Abstract:
A specimen processing apparatus comprising: a specimen processing section which includes a movable section and processes a specimen by moving the movable section; and a controller for determining whether the movable section was moved while a specimen processing operation by the specimen processing section was stopped, and controlling the specimen processing section to perform a preparing operation for starting the specimen processing operation based on the determination result, is disclosed. A control method for a specimen processing apparatus is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a specimen processing apparatus for processing a specimen such as blood, urine, or the like, and a control method for the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, an automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing a specimen such as blood, urine, or the like using a reagent has been known. According to such an automatic analyzing apparatus, a measurement sample prepared by mixing a specimen and a reagent is measured by a measurement section, and the component and the like of the specimen are analyzed based on the measurement result. The reagent is contained in a reagent container, and dispensed using a pipette or the like. When an amount of the reagent contained in the reagent container gets smaller, a user replaces the reagent container. 
     An automatic analyzing apparatus for replacing a reagent container easily has been disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-122417. This automatic analyzing apparatus is provided with a plurality of reagent discs on which reagent containers are placed, a reagent probe for suctioning a reagent from the reagent container placed on the respective reagent discs, and the like. When receiving a command for the replacement of the reagent during the execution of a measurement operation, this automatic analyzing apparatus stops the reagent disc for the reagent container to be replaced. Thereafter, when the replacement operation for the reagent container by a user is completed, the automatic analyzing apparatus restarts the reagent disc which has been stopped. 
     However, according to the automatic analyzing apparatus described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-122417, there is a fear that a finger of the user or the like may get in contact with a movable section such as the reagent disc, the reagent probe or the like during the operation for the replacement of the reagent. If the reagent disc or the reagent probe or the like is moved by this contact, there is a fear that a malfunction may occur in the measurement operation after the release from this suspension. 
     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 a specimen processing apparatus comprising: a specimen processing section which includes a movable section and processes a specimen by moving the movable section; and a controller for determining whether the movable section was moved while a specimen processing operation by the specimen processing section was stopped, and controlling the specimen processing section to perform a preparing operation for starting the specimen processing operation based on the determination result. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a specimen processing apparatus comprising: a specimen processing section which includes a movable section and processes a specimen by moving the movable section; and an information processing section for monitoring the movable section, wherein the information processing section determines whether the movable section was moved while the specimen processing operation by the specimen processing section was stopped, and the specimen processing section controls the specimen processing section to perform a preparing operation for starting a specimen processing operation based on the determination result by the information processing section. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a control method for a specimen processing apparatus, comprising: stopping a movable section of a specimen processing section; determining whether the movable section was moved while a specimen processing operation by the specimen processing section was stopped; and executing a first preparing operation or a second preparing operation for starting the specimen processing operation based on the determination result. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of a specimen analyzing apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of a measurement apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a configuration of a container rack according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing a configuration of a container rack according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustrating a procedure for a replacement or an addition of a reagent according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustrating a procedure for a replacement or an addition of a reagent according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a measurement apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display section of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing a measurement suspension processing according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9A  is a flowchart showing a measurement suspension processing according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9B  is a flowchart showing a measurement suspension processing according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10A  is a diagram illustrating a processing content of a processing for a returning operation to an original point according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10B  is a diagram illustrating a processing content of a processing for a returning operation to an original point according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10C  is a diagram illustrating a processing content of a processing for a returning operation to an original point according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10D  is a diagram illustrating a processing content of a processing for a returning operation to an original point according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the present embodiment, the “stop” of the specimen processing operation is a concept including the “suspension” of the specimen processing operation. That is, the “stop” of the specimen processing operation widely includes a case in which the specimen processing operation by a specimen processing section is stopped such as a time period after the power activation and until the start of the specimen processing, a time period after the completion of the specimen processing operation and until the next start of the specimen processing operation, and the like, in addition to the case in which the specimen processing operation is forcibly “stopped” in the course of the specimen processing operation. 
     In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a specimen analyzing apparatus for optically measuring and analyzing a specimen (blood) by irradiating a light beam to the specimen to be measured which has been prepared by adding a reagent to blood, and using a coagulation method, a chromogenic substrate method, an immunoturbidimetric method, and a condensation method. 
     Hereinafter, a description will be made of the specimen analyzing apparatus according to the embodiment with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of a specimen analyzing apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The specimen analyzing apparatus  1  includes a measurement apparatus  2  for optically measuring components included in the specimen (blood), and an information processing apparatus  3  for analyzing measurement data of the measurement apparatus  2  and providing an operation command to the measurement apparatus  2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the measurement apparatus  2  when seen from an upper direction. The measurement apparatus  2  includes a measurement unit  10 , a detection unit  40 , and a transport unit  50 . 
     A measurement unit  10  includes a first reagent table  11 , a second reagent table  12 , a first container rack  13 , a second container rack  14 , a cuvette table  15 , a warming table  16 , a table cover  17 , a first specimen dispensing unit  21 , a second specimen dispensing unit  22 , a first reagent dispensing unit  23 , a second reagent dispensing unit  24 , a third reagent dispensing unit  25 , a first catcher unit  26 , a second catcher unit  27 , a third catcher unit  28 , a reagent bar-code reader  31 , a cuvette transporter  32 , a diluent transporter  33 , a cuvette port  34 , a waste port  35 , and a waste port  36 . 
     The first reagent table  11 , the second reagent table  12 , the cuvette table  15 , and the warming table  16  are circular tables, each of which is independently rotated and driven in both of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. These tables are rotated and driven respectively by stepping motors  311   a ,  311   b ,  313 , and  314  (see  FIG. 5 ) arranged on the back sides of the lower surfaces. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , five first container racks  13  and five second container racks  14  are detachably arranged on the upper surfaces of the first reagent table  11  and the second reagent table  12 , respectively. In the first container racks  13  and the second container racks  14 , holding sections for holding reagent containers are formed. The reagent bar-code reader  31  is positioned outside the second reagent table, and the first reagent table  11  is positioned inside the second reagent table  12 . 
