Abstract:
An analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit; a second measurement unit; a transportation device for transporting samples to at least one measurement unit selected from the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; and a transportation controller for determining whether or not a sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit on the basis of at least one of a state notification of the first measurement unit and a state notification of the second measurement unit, wherein the transportation controller controls the transportation device to perform a sample transportation operation of transporting the sample to the selected one measurement unit when the sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit, and to perform the other transportation operation than the sample transportation operation when the sample is not transportable to the selected one measurement unit, is disclosed. Sample transportation method and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2008-058007 filed Mar. 7, 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an analyzer, a sample transportation method for an analyzer, and a computer program product, and more particularly, to an analyzer provided with a plurality of measurement units and a sample transportation method using a plurality of measurement units. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Analyzers and transportation systems automatically transporting samples to a plurality of measurement units have been known. In addition, a transportation system capable of promptly performing of a process of samples has been known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-43248). 
     The transportation system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-43248 is provided with a start stock unit holding a plurality of racks housing a plurality of samples before processing, and is configured to select a predetermined rack from the start stock unit on the basis of information of measurement items for the samples and a load (burden) state of each measurement unit and to input the selected predetermined rack to a transportation line. With such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently transport the samples to each measurement unit, and thus it is possible to promptly process the samples. 
     However, in the transportation system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-43248, after the selected predetermined rack is input to the transportation line, for example, when an interruption cause of measurement occurs such as error or measurement instruction of a prior sample (urgent sample) in the measurement unit at a transportation destination, the process of the samples in the transported predetermined rack is interrupted. That is, in the transportation system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-43248, it is difficult to promptly cope with the occurrence of the interruption cause of the measurement in the measurement unit. As a result, there is a problem that the process of the sample cannot be promptly performed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is an analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit; a second measurement unit; a transportation device for transporting samples to at least one measurement unit selected from the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; and a transportation controller for determining whether or not a sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit on the basis of at least one of a state notification of the first measurement unit and a state notification of the second measurement unit, wherein the transportation controller controls the transportation device to perform a sample transportation operation of transporting the sample to the selected one measurement unit when the sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit, and to perform the other transportation operation than the sample transportation operation when the sample is not transportable to the selected one measurement unit. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a sample transportation method for an analyzer, the method comprising: determining whether or not a sample is transportable to selected one measurement unit on the basis of at least one of a state notification of a first measurement unit and a state notification of a second measurement unit; performing a sample transportation operation of transporting the sample to the selected one measurement unit when the sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit; and performing the other transportation operation than the sample transportation operation when the sample is not transportable to the selected one measurement unit. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a computer program product for controlling transportation of samples on an analyzer comprising a first measurement unit, a second measurement unit, and a transportation device configured to transport the samples to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium; and instructions, on the computer readable medium, adapted to enable a general purpose computer to perform operations comprising: determining whether or not a sample is transportable to selected one measurement unit on the basis of at least one of a state notification of the first measurement unit and a state notification of the second measurement unit; performing a sample transportation operation of transporting the sample to the selected one measurement unit when the sample is transportable to the selected one measurement unit; and performing the other transportation operation than the sample transportation operation when the sample is not transportable to the selected one measurement unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of a blood analyzer according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view for explaining detailed sections of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a measurement unit and a sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a measurement unit and a sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a rack and sample containers of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view for explaining the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view for explaining the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view for explaining the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram for explaining a control device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a prior sample measurement instruction screen of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining a measurement processing operation performed by a measurement processing program of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a state transition diagram for explaining state transition of a first measurement unit and a second measurement unit of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a state transition diagram for explaining state transition of a sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart for explaining a process of determining the next operation of the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating event notification of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating priority of commands of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of prior sample measurement of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of a blood analyzer according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 10  are views for explaining detailed sections of the blood analyzer according to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . First, the overall configuration of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 10 . In the embodiment, the invention is applied to a blood analyzer that is an example of an analyzer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the blood analyzer  1  according to an embodiment of the invention is provided with two measurement units of a first measurement unit  2  and a second measurement unit  3 , a sample transportation device (sampler)  4  disposed on the front side of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , and a control device  5  including a PC (personal computer) electrically connected to the first measurement unit  2 , the second measurement unit  3 , and the sample transportation device  4 . The blood analyzer  1  is connected to a host computer  6  (see  FIG. 3 ) by the control device  5 . 
     The blood analyzer  1  is not a transportation system in which a plurality of analyzers are connected by the known transportation device but a standalone analyzer. In addition, the blood analyzer  1  may be mounted on the transportation system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  are substantially the same type of measurement units (In the embodiment, the second measurement unit  3  uses the same measurement principle as the first measurement unit  2 , and measures samples with respect to the same measurement items. The second measurement unit  3  also measures measurement items which are not analyzed by the first measurement unit  2 ), and are disposed adjacent to each other. Herein, the same type includes a case in which a plurality of measurement items of the first measurement unit  2  and a plurality of measurement items of the second measurement unit  3  are partially common, as well as a case in which two measurement units measure samples with respect to the completely same measurement items. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  include sample suction sections  21  and  31  for sucking blood as a sample from a sample container (test tube)  100 , sample preparation sections  22  and  32  for preparing detection samples from the blood sucked by the sample suction sections  21  and  31 , and detection sections  23  and  33  for detecting blood cells from the detection samples prepared by the sample preparation sections  22  and  32 , respectively. The first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  further include insertion holes  24  and  34  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) for inserting a sample container  100  accommodated in a rack  101  (see  FIG. 5 ) transported by the sample transportation device  4 , and sample container transportation sections  25  and  35  for inserting the sample container  100  from the rack  101  therein and transporting the sample container  100  to a suction position (see  FIG. 3 ) of the sample suction sections  21  and  31 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , sample set section open and close buttons  26  and  36  and prior sample measurement start buttons  27  and  37  are provided on the outer surface of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  are provided with state notification units  28  and  38  for transmitting state notifications to a control device  5 , respectively. 
