Abstract:
A sample processing system comprising: first, second and third sample processing units; first, second and third sample transport units; and a control section is disclosed. In order to transport a sample rack which is to be introduced to the first sample transport unit to a destination sample transport unit which is located downstream of a second sample transport unit, the control section initially controls the first and second transport unit to move a transport member. When the sample rack arrives at a predetermined position on the transport path of the first transport unit, the control section controls the third transport unit to move a transport member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-080163 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a sample processing system which includes a plurality of sample processing units and a transport unit transporting a sample to the plurality of sample processing units. The present invention also relates to a transport control system and a transport control method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In the past, sample processing systems have been known which include a plurality of sample processing units analyzing a sample such as blood or urine and a transport unit transporting a sample to the plurality of sample processing units. 
         [0006]    For example, JP Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-304808 discloses a sample processing system which includes three processing units, a transport line for transporting racks to these three processing units and a central control section. In this sample processing system, the transport line is divided into three transport line division units corresponding to the processing units, respectively. The central control section is configured to determine a transport destination of a sample rack from among the three processing units and control the operation of the transport line division unit so as to transport the sample rack to the determined transport destination. 
         [0007]    In the above-described sample processing system, it is desirable to transport sample racks smoothly. 
         [0008]    However, in the above-described Patent Document 1, it is not described in detail how to control the transport line division unit in order to transport a sample rack to the determined transport destination. 
         [0009]    The present invention is contrived in view of the problem and an object thereof is to provide a sample processing system which can transport sample racks smoothly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A first aspect of the present invention is a sample processing system comprising: a plurality of sample processing units; a plurality of sample transport units for transporting a sample rack to the plurality of sample processing units; and a control section, wherein the plurality of sample transport units includes at least a first sample transport unit, a second sample transport unit adjacent to the first sample transport unit and a third sample transport unit adjacent to the second sample transport unit in order from the upstream in a transport direction, each of the sample transport units includes a transport path for transporting a sample rack to another sample transport unit on the downstream side and a transport member for moving a sample rack on the transport path, and for transporting a sample rack which is to be introduced to the first sample transport unit to a destination sample transport unit which is located downstream of the second sample transport unit, the control section performs the following process including: moving the transport members of the first and second sample transport units; and when the sample rack arrives at a predetermined position in the transport path of the first sample transport unit, moving the transport member of the third sample transport unit. 
         [0011]    A second aspect of the present invention is a sample processing system comprising: a plurality of sample processing units; m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 3) pieces of sample transport units for transporting a sample rack to each of the sample processing units, wherein each of the sample transport units has a transport path for transporting a sample rack to other sample transport units on the downstream side in a transport direction; and a control section, wherein in order to transport a target sample rack to an n-th (n is an integer equal to or greater than 3 and equal to or less than m) sample transport unit from a first sample transport unit to which the sample rack is next introduced, the control section controls the p (p is an integer equal to or greater than 2 and less than n) pieces of sample transport units from the first sample transport unit, and changes the control target to the p pieces of sample transport units from a second sample transport unit which are located next to the first sample transport unit when the target sample rack arrives at a predetermined position in the transport path of the first sample transport unit. 
         [0012]    A third aspect of the present invention is a transport control system comprising at least one processor of a computer system and at least one memory that stores programs executable by the at least one processor to: store a table in which mobile objects are listable which are to be transported to their destination nodes selected among a plurality of nodes arranged along a transport path; add a mobile object to the table upon reception of a notice which notifies that said mobile arrives and is held at an en route node which is located en route to a destination node of said mobile object along the transport path; and remove the mobile object from the table upon reception of a notice which notifies that said mobile object moves out of the en route node. 
         [0013]    A fourth aspect of the present invention is a transport control method comprising computer executable steps executed by at least one processor of a computer system to implement: controlling first and second sample transport units so as to move transport members to transport a sample rack which is to be introduced to the first sample transport unit toward a third sample transport unit; and controlling third sample transport unit so as to move a transport member when the sample rack arrives at predetermined position on the first transport unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration when a sample processing system according to an embodiment is viewed from the upper side. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams showing the configurations of a sample container and a sample rack according to the embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the configuration when an insertion unit and an output unit according to the embodiment are viewed from the upper side. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the configuration when a transport unit according to the embodiment is viewed from the upper side. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically showing the mutual connection relationships between the units (devices) in the sample processing system according to the embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the insertion unit, the output unit and the transport controller according to the embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the transport unit, a measuring unit and an information processing unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the transport unit and a smear preparation apparatus according to the embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9A to 9D  show flowcharts of an arrival notification process of the transport unit, an arrival notification process of the output unit, a priority table addition process of the transport controller and a priority table deletion process of the transport controller according to the embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 10A to 10E  conceptually show priority tables according to the embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a flowchart showing a transport unit control process of the transport controller based on the priority table according to the embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing a passing notification process of the transport unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a flowchart showing a transport unit control process of the transport controller when receiving a passing notice according to the embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 14A to 14C  show flowcharts showing a passing process, a holding process and a right introduction process of the transport unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 15A to 15C  show flowcharts showing a recovery process and a discharge process of the transport unit and a discharge process of the output unit according to the embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 16A to 16H  illustrate that the control of the transport units according to the embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 17A to 17H  illustrate that a sample rack is transported up to a destination by controlling the transport units according to the embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a diagram showing the contents of the communication which is performed between the transport units, the output unit and the transport controller according to the embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    This embodiment is a sample processing system for examination and analysis related to blood, to which the present invention is applied. A sample processing system according to this embodiment includes three measuring units and one smear preparation apparatus. In the three measuring units, blood analysis is performed in parallel, and when it is necessary to prepare a smear based on the analysis result thereof, the smear preparation apparatus prepares a smear. 
         [0033]    Hereinafter, a sample processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration when a sample processing system  1  is viewed from the upper side. 
         [0035]    The sample processing system  1  according to this embodiment is configured to include a recovery unit  21 , an insertion unit  22 , an output unit  23 , transport units  31  to  34 , a blood cell analysis apparatus  4 , a smear preparation apparatus  5  and a transport controller  6 . In addition, the sample processing system  1  of this embodiment is connected to a host computer  7  via a communication network so as to communicate therewith. 
         [0036]    Each of the recovery unit  21 , the insertion unit  22  and the output unit  23  is configured so that a plurality of sample racks can be placed therein. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the configurations of a sample container T and a sample rack L.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sample container T and  FIG. 2B  is a front view of a sample rack L. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , a sample container T is a tubular container made of glass or a synthetic resin having translucency and the upper end thereof is opened. In the sample container, a blood sample collected from a patient is contained and the opening of the upper end is sealed by a cap section CP. A bar-code label BL 1  is adhered to a side surface of the sample container T. A bar-code showing a sample ID is printed on the bar-code label BL 1 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , in a sample rack L, ten holding sections are formed so as to arrange and hold ten sample containers T in a vertical state (erect state). In addition, as shown in the drawing, a bar-code label BL 2  is adhered to a front surface of the sample rack L. A bar-code showing the rack ID is printed on the bar-code label BL 2 . 
         [0040]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the recovery unit  21  stores sample racks L in which analysis has ended. The insertion unit  22  stores sample racks L which are inserted by a user, and outputs the stored sample racks L to the output unit  23 . Using a bar-code reading section  232 , the output unit  23  reads the rack ID of a sample rack L which is output from the insertion unit  22  and the sample IDs of sample containers T which are associated with the holding sections of the sample rack L. In addition, the output unit  23  outputs the sample rack L in which the reading of the bar-codes has been completed to the transport unit  31 . 
