JP6863677B2 - Automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of biological samples such as blood and urine.

Large-scale automatic analyzers are being unitized and systematized. The system is composed of units having different roles, such as a sample transport unit, a biochemical analysis unit (module), and an immunoanalysis unit (module). When the user introduces the automatic analyzer, the system configuration can be flexibly constructed, and it is possible to meet the needs of the facility to be introduced.

In order to control each unit correctly when configuring the system, the current product assigns a fixed IP address to each unit. By assigning an IP address and using a LAN, the operation unit PC and the control target unit are connected to the network, and the software of the operation unit PC operates in that state to control the unit. For the fixed allocation of the IP address, for example, a DIP switch on the board is used to fix the IP address in hardware.

Regarding the setting of the IP address, in addition to the fixed allocation, there is also a means for automatic allocation.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an analyzer that facilitates management of an apparatus is provided by automating the work of setting a network address.

In addition, many large-scale automatic analyzers have improved sample analysis processing performance. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the unit configuration is such that up to four analysis units can be constructed in the same system so that a large number of samples can be analyzed in multiple items in a short time.

As the number of units used increases, so does the current consumption. Depending on the facility where the automatic analyzer is installed, the breaker capacity of the power supply equipment on the facility side is fixed and needs to be confirmed in advance.

Even in the automatic analyzer, various loads such as a transformer and a DC power supply are connected to the end of the AC feeder, and an inrush current is generated when the system power supply is turned on.

Therefore, when introducing an automatic analyzer, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the steady current consumption when the device is used, but also to the temporary inrush current when the system power is turned on. Even if the constant current consumption is within the capacity of the breaker, if the inrush current when the system power is turned on is excessive, the breaker of the power supply equipment may trip. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to suppress the inrush current when the system power is turned on on the device side.

Although it is not a technique related to an automatic analyzer, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a system for avoiding inrush current overlap with a simple configuration without depending on a server for a plurality of general electric devices.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-148813 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-183605 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-183606

By the way, while it has become possible to flexibly construct a system with a large-scale automatic analyzer, the number of units, types, and combination patterns have increased. Therefore, in the case of fixed IP address allocation, the above-mentioned DIP is performed for each unit before network connection. It is necessary to set the switches individually, which makes the work complicated for the service person when installing the device. If the method of automatically assigning the IP address described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, it is expected that the serviceability will be improved by shortening the maintenance time by eliminating the complicated manual setting work when installing the device or changing the unit of the system configuration.

However, the configuration of the system power supply is not mentioned, and the server, analyzer, and network must all be up and running. It is desirable to suppress the inrush current in a large-scale automatic analyzer, but in the prior art, there is no good means for automatically assigning an IP address while suppressing the inrush current.

Further, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a system for avoiding overlap of inrush currents, but do not mention a method for identifying a unit type or a means for determining a system configuration and automatically setting the system configuration. .. In reality, the system configuration was manually set and registered in the operation unit PC by the service person.

An object of the present invention is to realize an automatic analyzer capable of automatically identifying a unit type and automatically setting a system configuration while suppressing an inrush current when the system power is turned on.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

In the automatic analyzer, a sampler unit in which a sample container containing a sample is arranged, a plurality of analysis units having a photometric meter for analyzing the sample contained in the reaction container, and the sample are accommodated from the sampler unit. The sample container is supplied, and the operation of the transport line for transporting the supplied sample container to the plurality of analysis units, the sampler unit, the plurality of analysis units, and the transport line is controlled, and the sampler unit and the sample container are controlled. It includes the plurality of analysis units and an operation control unit connected by a network.