     Needles (not shown) are provided at the front end portions of the sample suction sections  21  and  31 , respectively. The sample suction sections  21  and  31  are configured to move in the vertical direction (direction indicated by the arrow Z), respectively. The sample suction sections  21  and  31  are configured to pass through an airtight cap of the sample container  100  transported to the suction position by moving downward and to suck inner blood. 
     The detection sections  23  and  33  are configured to perform RBC detection (detection of red blood cell) and PLT detection (detection of platelet) by a sheath flow DC detection method and to perform HGB detection (detection of hemoglobin in blood) by an SLS-hemoglobin method. The detection sections  23  and  33  are configured to perform WBC detection (detection of white blood cell) by a flow cytometry method using semiconductor laser. 
     The detection result obtained by the detection sections  23  and  33  are transmitted to the control device  5 , as measurement data (measurement result) of samples. The measurement data is a basis of a final analysis result (the number of red blood cells, the number of platelets, the amount of hemoglobin, the number of white blood cells, etc.) provided for a user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the sample container transportation sections  25  and  35  has hand sections  251  and  351  for gripping the sample container  100 , opening and closing sections  252  and  352  for opening and closing the hand sections  251  and  351  to grip the sample container  100 , vertical moving sections  253  and  353  for straightly moving the hand sections  251  and  351  in the vertical direction (direction indicated by the arrow Z), and stirring sections  254  and  354  for moving the hand sections  251  and  351  in a pendulum shape in the vertical direction (direction indicated by the arrow Z), respectively. The sample container transportation sections  25  and  35  further have sample container moving sections  255  (see  FIG. 3) and 355  for holding the sample container  100  acquired from the rack  101  by the hand sections  251  and  351  to sample set sections  255   a  (see  FIG. 3) and 355   a , and for horizontally and straightly moving in the direction indicated by the arrow Y to the suction position of the sample suction sections  21  and  31 , and barcode reading sections  256  and  356 , respectively. 
     The hand sections  251  and  351  are disposed above a transportation path of the rack  101  transported by the sample transportation device  4 , respectively. The hand sections  251  and  351  are configured so that when the sample container  100  is transported to a first providing position  43   a  for providing samples at the first measurement unit  2  and a second providing position  43   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) for providing samples at the second measurement unit  3 , the hand sections  251  and  351  move downward (direction indicated by the arrow Z) to grip the sample container  100  accommodated in the rack  101  by opening and closing the opening and closing sections  252  and  352 , respectively. The hand sections  251  and  351  are configured to move the gripped sample container  100  upward to be extracted from the rack  101 , and then to move in a pendulum shape by the stirring sections  254  and  354  (e.g., 10 times reciprocation), respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to stir blood in the gripped sample container  100  by the hand sections  251  and  351 . After completion of stirring, the hand sections  251  and  351  are configured to move downward and then open the gripping of the sample container  100  by the opening and closing sections  252  and  352 . Accordingly, it is possible to set the sample container  100  at the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  of the sample container moving sections  255  and  355  by the hand sections  251  and  351 . 
     The opening and closing sections  252  and  352  are configured to open and close the hand sections  251  and  351  to grip the sample container  100  by power of air cylinders  252   a  and  352   a , respectively. 
     The vertical moving sections  253  and  353  are configured to move the hand sections  251  and  351  in the vertical direction (direction indicated by the arrow Z) along rails  253   b  and  353   b  by power of stepping motors  253   a  and  353   a , respectively. 
     The stirring sections  254  and  354  are configured to move the hand sections  251  and  351  in a pendulum shape in the vertical direction (direction indicated by the arrow Z) by power of stepping motors (not shown), respectively. 
     The sample container moving sections  255  and  355  are configured to horizontally move the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  in the direction indicated by the arrow Y by power of stepping motors (not shown), respectively. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sample container moving sections  255  and  355  can transport the sample container  100  set at the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  to a prior sample set position, a stirring position, a barcode reading position, and a suction position. The sample container moving sections  255  and  355  are configured to pass through the upside of the transportation path of the rack  101  and transport the sample container  100 , so as to intersect the transportation path of the rack  101  transported in the direction indicated by the arrow X in the plan view. The sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  are configured to move to a prior sample set position (see  FIG. 3 ) when a user presses down the sample set section open and close buttons  26  and  36  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). The sample container moving sections  255  and  355  are configured to clamp (fix) the sample container  100  at each suction position by a restriction section (not shown). 
     The barcode reading sections  256  and  356  are configured to read a barcode  100   a  attached to each sample container  100  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The barcode reading sections  256  and  356  are configured to read the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  while rotating in the horizontal direction with the sample container  100  as a target held to the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  by a rotation device (not shown). Accordingly, even when the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  is attached to the opposite side to the barcode reading sections  256  and  356 , it is possible to turn the barcode  100   a  toward the barcode reading sections  256  and  356  by rotating the sample container  100 . Each barcode  100   a  of each sample container  100  is uniquely attached to each sample, and is used to manage the analysis result of each sample. 