         [0041]    The transport units  31  to  34  are connected to each other so as to deliver sample racks L. The right end of the transport unit  31  is connected to the output unit  23  so as to deliver sample racks L. As shown in the drawing, the transport units  31  to  33  are disposed in front of three measuring units  41 , respectively, and as shown in the drawing, the transport unit  34  is disposed in front of the smear preparation apparatus  5 . 
         [0042]    As shown in the drawing, in the transport units  31  to  33 , two transport lines for transporting sample racks L are set by dividing cases into a case in which sample measurement is performed and a case in which sample measurement is not performed in the measuring units  41  respectively corresponding to the transport units. That is, when the measurement is performed in the measuring unit  41 , sample racks L are transported along a “measurement line” which is shown by the Π-shaped, rear arrow. When the measurement is not performed in the measuring unit  41  and the measurement or the preparation of a smear is performed on the downstream side (left side), sample racks L are transported along a “supply line” which is shown by the left-pointing, intermediate arrow so as to skip the measuring unit  41 . In addition, as shown in the drawing, in the transport units  31  to  33 , a right-pointing transport line is set for transporting sample racks L to the recovery unit  21 . That is, a sample rack L in which there is no need to perform the measurement or the preparation of a smear on the downstream side (left side) is transported along a “recovery line” which is shown by the right-pointing, front arrow to be recovered by the recovery unit  21 . As in the transport units  31  to  33 , a measurement line, a supply line and a recovery line are also set in the transport unit  34  as shown in the drawing. 
         [0043]    The blood cell analysis apparatus  4  is an optical flow cytometry type multiple blood cell analysis apparatus and includes the three measuring units  41  and an information processing apparatus  42 . 
         [0044]    The three measuring units  41  take a sample container T from a sample rack L at a predetermined position on the measurement line of the transport units  31  to  33 , which are disposed in front of the measuring units, respectively, and measure a sample in the sample container T. That is, the measuring unit  41  measures the sample contained in the sample container T by moving the sample container T taken from the sample rack L into the measuring unit  41 . When the measurement in the measuring unit  41  is completed, the measuring unit  41  returns this sample container T to the original holding section in the sample rack L. 
         [0045]    The information processing unit  42  is connected to the three measuring units  41  so as to communicate therewith, and controls the operations of the three measuring units  41 . In addition, the information processing unit  42  is also connected to the host computer  7  via a communication network so as to communicate therewith and inquires of the host computer  7  for measurement orders which are performed by the measuring unit  41 . That is, when a sample ID of the sample container T which is moved into the measuring unit  41  is read by a bar-code reader (not shown) in the measuring unit  41 , the information processing unit  42  inquires of the host computer  7  for measurement orders of this sample. After that, the information processing unit  42  controls the measurement operation of the measuring unit  41  on the basis of the measurement order received from the host computer  7 . In addition, the information processing unit  42  performs analysis on the basis of the result of the measurement performed by the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0046]    The smear preparation apparatus  5  suctions a sample which is contained in a sample container T at a predetermined position on the measurement line of the transport unit  34  disposed forward and prepares a smear of this sample. Whether or not to prepare a smear is determined by the transport controller  6  on the basis of the result of the analysis performed by the information processing unit  42 . When the transport controller  6  determines that the preparation of a smear is needed, a sample rack L containing a sample which is a target is transported along the measurement line of the transport unit  34  and a smear is prepared in the smear preparation apparatus  5 . 
         [0047]    The transport controller  6  is connected to the recovery unit  21 , the insertion unit  22 , the output unit  23  and the transport units  31  to  34  so as to communicate therewith and controls the operations of the units. In addition, the transport controller  6  is connected to the host computer  7  via a communication network so as to communicate therewith. The transport controller  6  inquires of the host computer  7  for measurement orders when receiving from the output unit  23  the rack ID of the sample rack L and the sample ID of the sample container T which is associated with the holding section in the sample rack L. In addition, the transport controller  6  determines a transport destination of the sample rack L and controls the transport units  31  to  34  so as to efficiently transport the sample rack L. Such control of the transport units  31  to  34  will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 18 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the configuration when the insertion unit  22  and the output unit  23  are viewed from the upper side. In  FIG. 3 , a portion which transports a sample rack L in the right direction along the recovery line is omitted for the sake of convenience. 
         [0049]    When a sample rack L is inserted onto a transport passage  221  of the insertion unit  22 , a rack input mechanism  222  moves backward while engaging with the front ends of the sample rack L and this sample rack L is sent to the rear position in the transport passage  221 . The right side surface of the sample rack L positioned at the rear position in the transport passage  221  is pressed by a rack output mechanism  223  and is thus output to the rear position in a transport passage  231  of the output unit  23 . At the rear position in the transport passage  231 , the bar-code reading section  232  reads the rack ID of the sample rack L and a sample ID of a sample container T in association with the holding section in the sample rack L. 
         [0050]    Next, by a rack input mechanism  233 , the sample rack L positioned at the rear position in the transport passage  231  is sent to a position moving forward by a width in the front-back direction of the sample rack L from the rear position in the transport passage  231 . Next, a rack input mechanism  234  moves forward while engaging with the rear ends of the sample rack L and the sample rack L is sent to the front position in the transport passage  231 . The right side surface of the sample rack L positioned at the front position in the transport passage  231  is pressed by a rack output mechanism  235  and thus the sample rack L is moved in the left direction. 
         [0051]    In this case, when the sample rack L is slightly moved to the left from the front position in the transport passage  231  and thus a bar-code label BL 2  of the sample rack L is positioned in front of a bar-code reading section  236 , the rack ID is read by the bar-code reading section  236 . Hereinafter, the position of the sample rack L at this time is called a “rack ID reading position”. The transport controller  6  determines the measuring unit  41  or the smear preparation apparatus  5  which is a transport destination of this sample rack L on the basis of the rack ID read. After that, the sample rack L at the rack ID reading position is further pushed in the left direction by the rack output mechanism  235  and output to the transport unit  31 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the configuration when the transport units  31  to  33  are viewed from the upper side. The transport units  31  to  33  includes a right table  310 , a rack transport section  320 , a left table  330  and rack transport sections  340  and  350 . The measurement line of  FIG. 1  is configured by the right table  310 , the rack transport section  320  and the left table  330 . In addition, the supply line of  FIG. 1  is configured by the rack transport section  340  and the recovery line of  FIG. 1  is configured by the rack transport section  350 . The transport units  31  to  33  have the same configuration. 
         [0053]    When the measurement of a sample rack L which is output from the upstream side (right side) is not performed in the measuring unit  41  corresponding to this transport unit, this sample rack L is linearly sent to the left end from the right end of the rack transport section  340  along the supply line by belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the rack transport section  340 . 
         [0054]    Here, transmission type sensors  344   a  and  344   b  are installed in the vicinity of the center of the rack transport section  340 . The sensors  344   a  and  344   b  detect a sample rack L passing through a center position (hereinafter, referred to as a “supply line center position”) in the rack transport section  340 . In addition, transmission type sensors  345   a  and  345   b  are installed in the vicinity of the left end of the rack transport section  340 . The sensors  345   a  and  345   b  detect a sample rack L passing through a left end position (hereinafter, referred to as a “supply line left end position”) in the rack transport section  340  or a sample rack L positioned at the supply line left end position. 
