US 12,265,093 B2
Automatic analyzer and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing program
Yuichi Inoue, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to JEOL Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by JEOL Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/951,461.
Prior Publication US 2019/0317117 A1, Oct. 17, 2019
Int. Cl. G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/00722 (2013.01) [G01N 35/00693 (2013.01); G01N 35/025 (2013.01); G01N 35/00 (2013.01); G01N 35/00584 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0091 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 35/02 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0443 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01); G01N 35/1002 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic analyzer configured to analyze samples, the automatic analyzer comprising:
a sample-container array unit having positions at which one or more containers each containing a sample are arranged, wherein said one or more containers each have a barcode on a side surface;
a barcode reader configured to read information from each barcode of the one or more containers;
a measurement unit that measures amounts of components contained in samples of the sample-container array unit;
a display unit configured to display an item selection screen depicting a plurality of items, the plurality of items representing a type of measurement item and a type of sample;
an input unit configured to produce an input of selected items of the plurality of items on the item selection screen based on operator input of an operator, the selected items representing the type of measurement item and the type of sample, wherein the type of sample comprises a calibrator or control, and wherein the input of selected items based on the operator input excludes position information of the sample-container array unit;
an availability information table that holds availability information and at least part of the information read by the barcode reader, the availability information being information indicating whether each of the positions in the sample-container array unit is available; and
a control unit configured to:
update the availability information table based on information read by the barcode reader from one or more barcodes on said one or more containers;
determine whether or not a sample that is required for performing measurement corresponding to the item representing the type of measurement item and the item representing the type of sample, input by the input unit, is stored in the sample-container array unit by referencing the availability information of the availability information table for each position in the sample-container array unit; and
in response to determining that the sample that is required for performing measurement is not arranged in the sample-container array unit by determining that the sample that is required for performing measurement is not specified in the availability information table:
refer to the selected items and the availability information held in the availability information table,
specify a position among the positions in the sample-container array unit that are available at which a container of the one or more containers containing the sample that is required for performing measurement is to be arranged in accordance with a specified arrangement rule, wherein the position is specified from among the positions in the sample-container array unit that are available based on the availability information, and
cause the display unit to display information on the specified position in the sample-container array unit, wherein the specified arrangement rule specifies that the containers are arranged in order of increasing item numbers and in order of increasing concentrations.