     The sample set section open and close buttons  26  and  36  are configured to be pressed down by a user at the time of measuring a prior sample. 
     The prior sample measurement start buttons  27  and  37  are configured to be pressed down by a user. When the user sets a prior sample at the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  and then presses down the prior sample measurement start buttons  27  and  37 , the sample set sections  255   a  and  355   a  at which the prior sample is set are inserted into the measurement unit and the measurement is started. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 , the sample transportation device  4  includes a before-analysis rack holding section  41  capable of holding the plurality of racks  101  accommodating the sample containers  100  for accommodating samples before performing analysis, an after-analysis rack holding section  42  capable of holding the plurality of racks  101  accommodating the sample containers  100  for accommodating the samples after performing analysis, a rack transportation section  43  for horizontally and straightly moving the rack  101  in the direction indicated by the arrow X, a barcode reading section  44 , a presence sensing sensor  45  (see  FIG. 4 ) for sensing whether or not there is the sample container  100 , and a rack output section  46  for moving the rack  101  into the after-analysis rack holding section  42 . 
     The before-analysis rack holding section  41  having a rack input section  411  is configured to output the rack  101  held to the before-analysis rack holding section  41  one by one onto the rack transportation section  43  by moving the rack input section  411  in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. The rack input section  411  is configured to be driven by a stepping motor (not shown) provided below the before-analysis rack holding section  41 . The before-analysis rack holding section  41  having a restriction section  412  (see  FIG. 4 ) in the vicinity of the rack transportation section  43  is configured to restrict movement of the rack  101  so that the rack  101  output onto the rack transportation section  43  once does not return into the before-analysis rack holding section  41 . 
     The after-analysis rack holding section  42  having a restriction section  421  ( FIG. 4 ) in the vicinity of the rack transportation section  43  is configured to restrict movement of the rack  101  so that the rack  101  moved into the after-analysis rack holding section  42  once does not return to the rack transportation section  43 . 
     In the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the rack transportation section  43  is configured to transport the rack  101  so that the samples are transported to the first providing position  43   a  for providing samples at the first measurement units  2  and the second providing position  43   b  for providing samples at the second measurement unit  3 . When the samples are transported to the providing position  43   a  or  43   b , the hand section  251  or  351  of the corresponding measurement unit grips the sample container  100  of the transported samples. The rack transportation section  43  is configured to wait until finishing the operation of extracting the sample container  100  from the rack  101 . Accordingly, the sample container  100  is taken out of the rack  101  by the hand section  251  or  351  in a state where the sample container  100  accommodating the samples remains stationary at the sample providing position  43   a  or  43   b . Therefore, it is possible to securely take the sample container  100  out of the rack  101  by the hand section  251  or  351 . The rack transportation section  43  is configured to transport the rack  101  so as to transport the samples to a sample presence check position  43   c  for checking whether or not there is the sample container  100  for accommodating the samples by the presence sensing sensor  45  and a reading position  43   d  for reading the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  for accommodating the samples by the barcode reading section  44 . 
     The rack transportation section  43  has two belts of a first belt  431  and a second belt  432  capable of moving independently from each other. Widths b 1  and b 2  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the first belt  431  and the second belt  432  in the direction indicated by the arrow Y are a half of a width B of the rack  101  in the direction indicated by the arrow Y or smaller. Accordingly, the first belt  431  and the second belt  432  are disposed in parallel so as not to protrude from the width B of the rack  101  when the rack transportation section  43  transports the rack  101 . As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the first belt  431  and the second belt  432  have a ring shape, and are disposed to surround rollers  431   a  to  431   c  and rollers  432   a  to  432   c , respectively. Each two protrusion pieces  431   d  and  432   d  are formed at outer peripheral sections of the first belt  431  and the second belt  432  to have an inner width w 1  (see  FIG. 7 ) and w 2  (see  FIG. 8 ) slightly (e.g., about 1 mm) larger than the width W of the rack  101  in the direction indicated by the arrow X. The first belt  431  is configured to move the rack  101  in the direction indicated by the arrow X by moving along outer peripheries of the rollers  431   a  to  431   c  by a stepping motor  431   e  (see  FIG. 4 ), with the rack  101  held in the protrusion piece  431   d . The second belt  432  is configured to move the rack  101  in the direction indicated by the arrow X by moving along outer peripheries of the rollers  432   a  to  432   c  by a stepping motor  432   e  (see  FIG. 4 ), with the rack  101  held in the protrusion piece  432   d . The first belt  431  and the second belt  432  are configured to move the rack  101  independently from each other. 
     The barcode reading section  44  is configured to read the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  shown in  FIG. 5  and to read the barcode  101   a  attached to the rack  101 . The barcode reading section  44  is configured to read the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  while rotating in the horizontal direction with the sample container  100  as a target accommodated in the rack  101  by a rotation device (not shown). Accordingly, even when the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  is attached to the opposite side to the barcode reading section  44 , it is possible to turn the barcode  100   a  toward the barcode reading section  44  by rotating the sample container  100 . The barcode  101   a  of the rack  101  is uniquely attached to each rack, and is used to manage the analysis result of each sample. 