         [0055]    In addition, a stopper  346  is installed at the left end of the rack transport section  340 . When the stopper  346  is lifted, that is, when the upper surface of the stopper  346  is positioned higher than the upper surface of the belt  341   b , a sample rack L sent to the left end from the right end along the supply line is brought into contact with the side surface of the stopper  346  and stopped at the supply line left end position. On the other hand, when the stopper  346  is dropped, that is, when the upper surface of the stopper  346  is positioned as high as the upper surface of the belt  341   b , a sample rack L sent to the left end from the right end along the supply line is output to the transport unit on the downstream side (left side) without being brought into contact with the stopper  346 . 
         [0056]    Next, when the measurement of a sample rack L which is output from the upstream side (right side) is performed in the measuring unit  41  corresponding to this transport unit, this sample rack L is positioned at the right end position (hereinafter, referred to as a “supply line right end position”) in the rack transport section  340 . That is, a rack pushing mechanism  342  is moved backward so that a wall section  342   a  slightly protrudes to the supply line from the state shown in the drawing. Accordingly, the sample rack L output from the upstream side is brought into contact with the wall section  342   a  and is thus stopped. In addition, transmission type sensors  343   a  and  343   b  are installed in the vicinity of the supply line right end position. The sensors  343   a  and  343   b  detect a sample rack L which is positioned at the supply line right end position. 
         [0057]    Next, by further moving the rack pushing mechanism  342  backward, the sample rack L is pushed to the front end of a transport passage  311  of the right table  310 . When transmission type sensors  312   a  and  312   b  detect the sample rack L on the transport passage  311 , a rack input mechanism  313  moves backward while engaging with the front ends of the sample rack L and the sample rack L is sent backward. When the sample rack L is sent up to the right end position in the rack transport section  320 , belts  321   a  and  321   b  are driven and the sample rack L is sent in the left direction. 
         [0058]    After that, the sample rack L arrives at the position of a sample container sensor  322 . The sample container sensor  322  is a contact type sensor. When a detection target sample container T, which is held in the sample rack L, passes through the position right under the sample container sensor  322 , the contact piece of the sample container sensor  322  is bent by the sample container T and thus the presence of the sample container T is detected. 
         [0059]    At a sample supply position positioned on the left side of the position, at which the sample container T has been detected by the sample container sensor  322 , by a distance corresponding to two sample containers, a hand section (not shown) of the measuring unit  41  grips the sample container T and takes the sample container T from the sample rack L. The removed sample container T returns to the sample rack L after used in the measurement in the measuring unit  41 . While the sample container T returns to the sample rack L, the transportation of the sample rack L is temporally stopped. 
         [0060]    In this manner, when the measurement of the samples in all of the sample containers T held in the sample rack L is completed, the sample rack L is sent up to the left end position in the rack transport section  320  by the belts  321   a  and  321   b . After that, the sample rack L is sent to the rear end of a transport passage  331  of the left table  330  by a rack pushing mechanism  323 . When transmission type sensors  332   a  and  332   b  detect the sample rack L on the transport passage  331 , a rack input mechanism  333  moves forward while engaging with the rear ends of the sample rack L. In this manner, the sample rack L is sent to the front. 
         [0061]    Transmission type sensors  334   a  and  334   b  are installed in the vicinity of the front of the left table  330 . The sensors  334   a  and  334   b  detect a sample rack L which is positioned at a front position (hereinafter, referred to as a “left table position”) in the left table  330 . 
         [0062]    Next, a partition section  352  which is in front of the left table  330  and is between the rack transport sections  340  and  350  is controlled to be opened and closed and the sample rack L is positioned in either of the rack transport sections  340  or  350 . 
         [0063]    As a result of the measurement by the measuring unit  41 , when it is determined that the smear preparation apparatus  5  on the downstream side needs to perform the smear preparation or the measuring unit  41  on the downstream side needs to perform the measurement on sample containers T which are held in the sample rack L, the sample rack L is moved up to the supply line left end position in the rack transport section  340  by the rack input mechanism  333  in a state in which the rack transport sections  340  and  350  are partitioned by the partition section  352 . The sample rack L which is positioned at the supply line left end position is detected by the sensors  345   a  and  345   b  which are installed in the vicinity of the supply line left end position. After that, this sample rack L is output to the sample transport unit on the downstream side by the belt  341   b  of the rack transport section  340  in a state in which the stopper  346  is dropped. 
         [0064]    On the other hand, as a result of the measurement by the measuring unit  41 , when it is determined that the smear preparation apparatus  5  on the down-stream side does not need to perform the smear preparation or the measuring unit  41  on the downstream side does not need to perform the measurement on sample containers T which are held in the sample rack L, the upper surface of the partition section  352  is dropped to be disposed at the same height as the upper surface of the belt  341   b  of the rack transport section  340  and the sample rack L is moved up to the left end position (hereinafter, referred to as a “recovery line left end position”) in the rack transport section  350  by the rack input mechanism  333 . In this manner, by the rack input mechanism  333 , the sample rack L is moved across the rack transport section  340  from the left table  330  up to the recovery line left end position. The sample rack L which is positioned at the recovery line left end position is detected by sensors  353   a  and  353   b  which are installed in the vicinity of the recovery line left end position. After that, this sample rack L is moved in the right direction along the recovery line by the belt  351  of the rack transport section  350 . The sample rack L which is transported along the recovery line is stored in the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0065]    The transport unit  34  has almost the same configuration as those of the transport units  31  to  33 . In this case, when a sample rack L including a sample in which it is determined that it is necessary to prepare a smear is transported to the transport unit  34 , the sample rack L is transported along the measurement line and a sample is suctioned from a sample container T which is positioned at the sample supply position. In addition, the smear preparation apparatus  5  prepares a smear. After that, the sample rack L is transported in the right direction toward the recovery unit  21  along the recovery line. 
         [0066]      FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically showing the mutual connection relationships between the units (devices) in the sample processing system  1 . 
         [0067]    Here, in the drawing, the transport units  31  to  33  are divided into a sample relay section  3   a  and a sample supply section  3   b , respectively. In greater detail, the sample relay section  3   a  includes the left table  330  and the rack transport sections  340  and  350  of  FIG. 4 , and one of the neighboring two transport units receives a sample rack L and transports it to the other sample transport unit  3 . The sample supply section  3   b  includes the right table  310  and the rack transport section  320  of  FIG. 4  and transports a sample rack L to the sample supply position in order to measure a sample by the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0068]    The recovery unit  21 , the insertion unit  22 , the output unit  23 , the three sample relay sections  3   a , the transport unit  34  and the transport controller  6  are connected to a concentrator  11  so as to communicate therewith. The three sample relay sections  3   a  and the information processing unit  42  are connected to a concentrator  12  so as to communicate therewith. The three sample supply sections  3   b  and the information processing unit  42  are connected to a concentrator  13  so as to communicate therewith. The three measuring units  41  and the information processing unit  42  are connected to a concentrator  14  so as to communicate therewith. 
         [0069]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the insertion unit  22 , the output unit  23  and the transport controller  6 . 
         [0070]    The output unit  23  includes a control section  237 , a communication section  238 , a bar-code processing section  239 , a driving section  240  and a sensor section  241 . 