     In addition, when the five second container racks  14  are arranged in the second reagent table  12 , a gap  12   a  from among the gaps between adjacent second container racks  14  has larger clearance as compared with the other gaps as shown in  FIG. 2 . With this configuration, the reagent bar-code reader  31  can read bar-code information on the first container racks  13  arranged in the first reagent table  11  and on the reagent containers contained therein, via the gap  12   a  with a larger clearance compared with the other gaps. 
     Here, a description will be made of the configurations of the first container rack  13  and the second container rack  14  and the procedure in which the bar-code information attached to these container racks is obtained, with reference to the perspective views shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the first container rack  13  includes two holding sections  131  and  132  for holding cylindrical reagent containers  200 , notch sections  131   a  and  132   a  which are respectively provided in the front surfaces of the holding sections  131  and  132 , and a gripping section  133  which is provided so as to upwardly protrude. The holding sections  131  and  132  have containable parts with substantially circular shapes when seen from an upper direction so as to hold the reagent containers  200 . In addition, when holding a container with a smaller outer shape as compared with the inner diameters of the holding sections  131  and  132 , the first container rack  13  stably holds such a container using an additional adapter or the like. 
     Bar-code labels  131   b  and  132   b  are attached to the outer circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  131  and  132 , respectively. In addition, bar-code labels are also attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  131  and  132 , respectively. A bar-code label  200   a  is attached to the reagent container  200 .  FIG. 3A  shows only a bar-code label  132   c  attached to the inner circumferential surface of the holding section  132  from among the bar-codes attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  131  and  132 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , the second container rack  14  includes six holding sections  141  to  146  for holding cylindrical reagent containers  200 , notch sections  141   a  to  146   a  which are respectively provided in the front surfaces of the holding sections  141  to  146 , and a gripping section  147  which is provided so as to upwardly protrude. The holding sections  141  to  146  have containable parts with substantially circular shapes when seen from an upper direction so as to hold the reagent containers  200 . In addition, when holding a container with a smaller outer shape as compared with the inner diameters of the holding sections  141  to  146 , the second container rack  14  stably holds such a container using an additional adapter or the like. 
     Bar-code labels  141   b  to  146   b  are attached to the outer circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  141  to  146 , respectively. In addition, bar-code labels are also attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  141  to  146 , respectively. The bar-code label  200   a  is attached to the reagent container  200 .  FIG. 3B  shows only bar-code labels  142   c  and  143   c  attached to the inner circumferential surface of the holding sections  142  and  143  from among the bar-code labels attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of the holding sections  141  to  146 . 
     Next, a description will be made of the procedure in which the bar-code labels attached to the first container rack  13 , the second container rack  14 , and the reagent container  200  are read. In addition, the reagent bar-code reader  31  reads the bar-code labels from the front direction in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     First, the first reagent table and the second reagent table are rotated at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction, and the bar-code labels attached to the outer circumferential surface of a predetermined holding section is read by the bar-code reader  31 . With this operation, it is recognized that this holding section corresponds to which holding section in which container rack. 
     Subsequently, the bar-code positioned in the notch section of this holding section is read. At this time, the bar-code label attached to the reagent container  200  is read when the reagent container  200  is contained, and the bar-code label attached to the inner circumferential surface of the holding section is read when the reagent container  200  is not contained. In this manner, it is identified whether or not the reagent container  200  is contained in the holding section. Moreover, when the reagent container  200  is contained in the holding section, the type of the reagent contained in the reagent container  200  is identified based on the bar-code information read from the bar-code label  200   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of cuvette holding holes  15   a  and  16   a  are formed respectively in the cuvette table  15  and the warming table  16  along their circumference. When the cuvettes are set in the cuvette holding holes  15   a  and  16   a , these cuvettes are moved in the circumferential positions along with the rotations of the cuvette table  15  and the warming table  16 . In addition, the warming table  16  warms the cuvettes set in the holding holes  16   a  at a predetermined temperature. 
     The table cover  17  is provided so as to cover the upper surfaces of the first reagent table  11 , the second reagent table  12 , and the cuvette table  15 . The table cover  17  has a folding mechanism in its center portion such that only the front half thereof can be opened. In addition, the table cover  17  is provided with a plurality of holes. Dispensing by the first specimen dispensing unit  21 , the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  are performed through this plurality of holes. 
     The first specimen dispensing unit  21  includes a supporting section  21   a , an arm  21   b , and a dispensing section  21   c  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The supporting section  21   a  is rotated and driven by a stepping motor  312   a  (see  FIG. 5 ) arranged on the back side of the lower surface. The supporting section  21   a  supports the arm  21   b , and the arm  21   b  is driven in the vertical direction by the stepping motor  312   a . The dispensing section  21   c  is attached to a leading end of the arm  21   b , and has a pipette. This pipette is used to suction and discharge the specimen. 
     When the supporting section  21   a  is rotated and driven, the dispensing section  21   c  is moved on a circumference around the supporting section  21   a . The dispensing section  21   c  suctions the specimen, which exists directly below the dispensing section  21   c , in the specimen suctioning position, and discharges the specimen into the cuvette, which exists directly below the dispensing section  21   c , in the specimen discharging position. In addition, the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  have the same configuration as that of the first specimen dispensing unit  21 . That is, the second specimen dispensing unit  22  is provided with a supporting section  22   a , and the supporting section  22   a  is rotated and driven by a stepping motor  312   b  (see  FIG. 5 ) arranged on the back side of the lower surface. In addition, the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  are provided with a supporting section  23   a , a supporting section  24   a , and a supporting section  25   a , respectively. Moreover, the supporting section  23   a , the supporting section  24   a , and the supporting section  25   a  are rotated and driven by a stepping motor  312   c , a stepping motor  312   d , and a stepping motor  312   e  (see  FIG. 5 ) arranged on the back sides of the lower surfaces, respectively. 
     The first catcher unit  26  includes a supporting section  26   a  for supporting an arm  26   b , the arm  26   b  which can be extended and contracted, and a gripping section  26   c  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The supporting section  26   a  is rotated and driven by a stepping motor  315   a  (see  FIG. 5 ) arranged on the backside of the lower surface. The gripping section  26   c  is attached to the leading end of the arm  26   b , and can grip the cuvette. In addition, the second catcher unit  27  has the same configuration as that of the first catcher unit  26 , and is rotated by a stepping motor  315   b  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The third catcher unit  28  includes a supporting section  28   a  for supporting an arm  28   b , the arm  28   b  which can be extended and contracted, and a gripping section  28   c  which is attached to the leading end of the arm  28   b  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The supporting section  28   a  is driven along a rail arranged in a horizontal direction. The gripping section  28   c  can grip the cuvette. 
