JPH06251000A - Laboratory automation system device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the LAS device by extracting the only required analysis data from among printing signals for automatic analysis devices and automati cally performing summation or the like based on the extracted data. CONSTITUTION:An automatic analysis equipment 1, when outputting character string groups other than analysis data character string groups, puts the specific characters into the corresponding character group, and when outputting the analysis data character string group, outputs it without putting the specific characters into the corresponding character group. A sub computer 3, when extracting the required character string group from the automatic analysis equipment 1 through a transmission line 2, scans a character code in the character string group stored in the prescribed area of the prescribed storage device (memory 31), and when a character string group includes the specific character, it excludes the entire character string group from the object to be extracted. If the specific character is not included, the entire character string group is extracted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention extracts only necessary analysis data from signals for printing of an automatic analysis device,
Laboratory automation system (LAS) that enables totaling based on this extracted data
Regarding the device.

[0002]

[Technical background] In testing and research systems (especially systems that are not too small in scale), it is necessary to centrally grasp and analyze various test results. For this reason, in this type of system, data from various analyzers and measuring instruments are collectively managed by the host computer to promote LAS.

By the way, when constructing a comprehensive test and research system, it is rarely possible to construct a complete LAS from the beginning, and various analytical instruments and measuring instruments can be upgraded or new Is being added to.

For example, in the analysis test of nitrogen content, sulfur content, etc., in order to further promote unmanned operation, an automatic analyzer equipped with an autochanger (device for automatically exchanging samples) has come to be used. ing. With such an automatic analyzer, researchers need only place a plurality of standard samples and samples to be analyzed on a predetermined part of the turntable and set the analysis start button. The turntable is sequentially rotated to collect necessary samples and the analysis results are printed out.

However, since such an automatic analyzer is not originally designed to exchange data with a host computer, it often has no interface other than a printer. For this reason, even if the above-mentioned automatic analyzer is installed in the test and research system, it cannot contribute to the LAS of the entire system, and the researchers etc. calculate the density based on the printing result from the automatic analyzer. It has been inevitable to perform the complicated work of calculating the dilution rate and the dilution rate using a simple calculator and inputting the calculation result into the host computer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of LAS. As shown in the figure, the data from the test and research sections A, B, and C connected to the host computer 3 through the transmission line are collectively processed by the host computer 4, but the data of the section D having no interface and the data The data calculated based on the data (calculated by a researcher using a simple calculator or the like) is manually input to the host computer 4, and there is a problem that calculation errors and input errors are likely to occur. is there.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a LAS device which extracts only necessary analysis data from a printing signal of an automatic analyzer and automatically performs totalization based on the extracted data. To do.

[0008]

The LAS device of the present invention comprises:
An automatic analyzer that can continuously output the test result as a signal for printing, and a signal for printing is taken from the automatic analyzer, and only the necessary character string group is extracted from this signal, and the character string group as it is, Or a sub-computer for processing the data in the character string group and transferring it to the host side, wherein the automatic analyzer has a character string when outputting a character string group other than the analysis data character string group. When the column group includes a specific character and the analysis data character string group is output, the character string group does not include the specific character and is output, and the sub-computer outputs the analysis data character string group for printing, which is read from the automatic analyzer. When extracting a necessary character string group from a signal, the character code in the character string group stored in a predetermined storage device is scanned, and when a certain character string group includes a specific character, the entire character string group is extracted. Exclude and identify If that does not contain shaped, characterized in that the extraction target across the character strings.

[0009]

In the present invention, the sub-computer sequentially takes in signals for printing from the automatic analyzer. These signals are temporarily stored in a predetermined storage device in the sub computer. The signals from the automatic analyzer include a printer control signal, an analysis data character string group (data for displaying analysis result conditions, analysis results, etc.), and bibliographic data character string groups other than the analysis data character string group. There is.

The sub-computer scans the code in the character string group stored in this storage device and extracts necessary data as follows. That is, in scanning, when a certain code in the storage device is a printer control signal, it is excluded from the extraction target. The automatic analyzer outputs the data by including the specific character in the data other than the analysis data character string group and by not including the specific character in the analysis data character string group.