     The presence sensing sensor  45  is a contact type sensor, and has a contact piece  451  (see  FIG. 4 ) having a curtain shape, a light emitting element (not shown) emitting light, and a light receiving element (not shown). The presence sensing sensor  45  is configured so that the contact piece  451  is bent when the contact piece  451  comes into contact with a sensing object that is a sensing target, and thus light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected to the contact piece  451 , and the reflected light enters the light receiving element. Accordingly, when the sample container  100  that is a sensing target accommodated in the rack  101  passes through the downside of the presence sensing sensor  45 , the contact piece  451  is bent by the sample container  100 , thereby sensing that there is the sample container  100 . 
     The rack output section  46  is opposed to the after-analysis rack holding section  42  with the rack transportation section  43  interposed therebetween, and is configured to horizontally and straightly move in the direction indicated by the arrow Y. Accordingly, when the rack  101  is transported to a position (hereinafter, referred to as a rack output position) between the after-analysis rack holding section  42  and the rack output section  46 , the rack output section  46  is moved to the after-analysis rack holding section  42 , thereby pressing the rack  101 . Therefore, it is possible for the rack  101  to move into the after-analysis rack holding section  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 9 , the control device  5  is configured of a personal computer (PC) or the like, and includes a control unit  51  configured of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a display unit  52 , and an input device  53 . The display unit  52  is provided to display analysis results and the like obtained by analyzing data of digital signals transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 . The display unit  52  is configured to input sample identification numbers for identifying samples by a user or to display a prior sample measurement instruction screen  520  (see  FIG. 10 ) for setting measurement items and the like, in the measurement of a prior sample needing to be measured prior to the other samples. 
     Next, a configuration of the control device  5  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the control device  5  is configured of a computer  500  mainly including a control unit  51 , a display unit  52 , and an input device  53 . The control unit  51  mainly includes a CPU  51   a , a ROM  51   b , a RAM  51   c , a hard disk  51   d , a readout device  51   e , an input/output interface  51   f , a communication interface  51   g , and an image output interface  51   h . The CPU  51   a , the ROM  51   b , the RAM  51   c , the hard disk  51   d , the readout device  51   e , the input/output interface  51   f , the communication interface  51   g , and the image output interface  51   h  are connected by a bus  51   i.    
     The CPU  51   a  can execute a computer program stored in the ROM  51   b  and a computer program loaded on the RAM  51   c . The CPU  51   a  executes application programs  54   a  to  54   c , whereby the computer  500  functions as the control device  5 . 
     The ROM  51   b  is configured of a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or the like, in which computer programs executed by the CPU  51   a  and data used for the computer programs are recorded. 
     The RAM  51   c  is configured of an SRAM, a DRAM, or the like. The RAM  51   c  is used to read the computer programs recorded in the ROM  51   b  and the hard disk  51   d . The RAM  51   c  is used as a work area of the CPU  51   a  when the computer programs are executed. 
     In the hard disk  51   d , various computer programs such as an operating system and application programs executed by the CPU  51   a , and data used for executing the computer programs are installed. A measurement processing program  54   a  for the first measurement unit  2 , a measurement processing program  54   b  for the second measurement unit  3 , and a measurement processing program  54   c  for the sample transportation device  4  are also installed in the hard disk  51   d . The application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are executed by the CPU  51   a , thereby controlling an operation of each section of the first measurement unit  2 , the second measurement unit  3 , and the sample transportation device  4 . A measurement result database  54   d  is also installed therein. 
     The readout device  51   e  is configured of a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, or the like, and can read computer programs or data recorded in a transportable recording medium  54 . The application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are stored in the transportable recording medium  54 , the computer  500  reads the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  from the transportable recording medium  54 , and the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  can be installed in the hard disk  51   d.    
     The application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are not only provided by the transportable recording medium  54  but may be provided from an external device connected to communicate with the computer  500  by an electric communication line (irrespective of wire and wireless) through the electric communication line. For example, the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are stored in a hard disk of a server computer on the Internet, the computer  500  accesses to the server computer, the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are downloaded, and the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are installed in the hard disk  51   d.    
     An operating system providing graphical user interface environment such as Windows (trade mark) produced by Microsoft Inc. in USA is installed in the hard disk  51   d . In the following description, it is assumed that the application programs  54   a  to  54   c  are operated on the operating system. 
     The input/output interface  51   f  is configured of, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394, and RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, and IEEE1284, an analog interface including a D/A converter and A/D converter, and the like. The input device  53  is connected to the input/output interface  51   f , and a user uses the input device  53 , thereby inputting data to the computer  500 . 
     The communication interface  51   g  is, for example, an Ethernet (trade mark) interface. The computer  500  can transmit and receive data among the first measurement unit  2 , the second measurement unit  3 , the sample transportation device  4 , and the host computer  6  using a predetermined communication protocol by the communication interface  51   g.    
     The image output interface  51   h  is connected to the display unit  52  configured of LCD, CRT, or the like, and displays video signals based on the image data given from the CPU  51   a  on the display unit  52 . The display unit  52  displays images (screen) according to the input video signals. 