     The reagent bar-code reader  31  reads a bar-code label attached to the first container rack  13  and the second container rack  14 , and the bar-code labels  200   a  attached to the reagent containers  200  contained in these racks. In addition, the first reagent table  11  and the second reagent table  12  can be independently rotated. The bar-code label attached to the first container rack  13  and the bar-code labels  200   a  attached to the reagent containers  200  contained in the first container rack  13  are read via the gap  12   a  when the gap  12   a  of the second reagent table  12  reaches the position in front of the reagent bar-code reader  31 . 
     The cuvette transporter  32  and the diluent transporter  33  are driven on the rails in the horizontal direction. In addition, holes for holding the cuvettes and the diluent containers are provided in the cuvette transporter  32  and the diluent transporter  33 , respectively. 
     The cuvette port  34  is always supplied with new cuvettes. The new cuvettes are set in the holes of the cuvette transporter  32  for holding the cuvettes and in the cuvette holding hole  15   a  of the cuvette table  15  by the first catcher unit  26  and the second catcher unit  27 . The waste ports  35  and  36  are the holes for disposing of the unnecessary cuvettes after the completion of the analysis. 
     The detection unit  40  is provided with ten holding holes  41  for containing cuvettes on the upper surface, and a detection section on the backside of the lower surface. When the cuvettes are set in the holding holes  41 , optical information is detected from the reagent for the measurement inside the cuvettes, using the detection section. 
     The transport unit  50  is provided with a transport passage  51  and a specimen bar-code reader  52 . The bottom surface of the transport passage  51  includes a right tank area on its right side, a connecting area in its center, and a left tank area on its left side, and is formed in a U-shape. The specimen bar-code reader  52  reads bar-code labels attached to a specimen containers  61  contained in a specimen rack  60  which is transported through the connecting area. 
     Next, a description will be made of a series of operations for analyzing the specimen. 
     The specimen rack  60  containing a plurality of specimen containers  61  is set in the right tank area of the transport passage  51 . The specimen rack  60  is moved backward in the right tank area, and then moved in the left direction through the connecting area. At this time, the bar-code labels attached to the specimen containers  61  are read by the specimen bar-code reader  52 . Subsequently, the specimen rack  60  is positioned in a predetermined position in the connecting area. When the suctioning of the specimen is completed in the connecting area, the specimen rack  60  is moved in the left direction through the connecting area, and then moved forward in the left tank area. 
     The first specimen dispensing unit  21  suctions the specimen in the specimen container  61  which is positioned at a predetermined specimen suctioning position  53  in the connecting area of the transport passage  51 . The specimen suctioned by the first specimen dispensing unit  21  is discharged into the cuvette set in the cuvette holding hole  15   a  positioned in a specimen discharging position  18  in a position in front of the cuvette table  15 . 
     The second specimen dispensing unit  22  suctions the specimen contained in the cuvette in a specimen suctioning position  19 , or the specimen in the specimen container  61  positioned at a predetermined specimen suctioning position  54  in the connecting area of the transport passage  51 . The specimen suctioned by the second specimen dispensing unit  22  is discharged into the cuvette set in the cuvette transporter  32 . In addition, the second specimen dispensing unit  22  can suction the diluent set in the diluent transporter  33 . In this case, the specimen dispensing unit  22  suctions the diluent at a diluent suctioning position  37  before the suctioning of the specimen, and then suctions the specimen at the specimen suctioning position  19  or  54 . 
     The cuvette transporter  32  is driven on the rail in the right direction at a predetermined timing, when the specimen is discharged into the cuvette contained therein. Subsequently, the cuvette, which contains the specimen, set in the cuvette transporter  32  is gripped by the first catcher unit  26 , and set in the cuvette holding hole  16   a  of the warming table  16 . 
     Subsequently, the second catcher unit  27  grips the cuvette, which contains the specimen, set in the holding hole  16   a , and moves it to a reagent discharging position  38 . Here, the first reagent dispensing unit  23  suctions a reagent (a first reagent) within the predetermined reagent container  200  positioned in the first reagent table  11  or in the second reagent table  12 , and discharges the reagent at the reagent discharging position  38 . When the reagent is discharged in this manner, the second catcher unit  27  stirs this cuvette, and sets it in the cuvette holding hole  16   a  of the warming table again. 
     The cuvette held by the cuvette holding hole  16   a  of the warming table  16  is then gripped by the third catcher unit  28 , and positioned at a reagent discharging position  39   a  or  39   b . Here, the second reagent dispensing unit  24  and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  suction a reagent (a second reagent) in the predetermined reagent container  200  positioned in the first reagent table  11  or in the second reagent table  12 , and discharge it at the reagent discharging positions  39   a  and  39   b , respectively. When the reagent is discharged in this manner, the third catcher unit  28  sets the cuvette, into which the reagent is discharged, in the holding hole  41  of the detection unit  40 . Thereafter, optical information is detected from the reagent for the measurement, which is contained in the cuvette, in the detection unit  40 . 
     Although both of the mixing of the reagent (first reagent) by the first reagent dispensing unit  23  and the mixing of the reagent (second reagent) by the second reagent dispensing unit  24  and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  are performed here, mixing of the first reagent may not be performed in some cases depending upon the contents of the analysis. In such a case, the mixing step of the first reagent is skipped, and the optical information is detected after only the mixing of the second reagent is performed. 