Therefore, when a certain character string group includes the specific character (when it is a character string group other than the analysis data character string group such as the bibliographic data character string group), the character string group is to be extracted. Removed from. On the other hand, when a certain character string group does not include the specific character, the character string group is an extraction target.

The character string group thus extracted is rearranged in a predetermined area in the storage device, and then subjected to processing such as tabulation by the sub computer as necessary and transferred to the host computer. It

In the present invention, the function of the sub computer is utilized to easily perform the correction of the diluted state, the density correction, the weight correction of the sample, and the like. Further, file management, manual data correction, etc. can be appropriately performed. Furthermore, communication to the host computer can be started and stopped freely, and a flexible LAS is constructed.

[0014]

EXAMPLE FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of the present invention, in which LAS using an analyzer for nitrogen content by chemiluminescence method is used.
1 shows a schematic of the device. In the figure, the printer port of the automatic analyzer 1 having the auto change function is RS.
It is connected to the sub computer 3 via a transmission path (transmission cable 2) such as 232C. The standard samples S1 to S3 and the samples to be analyzed SUA1 to 9 are quantified in advance by a balance 5, which will be described later, and then placed on a predetermined portion (changer number (CN) 1 to 12) of the turntable 11.
In addition to the host computer 4 being connected to the sub-computer 3, the balance 5 described above for measuring the weight of the sample is connected. The measured value of each sample by the balance 5 is held in a predetermined area of the memory 31 in the sub computer 3, for example.

When the automatic analyzer 1 starts the analysis, a printing output signal is transferred from the automatic analyzer 1 via the transmission cable 2. Now, it is assumed that the automatic analyzer 1 outputs the data character string group shown in Table 1 as a signal for printing. Note that (a) to (j) show the analysis data character string group or the bibliographic data character string group, but these (a) to (j) are only those shown in this table for convenience of explanation. No, it is not included in the actual print output signal.
Further, N in Table 1 means that the measurement target is nitrogen, Calb means the analytical data for the standard sample, and ID means the analytical data for the sample to be analyzed. In addition, #n (n is a positive integer) attached to Calb and ID indicates CN and the number of measurements.

[0016]

[Table 1]

In this embodiment, the standard sample S of CN1 is used.
For 1, the analysis of two types of parameters (count value with respect to the standard sample concentration) was performed three times each, and these were designated as Calb # 1 to # 3.
Is transferred to the sub computer 3 via the transmission line 2. The standard samples S2 and S3 of CN2 and CN3 are also measured three times each. Although these measurement results are not shown in Table 1 above, Calb # 4
.About. # 6 and Calb # 7 to # 9 are transferred to the sub computer 3 in the same manner as above. Then, in the sub computer 3, Calb # 1 to # 3, Calb # 4 to # 6.
The respective average values of Calb # 7 to # 9 are calculated, and the standard characteristics of nitrogen are obtained by chemiluminescence analysis of the standard sample.

With respect to the sample SUA1 to be analyzed of CN4, the measurement of two kinds of parameters was carried out in the same manner as described above.
Measurements are performed one by one and these are ID # 1.1 to # 1.
3 is transferred from the automatic analyzer 1 to the sub computer 3. Although not shown in the table, the measurement data (ID # 2.1- # 2.3, ID # 3.1- # 3.
3, ...) are respectively transferred to the sub computer 3. Even in this case, the ID #
Average values of 1.1 to # 1.3 and IDs # 2.1 to # 2.3,
The average value and the like of IDs # 3.1 to # 3.3 are calculated.

The automatic analyzer 1 is set so that the bibliographic data character string group (the above (a) to (c)) of the print output signal always includes "A" or "R". ,
"A" in the analysis data character string group ((d) to (j) above)
Alternatively, “R” is not included. The printing signal from the automatic analyzer 1 is temporarily taken in a predetermined stack area 31a of the memory 31 of the sub computer 3.