         [0071]    The control section  237  includes a CPU  237   a  and a memory  237   b  and executes a computer program which is stored in the memory  237   b  by the CPU  237   a , and thus the sections are controlled in accordance with the control section of the transport controller  6 . Another control section to be described later also includes a CPU and a memory. The communication section  238  includes a communication interface for performing data communication with an external device on the basis of Ethernet (registered trademark) standards and performs data communication with the concentrator  11 . 
         [0072]    The bar-code processing section  239  includes bar-code reading sections  232  and  236  shown in  FIG. 3 . The bar-code processing section  239  is controlled by the control section  237  and bar-code information which is read by the bar-code processing section  239  is output to the control section  237 . 
         [0073]    The driving section  240  is controlled by the control section  237 . In the driving section  240 , a mechanism for transporting a sample rack L which is stored in the output unit  23  and a stepping motor for driving this mechanism are included. The sensor section  241  outputs a detection signal to the control section  237 . In the sensor section  241 , a sensor for detecting a sample rack L which is stored in the output unit  23  is included. 
         [0074]    As shown in the drawing, the insertion unit  22  has a configuration in which the bar-code processing section  239  is removed from the output unit  23 . As shown in the drawing, the transport controller  6  has a configuration in which the driving section  226  and the sensor section  227  are removed from the insertion unit  22 , and includes a control section  601  and a communication section  602 . The recovery unit  21  (not shown) also has the same configuration as that of the insertion unit  22 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the transport unit  31 , the measuring unit  41  and the information processing unit  42 . In  FIG. 7 , for the sake of convenience, only one transport unit  31  and only one measuring unit  41  are shown. However, the transport units  32  and  33  and the other measuring units  41  also have the same configurations. 
         [0076]    The transport unit  31  has a configuration in which a communication section  302   b , a driving section  303   b  and a sensor section  304   b  are added to the insertion unit  22  of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0077]    A communication section  302   a  performs data communication with the concentrators  11  and  12  and the communication section  302   b  performs data communication with the concentrator  13 . A driving section  303   a  is controlled by a control section  301  and the driving section  303   b  is controlled by the information processing unit  42  via the communication section  302   b . A sensor section  304   a  outputs a detection signal to the control section  301  and the sensor section  304   b  outputs a detection signal to the information processing unit  42  via the communication section  302   b.    
         [0078]    The communication section  302   b , the driving section  303   b  and the sensor section  304   b  are included in the sample supply section  3   b  of  FIG. 5  and the sections in the transport unit  31  other than the communication section  302   b , the driving section  303   b  and the sensor section  304   b  are included in the sample relay section  3   a  of  FIG. 5 . The driving section  303   a  and the sensor section  304   a  include mechanisms for transporting and detecting sample racks L on the left table  330  and the rack transport sections  340  and  350  of  FIG. 4 , respectively. The driving section  303   b  and the sensor section  304   b  include mechanisms for transporting and detecting sample racks L on the right table  310  and the rack transport section  320  of  FIG. 4 , respectively. 
         [0079]    The measuring unit  41  includes a communication section  411 , a driving section  412  and a sensor section  413 . The communication section  411  performs data communication with the concentrator  14 . The driving section  412  and the sensor section  413  include mechanisms for transporting and detecting sample containers T in the measuring unit  41 , respectively. 
         [0080]    The information processing unit  42  has the same configuration as that of the transport controller  7  of  FIG. 6 . The control section  421  controls the sample supply section  3   b  of the transport unit  31  via a communication section  422  and the concentrator  13  and receives a detection signal of the sensor section  304   b . In addition, the control section  421  controls the driving section  412  of the measuring unit  41  via the communication section  422  and the concentrator  14  and receives a detection signal of the sensor section  413 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the outline of the configurations of the transport unit  34  and the smear preparation apparatus  5 . The transport unit  34  and the smear preparation apparatus  5  have the same configuration as that of the insertion unit  22  of  FIG. 6 . The transport unit  34  includes a control section  341 , a communication section  342 , a driving section  343  and a sensor section  344 , and the smear preparation apparatus  5  includes a control section  501 , a communication section  502 , a driving section  503  and a sensor section  504 . 
         [0082]    The communication section  342  of the transport unit  34  performs data communication with the concentrator  11 . The communication section  342  is connected to the communication section  502  of the smear preparation apparatus  5  by a signal line and performs data communication with the communication section  502 . When receiving a smear preparation instruction from the transport unit  34  via the communication section  502 , the control section  501  of the smear preparation apparatus  5  suctions a sample from a sample container T on the measurement line of the transport unit  34  and prepares a smear. 
         [0083]    Next, transport control of a sample rack L will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 18 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 9A  is a flowchart showing an arrival notification process of the transport units  31  to  34  and  FIG. 9B  is a flowchart showing an arrival notification process of the output unit  23 . 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , the control section  301  (control section  341 ) of the transport units  31  to  34  determines whether a sample rack L is positioned at the left table position or is stopped at the supply line left end position (S 11 ). Such determination is performed on the basis of whether the sample rack L positioned at the left table position is detected by the sensors  334   a  and  334   b  or whether the sample rack L positioned at the supply line left end position is detected by the sensors  345   a  and  345   b  when the stopper  346  is dropped. 
         [0086]    When determining that the sample rack L is positioned at the left table position or stopped at the supply line left end position (S 11 : YES), the control section  301  transmits an arrival notice to the transport controller  6  together with information about the position at which this sample rack L is positioned (S 12 ). The arrival notification process is repeatedly performed in parallel in the transport units  31  to  34 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 9B , when the bar-code reading section  236  reads the rack ID of a sample rack L which is positioned at the rack ID reading position (S 21 : YES), the control section  237  of the output unit  23  transmits an arrival notice to the transport controller  6  (S 22 ). 
         [0088]    Here, when receiving the arrival notice from the transport units  31  to  34  and the output unit  23 , the control section  601  of the transport controller  6  writes identification information of the sample rack L which is the source of the arrival notice in a table (hereinafter, referred to as a “priority table”) set in the memory in the control section  601 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 9C  is a flowchart showing an adding process of the priority table of the transport controller  6 . 
         [0090]    When receiving an arrival notice from any of the transport units  31  to  34  and the output unit  23  (S 31 : YES), the control section  601  of the transport controller  6  adds identification information of a sample rack L which is the source of the arrival notice in the last row of the priority table (S 32 ). 
         [0091]      FIG. 10A  is a diagram conceptually showing the priority table. In  FIG. 10A , identification information (racks  1  to  3 ) of three sample racks L is written. Accordingly, it is found that the transport controller  6  has received the arrival notice in order of the racks  1  to  3 . From this state, when the control section  601  of the transport controller  6  receives an arrival notice, identification information (for example, rack  4 ) of a sample rack L which is the source of the newly arrived arrival notice is added under the rack  3  as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
         [0092]      FIG. 9D  is a flowchart showing a removal process of the priority table of the transport controller  6 . 
         [0093]    When receiving a rack discharge completion notice to be described later from any of the transport units  31  to  34  and the output unit  23  (S 41 : YES), the control section  601  of the transport controller  6  deletes from the priority table (S 42 ) identification information of a sample rack L which is the source of this rack discharge completion notice. For example, when deleting identification information of the rack  2  from the priority table of  FIG. 10B , the rack  1  does not change and the identification information of the racks  3  and  4  is pulled up by one row, so a state shown in  FIG. 10C  is made. The rack discharge completion notice will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0094]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a flowchart showing a transport unit control process of the transport controller  6  based on the priority table. Such transport unit control process is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, every one second) by the control section  601  of the transport controller  6 . As described above, the transport destination of a sample rack L is determined to be the measuring unit  41  or the smear preparation apparatus  5  when the rack ID is read by the bar-code reading section  236  of the output unit  23 . Hereinafter, the transport unit corresponding to the measuring unit  41  or the smear preparation apparatus  5  which is the transport destination is called a “destination”. 