When operating power is supplied to the operation control unit and the sampler unit, the sampler unit requests the operation control unit to assign an address via the network, and the operation control unit assigns an address to the sampler unit. Allocation, the unit type stored in advance in the sampler unit is compared with the unit type corresponding to the assigned address, and if it is correct, the sampler unit start completion signal is output, and if it is incorrect, the correct address is given to the sampler unit. When the sampler unit activation completion signal is output and the sampler unit activation completion signal is output from the operation control unit, a power supply start signal is issued to one of the plurality of analysis units, and the above analysis units the feeding start signal is issued from among the plurality of analysis units, when the power supply start signal is issued from the sampler unit starts receiving the operating power, through the network to the operation control unit performs address allocation request Te, the operation control unit is allocated an address on the analysis unit subjected to the address assignment request, the unit type which has previously been stored in the analysis unit subjected to the address assignment request, assignment and the The unit type corresponding to the address is collated, and if it is correct, the analysis unit activation completion signal is output. If it is not correct, the correct address is assigned to the analysis unit that made the address allocation request, and the analysis unit activation is completed. When a signal is output and an analysis unit activation completion signal is output from the operation control unit, a power supply start signal is issued , and another analysis unit different from the analysis unit that has made the address allocation request is described above. When the power supply start signal is issued from the analysis unit that has made the address allocation request, the receiving of the operating power is started, the address allocation request is made to the operation control unit via the network, and the operation control unit receives the operation power. An address is assigned to the other analysis unit that has made the address allocation request, and the unit type stored in advance in the other analysis unit that has made the address allocation request corresponds to the assigned address. If it is correct, the analysis unit activation completion signal is output, and if it is not correct, the correct address is assigned to the other analysis unit that has made the address allocation request, and the analysis unit is assigned. Outputs a start-up completion signal and analyzes from the above operation control unit. When the start-up completion signal is output, the power supply start signal is issued.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of automatically performing address allocation and automatically setting a system configuration while suppressing an inrush current when the system power is turned on.

It is a schematic block diagram of the automatic analyzer to which this invention is applied. It is an overall schematic block diagram of the automatic analyzer which is one Example of this invention systematized. It is a figure explaining the structure for turning on a system power. It is explanatory drawing of the operation after power-on of a sampler unit. It is explanatory drawing of the operation which confirms a unit type. It is explanatory drawing of the power supply start operation to the next unit. It is explanatory drawing of the operation after power-on of a sample buffer unit. It is explanatory drawing of the operation which issues a power supply start signal to a biochemical analysis unit after the boot of a sample buffer unit is completed. It is operation flowchart at the time of system power-up in one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the main part in one Example of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a sample container (reagent container) 2 containing a sample (sample) is an analysis unit (reagent container) according to an instruction from an operation unit PC (motion control unit) 1 having a display (display unit), a keyboard (input unit), and the like. It is transported to the biochemical analysis unit) using the sample transfer line. The sample container 2 is erected on the transport rack 3.

The sample in the sample container 2 conveyed to the analysis unit is sucked by the sample probe 4 from the sample container 2 and dispensed into the reaction container 6 erected on the reaction disk 5 in order to perform the analysis instructed by the operation unit PC1. Will be done. Further, since a predetermined reagent is sucked from the reagent container 8 installed in the reagent cold storage 7 arranged on the inner peripheral side of the reaction disk 5 based on the information of the reagent container 8 acquired in advance, the reagent container 8 is used as a reagent. It is moved to the position of the opening 13 of the lid of the cold storage 7. The reagent cold storage 7 keeps a plurality of reagent containers 8 arranged on the circumference filled with the reagents cold, and at least one lid opening 13 for sucking the reagent from the reagent containers 8 is formed.

The reagent in the reagent container 8 is sucked by the reagent probe 9 and dispensed into the reaction container 6 arranged on the reaction disk 5. The sample and the reagent injected into the reaction vessel 6 are stirred by the stirring mechanism 10. The color of the chemical reaction resulting from this is photometrically measured by a photometer 11 composed of a light source lamp, a diffraction grating for spectroscopy, and a photodetector, and analysis is performed.

After the analysis, the reaction vessel 6 is washed by the washing mechanism 12 in order to analyze the next sample. The transport rack 3 on which the sample container 2 is erected is carried out from the analysis unit after the sample for analysis is sucked from the sample container 2.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, two reagent cold storages 7 are provided, one is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the reaction disk 5, and the other is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the reaction disk 5. In FIG. 1, a part of the lid of the reagent cold storage 7 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the reaction disk 5 is broken and shown so that a part of the plurality of reagent containers 8 kept cold can be seen.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer which is an embodiment of the present invention systematized. In FIG. 1 described above, the flow of analysis operation in one biochemical analysis unit has been described. In the following examples, the configuration with four analysis units will be described.

