Abstract:
The present invention is a sample processing apparatus including: a sample processing unit configured to process a sample contained in a sample container; one or more detectors located to detect the sample container both before and after the sample contained therein is processed by the sample processing unit; and a controller configured to perform an operation to alert a user if the one or more detectors fail to detect the sample container after the sample processing unit processed the sample in the sample container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-144970 filed on Jun. 25, 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 apparatus which processes a sample in a sample container, a sample processing method for the sample processing apparatus, a sample container transporting apparatus which transports a sample container, and a sample container transporting method for the sample container transporting apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Hitherto, there have been known systems which transport a sample container containing a sample such as blood or urine by a transport section and execute processes such as centrifugation and measurement. 
         [0006]    For example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H11-83863, there is a disclosure of a system which includes: a feeding unit in which a rack storing sample containers is placed; a transport section which transports a rack fed from the feeding unit; a sample processing unit which fetches a rack from the transport section and performs processes such as centrifugation, opening and dispensing; a storing section which stores a rack returning to the transport section from the sample processing unit; and a central processing section. In this system, a plurality of sensors for detecting a rack is disposed and the central processing section is configured to display a location screen showing the position of a rack in the system on a monitor. In addition, the central processing section is configured to retrieve, when information necessary for sample retrieval is input, a corresponding sample and display the sample on the location screen in order for the sample to be able to be identified at first glance. 
         [0007]    In the system which transports a sample container to process a sample, the sample container may be lost in the course of transport of the sample container or the sample processing. However, in the system described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H11-83863, it is difficult for a user to rapidly notice the loss of the sample container. Accordingly, it is difficult for the user to rapidly perform necessary processes such as a search for the lost sample container and re-examination of the sample. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
         [0009]    A first aspect of the present invention is a sample processing apparatus comprising: a sample processing unit configured to process a sample contained in a sample container; one or more detectors located to detect the sample container both before and after the sample contained therein is processed by the sample processing unit; and a controller configured to perform an operation to alert a user if the one or more detectors fail to detect the sample container after the sample processing unit processed the sample in the sample container. 
         [0010]    A second aspect of the present invention is a sample container transporting apparatus for transporting a sample container to a sample processing apparatus for processing a sample in the sample container, comprising: a transport unit configured to transport the sample container from a first position to a second position; a first detector located to detect the sample container at the first position; a second detector located to detect the sample container transported to the second position; and a controller configured to perform an operation to alert a user if the second detector fails to detect the sample container which was detected by the first detector. 
         [0011]    A third aspect of the present invention is a sample processing method comprising: (a) performing an operation of detecting a sample container containing a sample; (b) processing the sample contained in the sample container detected in the step (a); (c) performing an operation of detecting the sample container after the step (b); and (d) performing an operation to alert a user if the step (c) fails to detect the sample container which was detected in the step (a). 
         [0012]    A fourth aspect of the present invention is a sample container transporting method of transporting a sample container to a sample processing apparatus for processing a sample in the sample container, comprising: (a) performing an operation of detecting a sample container at a first position; (b) transporting the sample container to a second position from the first position by a transport unit; (c) performing an operation of detecting the sample container transported to the second position; and 
         [0013]    (d) performing an operation to alert a user if the step (c) fails to detect the sample container which was detected in the step (a). 
     
    
     
       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]      FIG. 2A  is a view showing the configuration of a sample container according to the embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a view showing the configuration of a sample rack according to the embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the configuration when a recovery unit, a feeding unit, and an output unit according to the embodiment are viewed from the upper side; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A to 4E  are views explaining operations of barcode units and a container detection unit according to the embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are views showing the configuration of the barcode unit according to the embodiment in detail; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views showing the configuration of the container detection unit according to the embodiment in detail; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view showing the configuration when a transport unit according to the embodiment is viewed from the upper side; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration when a measuring unit according to the embodiment is viewed from the upper side; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8B  is a view explaining inversion stirring of a sample container; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views showing the configuration of a gripping unit according to the embodiment in detail. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a view schematically showing the connection relationship between the units (devices) in the sample processing system according to the embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of a transport controller, the output unit, and the recovery unit according to the embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of the transport unit, the measuring unit, and an information processing unit according to the embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of a transport unit and a smear preparation apparatus according to the embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing a process of the transport controller in the reading operation of the barcode unit B according to the embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14B  is a view conceptually showing an example of rack information; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are flowcharts showing processes of the output unit in the reading operation of the barcode unit B according to the embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16A  is a flowchart showing a process of the transport controller in the detection operation of the container detection unit E according to the embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16B  is a view conceptually showing an example of presence or absence information; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16C  is a view showing an example of a loss notification screen which is displayed on a display section; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17A  is a flowchart showing a process related to the display of a progress state screen by the transport controller according to the embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17B  is a flowchart showing a process related to the display of a recovery state screen by the transport controller according to the embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 18A  is a view showing an example of the display of a progress state screen which is displayed on the display section according to the embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18B  is a view showing an example of a recovery state screen which is displayed on the display section according to the embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19A  is a view schematically showing a sample rack transport route in a modified example according to the embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 19B and 19C  are plan views when reflection type sensors disposed near a supply position of the transport unit are viewed from the upper side in the modified example according to the embodiment; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a view showing a modified example of the sample processing unit according to the embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    This embodiment relates to a sample processing system for performing examination and analysis related to blood to which the invention is applied. The 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 on the basis of the analysis result, the smear preparation apparatus prepares a smear. 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, the sample processing system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration when a sample processing system  1  is viewed from the upper side. The sample processing system  1  according to this embodiment includes a recovery unit  21 , a feeding unit  22 , an output unit  23 , transport units  31  to  34 , three measuring units  41 , an information processing unit  42 , a smear preparation apparatus  5 , and a transport controller  6 . In addition, the sample processing system  1  according to this embodiment is connected to a host computer  7  via a communication network so as to communicate therewith. Hereinafter, the X-axis positive direction is called the leftward direction, the X-axis negative direction is called the rightward direction, the Y-axis positive direction is called the rearward direction, the Y-axis negative direction is called the frontward direction, the Z-axis positive direction is called the upward direction, and the Z-axis negative direction is called the downward direction. 
         [0045]    The recovery unit  21 , the feeding unit  22 , and the output unit  23  are each configured so that a plurality of sample racks L capable of holding ten containers T therein can be placed. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sample container T.  FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sample rack L holding ten sample containers T. In  FIG. 2B , the directions (the coordinate axes in  FIG. 1 ) when the sample rack L is placed in the feeding unit  22  are also shown. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the sample container T is a tubular container made of glass or a synthetic resin having translucency and the upper end thereof is opened. A blood sample collected from a patient is contained therein and the opening at the upper end is sealed by a cap section CP. A barcode label BL 1  is adhered to the side surface of the sample container T. A barcode showing a sample ID is printed on the barcode label BL 1 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , in the sample rack L, ten holding sections are formed at holding positions  1  to  10  as shown in the drawing so as to hold ten sample containers T in parallel in a vertical state (erect state). In addition, as shown in the drawing, a barcode label BL 2  is adhered to a side surface in the Y-axis positive direction of the sample rack L. A barcode showing a rack ID is printed on the barcode label BL 2 . 
         [0049]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , the recovery unit  21  accommodates sample racks L which are recovered through a recovery line to be described later. In addition, the recovery unit  21  detects whether or not a sample container T is held in each holding position in a sample rack L which is recovered (presence or absence of the sample container T) by a container detection unit E. In addition, the recovery unit  21  reads the rack ID of a sample rack L which is recovered by a barcode reader  243  to be described later. 
         [0050]    The feeding unit  22  accommodates sample racks L which are fed by a user and outputs the accommodated sample racks L to the output unit  23 . When sample measurement is started, first, the user sets a sample container T containing a sample in a sample rack L and places this sample rack L in the feeding unit  22 . Then, this sample rack L is transported to the unit (device) on the downstream side (left side) and the measurement is performed. 