     The unnecessary cuvette after the completion of the detection by the detection unit  40  is moved up to the position directly over the waste port  35  while being gripped by the third catcher unit  28 , and disposed of in the waste port  35 . In addition, the cuvette held in the cuvette holding hole  15   a  of the cuvette table  15  is also positioned at a place close to the second catcher unit  27  by rotating the cuvette table  15 , when it becomes unnecessary after the completion of the analysis. The second catcher unit  27  grips the unnecessary cuvette held in the cuvette holding hole  15   a , and disposes of it in the waste port  36 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams illustrating procedures in the case of performing the replacement or the addition of the reagent.  FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing an ordinary usage state, and  FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing the state in which the replacement or the addition of the reagent is performed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , the table cover  17  covers the upper surfaces of the first reagent table  11 , the second reagent table  12  (hereinafter, referred to as a “reagent table group”), and the cuvette table  15  in the ordinary usage state. At this time, the first specimen dispensing unit  21 , the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  (hereinafter, referred to as a “dispensing unit group”) perform the dispensing through a plurality of holes provided in the table cover  17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , when the replacement or the addition of the reagent is performed, the dispensing unit group is retreated up to a position outside an area which is covered by the table cover  17  (hereinafter, referred to as a “retreated position”) as shown in  FIG. 4A . Thereafter, the table cover  17  is folded at its center portion. With this operation, the state turns into the one in which only the upper half area of the reagent table group and the cuvette table  15  is covered with the table cover  17  as shown in  FIG. 4B  (the part surrounded by a dotted line represents the area which is covered with the table cover  17 , and the part surrounded by a dashed line represents the area which is not covered with the table cover  17 ). At this time, since there occurs an area which is not covered with the table cover  17  (hereinafter, referred to as a “replacement position”), a user can replace or add the reagent through such a replacement position. That is, the user takes out the first reagent rack  13  and the second reagent rack  14  through the replacement position, replaces or adds the reagent, and then sets the reagent racks to the reagent tables again. Alternatively, the user directly replaces or adds the reagent with respect to the reagent containers  200  arranged in the reagent racks. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a measurement apparatus  2 . 
     The measurement apparatus  2  includes a control section  300 , the reagent bar-code reader  31 , the specimen bar-code reader  52 , a reagent table stepping motor section  311 , a dispensing unit stepping motor section  312 , the cuvette table stepping motor  313 , the warming table stepping motor  314 , a catcher unit stepping motor section  315 , a reagent table rotary encoder section  321 , a dispensing unit rotary encoder section  322 , a reagent table original point sensor section  331 , and a dispensing unit original point sensor section  332 . The control section  300  includes a CPU  301 , a ROM  302 , a RAM  303 , a hard disk  304 , a communication interface  305 , and an I/O interface  306 . 
     The CPU  301  executes a computer program stored in the ROM  302  and a computer program loaded in the RAM  303 . The RAM  303  is used to read the computer programs stored in the ROM  302  and the hard disk  304 . In addition, when these computer programs are executed, the RAM  303  is used as a work area of the CPU  301 . Various computer programs to be executed by the CPU  301  such as an operating system, an application program, and the like, and data used for executing the computer programs are installed on the hard disk  304 . In addition, it is possible to exchange the data with the information processing apparatus  3  by the communication interface  305 . 
     The CPU  301  controls the reagent bar-code reader  31 , the specimen bar-code reader  52 , the reagent table stepping motor section  311 , the dispensing unit stepping motor section  312 , the cuvette table stepping motor  313 , the warming table stepping motor  314 , the catcher unit stepping motor section  315 , the reagent table rotary encoder section  321 , the dispensing unit rotary encoder section  322 , the reagent table original point sensor section  331 , and the dispensing unit original point sensor section  332  through the I/O interface  306 . 
     The reagent table stepping motor section  311  includes the stepping motor  311   a  for rotating and driving the first reagent table  11 , and the stepping motor  311   b  for rotating and driving the second reagent table  12  independently from the first reagent table  11 . The dispensing unit stepping motor section  312  includes stepping motors  312   a ,  312   b ,  312   c ,  312   d , and  312   e  for independently rotating and driving the supporting section  21   a  of the first specimen dispensing unit  21 , a supporting section  22   a  of the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the supporting section  23   a  of the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the supporting section  24   a  of the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the supporting section  25   a  of the third reagent dispensing unit  25 , respectively. The catcher unit stepping motor section  315  includes the stepping motor  315   a  for rotating and driving the supporting section  26   a  of the first catcher unit  26 , and the stepping motor  315   b  for rotating the second catcher unit  27 . 
     The reagent table rotary encoder section  321  includes a rotary encoder  321   a  arranged in the stepping motor  311   a  of the first reagent table  11 , and a rotary encoder  321   b  arranged in the stepping motor  311   b  of the second reagent table  12 . The dispensing unit rotary encoder section  322  includes rotary encoders  322   a ,  322   b ,  322   c ,  322   d , and  322   e  arranged in the respective stepping motors  312   a ,  312   b ,  312   c ,  312   d , and  312   e  of the first specimen dispensing unit  21 , the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25 . In addition, an incremental rotary encoder is used here. This rotary encoder is configured to output a pulse signal in accordance with a rotation displacement amount of the stepping motors, and can detect the rotation amount of the stepping motors by counting the pulse number output from the rotary encoder. 
     The reagent table original point sensor section  331  includes original point sensors  331   a  and  331   b  for detecting that the respective rotation positions of the stepping motor  311   a  of the first reagent table  11  and the stepping motor  311   b  of the second reagent table  12  are in the original point position. The dispensing unit original point sensor section  332  includes original point sensors  332   a ,  332   b ,  332   c ,  332   d , and  332   e  for detecting that the respective rotation positions of the stepping motors  312   a ,  312   b ,  312   c ,  312   d , and  312   e  of the first specimen dispensing unit  21 , the second specimen dispensing unit  22 , the first reagent dispensing unit  23 , the second reagent dispensing unit  24 , and the third reagent dispensing unit  25  are in the original point position. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus  3 . 
     The information processing apparatus  3  is constituted by a personal computer, and includes a main body  400 , an input section  408 , and a display section  409 . The main body  400  includes a CPU  401 , a ROM  402 , a RAM  403 , a hard disk  404 , a reading apparatus  405 , an input/output interface  406 , an image output interface  407 , and a communication interface  410 . 
     The CPU  401  executes a computer program stored in the ROM  402 , and a computer program loaded in the RAM  403 . The RAM  403  is used to read the computer programs stored in the ROM  402  and the hard disk  404 . In addition, the RAM  403  is also used as a work area of the CPU  401  when these computer programs are executed. 