In FIG. 2, the system includes an operation unit PC1, a sample container 2 containing a sample, and a sampler unit 14, a sample buffer unit 15-1 to 15-4, and a biochemical analysis unit 16 on which the sample container 2 is erected. It is equipped with -1 to 16-4 and HUB17. There are two types of analysis units: biochemical analysis unit and immunoanalysis unit (not shown). The intended use is divided according to each analysis item. There is no limit to the combination, and the biochemical analysis unit and the immunoassay unit can be freely configured up to a total of four.

The immunoassay unit is used for measuring hormones and the like contained in a small amount in a sample by the electrochemical luminescence method, but details such as the flow of analysis are omitted in this example. In FIG. 2, biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (analysis unit 1) -biochemical analysis unit 16-2 (analysis unit 2) -biochemical analysis unit 16-3 (analysis unit 3) -biochemical analysis unit 16-4 ( It is a system configuration consisting of a total of four analysis units (analysis unit 4).

AC feeder lines 18-1 to 18-4 are connected to each of the analysis units 1 to 4, and these are connected to the power supply equipment of the facility in which the device is installed. One AC feeding line 18 is connected to the sampler unit 14, and AC power (operating power) is supplied from the AC feeding line 18.

Further, one AC feeder line 18-1 to 18-4 is connected to each of the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4, and AC power is supplied from there. The supply of AC power to each of the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4 is distributed to each of the analysis units 16-1 to 16-4 connected to each of the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4. It is a composition. The sample buffer unit and the analysis unit are always composed as a set.

The HUB 17 is LAN-connected by the operation unit PC1 and the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 19. Further, the HUB 17 is connected to all units 14, 15-1 to 15-4, 16-1 to 16-4 by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 19. The HUB 17, the operation unit PC1, the unit 14, 15-1 to 15-4, and 16-1 to 16-4 may be connected to the network by a cable or wirelessly.

Software that controls the system is installed in the operation unit PC1, and when the software controls the target unit, the IP address and network established by the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable connection are used.

The operation unit PC1 and the HUB 17 are supplied with power from the AC distribution feeder line 20 connected to the sampler unit 14.

A sample transfer line 21 is arranged on the back surface of the units 14, 15-1 to 15-4, 16-1 to 16-4. The above-mentioned transfer rack 3 is erected on the sampler unit 14. After that, the erected transfer rack 3 passes from the sampler unit 14 through the sample transfer line 21 to the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4 of the designated analysis unit (any of 16-1 to 16-4). Moving. The sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4 store the transport rack 3 having the sample container 2, and then the sample container 2 of the transport rack 3 is an analysis unit from any of the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4. Moving to any of 16-1 to 16-4, the sample is dispensed into any of the analysis units 16-1 to 16-4 and analysis of biochemical items is performed.

The sample rack, which has been dispensed to the analysis unit, returns to the sampler unit 14 through the sample transfer line 21. The analysis result is displayed on the operation unit PC1.

Next, a configuration for turning on the system power supply will be described with reference to FIG. The system power is turned on by pressing the push button switch 50 on the sampler unit 14. When the push button switch 50 is pressed, first, AC power supply (supply of operating power) of the operation unit PC1, HUB17, and sampler unit 14 shown in the power supply start range 22 (broken line) starts, and these start up. The sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) and the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1), which are not in the power supply start range 22, have not yet started up at this point.

Each unit (sampler unit 14, sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1), biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1) in FIG. 3) is provided with a central control unit 25 including a board computer 23 and a motor controller 24. Has been done.

The Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 19 from the HUB 17 is connected to the board computer 23 of the central control unit 25 in the sampler unit 14. The board computer 23 and the motor controller 24 are connected by a VME (Versa module European) bus. Although not shown, the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) and the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1) also have an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 19 from the HUB 17 inside the central control unit 25. It is connected to the board computer 23.