The microprocessor 32 scans the inside of the stack area 31a, and a character string group including the printer control signal and "R" and "A" (above bibliographic data character string group (above, (a) -(C)) is excluded from the extraction target, while the character string group that does not include "R" and "A" (the above-mentioned analysis data character string group (the above-mentioned (d)-(j)) is taken as necessary data. It is extracted and stored in a predetermined stack area 31b of the memory 31.

After that, the microprocessor 32 performs predetermined calculation and totalization on the analysis data character string group, and stores the result in a predetermined file (this file is created in the memory 31 as a blank file in advance). Write.

In each measurement of the standard samples S1 to S3 or each measurement of the sample to be analyzed SUA1 to 9, all three measured values are within ± 10% of the average value of the three measured values. In this case, the analysis data character string group ((d) to (j) in this case) from the automatic analysis device 2 is written in a predetermined file and transferred to the host computer 4.
At this time, the desired calculation, aggregation, etc. are performed based on the measured values of the analysis data character string group and the measured values of the above-mentioned sample,
It is also possible to write this in the above file. By doing so, calculations, tabulations, etc. (concretely, dilution state correction, density correction, etc.) that cannot be conventionally processed by the automatic analyzer 1 are installed in a place different from the place where the automatic analyzer 1 is installed. This can be performed by the sub computer 3.

In each measurement of the standard samples S1 to S3 or each of the analyzed samples SUA1 to 9, if even one out of three is out of the range of ± 10% of the average value of the three measurements. It is determined that the tester is abnormal, and the subcomputer 3 emits a message and a warning sound to alert the test researcher and the like. In this case, the file is not transferred to the host computer 4. By performing such a process, it is possible to immediately detect clogging due to septum debris entering the needle that is the sample injecting portion, and abnormal value data generation (abnormality of the tester) due to stop of the auxiliary gas.

In the above embodiment, an automatic analyzer for nitrogen has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an analyzer such as sulfur may be used. The present invention also provides a simultaneous measuring device for nitrogen / sulfur content, automatic densitometer, automatic titrator, PH
Needless to say, it can be used for analyzers that have an autochanger such as a conductivity meter, and can also be used for one-sample multi-test item testers and those that have multiple units in the tester (automatic cloud point / pour point tester). . Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where only one automatic analyzer is connected to the sub computer 3 has been described, but a plurality of automatic analyzers may be connected. In this case, by mounting the multitasking operation system on the sub-computer 3, it is possible to access two or more automatic analyzers that operate simultaneously.

[0025]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) It has become possible to easily incorporate an analytical instrument having no interface other than a printer into the LAS. This eliminates the need for researchers to calculate density and dilution ratios, reducing the burden on researchers and eliminating calculation errors and input errors. (2) Since the sub computer can detect the occurrence of clogging due to the entry of septum fragments into the sample injection part and the occurrence of abnormal data values due to the stop of the auxiliary gas, analysis errors are eliminated. (3) It is possible to easily perform the correction of the diluted state, the density correction, the weight correction of the sample, etc. by utilizing the function of the sub computer. Also, file management, manual data correction, etc. can be performed, and communication to the host computer can be started and stopped freely, so that a flexible LAS can be constructed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a LAS device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a LAS for explaining a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Automatic analysis equipment 2 Transmission path 3 Sub computer 4 Host computer 5 Balance

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic analyzer capable of continuously outputting a test result as a signal for printing, a signal for printing from the automatic analyzer, and extracting only a necessary character string group from the signal, A laboratory automation system device comprising a column group as it is or a sub-computer for processing data in the character string group and transferring the data to the host side, wherein the automatic analyzer is other than the analysis data character string group. When outputting a character string group of, include a specific character in the character string group,
When outputting the analysis data character string group, the character string group is output without including a specific character, and the sub-computer extracts the necessary character string group from the printing signal fetched from the automatic analyzer. When doing
The character code in the character string group stored in the predetermined storage device is scanned, and when a certain character string group includes a specific character, the entire character string group is excluded from the extraction target, and when it does not include the specific character, A laboratory automation system device, wherein the entire character string group is extracted.