Patent ID: 6827021
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A specimen conveying system comprising:a specimen carry-in line which carries in specimens through conveying lanes; specimen processing lines each having a conveying lane, which perform respective processes for the specimens carried in by the specimen carry-in line; and distribution supply means for selectively distributing and supplying the specimens carried in by the specimen carry-in line to the specimen processing lines, wherein the distribution supply means supplies the specimens received at an output end of the specimen carry-in line to one of the specimen processing lines by a vehicle whose running is controlled by running control means including means which transmits a command supplied from a host computer, the running control means comprising: guiding conductors formed along running routes between the specimen carry-in line and the specimen processing lines; and transmitting antennas provided close to branch points of the guiding conductors, for transmitting control signals transmitted from the host computer through the guiding conductors as radio waves having modulation frequencies; and the vehicle comprising: a truck section having a driving source such that the vehicle runs by itself; automatic follow-up control means enabling the truck section to automatically follow the guiding conductors; a receiving antenna provided in the truck section for receiving radio waves from the transmitting antennas; and a steering mechanism for receiving a control signal having a specific modulation frequency assigned to the vehicle through the receiving antenna and steering the truck section in a designated direction at a branch point located in a position where the control signal is received.