Further, the sample buffer unit 15-1 and the analysis unit 16-1 are equipped with an AC relay (power-on mechanism) 26, and by turning on the AC relay 26, AC power supply from the equipment side is supplied to the AC power supply line. It is done in the unit 1 from 18-1, and the unit 1 including the central control unit 25 stands up.

The central control unit 25 is connected to the AC relay 26 of the next unit by a signal line 27, and a power supply start signal from the central control unit 25 can be issued to the AC relay 26. When the central control unit 25 issues a power supply start signal to the AC relay 26, the AC relay 26 is turned on, and AC power supply from the equipment side is performed in the unit 1.

Next, the operation of the sampler unit 14 after the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4A, when AC power supply is started and the operation unit PC1 and the central control unit 25 of the sampler unit 14 start up, the operation unit is transmitted from the dedicated microcomputer mounted on the motor controller 24 via a network such as HUB17. Make a DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) client request to PC1. In the DHCP client request, an IP address allocation request is made.

The operation unit PC1 is equipped with a DHCP server function. After receiving a DHCP client request, the operation unit PC1 approves the DHCP client request, and as shown in FIG. 4B, refers to the address table in the server. IP addresses are automatically assigned according to the priority in the address table.

In the example shown in FIG. 4B, in response to the DHCP client request from the sampler unit 14, the operation unit PC1 refers to the address table and has the highest priority IP address (1921.8.1.145). Is assigned.

After the IP address is assigned, the IP address is masked in the address table as established. By using the assigned IP address, the network between the operation unit PC1 and the sampler unit 14 is established. A TCP / IP fixed IP address (for example, 192.18.1.130) is set in the operation unit PC1 itself from the beginning, and this fixed IP address is used.

For the first establishment of the network between the sampler unit 14 and the operation unit PC1, 300 s is set as the system timeout, and within that time, retries are performed every 15 s until the network is established. The central control unit 25 in the sampler unit 14 reboots every 15 seconds, and after the central control unit 25 starts up, a DHCP client request is made to the operation unit PC1. By using the dedicated microcomputer, the DHCP client request is made promptly after the central control unit 25 starts up. After the system timeout time has elapsed, an alarm indicating that the network establishment has failed may be displayed on the display unit of the operation unit PC1.

Next, the operation of determining the unit type will be described with reference to FIG. After the network is established, as shown in FIG. 5A, the software of the operation unit PC1 accesses the central control unit 25 of the sampler unit 14 via the established network, and then identifies the unit type. In addition to the DHCP client function, the dedicated microcomputer of the motor controller 24 of the central control unit 25 of the sampler unit 14 has a DPRAM and a ROM area, and the unit type information is stored in the DPRAM.

The unit type information may be written in the ROM in advance and the ROM information may be written in the DPRAM after the power is turned on. For example, a rotary switch may be assigned to the microcomputer so that the unit type can be changed later. Can be identified in the microcomputer after the power is turned on to identify what the unit type is, and may be written to the DPRAM. By checking the DPRAM information, the software stored in the operation unit PC1 identifies which unit and network was established. Here, as a result of checking the DPRAM information by the software of the operation unit PC1, it is identified as the sampler unit 14.

Since the sampler unit 14 has the type information of the sampler unit 14 in the DPRAM of its own motor controller 24 after the power is turned on, the software confirms the DPRAM information after the network is established regardless of which unit it is. Identifies whether it is the unit type of.

Next, the operation unit PC1 identifies the unit type and then collates the IP address with the unit type by software. As a result of collation, it is assumed that the unit is confirmed when both are correct, and the boot file is transferred from the operation unit PC1 to the unit ((B) in FIG. 5). The boot of the sampler unit 14 is completed by transferring the boot file to the sampler unit 14. Transferring the boot file from the operation unit PC1 to the sampler unit 14 is synonymous with outputting a startup completion signal to the sampler unit 14.