     With such a configuration, the control unit  51  is configured to analyze components of an analysis target using the measurement result transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , and to acquire the analysis result (the number of red blood cells, the number of platelets, the amount of hemoglobin, the number of white blood cells, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , ten container accommodating sections  101   b  are formed in the rack  101  to accommodate ten sample containers  100  in series. The container accommodating sections  101   b  are provided with opening sections  101   c  so that the barcode  100   a  of each accommodated sample container  100  is visible. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart for explaining measurement processing operations by the measurement processing programs of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Next, the measurement processing operations by the measurement processing programs  54   a  and  54   b  of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . The components of the analysis target are measured in the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  in the same manner. Accordingly, the case where the components of the analysis target are measured by the first measurement unit  2  will be described herein as a representative example. 
     First, in Step S 1 , suction of samples is performed from the transported sample container  100  to the suction position (see  FIG. 3 ) by the sample suction section  21 . In Step S 2 , a detection sample is prepared from the sucked sample by the sample preparation section  22 . In Step S 3 , components of the analysis target are detected from the detection sample by the detection section  23 . In Step S 4 , measurement data is transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  to the control device  5 . Then, in Step S 5 , the components of the analysis target are analyzed by the control unit  51  on the basis of the measurement result transmitted from the first measurement unit  2 . The analysis of the sample is completed by Step S 5 , and the operation is completed. 
       FIG. 12  is a state transition diagram for explaining state transition of the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Next, the state transition of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . In the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , each state transition is the same. Accordingly, hereinafter, the state transition of the first measurement unit  2  will be described as a representative example. 
     The state of the first measurement unit  2  is transited from a non-operating state (start) to a sampler mode standby state  2   a  by powering on. In the sampler mode standby state  2   a , when sampler measurement start is instructed by a user, the first measurement unit  2  is transited to a sampler mode measuring state  2   b . In the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , the measurement processing operations shown in  FIG. 11  are performed by the first measurement unit  2 . In the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , when the measurement of the sample is completed, the first measurement unit  2  is returned to the sampler mode standby state  2   a . In the sampler mode standby state  2   a , when the power is turned off, the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the non-operating state (end). 
     When the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down by a user in the sampler mode standby state  2   a  and the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , the first measurement unit  2  is transited to a prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c . When the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , the transportation of the sample to the first measurement unit  2  is reserved. That is, in this case, the sample transportation device  4  does not transport the samples to the providing position  43   a  of the first measurement unit  2 , but transports the samples only to the providing position  43   b  of the second measurement unit  3 . When both of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  are transited to the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , the transportation of the samples are reserved to both of the providing positions  43   a  and  43   b.    
     In the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , when the prior sample measurement start button  27  is pressed down, the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the prior sample measurement mode measuring state  2   d . When the measurement of the prior sample is completed, the first measurement unit  2  is returned to the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c . When the measurement of all prior samples are completed, the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the sampler mode standby state  2   a  by pressing down the sample set section open and close button  26  by a user. 
     In each state of the sampler mode standby state  2   a , the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , and the prior sample measurement mode measuring state  2   d , when an error occurs, the first measurement unit  2  is transited to an interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e . When the error is removed, the first measurement unit  2  is returned to the mode standby state of each state. Specifically, when the error occurring in the sampler mode standby state  2   a  and the sampler mode measuring state  2   b  is removed, the first measurement unit  2  is returned to the sampler mode standby state  2   a . When the error occurring in the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c  and the prior sample measurement mode measuring state  2   d  is removed, the first measurement unit  2  is returned to the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c.    
     When the state of the first measurement unit  2  is transited, a state notification for notifying that the first measurement unit  2  is transited to any state is transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  to the control device  5 . Specifically, when the first measurement unit  2  is transited from the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , and the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e  to the sampler mode standby state  2   a , a state notification for notifying that the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the sampler mode standby state  2   a  is transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  to the control device  5 . When the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the sampler mode measuring state  2   b , the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , the prior sample measurement mode measuring state  2   d , and the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e , the state notification is transmitted to the control device  5  similarly with the case of the transition to the sampler mode standby state  2   a . In addition, when the first measurement unit  2  is returned from the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e  to each state, a state notification for notifying that the first measurement unit  2  is transited to any state is transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  to the control device  5 , and a notification for notifying that the error is removed is notified together. 
       FIG. 13  is a state transition diagram for explaining state transition of the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 14  is a flowchart for explaining a process of determining the next operation of the sample transportation device of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16  are diagrams for explaining a detailed configuration of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . First, the state transition of the sample transportation device  4  of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     When a user instructs sampler measurement start, the state of the sample transportation device  4  becomes a next operation determination processing state  4   a . This state is a waiting state for the sample transportation device  4  to execute operations registered in a queue for registering commands. In the embodiment, the queue is a data structure in which operation instructions to the sample transportation device  4  are registered, and the sample transportation device  4  is controlled by the CPU  51   a  of the control device  5  to execute the operations registered in the queue. The queue is stored in the RAM  51   c  or the hard disk  51   d  of the control device  5 . 
     The process of determining the next operation performed by the sample transportation device  4  when the sample transportation device  4  of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment is in the next operation determination processing state  4   a  will be described with reference to  FIG. 14  to  FIG. 16 . 