         [0051]    The output unit  23  reads the rack ID of a sample rack L output from the feeding unit  22  and the sample IDs of sample containers T each associated with a holding position in the sample rack L by a barcode unit B, and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L. Then, the output unit  23  transmits the information read by the barcode unit B and the detected information to the transport controller  6 , and outputs the sample rack L in which the reading and the detection have been completed to the transport unit  31 . 
         [0052]    The transport units  31  to  34  are connected to each other in the horizontal direction so as to transfer sample racks L. The right end of the transport unit  31  is connected to the output unit  23  so as to transfer sample racks L. The transport units  31  to  33  are disposed in front of the three measuring units  41 , respectively, as shown in the drawing, and the transport unit  34  is disposed in front of the smear preparation apparatus  5  as shown in the drawing. 
         [0053]    As shown in the drawing, in the transport units  31  to  33 , two transport lines are set for a case in which a sample rack L is transported to the corresponding measuring unit  41  and for a case in which the sample rack L is not transported. That is, when measurement is performed in the measuring unit  41 , the sample rack L is transported along a “measurement line” shown by the rear U-shaped arrow. When measurement is not performed in the measuring unit  41  and measurement or preparation of a smear is performed on the downstream side (left side), the sample rack L is transported along a “supply line” shown by the intermediate left-pointing arrow so as to skip the above measuring unit  41 . In addition, as shown in the drawing, in the transport units  31  to  33 , a right-pointing transport line for transporting a sample rack L to the recovery unit  21  is set. That is, the sample rack L which is not required to be subjected to measurement or smear preparation on the downstream side (left side) is transported along the “recovery line” shown by the front right-pointing arrow and is recovered by the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0054]    As in the transport units  31  to  33 , in the transport unit  34 , a measurement line, a supply line, and a recovery line are also set as shown in the drawing. At a predetermined position on the measurement line of the transport unit  34 , the transport unit  34  reads the sample IDs of sample containers T each associated with a holding position in the sample rack L by a barcode unit D, and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L. 
         [0055]    Each of the three measuring units  41  takes a container T from a rack L at a predetermined position (dotted line in the drawing) on the measurement line of each of the transport units  31  to  33  which are respectively disposed in front of the measuring units, and measures a sample contained in this container T. 
         [0056]    That is, first, the measuring unit  41  sets the sample container T taken from the sample rack L in a sample container setting section  411   a  (see  FIG. 8A ) in the apparatus and moves the sample container T to the inside of the measuring unit  41 . Next, the measuring unit  41  reads the sample ID of this sample container T by a barcode unit C in the apparatus, and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in the sample container setting section  411   a.  Then, the measuring unit  41  measures the sample which is contained in this sample container T. When the measurement is completed in the measuring unit  41 , the measuring unit  41  returns this sample container T to the original holding position in the sample rack L again. 
         [0057]    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 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 when the barcode unit C reads the sample ID. Then, the information processing unit  42  controls the measurement operation of the measuring unit  41  on the basis of a 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 . 
         [0058]    The smear preparation apparatus  5  suctions a sample which is contained in a sample container T at a predetermined position (dotted line arrow in the drawing) on the measurement line of the transport unit  34  disposed at the front and prepares a smear of this sample. Whether or not a smear is prepared 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 target sample is transported along the measurement line of the transport unit  34  and a smear is prepared in the smear preparation apparatus  5 . 
         [0059]    The transport controller  6  is connected to the recovery unit  21 , the feeding 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 the rack ID from the output unit  23 . Then, the transport controller  6  determines a transport destination of the sample rack L output from the output unit  23  on the basis of the measurement order received from the host computer  7  and controls the devices (units) so as to transport the sample rack L to the transport destination. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the configuration when the recovery unit  21 , the feeding unit  22 , and the output unit  23  are viewed from the upper side. 
         [0061]    When a sample rack L is fed onto a transport passage  221  of the feeding 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 of the transport passage  221 . The right side surface of the sample rack L positioned at the rear position of the transport passage  221  is pressed by a rack output mechanism  223  and is thus output to the rear position of a transport passage  231  of the output unit  23 . 
         [0062]    As shown in the drawing, a reflection type sensor  232  is disposed in the vicinity of the rear position of the transport passage  231  of the output unit  23 . When the sensor  232  detects that the sample rack L output from the feeding unit  22  is positioned at the rear position of the transport passage  231 , the barcode unit B reads the rack ID and the sample IDs each associated with a holding position in the sample rack L, and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L. The configuration of the barcode unit B will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0063]    Next, by a rack input mechanism  233 , the sample rack L which has been subjected to the reading and detection by the barcode unit B is sent to a position moving forward by the width in the front-back direction of the sample rack L from the rear position of the transport passage  231 . Next, a rack input mechanism  234  moves forward while engaging with the rear side surface of the sample rack L and this sample rack L is sent to the front position of the transport passage  231 . The right side surface of the sample rack L positioned at the front position of the transport passage  231  is pressed by a rack output mechanism  235 , and thus the sample rack L is moved in the leftward direction. 
         [0064]    In this case, when the sample rack L is slightly moved to the left from the front position of the transport passage  231  and thus the barcode label BL 2  of the sample rack L is positioned in front of a barcode reader  236 , the rack ID is read by the barcode reader  236 . When the barcode reader  236  reads the rack ID, the output unit  23  transmits a discharge request in addition to this rack ID to the transport controller  6 . On the basis of the received rack ID, the transport controller  6  determines either the measuring unit  41  or the smear preparation apparatus  5  to be a transport destination of this sample rack L. Then, this sample rack L is further pushed in the leftward direction by the rack output mechanism  235  and output to the transport unit  31 . 
         [0065]    Next, the sample rack L which is output to the output unit  23  along the recovery line from the measuring unit  41  or the smear preparation apparatus  5  is positioned at the front position (right end position of a belt  213 ) of the recovery unit  21  by a belt  237  of the output unit  23 , a belt  224  of the feeding unit  22 , and the belt  213  of the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0066]    As shown in the drawing, a reflection type sensor  214  is disposed in the vicinity of the front position of the recovery unit  21 . When the sensor  214  detects that the sample rack L is positioned at the front position of the recovery unit  21 , the container detection unit E detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L. In addition, the barcode reader  243  reads the rack ID of the sample rack L when the sample rack L is positioned at the front position of the recovery unit  21 . The configuration of the container detection unit E will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0067]    Next, the sample rack L which has been subjected to the detection by the container detection unit E is pushed onto a transport passage  211  from the front position of the recovery unit  21  by a rack pushing mechanism  215 . Then, a rack input mechanism  212  moves backward while engaging with the front side surface of the sample rack L and this sample rack L is sent to the rear position of the transport passage  211 . In this manner, the sample rack L holding the sample containers T which have been subjected to the measurement is gradually recovered backward on the transport passage  211  of the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 4A to 4E  are views explaining the operations of the barcode units B, C and D and the container detection unit E.  FIGS. 4A to 4E  are plan views schematically showing the configuration when each unit is viewed from the upper side. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4A  is a view showing the barcode unit B. As shown in the drawing, the barcode unit B includes two reading sections B 1  and B 2  which are juxtaposed laterally (X-axis direction). Each of the reading sections B 1  and B 2  includes two rollers B 11 , a roller B 21 , a base B 30 , and a barcode reader B 31 . 
         [0070]    In the reading sections B 1  and B 2 , the two rollers B 11  are configured to rotate around the Z axis and are configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction on the base B 30 . The roller B 21  is configured to be rotated and driven around the Z axis and is fixed onto the base B 30 . The barcode reader B 31  is fixed to the base B 30  and reads a barcode which is positioned ahead thereof (Y-axis negative direction). The base B 30  is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction at the rear position of the output unit  23 . 
