JPS6345564A - Sample identifying device for automatic analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a reading mechanism by scanning the light used for reading the bar code label stuck to a sample vessel by using a reflection mirror which rotates. CONSTITUTION:The sample vessel 11 stuck with the bar code label 12 is held on a holding disk 14. Laser light 9 emitted from a laser 1 is reflected by a plane mirror 4, a rotating mirror 5 and a ring mirror 7 and is projected onto the bar code label 12. The reflected light is detected by a detector 8. The laser light is changed in direction by the rotating mirror 5 to scan the entire part of the bar code label 12; therefore, the content of the bar codes is decoded by a decoder 2 and is transmitted to a control circuit 3. The control circuit 3 identifies the specimen by the content of the bar codes and controls a dispenser, etc. Mechanically moving parts are thereby decreased and the bar code reading mechanism is simplified.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a sample identification device for an automatic analyzer.

[Conventional technology]

As a sample identification device for an automatic analyzer that reads barcode labels affixed to sample containers, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-5675
5, or JP-A-57-199958 is known.

In both of these systems, a sample container with a barcode label affixed to it in the circumferential direction is rotated, and the light emitted from a fixed light emitting device is reversed to a part of the barcode, thereby reducing the emitted light. It is designed to detect.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in such conventional devices, the sample container is rotated on a sample container holder, which often causes reading errors due to changes in rotational speed due to friction with the holder, etc., or vibrations of the mechanism, etc. In addition, there was a disadvantage that the mechanism etc. were complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample identification device for an automatic analyzer that can read a barcode label affixed to a sample container without rotating the sample container.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a sample identification device for an automatic analyzer that detects a barcode label of a sample container that is placed on a sample container holding disk and has a barcode label affixed in the circumferential direction. a light emitting source arranged on the central axis of the sample container and whose irradiated light rotates around the central axis; a reflector that irradiates the irradiated light onto the barcode label surface; The sensor is configured to include a detection section that captures reflected light.

[Effect]

The light used to read barcodes is continuously scanned from above and around the outer periphery of the sample container using light from a rotating and reflecting mirror, so the complicated conventional mechanism for rotating the sample container is This eliminates the need for rotational changes due to mats, etc., and the reduction in reading rate due to the effects of vibrations, etc.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention. A sample container 11 containing a liquid sample 13 is held by a sample container holding disk 14 . A barcode label 12 is attached to the top of the sample container 11, as shown in detail in FIG.

Bar code label 12 is shown in detail in FIG.

The sample container holding disk 14 is connected to a disk rotating motor 19.
Accordingly, the motor side gear 17. Shaft gear 16. and rotating shaft 1
The liquid sample 13 is rotated through the liquid sample 13 by a dispensing device and an analysis mechanism (not shown in this figure).
It is designed to move to the dispensing position in order to analyze. These mechanisms are well retained on the base 18. The laser beam 9 emitted from the laser oscillation Ja1 passes through the plane mirror 41 rotating mirror 5. A zero-rotation mirror 5 guided by a ring mirror 7 onto a barcode label 12 placed on a sample container 11 is rotated by a mirror rotation motor 6. The reflected light 10 diffusely reflected on the barcode label 12 is detected by the detector 8, the signal thereof is decoded by the barcode decoder 2, and the contents of the barcode are transmitted to the control circuit 3. The barcode decoder simultaneously controls the laser 1 and the mirror rotation motor, and the control circuit controls the sample holding disk 14.
, and controls the dispensing 1 analysis section, which is not shown in this figure.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. The sample container 11 placed on the sample holding disk 14 is moved to the reading position directly below the ring mirror 7 by the disk rotation motor 19. Thereafter, the control circuit 3 issues a heparcode reading command to the barcode decoder 2, and the barcode decoder 2 turns on the laser 1 and causes the rotating mirror 5 to be rotated by the mirror rotating motor 6. A laser beam 19 emitted from the laser 1 is reflected by a plane mirror 4, a rotating mirror 5, and a ring mirror 7, and strikes a barcode label 12 placed on a sample container 11, and the reflected light is detected by a detector 8. . The direction of the laser beam is changed by a rotating mirror, and the barcode label is scanned diagonally from above the entire circumference of the barcode label. When the barcode is scanned, the intensity of reflected light changes depending on the brightness of the barcode, and a corresponding signal is transmitted from the detector 8 to the barcode decoder 2. The control circuit 3 decodes the barcode contents and transmits them to the control circuit 3. It identifies which sample it is based on the content of the barcode, determines the content of analysis for that sample, and
1 is moved to the dispensing position by moving the disk rotating motor 19, and depending on the content of the analysis, the dispensing device and analysis section shown in the figure are operated to perform analysis and output.

According to this embodiment, the barcode label wrapped around the sample container 11 can be read without contact from the top of the sample container 11, and can be visually confirmed from the outside, so the identification number can be read even when it is set on the sample holder. It has the advantage of being able to be checked.

In this embodiment, the irradiation light from a fixed laser oscillator is rotated by the rotating mirror 5, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the light emitting unit itself of the laser oscillator or the like may be rotated. Needless to say, it's a good thing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to read the sample identification barcode label placed on the outer periphery of the sample container without rotating the sample container, and the only mechanically moving part is a rotating mirror, which further improves the reading rate. This has the effect of simplifying the mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the sample identification device of an automatic analyzer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a sample container, and FIG. 3 shows a barcode label affixed to the sample container. It is a diagram. 1... Laser oscillator, 2... Barcode decoder,
3... Control circuit, 4... Plane mirror, 5... Rotating mirror. 6...Mirror rotation motor, 7...Ring mirror, 8
...Detector, 9...Laser light, 10...Reflected light,
11... Sample container, 12... Barcode label, 1
3...Liquid sample, 14...Sample container holding disk,
15...Rotating shaft, 16...Shaft gear, 17...Motor side gear, 18...Base, 19...Disk rotation motor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a sample identification device of an automatic analyzer that detects a barcode label of a sample container arranged on a sample container holding disk and having a barcode label affixed in the circumferential direction, the sample identification device is arranged on the central axis of the sample container. a light emitting source in which the irradiated light rotates around the central axis; a light emitting source in which the irradiated light rotates around the central axis; a mirror that irradiates the barcode label surface with the irradiated light; and the barcode label. A sample identification device for an automatic analyzer, comprising: a detection section that captures reflected light reflected from a surface;