The set of IP address and unit order is fixed. The sampler unit 14 has an IP address of 192.18.1.145, the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) has a set of 192.168.1.131, and biochemical analysis. Unit 16-1 (Unit 1) is 192.18.1.132, Sample Buffer Unit 15-2 (Unit 2) is 192.168.1.133, and Biochemical Analysis Unit 16-2 (Unit 2) is 192. 18.1.134, sample buffer unit 15-3 (unit 3) is 192.18.1.135, biochemical analysis unit 16-3 (unit 3) is 192.168.1.136, sample buffer unit 15- 4 (unit 4) is 192.18.1.137, and biochemical analysis unit 16-4 (unit 4) is 1921.8.1.138.

The biochemical analysis unit and the immunoassay unit are distinguished from each other by the information of DPRAM. If the IP address and unit type are incorrect as a result of collation, the unit type information of DPRAM is prioritized. After receiving the unit type result and executing the address allocation again, the IP address is disconnected (cancelled) once, and after receiving the DHCP client request again, the unused IP that has a high priority and is assumed to be a set. Find and assign an address. Then rematch and transfer the boot file. For the unit that has been booted, the IP address, unit type, and MAC address are saved in the operation unit PC1.

For units that have been booted, even if the network is disconnected for some reason during system startup or after system startup, the IP address and unit type will be reestablished based on the MAC address when the DHCP client request comes again. ·sign up. By doing so, after the boot is completed, a plurality of units such as the sample buffer units 15-1 to 15-4 and the analysis units 16-1 to 16-4 can be connected to the network without making a mistake.

Next, the operation of starting power supply to the next unit will be described with reference to FIG. After the booting of the sampler unit 14 is completed, as shown in FIG. 6A, the central control unit 25 of the sampler unit 14 has a signal line to the AC relay 26 of the sample buffer unit 15-1 which is the next unit. A power supply start signal is issued via 27.

When the power supply start signal is issued, the AC relay of the next unit is turned on, AC power supply is performed in the unit, and the unit starts up ((B) in FIG. 6). Here, the sampler unit 14 issues a power supply start signal to the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1), and the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) starts AC power supply. The power supply start signal is realized, for example, by issuing a DO. Since the timing of power supply is not simultaneous for the entire system, it is possible to avoid or suppress the overlap of inrush currents.

Next, the operation after the power of the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Similar to the operation shown in FIG. 4, when the supply of AC power to the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) is started, the central controller 25 of the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) rises and rises. A DHCP client request is made from the dedicated microcomputer mounted on the motor controller 24 to the operation unit PC1.

When a new DHCP client request is generated and an IP address allocation request is made, the operation unit PC1 approves the request and then allocates an unestablished IP address according to the priority of the address table. After that, the unit type is confirmed by software and the boot file is transferred to the sample buffer unit 15-1 in the same manner as in the operation shown in FIG. Similar to the above, the transfer of the boot file to the sample buffer unit 15-1 is synonymous with outputting the boot completion signal from the operation unit PC1 to the sample buffer unit 15-1.

Next, an operation of issuing a power supply start signal to the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1) after the boot of the sample buffer unit 15-1 (unit 1) is completed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, in the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1), the AC line is connected to the AC relay of the biochemical analysis unit by the AC distribution feeding line 28 from the sample buffer 15-1, and the sample buffer unit 15- 1 (unit 1) issues a power supply start signal to the AC relay 26 of the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1).

When the power supply start signal is issued, the AC relay 26 of the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 (unit 1), which is the next unit, is turned on, and AC power supply is performed in the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 to start up (operating power). Start receiving power). After that, an IP address allocation request is made in the same manner as described above, and after the unit type is collated, the boot file is transferred from the operation unit PC1 (a startup completion signal is output), and the biochemical analysis unit 16-1 is output. Issue a power supply start signal to the next unit.

By sequentially repeating the operations described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, the IP address is automatically set and the unit type is set while avoiding / suppressing the overlap of inrush currents up to the last unit, the biochemical analysis unit 16-4. It will be confirmed.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart at the time of starting up the system power supply according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 10 shows a block of a main part of the operation PC1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a main part of a central control unit 25 provided in each unit 14, 15-1 to 15-4, 16-1 to 16-4. It is a figure which shows the block of a part.