         [0071]    When the barcode reader B 31  is positioned in front of a target holding position (in the Y-axis positive direction) in the sample rack L, first, the two rollers B 11  are moved forward (Y-axis negative direction) so as to come into contact with a side surface of the sample container T. Further the front side surface (Y-axis negative direction) of the sample container T comes into contact with the roller B 21 . 
         [0072]    At this time, when it is detected that the sample container T is held as described later, the roller B 21  is rotated and driven, and thus the sample container T is rotated around the Z axis and the barcode reader B 31  reads the barcode label BL 1  during the rotation of the sample container T. On the other hand, when it is detected that the sample container T is not held as described later, the roller B 21  returns in the Y-axis positive direction, and the reading at this holding position by the barcode reader B 31  is not performed. When the barcode reader B 31  reads the barcode label BL 2  (see  FIG. 2B ) which is adhered between the holding positions  1  and  2  in the sample rack L, the rollers B 11  are not moved forward. 
         [0073]    The rack ID and the sample IDs at the holding positions  1  to  5  are read and the presence or absence of the sample container T is detected by a barcode reader  31  of the reading section B 1 . The sample IDs at the holding positions  6  to  10  are read and the presence or absence of the sample container T is detected by a barcode reader  31  of the reading section B 2 . At this time, the barcode readers  31  of the reading sections B 1  and B 2  read the barcodes in order from the left and detect the presence or absence of the sample containers T as the reading sections B 1  and B 2  are moved in the rightward direction (X-axis negative direction). 
         [0074]      FIG. 4C  is a view showing the barcode unit C. The barcode unit C includes two rollers C 11 , a roller C 21 , a base C 30 , and a barcode reader C 31  as shown in the drawing. The base C 30  and the barcode reader C 31  are fixed to the inside of the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0075]    At a predetermined position on the measurement line of the transport unit which is disposed in front of the measuring unit  41 , the sample container T, which is taken from the sample rack L, is positioned in front of the barcode reader C 31  (X-axis negative direction) by the sample container setting section  411   a . Next, the barcode reader C 31  reads the sample IDS and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in the front direction (X-axis negative direction) in the same order as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0076]      FIG. 4D  is a view showing the barcode unit D. The barcode unit D includes two rollers D 11 , a roller D 21 , a base D 30 , and a barcode reader D 31  as shown in the drawing. The base D 30  and the barcode reader D 31  are fixed in the vicinity of the measurement line of the transport unit  34 . Further in this case, the barcode reader D 31  reads the sample IDs and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in the front direction (Y-axis positive direction) as in the case of the barcode unit C. 
         [0077]      FIG. 4E  is a view showing the container detection unit E. As shown in the drawing, the container detection unit E includes a sensor E 11 , a contacting section E 13 , and a base E 20 . The sensor E 11  is configured to detect that the contacting section E 13  comes into contact with the cap section CP of the sample container T. The contacting section E 13  is configured to be movable with respect to the base E 20  in the Z-axis direction. The base E 20  is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) in front of the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0078]    When the container detection unit E detects the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L, first, the base E 20  is moved in the horizontal direction such that the contacting section E 13  is positioned immediately above the target holding position (Z-axis positive direction). Next, the contacting section E 13  is moved downward (Z-axis negative direction). When the sample container T is held in this holding position, the sensor E 11  detects that the contacting section E 13  comes into contact with the cap section CP of the sample container T, and it is recognized that the sample container T is held in this holding position. On the other hand, when the sample container T is not held in this holding position, the contacting section E 13  moves in the downward direction without coming into contact with the cap section CP, and the sensor E 11  does not detect that the contacting section E 13  comes into contact with the cap section CP of the sample container T. Accordingly, it is recognized that the sample container T is not held in this holding position. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are views showing the configuration of the barcode unit B in detail. Since the barcode units C and D have almost the same configuration as that of the barcode unit B, a description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0080]      FIG. 5A  is a plan view when the vicinity of the rollers B 11  and the roller B 21  is viewed from the upper side.  FIG. 5B  is a side view when the barcode unit B is viewed from the left side (in the X-axis negative direction).  FIG. 5C  is a side view when the vicinity of support sections B 33  and B 34  is viewed from the front (in the Y-axis positive direction). 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a support body B 10  is mounted with the two rollers B 11 , a shaft B 15 , and a light-shielding plate B 18 . In addition, the support body B 10  is supported so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction by a guide (not shown) which is installed in the base B 30  and extends in the Y-axis direction. In the base B 30 , pulleys B 13   a  and B 13   b , a stepping motor B 14 , the barcode reader B 31 , and a sensor stand B 39  supporting a transmission type sensor B 38  including a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section are installed. The sensor stand B 39  is installed so as to protrude in the X-axis positive direction from the side surface parallel to the Y-Z plane of the base B 30 . 
         [0082]    The two rollers B 11  are supported by the support body B 10  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis. A belt B 12  runs on the pulleys B 13   a  and B 13   b . The pulley B 13   a  is installed in the shaft of the stepping motor B 14  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis and the pulley B 13   b  is installed in the base B 30  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis. Due to the driving of the stepping motor B 14 , the belt B 12  moves around the pulleys B 13   a  and B 13   b.    
         [0083]    A support section B 16  and a spring B 17  pass through the shaft B 15 . The support section B 16  is movable by a predetermined width in the Y-axis direction along the shaft B 15 . A flange section B 16   a  is formed in the support section B 16  and the flange section  16   a  is fixed to the belt B 12 . The spring B 17  presses the support section B 16  in the Y-axis positive direction through the extension action. 
         [0084]    Here, when the belt B 12  moves around the pulleys B 13   a  and B 13   b , the support section B 16  including the flange section B 16   a  moves in the Y-axis direction. When the flange section B 16   a  is moved in the Y-axis negative direction, the support section B 16  presses the spring B 17  in the Y-axis negative direction and the support body B 10  moves in the Y-axis negative direction. On the other hand, when the flange section B 16   a  is moved in the Y-axis positive direction, the support section B 16  presses the side surface parallel to the X-Z plane in the Y-axis positive direction of the support body B 10  in the Y-axis positive direction, and thus the support body B 10  moves in the Y-axis positive direction. 
         [0085]    In the light-shielding plate B 18 , light-shielding sections B 18   a  and B 18   b  which are planes perpendicular to the X axis are formed. The light-shielding sections B 18   a  and B 18   b  are configured to be positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor B 38  when the support body B 10  is moved in the Y-axis direction. When the barcode reader B 31  is positioned in front of the holding position in the target sample rack L (Y-axis positive direction), the support body B 10  is moved in the Y-axis negative direction from the state in which the light-shielding section B 18   a  is positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor B 38  as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0086]    Here, in the case where the sample container T is held in the holding position in the sample rack L positioned in front of the barcode reader B 31 , when the support body B 10  is moved in the Y-axis negative direction, the two rollers B 11  come into contact with a side surface of the sample container T. At this time, the support section B 16  moves in the Y-axis negative direction while contracting the spring B 17  in accordance with the movement of the belt B 12 , but there is no further movement of the support body B 10  in the Y-axis negative direction. Accordingly, when the support section B 16  moves by a predetermined width, when the light-shielding section B 18   b  is not positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor B 38 , it is recognized that the sample container T is held in this holding position. 
         [0087]    On the other hand, when the sample container T is not held in the holding position in the sample rack L positioned in the Y-axis negative direction of the barcode reader B 31 , when the support body B 10  moves in the Y-axis negative direction by a predetermined width, the light-shielding section B 18   b  is positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor B 38 . Accordingly, it is recognized that the sample container T is not held in this holding position. 
         [0088]    In this manner, when a mechanism for driving the support body B 10  is configured, when the support body B 10  is moved in the Y-axis direction, the presence or absence of the sample container T in the holding position in the sample rack L positioned in front of the barcode reader B 31  is detected by the output signal of the sensor B 38  and the movement width of the support section B 16  which is obtained from the stepping motor B 14 . In addition, when it is detected that the sample container T is held, the barcode reader B 31  reads the sample ID of the sample container T. 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 5B , a support body B 20  is mounted with a roller B 21 , a shaft B 22 , and a pulley B 24   b . The support body B 20  is screwed to the base B 30 . 