     Various computer programs to be executed by the CPU  401  such as an operating system, an application program, and the like, and data used for executing the computer programs are installed on the hard disk  404 . That is, a display program for receiving a reagent state from the measurement apparatus  2  and displaying a remaining amount of the reagent or the like on the display section  409  as a message or the like, and an operating program for operating the measurement apparatus  2  while following the operation command for the replacement or the addition of the reagent are installed in the hard disk  404 . 
     The reading apparatus  405  includes a CD drive, a DVD drive, or the like, and can read the computer programs and data recorded in a recording medium. The input section  408 , which is constituted by a mouse and a keyboard, is connected to the input/output interface  406 , and data is input to the information processing apparatus  3  when the user uses the input section  408 . The image output interface  407  is connected to the display section  409 , which is constituted by a display, and the like, and outputs a video signal in accordance with the image data to the display section  409 . The display section  409  displays an image based on the input video signal. In addition, it is possible to exchange data with the measurement apparatus  2  by the communication interface  410 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display section  409  of the information processing apparatus  3 . The screen displayed on the display section  409  of the information processing apparatus  3  includes an arrangement display area  510 , a detailed information display area  520 , an operation command display area  530 , and an operation determination display area  540 . 
     The arrangement display area  510  is for displaying the positions of the first container racks  13  and the second container racks  14  arranged in the first reagent table  11  and the second reagent table  12 , and the arrangement state of the reagent containers  200 . 
     A maximum of 10 first reagent marks  511 , which are displayed correspondingly to the arrangement state of the reagents with respect to the first reagent table  11 , and a maximum of 30 second reagent marks  512 , which are displayed correspondingly to the arrangement state of the reagents with respect to the second reagent table  12 , are displayed in the arrangement display area  510 . The first reagent marks  511  include a position display section  511   a  for displaying a position, and a name displaying section  511   b  for displaying the name of the reagent. In the same manner, the second reagent marks  512  include a position display section  512   a  for displaying a position, and a name displaying section  512   b  for displaying the name of the reagent. 
     The position information of the reagent, which is displayed on the position display section  511   a  of the first reagent mark  511  and the position display section  512   a  of the second reagent mark  512 , is displayed by reading the bar-code labels attached to the first container rack  13  and the second container rack  14  using the reagent bar-code reader  31 . The name of the reagent, which is displayed on the name display sections  511   b  and  512   b , is displayed by reading the bar-code label  200   a  attached to the reagent container  200  containing the reagent, using the reagent bar-code reader  31 . That is, the name of the reagent is displayed on the name display sections  511   b  and  512   b  by referring to a reagent master or the like stored in the hard disk  404  based on the bar-code information included in the bar-code label  200   a.    
     The first reagent mark  511  is split and displayed by first rack marks  513  corresponding to the five first container racks  13  arranged in the first reagent table  11 . The second reagent mark  512  is split and displayed by second rack marks  514  corresponding to the five second container racks  14  arranged in the second reagent table  12 . With this configuration, it is possible to visually confirm in which reagent table a predetermined reagent is arranged, in which container rack the predetermined reagent is arranged, and in which position the predetermined reagent is arranged. 
     When a container rack is not arranged in the first reagent table  11  and the second reagent table  12 , a circular rack non-arrangement mark  515 , inside which nothing is displayed, is displayed. Moreover, when container racks are arranged in the first reagent table  11  and the second reagent table  12 , a reagent non-arrangement mark  516  is displayed for an area corresponding to a position where reagent container  200  containing the reagent is not arranged. The reagent non-arrangement mark  516  includes a position display section  516   a  displaying position information. 
     When the first reagent mark  511  or the second reagent mark  512  is selected, the detailed information display area  520  displays the detailed information regarding the content of the reagent container  200  held at the selected selection mark position. 
     The operation command display area  530  includes a plurality of command types  531 . The operation determination display area  540  includes an operation start button  541  and an operation stop button  542 . When a user selects one of the command types  531  and then presses the operation start button  541 , the operation selected by the command type  531  is executed. In addition, when the user presses the operation stop button  542 , the operation being executed is stopped. The operation start button  541  is effectively displayed when the operation is executable, and a message is displayed on the screen so as to inform the user that the operation is non-executable when the operation start button  541  is pressed in the case when the operation is non-executable. 
       FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B  are diagrams showing the processing flows for the measurement suspension processing according to the present embodiment. The measurement suspension processing is executed when a user commands the replacement or the addition of the reagent through the information processing apparatus  3 , when the operation stop button  542  is pressed during the measurement operation, or when the measurement apparatus  2  recognizes that the reagent runs out. That is, although the suspension of the measurement operation is determined depending on whether or not the user inputs the command for the replacement or the addition of the reagent in S 101  of  FIG. 8 , the measurement suspension processing after S 102  is also executed when the operation stop button  542  is pressed, or when the measurement apparatus  2  recognizes that the reagent runs out in addition to the illustrated example. Such a measurement suspension processing is performed under the control of the control section  300 . 
     During measurement operations, when the replacement or the addition of the reagent is commanded by selecting the command type  531  of “the replacement/addition of the reagent” in the operation command display area  530  shown in  FIG. 7  and pressing the operation start button  541  (S 101 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 102 . When such a command is not made (S 101 : NO), the processing flow ends. When such a command is made, a suctioning for new specimens performed by the specimen dispensing unit  21  and the specimen dispensing unit  22  is suspended. 
     If the reagent addition to the cuvette, to which the specimen was already dispensed, is completed after the suspension of the suctioning of the new specimens performed by the specimen dispensing unit  21  and the specimen dispensing unit  22  (S 102 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 103 . If the reagent addition to the cuvette, to which the specimen was already dispensed is not completed (S 102 : NO), the processing flow is put on standby until such a reagent addition is completed. When the reagent addition to the cuvette, to which the specimen was already dispensed, is completed, it is not necessary to drive the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group. 