When the push button switch 50 of the sampler unit 14 is pressed in step S1 of FIG. 9, a power supply start signal is issued to the power-on determination unit 230 of the board computer 23 in the central control unit 25 of the sampler unit 14. When the power supply signal is issued, the power-on determination unit 230 determines that the power has been turned on. Then, by pressing the push button switch 50, the sampler unit 14, the operation PC 1, and the HUB 17 are started up. HUB 17 is omitted in FIG.

Next, in step S2, the address allocation request unit 241 of the motor controller 24 sends a DHCP client request to the address allocation unit 100 of the operation PC 1 via Ethernet (registration) by a command from the power on signal output from the power on determination unit 230. Trademark) This is done via cable 19.

Next, in step S3, when a DHCP client request (IP address allocation request) is made from the address allocation unit 100, the address allocation unit 100 of the operation PC1 refers to the address table 101 and the IP stored in the address table 101. Allocate one of the addresses to the unit that requested the address allocation. Then, the unit type confirmation unit 102 makes a unit type confirmation request for identifying the unit type stored in the storage unit 242 to the address allocation request unit 241 in response to the network establishment of the address allocation unit 100. The address allocation request unit 241 reads the unit type from the storage unit 242 in which the unit type information is stored, and transmits the unit type to the address allocation unit 100. As a result, the unit type is identified.

Next, in step S4, the address allocation unit 100 reads the collation unit 103 in which the set IP address and the unit type are stored, and determines whether or not the unit type and the IP address transmitted from the unit are correct. to decide. If it is correct, the address allocation unit 100 commands the file transfer unit 104, and the file transfer unit 104 transfers the boot file to the address allocation request unit 241 (meaning the output of the startup completion signal).

Next, in step S5, the address allocation request unit 241 commands the power supply start signal generation unit 243, and the power supply start signal generation unit 243 generates an on signal to the relay of the next unit. As a result, AC power is supplied to the next unit.

Next, in step S6, the next unit makes a DHCP client request to the operation PC1.

Then, the operation PC1 determines whether or not the DHCP client request has been completed, and if not, returns to step S3 and performs the same operation as described above.

If the operation PC1 determines in step S7 that the DHCP client request has been completed, the system configuration is determined in step S8.

That is, after recognizing the last unit, the system configuration is confirmed and displayed on the screen of the display unit 106 of the operation unit PC1, and the system configuration is reflected.

Whether or not the DHCP client request has been completed is recognized by setting a timeout time. This is determined by the time-out determination unit 105, and when a timeout occurs, the time-out determination unit 105 transmits to that effect to the display unit 106.

Further, after the power supply start signal is issued, the waiting time for the DHCP client request is set to, for example, 30 s as the system timeout. Similar to the sampler unit 14 described above, the central control unit reboots every 15s, but if a retry is provided and a DHCP client request is made by 30s, the operation to the next unit is continued, and if not, the operation to the next unit is continued. It is determined that the system configuration is completed with the unit that has been booted last as the termination, and the system configuration is confirmed.

In this embodiment, since there are up to analysis unit 4, the IP address is used up to 192.181.138, but when the number of analysis units is up to 2, the IP address is up to 192.168.1.134. .. Further, when the maximum module configuration (4 in this case) is reached, the operation to the next unit is not performed. Further, when the end is the sample buffer unit (unit X), an alarm may be displayed on the operation unit PC1 because it is not a set with the analysis unit.

In either case, the system configuration may not be reflected normally when an alarm occurs. Therefore, the system configuration and IP address may be manually set and registered in the operation unit PC1.

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of units (14, (15-1, 16-1), (15-2, 16-2), (15-3, 16-3), (15-). The power supply current supply at the time of startup of 4, 16-4)) is executed to the above-mentioned multiple units in sequence rather than all at once, and when the power supply current is applied to each unit, the address is automatically assigned to the unit. Therefore, it is possible to realize an automatic analyzer capable of automatically setting the system configuration by automatically identifying the unit type constituting the system while suppressing the inrush current when the system power is turned on.