         [0090]    The roller B 21  has a hole formed therethrough in the Z-axis direction. The shaft B 22  passes through this hole and supports the roller B 21 . In addition, both ends of the shaft B 22  are supported by the support member B 20  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis. A belt B 23  runs on the pulleys B 24   a  and B 24   b . The pulley B 24   a  is installed in the shaft of a stepping motor B 25  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis and the pulley B 24   b  is installed in the support member B 20  and the support shaft B 22  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis. The stepping motor B 25  is installed in the base B 30 . 
         [0091]    In this manner, when a mechanism for driving the roller B 21  is configured, the belt B 23  moves around the pulleys B 24   a  and B 24   b  due to the driving of the stepping motor B 25 . Accordingly, the shaft B 22  and the roller B 21  are rotated around the Z axis. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 5B and 5C , the barcode reader B 31 , a receiving section B 32 , two belts B 35 , two pulleys B 36   a , two pulleys B 36   b , and two stepping motors B 37  are disposed on the lower surface (surface in the Z-axis negative direction) of the base B 30 . 
         [0093]    The barcode reader B 31  and the receiving section B 32  are installed on the lower surface of the base B 30 . The support sections B 33  and B 34  are installed on the lower surfaces of the bases B 30  of the reading sections B 1  and B 2  (see  FIG. 4A ), respectively. A guide  23   b  extending in the X-axis direction is installed on the upper surface of a support section  23   a  which is installed at the back (end in the Y-axis positive direction) of the output unit  23 . The base B 30  is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction on the guide  23   b  via the receiving section B 32 . 
         [0094]    The two pulleys B 36   a  and the two pulleys B 36   b  are installed on the side surface in the Y-axis positive direction of the support section  23   a  of the output unit  23  so as to be rotatable around the Y axis. As shown in the drawing, the two belts B 35  run on the pulleys B 36   a  and B 36   b . The support sections B 33  and B 34  are fixed to the upper and lower belts B 35 , respectively. The two stepping motors B 37  are installed in the support section  23   a  and are connected to the two pulleys B 36   a.    
         [0095]    In this manner, when a mechanism for driving the base B 30  is configured, the two belts B 35  move around the pulleys B 36   a  and B 36   b  due to the driving of the two stepping motors B 37 . Accordingly, the support sections B 33  and B 34  are moved in the X-axis direction and thus the bases B 30  of the reading sections B 1  and B 2  are moved individually in the X-axis direction. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views showing the configuration of the container detection unit E in detail. 
         [0097]      FIG. 6A  is a side view when the container detection unit E is viewed from the right side (in the X-axis positive direction).  FIG. 6B  is a plan view when the container detection unit E is viewed from the upper side. Although a mechanism for moving the base E 20  in the X-axis direction is configured in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction) of the container detection unit E, such a mechanism is the same as the barcode unit B shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C , and thus it will not be shown in the drawing. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a support body E 10  is mounted with the transmission type sensor E 11  including a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, a light-shielding plate E 12 , the contacting section E 13 , a receiving section E 14 , an upper plate section E 15 , and a shaft E 16 . Pulleys E 22   a  and E 22   b , a stepping motor E 23 , transmission type sensors E 24  and E 25  including a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and a guide E 26  are installed in the base E 20 . 
         [0099]    The sensor E 11  detects whether or not a light-shielding plate E 19  to be described later is positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor E 11 . The light-shielding plate E 12  is positioned between a light-emitting section and a light receiving section of the sensor E 24  and between a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section of the sensor E 25  when the support body E 10  moves in the Z-axis direction. The contacting section E 13  is installed on the lower surface (surface in the Z-axis negative direction) of the end in the Y-axis positive direction of the support body E 10 . When there is a sample container T immediately below the contacting section E 13  (Z-axis negative direction), the contacting section E 13  comes into contact with a cap section CP of the sample container T from the state of  FIG. 6A  when the support body E 10  is moved in the Z-axis negative direction. The receiving section E 14  is installed in the guide E 26  and is movable in the Z-axis direction along the guide E 26 . Accordingly, the support body E 10  is movable in the Z-axis direction via the receiving section E 14 . 
         [0100]    The upper plate section E 15  supports the end section in the Z-axis positive direction of the shaft E 16 . A flange section E 10   a  is formed in the support body E 10  and the flange section E 10   a  supports the end section in the Z-axis negative direction of the shaft E 16 . A support section E 17  and a spring E 18  pass through the shaft E 16 . The support section E 17  is fixed to a belt E 21  and is movable by a predetermined width in the Z-axis direction along the shaft E 16 . The spring E 18  presses the support section E 17  in the Z-axis positive direction through the extension action. The light-shielding plate E 19  is installed in the support section E 17 . 
         [0101]    The belt E 21  runs on the pulleys E 22   a  and E 22   b . The pulley E 22   a  is installed in the shaft of the stepping motor E 23  so as to be rotatable around the Y axis and the pulley E 22   b  is installed in the base E 20  so as to be rotatable around the Z axis. Due to the driving of the stepping motor E 23 , the belt E 21  moves around the pulleys E 22   a  and E 22   b.    
         [0102]    Here, when the belt E 21  moves around the pulleys E 22   a  and E 22   b , the support section E 17  moves in the Z-axis direction. When the support section E 17  moves in the Z-axis negative direction, the support body E 10  receives the force from the spring E 18  and moves in the Z-axis negative direction. In addition, when the support section E 17  moves in the Z-axis positive direction, the support section E 17  presses the upper plate section E 15  in the Z-axis positive direction and thus the support body E 10  moves in the Z-axis positive direction. 
         [0103]    In a case where a sample container T is positioned immediately below the contacting section E 13  (Z-axis negative direction), when the support body E 10  is moved in the Z-axis negative direction from the state in which the light-shielding plate E 12  is positioned at the sensor E 24 , the light-shielding plate E 19  is positioned between a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section of the sensor E 11 . That is, when the contacting section E 13  comes into contact with the upper surface of the cap section CP of the sample container T, there is no further movement of the support body E 10  in the downward direction, but the support section E 17  moves in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction) while contracting the spring E 18  in accordance with the movement of the belt E 21 . Accordingly, since the light-shielding plate E 19  is positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the sensor E 11 , it is recognized that the sample container T is positioned immediately below the contacting section E 13 . 
         [0104]    On the other hand, in the case where the sample container T is not positioned immediately below the contacting section E 13  (Z-axis negative direction), even when the support body E 10  is moved in the Z-axis negative direction from the state in which the light-shielding plate E 12  is positioned at the sensor E 24 , the light-shielding plate E 19  is not positioned between the light-emitting section and the light-shielding section of the sensor E 11 , and the light-shielding plate E 12  is positioned at the sensor E 25 . Accordingly, it is recognized that the sample container T is not positioned immediately below the contacting section E 13 . 
         [0105]    In this manner, when a mechanism for driving the support body E 10  is configured, when the support body E 10  is moved in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction), the presence or absence of the sample container T in the holding position in the sample rack L positioned below the contacting section E 13  is detected by the output signal of the sensor E 11 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 7  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  include a right table  310 , a rack transport section  320 , a left table  330 , and rack transport sections  340  and  350 . The right table  310 , the rack transport section  320 , and the left table  330  constitute the measurement line in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the rack transport section  340  constitutes the supply line in  FIG. 1 , and the rack transport section  350  constitutes the recovery line in  FIG. 1 . The transport units  31  to  33  have the same configuration. 
         [0107]    When the measurement of the sample rack L output from the upstream side (right side) is not performed by the measuring unit  41  corresponding to this transport unit, this sample rack L is linearly sent along the supply line to the left end from the right end of the rack transport section  340  by belts  341   a  and  341   b  of the rack transport section  340 . Transmission type sensors  344   a  and  344   b  are installed in the vicinity of the left end of the rack transport section  340 . The sample rack L which is positioned at the left end position of the rack transport section  340  is detected by the sensors  344   a  and  344   b.    