     In S 103 , the stepping motors  311   a  and  311   b  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the reagent table group are supplied with pulse signals, respectively, and the reagent table group is rotated and driven such that the reagent container for which the replacement or the addition of the reagent is commanded is positioned within the replacement position shown in  FIG. 4B . When the replacement or the addition of the reagent is commanded without the designation of the reagent container to be replaced or added, the pulse signal is not supplied to the stepping motor of the reagent table group. When the measurement apparatus  2  recognizes that the reagent in the reagent container is running out, the reagent table group is rotated and driven such that such a reagent container is positioned within the replacement position. 
     In S 104 , the pulse is supplied to the stepping motors  311   a  and  311   b  of the reagent table group by the time that the reagent table group is rotated and driven so as to be positioned in the replacement position in S 103 . The count value of the pulse number corresponding to the rotation position from the original point position is updated based on the pulse number supplied at this time. Such a count value is updated and stored in the RAM  303  of the measurement apparatus  2  as needed. With such a configuration, it is possible to identify the rotation positions of the reagent table group after they are moved to the replacement positions, based on the count value stored in the RAM  303 . 
     When the reagent table group is rotated and driven, and the reagent container, which is designated for the replacement or the addition of the reagent, is moved to the replacement position (S 105 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 106 . When such a reagent container is not moved to the replacement position (S 105 : NO), the processing proceeds to S 109 . In addition, whether the reagent container has been moved to the replacement position is determined depending, for example, on whether the count value of the pulse number from the above-mentioned original position has become the value corresponding to the replacement position. 
     In S 106 , the dispensing unit group is respectively supplied with the pulse signals, and is moved to the retreated position shown in  FIG. 4B . 
     In S 107 , the number of the pulses, which was supplied to the stepping motors  312   a  to  312   e  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the dispensing unit group when the dispensing unit group was moved to the retreated position in S 106 , is counted, and the count value of the pulse number corresponding to the rotation position from the original point position is updated based on the counted number of the pulses. This count value is updated and stored in the RAM  303  of the measurement apparatus  2  as needed. With this configuration, it is possible to identify the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group after they are moved to the retreated positions based on the count value stored in the RAM  303 . 
     If the dispensing unit group has been moved to the retreated position (S 108 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 111 . When the dispensing unit group has not been moved to the retreated position (S 108 : NO), the processing proceeds to S 109 . Here, whether the dispensing unit group has been moved to the retreated position is determined depending, for example, on whether the count value of the pulse number from the above-mentioned original point position has become the value corresponding to the replacement position. 
     In S 109 , an error message is output to the display section  409  of the information processing apparatus  3  so as to inform that the movement of the reagent table group to the replacement position or the movement of the dispensing unit group to the retreated position is in a error state. In S 110 , an error recovering processing is executed so as to be able to start the restarting of the processing flow of the measurement suspension processing, and the processing flow is terminated. 
     If the reagent table group has been moved to the replacement position, and the dispensing unit group has been moved to the retreated position in this manner, the lock of the main body cover is released in S 111 , and the indicator of the main body is turned on in S 112 . With such a configuration, a user can know that replacement or the addition of the reagent can be performed by opening the main body cover of the measurement apparatus  2 . Thereafter, the user opens the main body cover of the measurement apparatus  2 , opens the table cover  17 , and performs the replacement or the addition of the reagent. 
     If the replacement or the addition of the reagent by the user has been completed, and the table cover  17  has been closed (S 113 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 114 . If the table cover  17  has not been closed (S 113 : NO), the processing flow is put on standby until the table cover  17  is closed. 
     Thereafter, if the table cover  17  is closed (S 113 : YES), it is determined that the user has input the command for reading the bar-code label through the information processing apparatus  3  (S 114 ). If the command for reading the bar-code label has been input (S 114 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 115 , and if the command for reading the bar-code label has not been input (S 114 : NO), the processing flow is put on standby until the command for reading the bar-code label is input. 
     Here, the following processing is performed in a parallel manner during the period from when the indicator of the main body is turned on (S 112 ) to S 115  (hereinafter, referred to as a “monitoring period”). This processing is repeatedly performed at an interval of once every 100 ms. 
       FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing a processing flow of a processing performed during the monitoring period. 
     In S 201 , a flag value stored in the RAM  303  of the measurement apparatus  2  is set to 0. In S 202 , the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder section  321  of the reagent table group is obtained. In S 203 , the count value stored in S 104 , that is, the count value of the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors  311   a  and  311   b  of the reagent table group is read. 
     The rotation position on the basis of the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder section  321  of the reagent table group, which was obtained in S 202 , and the rotation position on the basis of the count value of the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors  311   a  and  311   b  of the reagent table group, which was stored in S 104 , are compared, and it is determined whether the rotation positions of the reagent table group have been changed from the replacement positions (S 204 ). Here, if the rotation position of at least one reagent table has been changed from the replacement position (S 204 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 205 . That is, when it is determined that the reagent table group has been moved from the time point when it became possible to perform the replacement or the addition of the reagent, the processing proceeds to S 205 . In S 205 , the flag is set to 1, and the processing flow is terminated. In addition, when any of the rotation positions of the reagent tables have not been changed from the replacement position (S 204 : NO), the processing flow is terminated without changing the flag to 1. 
     Such a processing is repeatedly performed at short intervals of once every 100 ms during the monitoring period. If the position of the reagent table group is moved by the contact of the user&#39;s finger or the like at each period of performing processing, the flag value is set to 1 for the processing in the corresponding time. If the position of the reagent table group is not moved at all during the monitoring period, the flag value is still 0. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , if the determination has been made to be YES in S 114 , then it is determined whether the flag value is 1 in S 115 . If the flag value is 1 (S 115 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 116 , and if the flag value is not 1 (S 115 : NO), the processing proceeds to S 118 . 
     In S 116 , a second processing for a returning operation to an original point is performed to match the original point positions of the reagent table group. With this processing, the rotation positions of the reagent table group are appropriately adjusted. The description will be made later regarding the second processing for the returning operation to the original point, with reference to  FIGS. 10C and 10D . Such a returning operation to the original point may be performed only for the reagent table whose rotation position has been changed from the replacement position, or may be uniformly performed for all the reagent tables. 
     In S 117 , all the bar-code labels of all the reagent containers  200  and the reagent racks arranged in the reagent table group are read. In S 118 , the bar-code labels of all the reagent containers  200  and the reagent racks in the replacement position are read. 