Further, according to the present invention, when a new analysis unit and a sample buffer unit set with the new analysis unit are added, or when the existing analysis unit and the sample buffer unit set with the existing analysis unit are replaced. By turning on the system power according to the operation shown in FIG. 9, an address can be automatically assigned to each unit while suppressing the inrush current.

In this embodiment, the DHCP client and the server are used, but any means may be used as long as it is a means capable of dynamically assigning addresses.

Further, the push button switch 50 for turning on the power of the system may be performed by a worker such as an operator, or the push button switch 50 is automatically turned on by turning on the power of the operation PC1. It can also be configured to be on.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the sample buffer unit and the analysis unit are set, but the present invention is also applied to an example in which the sample buffer unit is omitted and one or more analysis units are connected to the sampler unit. It is possible.

Further, in the above-described example, the unit type of the analysis unit is identified and collated, but the present invention is also applied to an example in which the identification of the unit type is omitted only by assigning an IP address to the analysis unit. It is possible.

In addition, if the IP address is set for each unit, the system configuration of the automatic analyzer is completed, the entire power of the automatic analyzer is turned off, and then the power of the automatic analyzer is turned on again. The above-mentioned operation may be performed again to configure the system. Alternatively, once the system is configured, the operation PC1 stores the result, and when the operation control unit 1 and the sampler unit 14 are turned on again, a start-up completion signal is generated based on the stored address. Can be sequentially output to a plurality of units, and the address setting and unit type identification operations can be omitted. However, if there is a change such as the addition of units, the operation such as address setting is performed again for each unit.

Needless to say, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Operation unit PC, 2 ... Sample container, 3 ... Transfer rack, 4 ... Sample probe, 5 ... Reaction disk, 6 ... Reaction container, 7 ... Reagent cold storage , 8 ... Reagent container, 9 ... Reagent probe, 10 ... Stirring mechanism, 11 ... Photometer, 12 ... Cleaning mechanism, 13 ... Lid opening, 14 ... Sampler unit , 15-1 to 15-4 ... Sample buffer unit, 16-1 to 16-4 ... Biochemical analysis unit, 17 ... HUB, 18, 18-1 to 18-4 ... AC supply Electric wire, 19 ... Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, 20 ... AC distribution feed line, 21 ... sample transfer line, 22 ... power supply start range, 23 ... board computer, 24 ... motor Controller, 25 ... Central control unit, 26 ... AC relay (power-on mechanism), 27 ... Signal line, 28 ... AC distribution feeder line from sample buffer, 50 ... Push button switch, 100 ... address allocation unit, 101 ... address table, 102 ... unit type confirmation unit, 103 ... collation unit, 104 ... file transfer unit, 105 ... timeout determination unit, 106 ... -Display unit, 230 ... Power-on judgment unit, 241 ... Address allocation request unit, 242 ... Storage unit, 243 ... Power supply start signal generation unit

Claims (6)