         [0108]    Next, when the measurement of the sample rack L output from the upstream side (right side) is performed by the measuring unit  41  corresponding to this transport unit, this sample rack L is positioned at the right end position of the rack transport section  340 . That is, a rack pushing mechanism  342  is moved backward such that a wall section  342   a  slightly appears on the supply line from the state shown in the drawing. Accordingly, the sample rack L output from the upstream side hits 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 right end position of the rack transport section  340 . The sample rack L which is positioned at the right end position of the rack transport section  340  is detected by the sensors  343   a  and  343   b.    
         [0109]    Next, due to the further backward movement of the rack pushing mechanism  342 , this sample rack L is pushed to the front end of a transport passage  311  of the right table  310 . When the sample rack L on the transport passage  311  is detected by transmission type sensors  312   a  and  312   b , 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 of the rack transport section  320 , belts  321   a  and  321   b  are driven and the sample rack L is sent in the leftward direction. Since the belts  321   a  and  321   b  are driven by a stepping motor (not shown), the sample rack L on the rack transport section  320  is transported with high accuracy for each step number of the stepping motor. 
         [0110]    Thereafter, the sample rack L reaches the position of a container sensor  322 . The container sensor  322  is a contact type sensor. When the sample container T which is held in the sample rack L passes a position immediately below the container sensor  322 , the contact piece of the container sensor  322  is bent by the sample container T and the presence of the sample container T is detected. 
         [0111]    At a supply position positioned on the left side of the position at which the sample container T is detected by the container sensor  322 , by a distance corresponding to two sample containers T, hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  (see  FIG. 8A ) of the measuring unit  41  grip the sample container T and take out the sample container T from the sample rack L. The removed sample container T returns again to the sample rack L after being used in the measurement in the measuring unit  41 . The transport of the sample rack L is put on hold during the period until the sample container T returns to the sample rack L. 
         [0112]    In this manner, when the processing of all the sample containers T, which are to be processed by the measuring unit  41  corresponding to this transport unit, among the sample containers T held in the sample rack L ends, the sample rack L is sent up to the left end position of the rack transport section  320  by the belts  321   a  and  321   b . Thereafter, the sample rack L is pushed to the rear end of a transport passage  331  of the left table  330  by a rack pushing mechanism  323 . When the sample rack L on the transport passage  331  is detected by transmission type sensors  332   a  and  332   b , a rack input mechanism  333  moves forward while engaging with the rear ends of the sample rack L. Accordingly, the sample rack L is sent forward. 
         [0113]    Transmission type sensors  334   a  and  334   b  are installed in the vicinity of the forward part of the left table  330 . The sample rack L positioned at the front position of the left table  330  is detected by the sensors  334   a  and  334   b.    
         [0114]    Next, at the front of the left table  330 , a partition section  352  between the rack transport sections  340  and  350  is controlled so as to be opened or closed and the sample rack L is positioned in either the rack transport section  340  or in the rack transport section  350 . 
         [0115]    When it is necessary to perform processing such as the measurement in the measuring unit  41  on the downstream side or in the smear preparation apparatus  5  on any of the sample containers T held in the sample rack L, the sample rack L is moved up to the left end position of the rack transport section  340  by the rack input mechanism  333  in the state in which the rack transport sections  340  and  350  are partitioned by the partition section  352 . Then, this sample rack L is output to the transport unit on the downstream side by the belt  341   b  of the rack transport section  340 . 
         [0116]    On the other hand, when it is not necessary to perform processing such as the measurement in the measuring unit  41  on the downstream side or in the smear preparation apparatus  5  on any sample container T held in the sample rack L, the upper surface of the partition section  352  is lowered to the same level in height as that of 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 of the rack transport section  350  by the rack input mechanism  333 . In this manner, the sample rack L is moved up to the left end position of the rack transport section  350  from the left table  330  across the rack transport section  340  by the rack input mechanism  333 . The sample rack L positioned at the left end position of the rack transport section  350  is detected by transmission type sensors  353   a  and  353   b  installed in the vicinity of the left end position of the rack transport section  350 . Then, this sample rack L is moved in the rightward direction along the recovery line by a belt  351  of the rack transport section  350 . The sample rack L transported along the recovery line is accommodated in the recovery line  21 . 
         [0117]    The transport unit  34  has the barcode unit D installed in the vicinity of the right end of the rack transport section  320  in addition to the same configuration as those of the transport units  31  to  33 . When the sample rack L including a sample which is judged to be required to be subjected to smear preparation is transported to the transport unit  34 , this sample rack L is transported along the measurement line. At this time, the sample ID of the sample container T which is held in the sample rack L is read by the barcode unit D before the sample container T reaches the supply position. When the sample container T is positioned at the supply position, the sample is suctioned from the sample container T and smear preparation is performed in the smear preparation apparatus  5 . Then, this sample rack L is transported in the rightward direction toward the recovery unit  21  along the recovery line. 
         [0118]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration when the measuring unit  41  is viewed from the upper side. 
         [0119]    The hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  are configured such that the cap section CP of the sample container T which is positioned at the supply position is sandwiched therebetween in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  pass through a rotation shaft F 11  parallel to the Y axis. 
         [0120]    A sample container transport section  411  includes a sample container setting section  411   a  and a transport mechanism section  411   b.  The sample container setting section  411   a  is configured to be movable in the front-back direction up to a position at which the suction by a sample suction section  412  can be performed from the supply position by the transport mechanism section  411   b.  The transport mechanism section  411   b  includes a belt (not shown), two pulleys and a stepping motor. 
         [0121]    When the sample container T is positioned at the supply position on the measurement line, the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  are moved in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction) toward the sample container T positioned at the supply position. Next, the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  grip the cap section CP of the sample container T and take the gripped sample container T in the upward direction (Z-axis positive direction) from the sample rack L. The sample container T taken from the sample rack L is subjected to inversion stirring plural times as shown in  FIG. 8B  due to the rotation of the rotation shaft F 11  around the Y axis while being gripped by the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b . At this time, the sample container setting section  411   a  is positioned immediately below the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b.    
         [0122]    When the inversion stirring of the sample container T ends, the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  are moved in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction) and the sample container T is set in the sample container setting section  411   a . Next, the sample container setting section  411   a  is moved backward and positioned in front of the barcode unit C (X-axis negative direction). In this state, as explained with reference to  FIG. 4C , the barcode unit C reads the sample ID and detects the presence or absence of the sample container T. The information read by the barcode unit C and the detected information are transmitted to the information processing unit  42 . 
         [0123]    Next, the sample container T is positioned immediately below the sample suction section  412  (Z-axis negative direction) due to the further backward movement of the sample container setting section  411   a . The sample suction section  412  suctions the sample in the sample container T positioned immediately below the sample suction section  412 . 
         [0124]    Thereafter, the sample container T returns along the original route and is positioned again immediately below the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  (Z-axis negative direction). The hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  grip and move this sample container T upward (Z-axis positive direction). At this time, the sample container setting section  411   a  is moved backward (Y-axis positive direction). Next, the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  move in the downward direction (Z-axis negative direction) and the sample container T returns to the original holding position in the sample rack L. 
         [0125]    A specimen preparation section  413  has a plurality of reaction chambers (not shown). The specimen preparation section  413  mixes and stirs a reagent and the sample suctioned by the sample suction section  412  in a reaction chamber and prepares a specimen for measurement. A detector  414  measures the specimen prepared by the specimen preparation section  413 . The measurement data obtained by such measurement is analyzed by the information processing unit  42 . 
         [0126]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views showing the configuration of a gripping unit F in detail. 
