruction, the database management unit 401 retrieves file management information from the file management information storage unit 421 in the database 42 using the data retrieval function, and reads analysis data that meets the selection conditions. The data is sent to the rearrangement display control unit 44 according to a previously specified order, for example, the oldest or newest registration date. The display control unit 44 displays character information based on such management information data on the screen of the display unit 45 as, for example, a list 50 as shown in FIG. 5 (step S2).
[0023]
The person in charge looks at this display screen, selects an analysis data file to be signed from the list 50, and selects and instructs it by the input unit 43 (step S3). In addition, the person in charge performs a predetermined operation to display a signature menu 60 as shown in FIG. 4 as a drop-down menu, and sets the signature type (in this example, six types of confirmation, examination, approval, rejection, invalidity, and cancellation). Select (step S4). When receiving the selection instruction, the database management unit 401 in the central control unit 40 reads out the corresponding analysis data file from the analysis data file storage unit 422 of the database 42 (step S5). In parallel with this, the document file associated with the analysis data file is read from the document file storage unit 423 of the database 42, and application software for opening the document file is started, whereby the document processing unit 402 is activated (step S6). Specifically, when the document file is in PDF format, an Acrobat (registered trademark) reader of Adobe Systems Inc. can be used. Of course, in some cases, such software may already be activated, and in this case, the activation process is not necessary.
[0024]
The display control unit 44 displays the area for displaying the analysis data stored in the analysis data file as described above and the area for displaying the document by dividing them appropriately on the screen of the display unit 45 on the left and right or top and bottom. (Step S7). FIG. 6 shows an example of such a display. A numerical data display area 72 based on the analysis data file is provided on the substantially right half of the screen 70, and a document image display area 71 based on the document file is provided on the substantially left half. Yes. The document image can include results that are easily understood visually, such as chromatograms, other graphs, or photographic images.
[0025]
The person in charge looks at the analysis data displayed in this way and the waveform of the chromatogram or spectrum, etc., and if he / she wants to execute a signature such as confirmation and approval, clicks the OK button 73 (YES in step S8). Upon receiving this instruction, the central control unit 40 adds signature data to each of the analysis data file and the document file (step S9). The signature data includes information such as the date and time of signature execution, the type of signature, the signer, and the like. In the document file, the signature is described at the top of the document as indicated by reference numeral 75 in FIG. On the other hand, if the signature is not executed in step S8, if the person in charge clicks the cancel button 74, the screen shown in FIG. 6 disappears and the original main screen returns (step S10).
[0026]
As described above, in the data management apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the target analysis data is selected and operated, a document including waveform information and the like as an image together with the analysis data file is simultaneously displayed on the screen. There is no need to perform a separate operation for opening such a document file. Further, when any person in charge selects this analysis data, the document file is also displayed at the same time as the data file. For example, a person in charge determines whether or not the signature can be made without looking at the document file at all. Such variations in judgment criteria by the person in charge can be reduced.
[0027]
Note that the analysis data file is automatically registered in the database 42 as the analysis data is collected, but various forms of document file generation methods are possible. As one form, a method of automatically registering waveform data such as a chromatogram created at the time of collecting analysis data or executing reanalysis processing in the database 42 as a document file in the same manner as the analysis data file can be considered. Further, an analyst may create a report on which various graphs and tables are pasted based on the analysis result, and save the report as a document file.
[0028]
Further, the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and it is obvious that the present invention is included even if appropriate modifications, corrections, additions, etc. are made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the document file is in the PDF format. However, as long as the file format can display an image such as a graph such as a chromatogram or a photograph, an HTML format or a word format provided by Microsoft may be used. When such other file formats are used, it is natural to use predetermined application software capable of processing these formats. In the above embodiment, the server / client system type has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other types of data management apparatuses such as a stand-alone type and a peer to peer type.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a device analysis network system including a device analysis data management apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the device analysis data management apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure and operation when electronic signature processing is performed in the device analysis data management apparatus according to the embodiment.
4 is a view showing a part of a screen displayed on the display unit in the course of the operation procedure and operation shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a diagram showing a part of a screen displayed on the display unit in the operation procedure and operation process shown in FIG. 3;
6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit in the course of the operation procedure and operation shown in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Server 11 ... Network line 21-24 ... Analysis apparatus 25-28, 31-34 ... Computer 40 ... Central control part 401 ... Database management part 402 ... Document processing part 41 ... RAM
42 ... Database 421 ... File management information storage unit 422 ... Analysis data file storage unit 423 ... Document file storage unit 424 ... Method file storage unit 43 ... Input unit 44 ... Display control unit 45 ... Display unit 46 ... External interface unit 70 ... Screen 71 ... Left display area 72 ... Right display area 73 ... OK button 74 ... Cancel button

Claims (1)

In a data management device for storing and managing analysis data acquired by instrumental analysis and various data derived from this analysis data,
a) a first storage unit for storing analysis data acquired by analysis or analysis processing for each analysis;
b) a second storage unit for storing a document including a chart such as a graph corresponding to the analysis data stored in the first storage unit or information corresponding to the document as a document file of a predetermined format;
c) Upon receiving an instruction to start an electronic signature process relating to analysis data stored in the first storage unit, the analysis data is read from the first storage unit, and a document file corresponding to the analysis data is read out from the first storage unit. 2 reading means for reading from the storage unit;
d) program starting means for starting a processing program for analyzing and displaying the data of the document file as necessary;
e) display control means for simultaneously displaying the read analysis data and the document formed by the document file data processed by the processing program on the screen of the display means;
A data management apparatus for device analysis, comprising:

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