         [0095]    The control section  601  sets a reference sample rack L to a sample rack L positioned at the top of the priority table (S 101 ). Next, when the destination of this sample rack L is positioned behind (downstream side) the transport unit in which this sample rack L is positioned (S 102 : YES), the process proceeds to S 107 . On the other hand, when the destination of this sample rack L is not behind (downstream side), that is, when this sample rack L is transported toward the recovery unit  21  from the recovery line (S 102 : NO), the process proceeds to S 103 . 
         [0096]    In S 103 , the control section  601  determines whether the supply line of this transport unit is on standby. Here, the standby state of the supply line of the transport unit is a state in which the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the rack transport section  340  are stopped, the stopper  346  is lifted and a “recovery process” shown in  FIG. 15A  is not performed. That is, the state in which the supply line is on standby is a state in which the supply line is not used in the transportation of another sample rack. Even when the stopper  346  is dropped, it may be determined that the supply line is on standby. In addition, when the supply line is not used to transport another sample rack L at the point of time when the reference sample rack L is introduced to the supply line, it may be determined that the supply line is on standby. For example, even when the belts  341   a  and  341   b  operate for another sample rack at this point, it may be determined that the supply line is on standby when the belts  341   a  and  341   b  do not operate for another sample rack L at the point of time when the reference sample rack L is introduced to the supply line. 
         [0097]    When the supply line of this transport unit is on standby (S 103 : YES), the control section  601  determines whether the recovery line of this transport unit is on standby. That is, the control section  601  determines whether the belt  351  of the rack transport section  350  is stopped and another sample rack L is placed on this belt  351  in the transport unit in which the sample rack L is placed. 
         [0098]    When the recovery line of this transport unit is on standby (S 104 : YES), the control section  601  transmits a recovery instruction so as to perform the “recovery process” on this transport unit (S 105 ). Accordingly, the reference sample rack L is positioned at the recovery line left end position. The “recovery process” will be described later with reference to  FIG. 15A . 
         [0099]    On the other hand, when the supply line of this transport unit is not on standby (S 103 : NO) and when the recovery line of this transport unit is not on standby (S 104 : NO), the process proceeds to S 106 . 
         [0100]    Next, the control section  601  changes the reference destination in the priority table to the next-ranked sample rack L (S 106 ) and returns the process to S 102 . Regarding the sample rack L which is the reference destination, when determination is made to be NO in S 103  or S 104 , the sample rack L which is the reference destination in the priority table is set to “on hold” as shown in  FIG. 10D . In addition, in S 105 , when a recovery instruction is made for the sample rack L which is the reference destination, the sample rack L which is the reference destination in the priority table is set to “during processing” as shown in  FIG. 10E . 
         [0101]    Next, in S 107 , the control section  601  determines whether the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead of (on the left of) this transport unit by one unit is on standby. In the following, “transport unit which is ahead by n units” indicates a transport unit which is disposed at the n-th unit position in the left direction from the transport unit in which a sample rack L which is a reference destination is positioned or the transport unit on the left of the output unit. 
         [0102]    When the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is on standby (S 107 : YES), the process proceeds to S 108 , and when the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is not on standby (S 107 : NO), the process proceeds to S 116 . 
         [0103]    In S 108 , the control section  601  determines whether the transport unit which is ahead of this transport unit by one unit is a destination of the reference sample rack L. When the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is not the destination (S 108 : NO), the process proceeds to S 110 . When the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is the destination (S 108 : YES), the control section  601  transmits a right introduction instruction so as to perform a “right introduction process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and is on standby (S 109 ). The “right introduction process” will be described later with reference to  FIG. 14C . 
         [0104]    In S 110 , the control section  601  determines whether the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead of this transport unit by two units is on standby. When the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is on standby (S 110 : YES), the process proceeds to S 112 . When the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is not on standby (S 110 : NO), the control section  601  transmits a holding instruction so as to perform a “holding process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit (S 111 ). The “holding process” will be described later with reference to  FIG. 14B . 
         [0105]    In S 112 , the control section  601  determines whether the transport unit which is ahead of this transport unit by two units is a destination of the reference sample rack L. When the transport unit which is ahead by two units is the destination (S 112 : YES), the control section  601  transmits a right introduction instruction so as to perform the “right introduction process” on the transport unit which is ahead by two units and is on standby, and transmits a passing instruction so as to perform a “passing process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and is on standby (S 113 ). On the other hand, when the transport unit which is ahead by two units is not the destination, that is, when the destination is the unit which is ahead by three or more units (S 112 : NO), the control section  601  transmits a holding instruction so as to perform the “holding process” on the transport unit which is ahead by two units and transmits a passing instruction so as to perform the “passing process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit (S 114 ). The “passing process” will be described later with reference to  FIG. 14A . 
         [0106]    In this manner, the corresponding transport units are instructed, and then in S 115 , the control section  601  transmits a discharge instruction so as to perform a “discharge process” on the output unit  23  or the transport unit in which the sample rack L which is the reference destination is positioned (S 115 ). The “discharge process” will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 15B and 15C . 
         [0107]    Next, in S 116 , the control section  601  changes the reference destination in the priority table to a next-ranked sample rack L (S 116 ) and returns the process to S 102 . Regarding the sample rack L which is the reference destination, when determination is made to be NO in S 107 , the sample rack L which is the reference destination in the priority table is set to “on hold” as shown in  FIG. 10D . In addition, in S 115 , when a discharge instruction is made for the sample rack L which is the reference destination, the sample rack L which is the reference destination in the priority table is set to “during processing” as shown in  FIG. 10E . 
         [0108]    In S 106  and S 116 , when there is no sample rack L which is ranked next to the sample rack L during the reference in the priority table, this transport unit control process is completed. 
         [0109]    In the control process of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , when the transport unit which is ahead by two or more units from the output unit or the transport unit in which the sample rack L which is the reference destination is positioned is the destination (S 108 : NO), the transport control is performed with the transport units as targets which are ahead by up to two units (S 110  to S 114 ). At this time, even when other sample racks L are positioned in the transport units which are ahead by up to two units, the sample rack L which is the reference destination is positioned at the position which is added to the priority table in advance of these other sample racks L. That is, in the control process of  FIGS. 11A and 11B , with two transport units as control targets, among the sample racks L to be transported by these transport units, the sample rack L which is positioned at the position which is most rapidly added to the priority table is transported to these two transport units on a priority basis. However, in response to whether these two transport units are on standby, the transportation of the sample rack L is further controlled (S 107 : NO or S 110 : NO). 
         [0110]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing a passing notification process of the transport units  31  to  33 . 
         [0111]    The control section  301  of the transport units  31  to  33  determines whether a sample rack L has crossed the supply line center position (S 51 ). Such determination is carried out on the basis of whether the sample rack L positioned at the supply line center position has been detected by the sensors  344   a  and  344   b.    
         [0112]    When determining that the sample rack L has crossed the supply line center position (S 51 : YES), the control section  301  transmits a passing notice to the transport controller  6  (S 52 ). The passing notification process is repeatedly performed in parallel in the transport units  31  to  33 . 