         [0127]      FIG. 9A  is a plan view when the gripping unit F is viewed from the upper side (in the Z-axis negative direction), and  FIG. 9B  is a side view when the gripping unit F is viewed from the right side (in the X-axis positive direction). 
         [0128]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a support body F 10  is mounted with a rotation shaft F 11 , an air cylinder F 12 , support plates F 13  and F 14 , hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b , a shaft F 16 , and a spring F 17 . 
         [0129]    The support body  10  is supported by a base F 20  so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft F 11 . The rotation shaft F 11  is fixed to flange sections F 10   a  and F 10   b  of the support body F 10 . Furthermore, one end of the rotation shaft F 11  is supported by a flange section F 20   a  of the base F 20  so as to be rotatable, and the other end is fixed to the driving shaft of a stepping motor F 18  mounted on the base F 20 . When the stepping motor F 18  is driven, the support body F 10  rotates around the rotation shaft F 11 , and the air cylinder F 12 , the support plates F 13  and F 14 , the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b , the shaft F 16 , and the spring F 17  rotate integrally therewith. 
         [0130]    The hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  pass through the rotation shaft F 11 . The hand section F 15   a  is movable along the rotation shaft F 11 . The support plates F 14  and F 13  are fixed to the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b , respectively. The support plate F 13  is fixed to the shaft F 16  mounted on the support body F 10 . The support plate F 14  is connected to a shaft F 12   a  protruding from the air cylinder F 12 . In addition, a hole of the support plate F 14  passes through the shaft F 16 . The air cylinder F 12  moves the shaft F 12   a  in the Y-axis direction. When the air cylinder F 12  is driven, the driving force thereof is transmitted to the hand section F 15   a  via the support plate F 14  and the shaft F 12   a , and the hand section F 15   a  moves along the rotation shaft F 11 . 
         [0131]    Both ends of the spring F 17  are fixed to the support plates F 13  and F 14 . The spring F 17  presses the support plate F 14  in the Y-axis negative direction through the extension action. The stepping motor F 18  is installed in the base F 20 . As described above, an end portion in the Y-axis direction of the rotation shaft F 11  is fixed to the driving shaft of the stepping motor F 18 . 
         [0132]    Next, on an inner wall  41   a  of the measuring unit  41 , pulleys F 21   a  and F 21   b  are installed so as to be rotatable around the Y axis. In addition, a stepping motor F 23  and a guide  41   b  are installed on the inner wall  41   a . The pulley F 21   a  is installed on the shaft of the stepping motor F 23  so as to be rotatable around the Y axis. A belt F 22  runs on the pulleys F 21   a  and F 21   b  and the base F 20  is fixed to the belt F 22 . A receiving section F 24  is installed on the base F 20 . Accordingly, the base F 20  is movable in the Z-axis direction along the guide  41   b  via the receiving section F 24 . 
         [0133]    In this manner, when the gripping unit F is configured, when the shaft F 12   a  is moved by the air cylinder F 12  in the Y-axis positive direction against the spring F 17  from the state shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the hand section F 15   a  moves in the Y-axis positive direction along the rotation shaft F 11 . Accordingly, the cap section CP of the sample container T positioned between the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  is gripped by the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b . On the other hand, when the shaft F 12   a  is moved by the air cylinder F 12  in the Y-axis negative direction from the state in which the cap section CP is gripped by the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b , the hand section F 15   a  is positioned at the position in  FIG. 9A  and the gripped cap section CP is released. 
         [0134]    In addition, when the stepping motor F 18  is driven, the rotation shaft F 11  rotates around the Y axis and the hand sections F 15   a  and F 15   b  are rotated around the Y axis along with the support body F 10 . Furthermore, when the stepping motor F 23  is driven, the belt F 22  moves and the base E 20  moves in the Z-axis direction. 
         [0135]    As explained with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the gripping unit F takes the sample container T from the sample rack L and the sample container T is subjected to inversion stirring. In addition, the sample container T which has been subjected to inversion stirring is set in the sample container setting section  411   a  by the gripping unit F, and the sample container T which has been subjected to the measurement is taken from the sample container setting section  411   a  and returns to the original holding position in the sample rack L. 
         [0136]      FIG. 10  is a view schematically showing the connection relationship between the units (devices) of the sample processing apparatus  1 . 
         [0137]    Here, each of the transport units  31  to  33  is divided into a sample relay section  3   a  and a sample supply section  3   b  in the drawing. In greater detail, the sample relay section  3   a  includes the left table  330  and the rack transport sections  340  and  350  in  FIG. 7 . The sample relay section  3   a  receives a sample rack L from one of the two neighboring transport units and transports the sample rack L to the other transport unit. The sample supply section  3   b  includes the right table  310  and the rack transport section  320  in  FIG. 7  and transports a sample rack L to the supply position in order to measure the sample by the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0138]    The recovery unit  21 , the feeding 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. 
         [0139]      FIG. 11  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of the transport controller  6 , the output unit  23 , and the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0140]    The transport controller  6  includes a controller  601 , a communication section  602 , a hard disk  603 , and a display section  604 . In addition, the controller  601  includes a memory  601   a.    
         [0141]    The controller  601  controls other units (devices) by executing a computer program which is stored in the memory  601   a  or the hard disk  603 . The memory  601   a  is used in the readout of computer programs stored in the hard disk  603  and is also used as a working area when these computer programs are executed. The communication section  602  includes a communication interface for performing data communication with an exterior device on the basis of Ethernet (registered trade name) standard and performs data communication with the concentrator  11 . 
         [0142]    A computer program for controlling other units (devices) is stored on the hard disk  603 . In addition, a computer program for displaying on the display section  604  a loss notification screen of a sample container T, a progress screen, and a recovery state screen of a sample container T, which will be described later, is stored on the hard disk  603 . The display section  604  is formed of a display or the like and displays an image on the basis of a video signal output from the controller  601 . 
         [0143]    The output unit  23  includes a controller  238 , a communication section  239 , a barcode processing section  240 , a driving section  241 , and a sensor section  242 . In addition, the controller  238  includes a memory  238   a.    
         [0144]    The controller  238  controls the sections in the output unit  23  by executing a computer program stored on the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  in accordance with the controller  601  of the transport controller  6 . The communication section  239  performs data communication with the concentrator  11  as in the case of the communication section  602  of the transport controller  6 . 
         [0145]    The barcode processing section  240  includes the barcode unit B and the barcode reader  236  shown in  FIG. 3 . The barcode information read by the barcode unit B and the barcode reader  236  is output to the controller  238 . In addition, output is also performed in regards to the presence or absence of the sample container T detected by the barcode unit B to the controller  238 . The controller  238  stores the information received from the barcode processing section  240  on the memory  238   a  and transmits the information to the transport controller  6  via the communication section  239  and the concentrator  11 . 
         [0146]    The driving section  241  includes a mechanism for transporting a sample rack L on the output unit  23  and a stepping motor for driving this mechanism. The sensor section  242  includes a sensor for detecting a sample rack L on the output unit  23  other than the sensor  232 . The sensor section  242  outputs a detection signal to the controller  238 . 
         [0147]    As shown in the drawing, the recovery unit  21  has a configuration in which the container detection unit E is added in place of the barcode processing section  240  of the output unit  23 . 
         [0148]    A controller  216  controls the sections in the output unit  23  by executing a computer program which is stored on a memory  216   a  in the controller  216  in accordance with the controller  601  of the transport controller  6 . A communication section  217  performs data communication with the concentrator  11  as in the case of the communication section  239  of the output unit  23 . 
         [0149]    The presence or absence of the sample container T detected by the container detection unit E is output to the controller  216 . The controller  216  stores the information received from the container detection unit E on the memory  216   a  and transmits the information to the transport controller  6  via the communication section  217  and the concentrator  11 . 
         [0150]    The driving section  218  includes a mechanism for transporting a sample rack L on the recovery unit  21  and a stepping motor for driving this mechanism. The sensor section  219  includes a sensor for detecting a sample rack L on the recovery unit  21  in addition to the sensor  214 . The sensor section  219  outputs a detection signal to the controller  216 . 