       FIG. 9A  is a diagram showing the processing flow following S 117  and S 118  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     If the user inputs the command to restart the measurement through information processing apparatus  3  (S 119 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 120 . If the command to restart the measurement is not made (S 119 : NO), the processing flow is put on standby until the command is made. 
     In S 120 , the main body cover is locked. In S 121 , the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder section  322  of the dispensing unit group is obtained. In S 122 , the count value stored in S 107 , that is, the count value of the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors  312   a  to  312   e  of the dispensing unit group is read. 
     The rotation position on the basis of the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder section  322  of the dispensing unit group, which was obtained in S 121 , and the rotation position on the basis of the count value of the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors  312   a  to  312   e  of the dispensing unit group, which was stored in S 107 , are compared to determine whether the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have been changed from the retreated position (S 123 ). Here, if the rotation position of at least one dispensing unit has been changed from the retreated position (S 123 : YES), the processing proceeds to S 124 . That is, when it is determined that the dispensing unit group was moved since when it became possible to perform the replacement or the addition of the reagent, the processing proceeds to S 124 . When any rotation positions of the dispensing units have not been moved from the retreated position (S 123 : NO), the processing proceeds to S 125 . 
     In S 124 , the second processing for the returning operation to the original point is performed to match the original point positions of the dispensing unit group. With this operation, the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group are appropriately adjusted. In S 125 , the first processing for the returning operation to the original point is performed to match the original point positions of the dispensing unit group. With this operation, the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group are appropriately adjusted. In the first processing for the returning operation to the original point, the matching of the original point positions is simply performed as compared with the second processing for the returning operation to the original point. 
     That is, in the case in which a user touched the dispensing unit group, and the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have been changed during the replacement or the addition of the reagent, the second processing for the returning operation to the original point with higher precision is performed. On the other hand, when the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have not been changed, the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group are in the same state as that when they were appropriately recognized, and therefore, the first processing for the returning operation to the original point, by which it is possible to match the original point positions in a short time, is performed. The first processing for the returning operation to the original point will be described later with reference to FIG.  10 . 
     In S 126 , the measurement operation is restarted, and the processing flow is terminated. 
       FIGS. 10A to 10D  are diagrams showing the processing contents of the first processing for the returning operation to the original point and the second processing for the returning operation to the original point.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are diagrams showing the processing flow of the first processing for the returning operation to the original point and specific processing contents, respectively.  FIGS. 10C and 10D  are diagrams showing the processing flow of the second processing for the returning operation to the original point and specific processing contents, respectively. In  FIGS. 10B and 10D , the horizontal axis represents the time, and the vertical axis represents the speed. 
     First, a trapezoidal drive and a constant speed drive will be described with reference to  FIG. 10B . 
     The trapezoidal drive is a drive procedure in which the rotation speed of the stepping motor is increased with the passage of time, and becomes constant when it reaches a predetermined speed, and is decreased with the passage of time when it meets a predetermined condition, as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10D . In addition, the constant speed drive is a drive procedure in which the stepping motor is driven at a predetermined speed, and stopped when the speed meets a predetermined condition, as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10D . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , in the first processing for the returning operation to the original point, the stepping motor is subjected to the trapezoidal drive, and the rotation position of the stepping motor is moved to a near-original point position in S 11 . Here, the near-original point position is a position from which the rotation position of the stepping motor can be appropriately adjusted to the original point position when the stepping motor is subjected to the constant speed drive from the near-original point position next time. The speed of the stepping motor is decreased at a predetermined rotation position before the near-original point position. In this manner, the rotation position of the stepping motor is positioned at the near-original point position when the trapezoidal drive is completed. 
     If the rotation position of the stepping motor has been matched to the near original point position, the stepping motor is then subjected to the constant speed drive in S 12 , and the rotation position of the stepping motor is eventually matched to the original point position. The first processing for the returning operation to the original point is performed in the case in which the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have not been changed, as shown in S 125  of  FIG. 9A . That is, since the position information of the stepping motor is in the same state as that when it is appropriately recognized in the case in which the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have not been changed, the first processing for the returning operation to the original point, which can perform the original point position matching in a shorter time, is employed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10C and 10D , in the second processing for the returning operation to the original point, the stepping motor is subjected to the trapezoidal drive in S 21 , the speed of the stepping motor is decreased when it is detected that the rotation position of the stepping motor has passed the original point position (original point detection), and the rotation direction of the stepping motor is then reversed. 
     In S 22 , the stepping motor is subjected to the trapezoidal drive in the reverse direction with respect to the rotation direction in S 21 , the speed of the stepping motor is decreased if the original point has been detected again, and the rotation direction of the stepping motor is then reversed to shift to the constant drive. 
     In S 23 , the stepping motor is subjected to the constant speed drive in the reverse direction with respect to the rotation direction in S 22 , and the rotation direction of the stepping motor is reversed when the original point is detected again. At this time, the position at which the speed of the stepping motor becomes 0 becomes a first near-original point position. Here, the first near-original point position is a position from which the rotation position of the stepping motor can be matched to a second near-original point position, which is substantially the same position as the near-original point position shown in  FIG. 10B , if the stepping motor is subjected to the trapezoidal drive from the first near-original point position next time. 
     In S 24 , the stepping motor is subjected to the trapezoidal drive, and the rotation direction of the stepping motor is reversed when the original point is detected. At this time, the position at which the speed of the stepping motor becomes 0 becomes the second near-original point position. In S 25 , the stepping motor is subjected to the constant speed drive, and the rotation position of the stepping motor is eventually matched to the original point position. 
     As described above, in the second processing for the returning operation to the original point, it is possible to more precisely match the rotation position to the original point position by performing more steps than that in the first processing for the returning operation to the original point. Accordingly, this is performed in the case in which the encoder values of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group have been changed, as shown in S 116  of  FIG. 8  and S 124  of  FIG. 9A . 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bar-code labels of all the reagent containers  200  and the reagent racks arranged in the reagent table group are read in the case in which the user touched the reagent table group when performing the replacement or the adding operation of the reagent, and the rotation positions of the reagent table group have been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately obtain the states of all the reagent racks and the reagent containers. On the other hand, the bar-code labels of all the reagent containers  200  and the reagent racks in the replacement position are read in the case in which the rotation positions of the reagent table group have not been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the states of the reagent racks and the reagent containers with a higher speed. 