         [0113]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a flowchart showing a transport unit control process of the transport controller  6  when a passing notice is received. Such transport unit control process is executed when the control section  601  of the transport controller  6  receives a passing notice from any of the transport units  31  to  33 . In addition, such transport unit control process is performed without referring to the priority table. 
         [0114]    The control section  601  determines whether this transport unit is being subjected to the passing process (to be described later by using  FIG. 14A ) (S 201 ). That is, the control section  601  determines whether the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the rack transport section  340  of this transport unit are being driven and the stopper  346  is dropped. When this transport unit is being subjected to the passing process (S 201 : YES), the process proceeds to S 202 . When this transport unit is being not subjected to the passing process, that is, when this transport unit is being subjected to the holding process (to be described later by using  FIG. 14B ) (S 201 : NO), the process proceeds to S 207 . 
         [0115]    In S 202 , the control section  601  determines whether the transport unit which is ahead of this transport unit by one unit is a destination of the sample rack L which is the source of the passing notice. When the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is the destination (S 202 : YES), the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is being subjected to the right introduction process and thus the process is completed. On the other hand, when the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is not the destination (S 202 : NO), the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is being subjected to the holding process and thus the process proceeds to S 203 . 
         [0116]    In S 203 , the control section  601  determines whether the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is on standby. When the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is not on standby (S 203 : NO), the process is completed. In this case, the sample rack L is stopped at the supply line left end position in the transport unit which is ahead by one unit. On the other hand, when the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is on standby (S 203 : YES), the process proceeds to S 204 . 
         [0117]    In S 204 , the control section  601  determines whether the transport unit which is ahead by two units is the destination of the sample rack L which is the source of the passing notice. When the transport unit which is ahead by two units is the destination (S 204 : YES), the control section  601  transmits a right introduction instruction so as to perform the “right introduction process” on the transport unit which is ahead by two units and transmits a passing instruction so as to perform the “passing process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit (S 205 ). On the other hand, when the transport unit which is ahead by two units is not the destination (S 204 : NO), the control section  601  transmits a holding instruction so as to perform the “holding process” on the transport unit which is ahead by two units, and transmits a passing instruction so as to perform the “passing process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit (S 206 ). 
         [0118]    In S 201 , when it is determined that the transport unit which is the transmission source of the passing notice is being not subjected to the passing process, that is, when it is determined that this transport unit is being subjected to the holding process, in S 207 , the control section  601  determines whether the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is on standby. When the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is on standby (S 207 : YES), the process proceeds to S 208 , and when the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is not on standby (S 207 : NO), the process is completed. When the determination is made to be NO in S 207 , the sample rack L is stopped at the supply line left end position in this transport unit. 
         [0119]    Here, since the processes in S 208  to S 214  are the same as the processes in S 108  to S 114  of  FIG. 11B , the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0120]    Next, when the processes in S 209 , S 211 , S 213  and S 214  are completed, the control section  601  transmits a passing instruction so as to perform the “passing process” on this transport unit (S 215 ). 
         [0121]      FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing the “passing process” of the transport units  31  to  33 . When receiving a passing instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  301  of the transport units  31  to  33  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. 
         [0122]    The control section  301  drops the stopper  346  and moves the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 301 ). The control section  301  determines whether a sample rack L is transported to the left from the right along the supply line and this sample rack L is discharged to the left transport unit from the supply line left end position. The control section  301  repeats the step S 302  until the condition is satisfied. When the sample rack L positioned at the supply line left end position is not detected by the sensors  345   a  and  345   b , it is determined that this sample rack L has been discharged to the left transport unit. 
         [0123]    When the sample rack L is discharged from the supply line left end position (S 302 : YES), the control section  301  lifts the stopper  346  and stops the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 303 ). Next, the control section  301  transmits a rack discharge completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 304 ). Accordingly, the supply line of this transport unit is put in a standby state and thus the “passing process” is completed. 
         [0124]      FIG. 14B  is a flowchart showing the “holding process” of the transport units  31  to  33 . When receiving a holding instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  301  of the transport units  31  to  33  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. 
         [0125]    The control section  301  lifts the stopper  346  and moves the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line to transport a sample rack L to the left from the right along the supply line (S 311 ). The control section  301  determines whether this sample rack L arrives at the supply line left end position (S 312 ). The control section  301  repeats the step S 312  until the condition is satisfied. When the sample rack L arrives at the supply line left end position, the sample rack L is stopped at this position by the stopper  346  and this sample rack L is detected by the sensors  345   a  and  345   b . Accordingly, when the sample rack L arrives at the supply line left end position (S 312 : YES), the control section  301  stops the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 313 ). Next, the control section  301  transmits a state change notice showing that the sample rack L has arrives at the supply line left end position to the transport controller  6  (S 314 ). Therefore, identification information of the sample rack L which has been positioned at the supply line left end position is added to the priority table. In this manner, the “holding process” is completed. 
         [0126]      FIG. 14C  is a flowchart showing the “right introduction process” of the transport units  31  to  34 . When receiving a right introduction instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  301  (control section  341 ) of the transport units  31  to  34  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. 
         [0127]    The control section  301  (control section  341 ) lifts the stopper  346 , moves the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line and moves the rack pushing mechanism  342  up to a position at which the wall section  342   a  is hung onto the supply line to transport a sample rack L to the left from the right along the supply line (S 321 ). The control section  301  (control section  341 ) determines whether this sample rack L arrives at the supply line right end position (S 322 ). The control section  301  (control section  341 ) repeats the step S 322  until the condition is satisfied. When the sample rack L arrives at the supply line right end position, the sample rack L is stopped at this position by the wall section  342   a  of the rack pushing mechanism  342  and this sample rack L is detected by the sensors  343   a  and  343   b.    
         [0128]    When the sample rack L arrives at the supply line right end position (S 322 : YES), the control section  301  (control section  341 ) further moves the rack pushing mechanism  342  backward to push the sample rack L at the supply line right end position to the right table  310  (S 323 ). Then, the control section  301  (control section  341 ) returns the rack pushing mechanism  342  to a space between the rack transport sections  340  and  350  and stops the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 324 ). Next, the control section  301  (control section  341 ) transmits a state change notice to the transport controller  6  (S 325 ). Accordingly, the “right introduction process” is completed. 
         [0129]      FIG. 15A  is a flowchart showing the “recovery process” of the transport units  31  to  34 . When receiving a recovery instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  301  (control section  341 ) of the transport units  31  to  34  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. 
         [0130]    First, the control section  301  (control section  341 ) puts the supply line in a non-standby state (S 331 ). Next, the control section  301  (control section  341 ) drops the partition section  352  and pushes a sample rack L which is positioned at the left table position forward by the rack input mechanism  333  to (S 332 ). The control section  301  (control section  341 ) determines whether this sample rack L arrives at the recovery line left end position (S 333 ). The control section  301  (control section  341 ) repeats the step S 333  until the condition is satisfied. When the sample rack L arrives at the recovery line left end position, this sample rack is detected by the sensors  353   a  and  353   b.    
         [0131]    When the sample rack L arrives at the recovery line left end position (S 333 : YES), the control section  301  (control section  341 ) returns the rack input mechanism  333  up to the left table  320  and lifts the partition section  352  (S 334 ). Next, the control section  301  (control section  341 ) transmits a rack discharge completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 335 ). Accordingly, the supply line of this transport unit is put in a standby state and thus the “recovery process” is completed. When receiving the rack discharge completion notice which is transmitted in S 335 , the transport controller  6  deletes this sample rack L from the priority table as shown in, for example,  FIG. 9D . 