         [0151]    The feeding unit  22  has the same configuration as the configuration in which the barcode processing section  240  is omitted from the output unit  23  and this will be omitted in the drawing. 
         [0152]      FIG. 12  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of the transport unit  31 , the measuring unit  41 , and the information processing unit  42 . In the same drawing, 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 configuration. 
         [0153]    The transport unit  31  has a configuration (memory is not shown) in which the barcode processing section  240  is omitted from the output unit  23  in  FIG. 11 , and a communication section  302   b , a driving section  303   b , and a sensor section  304   b  are added. 
         [0154]    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  as in the case of the communication section  302   a . A driving section  303   a  is controlled by a controller  301  and the driving section  303   b  is controlled by the information processing unit  42  via the communication sections  302   b . A sensor section  304   a  outputs a detection signal to the controller  301  and the sensor section  304   b  outputs a detection signal to the information processing unit  42  via the communication section  302   b.    
         [0155]    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  in  FIG. 10 . The sections other than the communication section  302   b , the driving section  303   b , and the sensor section  304   b  in the transport unit  31  are included in the sample relay section  3   a  in  FIG. 10 . The driving section  303   a  and the sensor section  304   a  include a mechanism for transporting and detecting sample racks L on the left table  330  and the rack transport sections  340  and  350  in  FIG. 7 . The driving section  303   b  and the sensor section  304   b  include a mechanism for transporting and detecting sample racks L on the right table  310  and the rack transport section  320  in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0156]    The measuring unit  41  includes a communication section  415  and a driving section  416  in addition to the barcode unit C, the specimen preparation section  413 , and the detector  414  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0157]    The communication section  415  performs data communication with the concentrator  14  as in the case of the communication section  302   b  of the transport unit  31 . 
         [0158]    The driving section  416  includes the gripping unit F shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the sample container transport section  411  for transporting a sample container T shown in  FIG. 8A , the sample suction section  412 , and a mechanism for driving these. 
         [0159]    The information processing unit  42  has the same configuration (hard disk and display section are not shown) as that of the transport controller  6  in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0160]    A controller  421  controls the driving section  303   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 controller  421  controls the driving section  416  of the measuring unit  41  via the communication section  422  and the concentrator  14 , and receives the sample ID read by the barcode unit C and the detected presence or absence of the sample container T. The controller  421  stores the information received from the barcode unit C on a memory  421   a  and transmits the information to the transport controller  6  via the communication sections  422  and  302   a , and the concentrators  11  and  12 . 
         [0161]      FIG. 13  is a view showing an outline of the configurations of the transport unit  34  and the smear preparation apparatus  5 . 
         [0162]    The transport unit  34  has a configuration in which the barcode unit D is added in place of the barcode processing section  240  from the output unit  23  in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0163]    A communication section  342  performs data communication with the concentrator  11 . In addition, the communication section  342  is connected to a communication section  502  of the smear preparation apparatus  5  by a signal line and also performs data communication with the communication section  502 . A controller  341  receives the sample ID read by the barcode unit D and the detected presence or absence of the sample container T. The controller  341  stores the information received from the barcode unit D on a memory  341   a  and transmits the information to the transport controller  6  via the communication section  342  and the concentrator  11 . 
         [0164]    The smear preparation apparatus  5  has the same configuration (memory is not shown) as the configuration in which the barcode processing section  240  is omitted from the output unit  23  in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0165]    A controller  501  of the smear preparation apparatus  5  suctions a sample from a sample container T disposed at the supply position on the measurement line of the transport unit  34  and prepares a smear when receiving a smear preparation instruction from the transport unit  34  via the communication section  502 . 
         [0166]      FIG. 14A  is a flowchart showing a process of the transport controller  6  in the reading operation of the barcode unit B. 
         [0167]    The controller  601  of the transport controller  6  puts the process on hold until a sample rack L reaches the rear position of the transport passage  231  of the output unit  23  (S 11 ). That is, the controller  601  puts the process on hold until receiving the fact that the sample rack L has been detected by the sensor  232  from the output unit  23 . 
         [0168]    When the sample rack L reaches the rear position of the transport passage  231  of the output unit  23  (S 11 : YES), the controller  601  instructs the output unit  23  to perform a reading operation by the barcode unit B (S 12 ). When receiving the reading operation instruction, the output unit  23  drives the barcode unit B to read the rack ID and the sample IDs associated with the holding positions in the sample rack L and to detect the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L as described above. 
         [0169]      FIG. 14B  is a view conceptually showing an example of the information which is obtained by the reading operation of the barcode unit B, that is, the rack ID, the sample IDs associated with the holding positions in the sample rack L, and the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in this sample rack L. Hereinafter, the information which is obtained by the reading operation of the barcode unit B is referred to as “rack information”. 
         [0170]    As shown in the drawing, according to the rack information in this case, it is recognized that no sample container T is held in the holding positions  4  and  5  in the sample rack L. When obtaining the rack information by the reading operation of the barcode unit B, the output unit  23  transmits this rack information to the transport controller  6 . 
         [0171]    Returning to  FIG. 14A , the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  puts the process on hold until receiving the rack information from the output unit  23  (S 13 ). When receiving the rack information from the output unit  23  (S 13 : YES), the controller  601  stores this rack information on the hard disk  603  (S 14 ). In addition, the controller  601  stores the date and time at which this rack information is received on the hard disk  603 . Next, the controller  601  inquires of the host computer  7  for measurement orders on the basis of the sample IDs included in the rack information and obtains the measurement orders from the host computer  7  (S 15 ). 
         [0172]    In this manner, the process of  FIG. 14A  is repeated for each sample rack L which reaches the rear position of the output unit  23  in the transport controller  6 . 
         [0173]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are flowcharts showing processes of the output unit  23  in the reading operation of the barcode unit B. In S 12  of  FIG. 14A , when receiving the instruction to perform the reading operation by the barcode unit B from the transport controller  6 , the controller  238  of the output unit  23  executes the two processes shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  in parallel. 
         [0174]    Referring to  FIG. 15A , the controller  238  generates a variable i in the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  and sets this variable i to 1 (S 101 ). When the value of the variable i is 2 (S 102 : YES), the controller  238  positions the reading section B 1  of the barcode unit B in front of the barcode label BL 2  of the sample rack L which is at the rear position of the output unit  23  (S 103 ) and reads the rack ID (S 104 ). Then, the controller  238  stores the read rack ID on the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  (S 105 ). On the other hand, when the value of the variable i is not 2 (S 102 : NO), the process advances to S 106 . 
         [0175]    Next, the controller  238  positions the reading section B 1  in front of a holding position i in the sample rack L (S 106 ). Here, when it is detected that the sample container T is held in the holding position i due to the driving of the sections in the reading section B 1  as explained with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  (S 107 : YES), the controller  238  reads the sample ID of the sample container T which is held in this holding position (S 108 ). On the other hand, when it is detected that no sample container T is held in the holding position i (S 107 : NO), the process advances to S 109 . 
         [0176]    Next, the controller  238  stores the sample ID and the presence or absence of the sample container T in association with this holding position i on the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  (S 109 ). When no sample container T is detected in S 107 , only the presence or absence of the sample container T is stored in S 109 . 
         [0177]    Next, when the value of the variable i is not 5 (S 110 : NO), 1 is added to the value of the variable i (S 111 ) and the process returns to S 102 . On the other hand, when the value of the variable i is 5 (S 110 : YES), the process ends. 
         [0178]    Referring to  FIG. 15B , the controller  238  of the output unit  23  generates a variable j in the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  and sets this variable j to 6 (S 201 ). Next, the same process is performed in S 202  to S 205  as in S 106  to S 109  of  FIG. 15A . 
         [0179]    Next, when the value of the variable j is not 10 (S 206 : NO) in S 206 , 1 is added to the value of the variable j (S 207 ) and the process returns to S 202 . On the other hand, when the value of the variable j is 10 (S 206 : YES), the process ends. 