     According to the present embodiment, the matching of the original point positions for the reagent table group is performed in the case in which the user touched the reagent table group when performing the replacement or the adding operation of the reagent, and the rotation positions of the reagent table group have been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately obtain the rotation positions of the reagent table group. On the other hand, the matching of the original point positions for the reagent table group is not performed in the case in which the rotation positions of the reagent table group have not been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to more rapidly restart the measurement operation. 
     According to the present embodiment, the second processing for the returning operation to the original point is performed in the case in which the user touched the dispensing unit group when performing the replacement or the adding operation of the reagent, and the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately adjust the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group. On the other hand, the first processing for returning operation to the original point is performed in the case in which the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have not been changed. With this configuration, it is possible to perform the returning operation to the original point in a short time, and more rapidly restart the measurement operation. 
     Although the embodiment of the present invention was described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be modified in various manners in addition to the above configuration. 
     For example, although it was determined whether the rotation positions of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group have been changed during the measurement suspension processing in the above embodiment, it is also applicable that the determination is made regarding the changes in the rotation positions of the cuvette table  15 , the warming table  16 , the first catcher unit  26 , and the second catcher unit  27  (hereinafter, referred to as a “circumferential unit group”) in addition to the rotation positions of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group, and that a preparing operation for such a circumferential unit group is performed. In this case, a rotary encoder, which detects the rotation position of the stepping motor for rotating and driving the circumferential unit group, and an original point sensor, which detects that the rotation position of the stepping motor for rotating and driving the circumferential unit group is in the original point position, are arranged. With this configuration, it is possible to correct the rotation positions of the circumferential unit group even if the circumferential unit group is moved while the replacement or the adding operation of the reagent is being performed, and it is possible to smoothly restart the measurement operation. 
     In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not a positional deviation occurred in the reagent dispensing unit and the like during the suspension of the measurement operation and in the reagent dispensing unit and the like at the time when the measurement operation was restarted, by counting the pulse number supplied to the stepping motor, storing the count value in memory, and determining whether or not the count value during the suspension of the measurement operation is different from the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder until the measurement operation was restarted. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also applicable that the positional deviation of the reagent dispensing unit or the like is determined by obtaining the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder until the measurement operation was suspended and the count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder until the measurement operation was restarted, respectively, and determining whether or not both values are different from each other. 
     In the above embodiment, the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group are counted every time that the measurement suspension processing is performed to obtain the count values corresponding to the replacement positions of the reagent table group and to the retreated positions of the dispensing unit group (S 104  and S 107  in  FIG. 8 ). However, it is also applicable that the count values corresponding to these are stored in advance as default values in the hard disk  304  or the like when the replacement positions and the retreated positions are fixed to predetermined positions, and that these count values are compared with a count value of the pulse number output from the rotary encoder until now to determine the movement of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group with respect to the replacement position and the retreated position. In this case, the information stored as the default values is not limited to the count values, and may be different position information representing the replacement position and the retreated position. 
     In the above embodiment, although the pulse number supplied to the stepping motors of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group and the pulse number output from the rotary encoder are counted, and both count values are compared to determine the movement of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group, it is also applicable that the movement of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group is determined by another method. For example, the rotary encoder arranged in the respective stepping motors is replaced with an absolute type rotary encoder which outputs the rotation angle of the stepping motor as an absolute value. In this case, the rotation angle value output from the corresponding rotary encoder is changed if the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group are respectively moved from the replacement position and the retreated position, and the rotation angle value output from the rotary encoder is not changed if they are not moved. Accordingly, it is possible to be determined whether or not the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group have been respectively moved from the replacement position and the retreated position depending on whether or not the rotation angle value output from the rotary encoder has been changed. 
     It is also applicable that another processing is performed along with the above measurement suspension processing. For example, when the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group have been changed, there is a possibility that dust or the like has been adhered to the respective dispensing sections by a user&#39;s contact to the dispensing unit group. Accordingly, when it is determined that the rotation positions of the dispensing unit group was changed, a cleaning step for cleaning respective dispensing sections may be added before restarting the measurement operation. 
     In the above embodiment, the processing flow of the above measurement suspension processing was performed when the command for the replacement or the addition of the reagent was made by the user or when the measurement apparatus  2  recognized that the reagent was running out. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it is also applicable to determine whether the rotation positions of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group have been changed during the period between the time point at which an error was detected and the time point at which the measurement operation is restarted even when the measurement suspension processing was performed by detecting the error in the measurement apparatus  2 , and perform the reading of the bar-code information and the matching of the original point position based on the determination result. 
     In addition, it is also applicable to perform the reading of the bar-code information and the matching of the original point position depending on whether the rotation positions of the reagent table group and the dispensing unit group are changed between the time of completing the initialization operation of the measurement apparatus  2  and the time when the measurement apparatus  2  performs the measurement operation for the first time after the initialization. 
     Moreover, in the above embodiment, all the bar-code labels of the reagent table group are read in S 117  of  FIG. 8 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be configured such that a reading of the bar-code labels is performed only for the reagent table, which was moved from the replacement position during the suspension, among the reagent table group, and that the reading range of the bar-code label is changed in accordance with the movement amount from the replacement position. 
     In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the specimen analyzing apparatus for optically measuring and analyzing a specimen (blood) by irradiating a light beam onto a measurement sample prepared by adding the reagent to blood, and using a coagulation method, a chromogenic chromogenic substrate method, an immunoturbidimetric method, and a condensation method. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to a smear preparation apparatus for preparing a sample of a specimen (blood). 
     In the above embodiment, the determination regarding the movement (S 121  to S 123  and S 202  to S 204 ) and the processing for the returning operation to the original point (S 116 , S 124 , and S 125 ) are controlled by the control section  300 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also applicable that the determination regarding the movement is controlled by the main body  400  and the processing for the returning operation to the original point is controlled by the control section  300 . 
     In addition to the above description, the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various manners within the scope of the technical spirit shown in the range of the claims.