A sampler unit in which a sample container containing a sample is placed, and
A plurality of analytical units having a photometer for analyzing the sample contained in the reaction vessel, and
A sample container containing the sample is supplied from the sampler unit, and a transfer line for transporting the supplied sample container to the plurality of analysis units, and a transfer line.
An operation control unit that controls the operation of the sampler unit, the plurality of analysis units, and the transfer line, and is connected to the sampler unit and the plurality of analysis units via a network.
With
When operating power is supplied to the operation control unit and the sampler unit, the sampler unit requests the operation control unit to assign an address via the network, and the operation control unit assigns an address to the sampler unit. Allocation, the unit type stored in advance in the sampler unit is compared with the unit type corresponding to the assigned address, and if it is correct, the sampler unit start completion signal is output, and if it is incorrect, the correct address is given to the sampler unit. When the sampler unit activation completion signal is output from the operation control unit and the sampler unit activation completion signal is output, a power supply start signal is issued to one of the plurality of analysis units.
Analysis units the feeding start signal is issued of the plurality of analysis units, when the power supply start signal is issued from the sampler unit starts receiving the operating power, said network to the operation control unit via performs address allocation request, the operation control unit is allocated an address on the analysis unit subjected to the address assignment request, the unit type which has previously been stored in the analysis unit subjected to the address assignment request, the allocated The unit type corresponding to the above address is collated, and if it is correct, the analysis unit start completion signal is output. If it is not correct, the correct address is assigned to the analysis unit that made the address allocation request, and the analysis unit is started. A completion signal is output, and when the analysis unit start completion signal is output from the above operation control unit, a power supply start signal is issued .
Another analysis unit different from the analysis unit that made the address allocation request starts receiving the operating power when the power supply start signal is issued from the analysis unit that made the address allocation request. An address allocation request is made to the operation control unit via the network, the operation control unit allocates an address to the other analysis unit that has made the address allocation request, and the other one that has made the address allocation request. The unit type stored in advance in one of the above analysis units is compared with the unit type corresponding to the assigned above address, and if it is correct, the analysis unit activation completion signal is output, and if it is not correct, the correct address is given. Allocate to the other analysis unit that has made the address allocation request, output the analysis unit activation completion signal, and when the analysis unit activation completion signal is output from the operation control unit, a power supply start signal is issued . An automatic analyzer characterized by this. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
Each of the plurality of analysis units has a sample buffer unit in which the sample container containing the sample is supplied from the transfer line, the supplied sample container is stored, and the sample container is moved to the analysis unit. The sample buffer unit and the analysis unit are formed as one set, and the sample buffer unit, which is one set of each of the plurality of analysis units, is issued a power supply start signal from the sampler unit or another analysis unit. Then, when the receiving of the operating power is started, the address allocation request is made to the operation control unit via the network, and the sample buffer unit activation completion signal is output from the operation control unit, the power supply start signal is set as one set. An automatic analyzer characterized by issuing to the above analysis unit. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 2,
The unit type is preset for the above supplement buffer unit, and
The operation control unit assigns an address to the sample buffer unit, collates the unit type stored in the sample buffer unit in advance with the unit type corresponding to the assigned address, and starts the sample buffer unit if it is correct. An automatic analyzer characterized in that a completion signal is output, a correct address is assigned to the sample buffer unit if it is incorrect, and the sample buffer unit activation completion signal is output. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The operation control unit stores the addresses and unit types set for each of the sampler unit, the sample buffer unit, and the analysis unit, and stores the operation control unit, the sampler unit, and the sample buffer unit. After the power supply to the analysis unit is cut off, when the power supply to the operation control unit and the sampler unit is started again, a start-up completion signal is sent to the sample buffer unit and the sample buffer unit based on the stored address. An automatic analyzer characterized by sequentially outputting to an analysis unit. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 3,
The sampler unit has a push button switch for starting the supply of operating power to the operation control unit and the sampler unit.
The sample buffer unit and the analysis unit have a relay for starting power supply by supplying the power supply start signal.
Each of the sampler unit, the sample buffer unit, and the analysis unit is issued by a power supply start signal to determine that the power has been turned on, and a command from the power on determination unit. It includes an address allocation request unit that requests the operation control unit to allocate an address, a storage unit that stores a unit type, and a power supply signal generation unit that generates a power supply start signal in response to a command from the address allocation request unit. Has a central control unit
When an address allocation request is made from the address table in which a plurality of addresses are stored and the address allocation request unit of the central control unit, the operation control unit refers to the address table and stores the addresses in the address table. The address allocation unit that allocates any of the above addresses, the unit type confirmation unit that makes a unit type confirmation request for identifying the unit type stored in the storage unit of the central control unit, and the central control unit are activated. An automatic analyzer characterized by having a file transfer unit that outputs a completion signal. In the automatic analyzer according to claim 1,
The operation control unit is characterized in that if an address allocation request is made from any of the units and a new address allocation request is not made within a certain period of time, the system configuration is completed. Automatic analyzer.

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