     In Step S 11  shown in  FIG. 14 , a notification of an event is waited by the CPU  51   a . The notification of the event is notifications of 11 kinds of events shown in  FIG. 15 , and includes a notification for notifying that a predetermined operation is completed, a state notification for notifying a state of the measurement unit, and the like. Specifically, when the rack  101  is input from the before-analysis rack holding section  41  of the sample transportation device  4  onto the rack transportation section  43 , a rack input completion notification is transmitted from the sample transportation device  4  to the control device  5 . When the rack  101  on the rack transportation section  43  is output to the after-analysis rack holding section  42  by the rack output section  46 , a rack output completion notification is transmitted from the sample transportation device  4  to the control device  5 . When it is sensed whether or not there is the sample container  100  by the presence sensing sensor  45  of the sample transportation device  4 , a test tube presence check completion notification is transmitted. When the barcode  100   a  of the sample container  100  is read by the barcode reading section  44  and a measurement order is assigned, a sample ID/measurement order assignment completion notification is transmitted. 
     A test tube insertion completion notification to first measurement unit, a test tube insertion completion notification to second measurement unit, a test tube extraction completion notification from first measurement unit, and a test tube extraction completion notification from second measurement unit are transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  to the control device  5 , when each operation in the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  is completed. In addition to state notifications of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , a test tube extraction request notification for notifying that the sample container  100  is ready to be extracted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  and a next sample suction ready notification for notifying that a next new sample is ready to be sucked are transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  to the control device  5 . 
     In Step S 12 , it is determined whether or not any one of event notifications of the 11 kinds of event notifications is received by the CPU  51   a , and the event notification waiting state continues until any one of event notifications is received. When any one of event notifications is received, the execution reservation of the operation set in the reservation state not to be performed among the operations registered in the queue is released by the CPU  51   a , in Step S 13 . 
     The execution reservation will be described hereinafter. In the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the operations registered in the queue are provided with priorities, and a high-priority operation is selected from the operations registered in the queue at the time of performing the operation by the CPU  51   a . The sample transportation device  4  is controlled to perform the selected operation by the CPU  51   a . However, there may be a case where two operations of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” cannot be instantly performed, for example, a case where there is the other sample, which is being measured, in the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , and the next new sample cannot be inserted. In such a case, the execution of the operations of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is set as a reservation state by the CPU  51   a , so that the operations of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” are skipped and a subsequent high-priority operation is first performed. Accordingly, in the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment, even when the operations of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” cannot be performed, the other operation than “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is first performed. Therefore, it is possible to promptly perform the process of the samples. 
     In Step S 14 , the highest-priority operation is searched from the operations registered in the queue in the present state by the CPU  51   a . In Step S 15 , it is determined whether the searched highest-priority operation is any one of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” or “test tube insertion to second measurement unit”. When the operation is not any one of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” and “test tube insertion to second measurement unit”, the searched highest-priority operation is performed in Step S 16 . At this time, when the rack output operation is performed, the rack output section  46  is controlled to output the rack  101  on the rack transportation section  43  to the after-analysis rack holding section  42  by the CPU  51   a . When the rack input operation is performed, the rack input section  411  is controlled to input the rack  101  of the before-analysis rack holding section  41  onto the rack transportation section  43  by the CPU  51   a . When the test tube extraction operation from the first measurement unit or the test tube extraction operation from the second measurement unit is performed, the rack transportation section  43  is controlled to transport the rack  101  by the CPU  51   a , so that the container accommodating section  101   b  of the extracted sample container  100  corresponds to any one of the providing position  43   a  of the first measurement unit  2  or the providing position  43   b  of the second measurement unit  3 . When the test tube presence check operation is performed, the rack transportation section  43  is controlled to transport the rack  101  by the CPU  51   a , so that the unchecked sample container  100  accommodated in the rack  101  reaches the sample presence check position  43   c . When the sample ID/measurement order assignment operation is performed, the rack transportation section  43  is controlled to transport the rack  101 , so that the sample container  100  accommodated in the rack  101  and to which a measurement order is not yet assigned reaches the reading position  43   d . Then, the operation is completed. 
     On the other hand, when the operation is any one operation of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” or “test tube insertion to second measurement unit”, it is determined whether or not the corresponding operation of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” or “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” can be performed by the CPU  51   a  on the basis of the measurement order and the state of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  in Step S 17 . 
     In the embodiment, the CPU  51   a  determines whether or not the measurement unit corresponding to the first measurement unit  2  or the second measurement unit  3  is in a state capable of inserting the test tube, on the basis of the state notifications transmitted from the measurement units, the test tube extraction request notification, and the next sample suction ready notification. Specifically, when the state notification indicating the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c , the prior sample measurement mode measuring state  2   d , or the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e  is transmitted from the first measurement unit  2 , the CPU  51   a  determines that the test tube cannot be inserted to the first measurement unit  2 . When the next sample suction ready notification is not transmitted from the first measurement unit  2 , the CPU  51   a  determines that the first measurement unit  2  is not in the state capable of inserting the test tube. Determination for the second measurement unit  3  is performed in the same manner as the case of the first measurement unit  2 . In the case capable of inserting the test tube, the corresponding operation of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” or “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is performed in Step S 18 . At this time, the rack transportation section  43  is controlled to transport the rack  101  by the CPU  51   a , so that the container accommodating section  101   b  of the extracted sample container  100  reaches a position corresponding to any one of the providing position  43   a  of the first measurement unit  2  or the providing position  43   b  of the second measurement unit  3 . Then, the operation is completed. In the case incapable of inserting the test tube, the execution of the corresponding operation of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” or “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is set as the reservation state by the CPU  51   a  in Step S 19 . Then, the process is transferred to Step S 14 , and the second-highest priority operation in the reservation state is searched from the operations registered in the queue. For example, when the operation of “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is registered in the queue in the case where the operation of “test tube insertion to first measurement unit” is in the reservation state, “test tube insertion to second measurement unit” is searched. 