         [0132]      FIG. 15B  is a flowchart showing the “discharge process” of the transport units  31  to  33 . When receiving a discharge instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  301  of the transport units  31  to  33  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. This “discharge process” is performed when a sample rack L which is positioned at the left table position or at the supply line left end position is discharged to the transport unit on the left side of this transport unit. 
         [0133]    The control section  301  drops the stopper  346  and moves the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 341 ). Here, when a sample rack L which is positioned at the left table position is discharged, this sample rack L is positioned at the supply line left end position by the rack input mechanism  333  and then the stopper  346  and the belts  341   a  and  341   b  are driven. 
         [0134]    The control section  301  determines whether the sample rack L is discharged to the left transport unit from the supply line left end position (S 342 ). The control section  301  repeats the step S 342  until the condition is satisfied. 
         [0135]    When the sample rack L is discharged from the supply line left end position (S 342 : YES), the control section  301  stops the belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the supply line (S 343 ). Next, the control section  301  transmits a rack discharge completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 344 ). Accordingly, the “discharge process” is completed. When receiving the rack discharge completion notice which is transmitted in S 344 , the transport controller  6  deletes this sample rack L from the priority table as shown in  FIG. 9D . 
         [0136]      FIG. 15C  is a flowchart showing the “discharge process” of the output unit  23 . When receiving a discharge instruction from the transport controller  6 , the control section  237  of the output unit  23  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  and performs the following process. 
         [0137]    The control section  237  pushes a sample rack L which is positioned at the rack ID reading position to the supply line of the transport unit  31  by moving the rack output mechanism  235  in the left direction (S 351 ). The control section  237  determines whether a next sample rack L of this sample rack L is made to be capable of being discharged (S 352 ). The control section  237  repeats the step S 352  until the condition is satisfied. That is, the step S 352  is repeated until this sample rack L is transported to the transport unit  31  from the output unit  23  and the rack output mechanism  235  returns to the right end position immediately in front of the output unit  23 . 
         [0138]    When the next sample rack L is made to be capable of being discharged (S 352 : YES), the control section  237  transmits a rack discharge completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 353 ). Accordingly, the “discharge process” of the output unit  23  is completed. When receiving the rack discharge completion notice which is transmitted in S 353 , this sample rack L is deleted from the priority table as shown in, for example,  FIG. 9D . 
         [0139]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are diagrams illustrating that a sample rack L is transported up to a destination by controlling the transport unit. In  FIGS. 16 and 17 , schematic diagrams showing the output unit  23  and the transport units  31  to  33  are shown. For the sake of convenience, the transport unit  34  will be omitted in the drawings. 
         [0140]    Referring to  FIG. 16A , as shown in the drawing, sample racks L (hereinafter, referred to as a “rack  1 ”, a “rack  2 ” and a “rack  3 ”) are included in the output unit  23  and the transport units  32  and  33 , respectively. The destination of the rack  1  is the transport unit  33 , the rack  2  has no destination (recovery only) and the destination of the rack  3  is the transport unit  34 . 
         [0141]    When the racks  1  to  3  arrive in order at the rack ID reading position in the output unit  23 , at the left table position in the transport unit  32  and at the left table position in the transport unit  33 , identification information of the racks  1  to  3  are added to the last row of the priority table in order. Accordingly, priority rankings of the racks  1  to  3  in the priority table are in order of the racks  1  to  3  as shown in  FIG. 16E . 
         [0142]    When the rack  1  is a transport target, the rack ID reading position in the output unit  23  corresponds to a “first position” in the claims and the left table positions in the transport units  31  and  32  correspond to a “Second position” in the claims. 
         [0143]    In  FIG. 16A , a rack which is shown by the broken line in  FIG. 16A  and positioned at the supply line left table position or the left table position in the transport unit  31  is a transport target, these left table position or the supply line left end position correspond to the “first position” in the claims, and the left table positions in the transport units  32  and  33  correspond to the “Second position” in the claims. 
         [0144]    Hereinafter, a control operation when the rack  1  is positioned at the rack ID reading position (first position) in the output unit  23  as in  FIG. 16A  will be described. However, also in the case in which the rack which is positioned at the broken line position (first position) of  FIG. 16A  is a control target, the following control operation is performed with the transport units  32  and  33  as control targets. 
         [0145]    The control section  601  of the transport controller  6  sets a reference sample rack L in the priority table to the rack  1  in accordance with the control order of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  and controls the transport unit so as to transport the rack  1 . That is, since the destination of the rack  1  is the transport unit  33  which is ahead by three units and the supply lines of the transport units  31  and  32  are on standby, a holding instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  32  and a passing instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  31 . In addition, a discharge instruction is transmitted to the output unit  23  and the rack  1  starts to be transported. Accordingly, the reference destination in the priority table is changed to one which is below by one row. At this time, the priority table is as shown in  FIG. 16F . 
         [0146]    Referring to  FIG. 16B , next, the rack  2  starts to be processed. However, since the supply line of the transport unit  32  is not on standby, the reference destination in the priority table is changed to one which is below by one row without the transportation of the rack  2  and the rack  3  starts to be processed. At this time, the priority table is as shown in  FIG. 16G . In addition, although the transport unit control process of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  is also performed at predetermined time intervals during this period, it is determined that the rack  1  is being subjected to the process and the rack  2  is on hold and thus the processing of the racks  1  and  2  is not performed. When the rack  3  starts to be processed, the rack  3  is discharged to the transport unit  34  which is the destination thereof. 
         [0147]    When the rack  1  is discharged from the output unit  23  and the transport controller  6  receives a rack discharge completion notice, the rack  1  is deleted from the priority table. In the same manner, when the rack  3  is discharged from the transport unit  33  and the transport controller  6  receives a rack discharge completion notice, the rack  3  is deleted from the priority table. Accordingly, the priority table is as shown in  FIG. 16H . 
         [0148]    As shown in  FIG. 16C , when the rack  1  passes through the supply line center position in the transport unit  31 , the transport unit is controlled in accordance with the control order of  FIGS. 13A and 13B . That is, since the transport unit  31  is being subjected to the passing process, the supply line of the transport unit  33  is on standby, and the destination of the rack  1  is the unit which is ahead by two units, a right introduction instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  33  and a passing instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  32 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 16D , in the transport unit  33 , the right introduction process is performed and the passing process is performed in the transport unit  32 . 
         [0149]    In the case in which when the rack  1  passes through the supply line center position in the transport unit  31  as shown in  FIG. 16C , the transport unit  33  is not on standby, and then when the rack  1  passes through the supply line center position in the transport unit  32 , the rack  3  is being transported and the transport unit  33  is thus not on standby, the rack  1  is stopped at the supply line left end position of the transport unit  32  as shown in  FIG. 17A . Accordingly, the rack  1  is added to the last row of the priority table. In this case, the rack  1  cannot move until the recovery process of the rack  3  is completed. 
         [0150]    Next, when the rack  1  proceeds in the left direction from the state of  FIG. 16D  and passes through the supply line center position of the transport unit  32  as shown in  FIG. 17B , determination is made to be YES in S 201  of  FIG. 13A  and the passing process of the transport unit  32  and the right introduction process of the transport unit  33  are continued. At this time, the priority table is as shown in  FIG. 17F . 
         [0151]    Referring to  FIG. 17C , when the rack  1  is transported to the transport unit  33  from the transport unit  32  and then the transport unit control process of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  which is performed at predetermined time intervals is executed, the rack  2  is positioned at the top of the priority table and thus the rack  2  starts to be processes. At this time, since the supply line and the recovery line of the transport unit  32  are on standby, a recovery instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  32  and the rack  2  is transported up to the recovery line left end position as shown in  FIG. 17D . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 17H , the rack  2  is deleted from the priority table. 
         [0152]      FIG. 18  is a diagram showing contents of the communication which is performed between the transport units  31  to  33 , the output unit  23  and the transport controller  6  in the transport control of the transport units  31  to  33  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In  FIG. 18 , for the sake of convenience, only the transport control related to the rack  1  is shown. 
         [0153]    When the bar-code reading section  236  of the output unit  23  reads the rack ID, an arrival notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  from the output unit  23  as shown in S 22  of  FIG. 9B . At this time, since the transport units  31  and  32  are on standby, the transport controller  6  transmits a holding instruction to the transport unit  32  which is ahead by two units and transmits a passing instruction to the transport unit  31  which is ahead by one unit as shown in S 114  of  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
         [0154]    In greater detail, first, the transport controller  6  transmits a holding instruction to the transport unit  32  (S 402 ). When receiving the holding instruction, the transport unit  32  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 403 ). Next, the transport controller  6  transmits a passing instruction to the transport unit  31  (S 404 ). When receiving the passing instruction, the transport unit  31  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 405 ). In this manner, when the transport units on the downstream side are instructed first, the sample rack L can be prevented from being transported mistakenly to the transport units on the downstream side in the case in which an error occurs in the transport units on the downstream side. 
         [0155]    Next, the transport controller  6  transmits a discharge instruction to the output unit  23  as shown in S 115  of  FIG. 11B  (S 406 ). When receiving the discharge instruction, the output unit  23  transmits an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 407 ). After that, the output unit  23  transmits a rack discharge completion notice to the transport controller  6  as shown in S 353  of  FIG. 15C  (S 408 ). Accordingly, this sample rack L is deleted from the priority table. 
         [0156]    Then, when the sample rack L which is output to the transport unit  31  passes through the supply line center position in the transport unit  31 , a passing notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  as shown in S 52  of  FIG. 12  (S 409 ). Accordingly, the transport unit control process of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  is executed, and as shown in S 205  of  FIG. 13A , a right introduction instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  33  which is ahead by two units (S 410 ) and a passing instruction is transmitted to the transport unit  32  which is ahead by one unit (S 412 ). When receiving the right introduction instruction and the passing instruction, respectively, the transport units  33  and  32  transmit an instruction reception completion notice to the transport controller  6  (S 411 , S 413 ). 
         [0157]    Then, when this sample rack L is discharged from the transport unit  31 , a rack discharge completion notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  as shown in S 304  of  FIG. 14A  (S 414 ). Next, when this sample rack L passes through the supply line center position in the transport unit  32 , a passing notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  (S 415 ). At this time, although the transport unit control process of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  is executed, determination is made to be YES in S 202  of  FIG. 13A  and thus the transport unit control is not newly performed. 
         [0158]    Then, when this sample rack L is discharged from the transport unit  32 , a rack discharge completion notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  as in S 414  (S 416 ). After that, in the “right introduction process” which is executed in the transport unit  33 , this sample rack L is pushed to the right table  310  from the supply line right end position, and then as shown in  FIG. 14C , a state change notice is transmitted to the transport controller  6  from the transport unit  33  (S 417 ). Accordingly, the transport controller  6  can know that this sample rack has been moved to the right table of the transport unit  33 . 
         [0159]    According to the embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , sample racks are transported by the transport units  31  to  34  and the output unit  23  in order from the sample rack L which is positioned at the top of the priority table. That is, in transporting a reference sample rack L, when the supply lines of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and the transport unit which is ahead by two units are on standby, instructions are transmitted for transporting this sample rack L to these transport units. Accordingly, it is not necessary to put this sample rack L on hold in the transport unit which is ahead by one unit before the sample rack L is discharged to the transport unit which is ahead by two units, and thus this sample rack L can be transported smoothly to the destination. In addition, since the transport units other than the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and the transport unit which is ahead by two units can be used to transport other sample racks which are low in priority ranking, the transport operation of other sample racks which are low in priority ranking can also be smoothly performed. 
         [0160]    In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, when a sample rack L passes through the supply line center position, as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , when the supply lines of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and the transport unit which is ahead by two units are on standby, instructions are transmitted for transporting this sample rack L to these transport units, respectively. Accordingly, since this sample rack L is not stopped in the transport unit which is ahead by one unit, this sample rack L can be transported smoothly to the transport unit which is ahead by two units from the transport unit which is ahead by one unit. 
         [0161]    In addition, in the processes of  FIGS. 11 and 13 , even when the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit is on standby but the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by two units is not on standby, this sample rack L is transported up to the transport unit which is ahead by one unit. Accordingly, since the sample rack L is transported to the downstream side as much as possible, transport efficiency can be increased. 
         [0162]    As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. 
         [0163]    For example, in the above-described embodiments, blood is exemplified as a measurement target. However, urine can also be a measurement target. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a sample processing system examining urine and a clinical sample processing system examining other clinical samples. 
         [0164]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the sample processing system  1  includes the four transport units  31  to  34 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The sample processing system  1  may include three transport units and also may include five or more transport units. 
         [0165]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and the transport unit which is ahead by two units are control targets. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The control may be performed on the basis of the priority rankings of sample racks L with transport units as control targets which are ahead by up to n units (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1). In this case, when supply lines of the n transport units which are the control targets are on standby, a reference sample rack L on the priority table is transported by the supply lines of the n transport units, and when the transport unit on the downstream side is not on standby, the sample rack is transported by the transport unit on the upstream side which is on standby up to a position at which the sample rack can be transported. 
         [0166]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the sample processing system has been described which introduces a sample rack to the measurement line from the supply line and discharges a sample rack in which the measurement has been completed to the supply line from the measurement line. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A sample processing system may be provided in which a measuring unit suctions and measures a sample from a sample container stored in a sample rack positioned on a supply line, and after the suction of the sample, the sample rack is transported to the downstream side by the supply line. 
         [0167]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the transport units  31  to  34  are connected to each other so as to directly deliver sample racks. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A relay transport unit which receives a sample rack from the upstream transport unit and hands it to the transport unit on the downstream side may be provided between the transport units. 
         [0168]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, in Steep S 113 , a passing instruction is transmitted so as to perform the “passing process” on the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and a right introduction instruction is transmitted so as to perform the “right introduction instruction” on the transport unit which is ahead by two units. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. After a sample rack is introduced to the supply line of the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and before the sample rack arrives at the “supply line left end position”, a passing instruction may be transmitted to the transport unit which is ahead by one unit and a right introduction instruction may be transmitted to the transport unit which is ahead by two units. 
         [0169]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, transport instructions are transmitted to the transport units which are ahead by up to two units. However, this is not limited to the transport units which are ahead by up to two units and a transport instruction may be transmitted to a transport unit which is ahead by three units. 
         [0170]    Various modifications can be made in the embodiment of the present invention within the scope of the technical thoughts which are shown in the claims.