     As described above, the operation performed next time by the sample transportation device  4  is determined on the basis of the latest state of each of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , immediately before the sampler transportation device  4  performs the next operation by CPU  51   a . Accordingly, since the sample transportation device  4  can perform efficient transportation based on the latest state of each of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , it is possible to promptly perform the process of the samples. 
     In the next operation determination processing state  4   a  shown in  FIG. 13 , when the next operation is performed by the above-described process of  FIG. 14 , the sample transportation device  4  is transited to states  4   b  to  4   i  corresponding to the operations. Specifically, the sample transportation device  4  may be transited to 9 kinds of states of a rack inputting state  4   b , a test tube presence checking state  4   c , a sample ID/measurement order assigning state  4   d , a test tube inserting state  4   e  to first measurement unit, a test tube inserting state  4   f  to second measurement unit, a test tube extracting state  4   g  from first measurement unit, a test tube extracting state  4   h  from second measurement unit, and a rack outputting state  4   i , in addition to the next operation determination processing state  4   a.    
     In  FIG. 13 , the operations performed in the next operation state are shown, as “NEXT;”. In  FIG. 13 , the events notified to the control device  5  at the time of being transited from each operation state to the next operation determination processing state  4   a  are shown, as “I;”, and the operations registered in the queue are shown, as “C;”. For example, when the sample transportation device  4  is in the rack inputting state  4   b , the rack input operation shown as “NEXT;” is performed. When the sample transportation device  4  is transited from the rack inputting state  4   b  to the next operation determination processing state  4   a , the event notification for notifying the rack input completion shown as “I;” is transmitted to the control device  5 , and the test tube presence check operation shown as “C;” is registered in the queue by the CPU  51   a . For the other event shown in  FIG. 15 , the notification is performed in the same manner as the rack input completion notification. In addition, for the other operation shown in  FIG. 16 , the registration to the queue is performed in the same manner as the test tube presence check operation. The two operations of “test tube extraction from first measurement unit” and “test tube extraction from second measurement unit” are registered in the queue on the basis of the test tube extraction request transmitted from the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 . 
     In the case where the sample transportation device  4  is in the test tube inserting state  4   e  to first measurement unit, when the sample container  100  inserted to the first measurement unit  2  is transported to a predetermined position, the insertion request notification for notifying completion of transportation to a predetermined position is transmitted to the first measurement unit  2 . On the basis of the notification, the CPU  51   a  can control the first measurement unit  2  so that the sample container  100  is gripped by the hand section  251 . For the second measurement unit  3 , the insertion request notification is transmitted in the same manner as the first measurement unit  2 . 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of prior sample measurement of the blood analyzer according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Next, the operation at the time of prior sample measurement of the blood analyzer  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 17 . In the embodiment, the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  can measure prior samples independently from each other, and the operations at the time of prior sample measurement in the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3  are the same. Accordingly, the operation at the time of prior sample measurement in the first measurement unit  2  will be described herein as a representative example. 
     First, in Step S 101  shown in  FIG. 17 , it is determined whether or not the sample set section open and close button  26  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is pressed down by the CPU  51   a , and the determination is repeated until the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down. When the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down, the sample set section  255   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) protrudes out of the insertion hole  24  in Step S 102 . In Step S 103 , the prior sample measurement instruction screen  520  (see  FIG. 10 ) is displayed on the display unit  52 . In Step S 104 , after a user inputs a sample identification number or sets measurement items, it is determined whether or not the OK button  520   a  displayed on the prior sample measurement instruction screen  520  is pressed down by the CPU  51   a . The determination is continued until the OK button  520   a  is pressed down. When the OK button  520   a  is pressed down, the user sets the sample container  100  accommodating the prior sample at the sample set section  255   a  in Step S 105  and then it is determined whether or not the prior sample measurement start button  27  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is pressed down by the CPU  51   a . When the prior sample measurement start button  27  is not pressed down, the determination is repeated. When the prior sample measurement start button  27  is pressed down, the sample set section  255   a  is returned from the insertion hole  24  to the inside of the first measurement unit  2  in Step S 106 . Accordingly, the prior sample is inserted into the first measurement unit  2 . 
     In Step S 107 , the measurement of the prior sample is performed. In Step S 108 , it is determined whether or not the measurement is completed. The determination is repeated until the measurement completed. When the measurement is completed, the sample set section  255   a  comes out of the insertion hole  24  in Step S 109 . Accordingly, the sample container  100  of the measured prior sample is discharged out of the first measurement unit  2  so as to be extracted. Then, in Step S 110 , it is determined whether or not the prior sample measurement start button  27  is pressed down. 
     The user removes the sample container  100  of the measured prior sample from the sample set section  255   a , and then sets the sample container  100  accommodating a next new prior sample at the sample set section  255   a . The prior sample measurement start button  27  is pressed down, thereby continuously performing the measurement of the prior sample. When the user sets the sample container  100  accommodating the next new prior sample at the sample set section  255   a  and presses down the prior sample measurement start button  27 , the operation is transferred to Step S 106  and the measurement of the next prior sample is continuously performed. In this case, even when the user does not input the sample identification number or set the measurement items, continuous identification numbers are automatically assigned by the CPU  51   a  and the measurement is continued with the same items according to the once set measurement items. 
     When the prior sample measurement start button  27  is not pressed down, it is determined whether or not the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down by the CPU  51   a  in Step S 111 . The user can complete the measurement of the prior sample by pressing down the sample set section open and close button  26 . When the sample set section open and close button  26  is not pressed down, the determination is repeated until any one of the prior sample measurement start button  27  and the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down. When the sample set section open and close button  26  is pressed down, the sample set section  255   a  is returned from the insertion hole  24  to the inside of the first measurement unit  2  in Step S 112  and the measurement operation of the prior sample is completed. 
     In the embodiment, as described above, the CPU  51   a  is configured to determine whether or not the samples are transportable to the selected one measurement unit on the basis of the state notification of the first measurement unit  2  and the second measurement unit  3 , to control the sample transportation device  4  to perform the sample transportation operation to the selected one measurement unit when it is determined that the samples are transportable to the selected one measurement unit, and to control the sample transportation device  4  to perform the other operation than the sample transportation operation when it is determined that the sample are not transportable to the selected one measurement unit. With such a configuration, when the samples are transportable, the samples are transported to the selected one measurement unit. When the samples are not transportable, the samples are not transported to the selected one measurement unit and the other operation than the sample transportation operation is performed. Accordingly, even when interruption cause of measurement occurs such as error and a measurement instruction of a prior sample in the selected one measurement unit, the process of the samples is not interrupted. Therefore, it is possible to promptly process the samples. In the blood analyzer  1 , it is not determined by the CPU  51   a  whether or not the rack  101  accommodating a plurality of samples can be input onto the transportation path (transportation line), but it is determined by the CPU  51   a  whether or not the samples are transportable to the selected one measurement unit. Accordingly, even when the interruption cause of the measurement occurs in the selected one measurement unit after the rack  101  is input onto the transportation path (transportation line), it is possible to promptly cope with the occurrence of the interruption cause. As a result, it is possible to promptly process the samples. 
     In the embodiment, each of the state notification of the first measurement unit  2  and the state notification of the second measurement unit  3  includes the notification indicating the transition from the sampler mode (including the sampler mode standby states  2   a  and  3   a , and the sampler mode measuring states  2   b  and  3   b ) of measuring the samples transported by the sample transportation device  4 , to the prior sample measurement mode (including the prior sample measurement mode standby states  2   c  and  3   c , and the prior sample measurement mode measuring states  2   d  and  3   d ) of measuring the prior sample prior to the samples transported by the sample transportation device  4 , thereby determining whether or not the samples are transportable to the selected one measurement unit by the CPU  51   a  on the basis of the notification indicating that the first measurement unit  2  or the second measurement unit  3  is transited from the transportation sample measurement mode to the prior sample measurement mode. Accordingly, when the selected one measurement unit is in the prior sample measurement mode, the sample transportation device  4  does not perform the sample transportation operation to the selected one measurement unit, and can perform the other operation than the sample transportation operation. As a result, it is possible to process the samples without waiting for cancel of the prior sample measurement mode of the selected one measurement unit. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease of a process speed of the samples. 
     In the embodiment, the state notification of the first measurement unit  2  includes the notification indicating that the first measurement unit  2  is transited to the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e , and the state notification of the second measurement unit  3  includes the notification indicating that the second measurement unit  3  is transited to the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  3   e , thereby determining whether or not the samples are transportable to the selected one measurement unit by the CPU  51   a  on the basis of the notification indicating that the first measurement unit  2  or the second measurement unit  3  is transited to the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e  or  3   e . Accordingly, when the selected one measurement unit is transited to the interruption/discontinuance occurrence state  2   e  or  3   e , the sample transportation device  4  does not perform the sample transportation operation to the selected one measurement unit, and can perform the other operation than the sample transportation operation. As a result, it is possible to process the samples without waiting until the selected one measurement unit is transited to the sampler mode standby state  2   a  or  3   a  or is transited to the prior sample measurement mode standby state  2   c  or  3   c . Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease of a process speed of the samples. 
     All the above-described embodiments are only examples, and it should be considered that they are not restrictive examples. The scope of the invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments, but is limited only by Claims. In addition, the scope of the invention includes all modifications within the means and scope equivalent to Claims. 
     For example, in the embodiment, the blood analyzer has been described as an example of an analyzer, but the invention is not limited thereto. The invention may be applied to the other analyzer as long as it is an analyzer provided with a plurality of measurement units. 
     In the embodiment, the blood analyzer is provided with two measurement units of the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit by way of example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The blood analyzer may be provided with three or more measurement units. 
     In the embodiment, the sample container is taken out of the rack and is input into the measurement unit by way of example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The samples may be sucked from the sample container accommodated in the rack by the sample suction section, the sample container may not be input into the measurement unit, and only the sample may be input. 
     In the embodiment, the control device is provided with one control unit by way of example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The first measurement unit and the second measurement unit may be provided with different control units, respectively. Theses control units may be mounted on the first measurement unit and the second measurement units, respectively. 
     In the embodiment, the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit are accommodated in the independent different housings, respectively, by way of example (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ), but the invention is not limited thereto. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit may be accommodated together in one housing  7 . 
     In the embodiment, the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit are substantially the same type of measurement units by way of example, but the invention is not limited thereto. The first measurement unit and the second measurement unit may be different types of measurement units.