         [0180]    In this manner, the two processes of  FIGS. 15A and 15B  are performed in parallel, and when both of these two processes end, the rack information is stored as shown in  FIG. 14B  on the memory  238   a  in the controller  238  of the output unit  23 . The controller  238  transmits the rack information to the transport controller  6  when both the processes of  FIG. 15A and 15B  end. 
         [0181]      FIG. 16A  is a flowchart showing a process of the transport controller  6  in the detection operation of the container detection unit E. 
         [0182]    The controller  601  of the transport controller  6  puts the process on hold until the sample rack L reaches the front position of the recovery unit  21  (S 21 ). That is, the controller  601  puts the process on hold until receiving the fact that the sample rack L has been detected by the sensor  214  from the recovery unit  21 . The rack ID of the sample rack L is read by the barcode reader  243  just before the sample rack L reaches the front position of the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0183]    When the sample rack L reaches the front position of the recovery unit  21  (S 21 : YES), the controller  601  instructs the recovery unit  21  to perform a detection operation by the container detection unit E (S 22 ). When receiving the detection operation instruction, the recovery unit  21  drives the container detection unit E to detect the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L as described above. 
         [0184]      FIG. 16B  is a view conceptually showing the information which is obtained by the reading operation of the barcode reader  243  and the detection operation of the container detection unit E, that is, the rack ID of the sample rack L and the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L. Hereinafter, the information which is obtained by the reading operation of the barcode reader  243  and the detection operation by the container detection unit E is referred to as “presence or absence information”. 
         [0185]    As shown in the drawing, according to the presence or absence information in this case, it is recognized that no sample container T is held in the holding positions  2 ,  4 , and  5  in the sample rack L. When obtaining the presence or absence information by the detection operation of the container detection unit E, the recovery unit  21  transmits this presence or absence information to the transport controller  6 . 
         [0186]    Returning to  FIG. 16A , the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  puts the process on hold until receiving the presence or absence information from the recovery unit  21  (S 23 ). When receiving the presence or absence information from the recovery unit  21  (S 23 : YES), the controller  601  stores this presence or absence information on the hard disk  603  (S 24 ). In addition, the controller  601  stores the date and time at which this presence or absence information is received on the hard disk  603 . 
         [0187]    Next, the controller  601  reads out the rack information of the sample rack L corresponding to the rack ID of this presence or absence information from the hard disk  603  and compares it with the presence or absence information received in S 23 . In this manner, the controller  601  determines whether or not there is a sample container T which is detected in the upstream (rear position of the output unit  23 ) but is not detected in the downstream (front position of the recovery unit  21 ) (S 25 ). For example, when the rack information of  FIG. 14B  is compared with the presence or absence information of  FIG. 16B , it is recognized that the sample container T in the holding position  2  is detected in the upstream (rear position of the output unit  23 ), but is not detected in the downstream (front position of the recovery unit  21 ). 
         [0188]    When there is a sample container T which is detected in the upstream but is not detected in the downstream (S 25 : YES), the controller  601  displays a loss notification screen on the display section  604  (S 26 ). On the other hand, when there is no sample container T which is detected in the upstream but is not detected in the downstream (S 25 : NO), the process returns to S 21 . 
         [0189]    In this manner, the process of  FIG. 16A  is repeated for each sample rack L which reaches the front position of the recovery unit  21  in the transport controller  6 . 
         [0190]      FIG. 16C  is a view showing an example of a loss notification screen  800  which is displayed on the display section  604 . The loss notification screen  800  includes a recovery state screen button  801  and an OK button  802 . 
         [0191]    In this case, the loss notification screen  800  displays the fact that a sample container T with a sample ID “R0002” has been lost. Accordingly, a user can identify that the sample container T has been lost between the upstream and the downstream and can specify the lost sample container T. When the recovery state screen button  801  is pushed, a recovery state screen  820  (see  FIG. 18B ) is displayed. When the OK button  802  is pushed, the loss notification screen  800  is closed. 
         [0192]      FIG. 17A  is a flowchart showing a process related to the display of a progress state screen by the transport controller  6 . 
         [0193]    When a progress state screen display instruction is issued (S 31 : YES), the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  displays a progress state screen  810  (see  FIG. 18A ) on the display section  604  on the basis of the presence or absence information and the rack information stored on the hard disk  603  (S 32 ). The instruction for displaying the progress state screen  810  is issued when a user pushes a progress state display button (not shown) disposed in the menu of the main screen which is displayed on the display section  604  of the transport controller  6 . 
         [0194]      FIG. 18A  is a view showing an example of the progress state screen  810  which is displayed on the display section  604 . The progress state screen  810  includes a progress state display area  811 , a scroll bar  812 , and an end button  813 . 
         [0195]    As shown in the drawing, in the progress state display area  811 , items showing “sample ID”, “date and time of barcode reading in output unit”, “state”, and “storage date and time” are set. Through the scroll bar  812 , all the cases can be displayed in the progress state display area  811 . The progress state screen  810  is closed when a user pushes the end button  813  which is disposed in the upper right. 
         [0196]    The term “date and time of barcode reading in the output unit” indicates the date and time at which the rack information including the sample ID of the target sample container T is received by the transport controller  6 . The term “storage date and time” indicates the date and time at which the presence or absence information including the presence or absence of the sample container T is received by the transport controller  6 . 
         [0197]    The “date and time of barcode reading in the output unit” and the “storage date and time” may be the date and time at which the target sample container T is subjected to the reading operation by the barcode unit B and the date and time at which the target sample container T is subjected to the detection operation by the container detection unit E, respectively. In this case, the date and time at which each sample container T is subjected to the reading operation and the date and time at which each sample container T is subjected to the detection operation are added to the rack information which is transmitted from the output unit  23  and the presence or absence information which is transmitted from the recovery unit  21 , respectively. 
         [0198]    The term “state” indicates a current state of the sample container T. When the “state” is “during processing”, it is recognized that this sample container T is in a state where the transport controller  6  has received the rack information including the sample ID of this sample container T, but has not yet, however, received the presence or absence information including the presence or absence of this sample container T. That is, it is recognized that this sample container T is subjected to processing between the position of the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E. 
         [0199]    When the “state” is “stored”, it is recognized that this sample rack T is in a state where the transport controller  6  receives the presence or absence information that the presence or absence of this sample container T is determined as “presence”. That is, it is recognized that this sample container T is stored in the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0200]    When the “state” is “not clear”, it is recognized that this sample container T is in a state where the transport controller  6  receives the presence or absence information that the presence or absence of this sample container T is determined as “absence”. That is, it is recognized that this sample container T has been lost between the position of the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E. 
         [0201]    Returning to  FIG. 17A , when an instruction for closing the progress state screen  810  is issued, that is, when a user pushes the end button  813  (S 33 : YES), the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  does not display the progress state screen  810  which is displayed on the display section  604  (S 34 ). 
         [0202]      FIG. 17B  is a flowchart showing a process related to the display of a recovery state screen by the transport controller  6 . 
         [0203]    When an instruction for displaying a recovery state screen is issued (S 41 : YES), the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  displays the recovery state screen  820  (see  FIG. 18B ) on the display section  604  on the basis of the presence or absence information and the rack information stored on the hard disk  603  (S 42 ). The instruction for displaying the recovery state screen  820  is issued when a user pushes a recovery state display button (not shown) disposed in the menu of the main screen which is displayed on the display section  604  of the transport controller  6 , or the recovery state screen button  801  of the loss notification screen  800  shown in  FIG. 16C . 
         [0204]      FIG. 18B  is a view showing an example of the recovery state screen  820  which is displayed on the display section  604 . The recovery state screen  820  includes a recovery state display area  821 , a scroll bar  822 , and an end button  823 . 
         [0205]    As shown in the drawing, in the recovery state display area  821 , items showing “rack ID” and “sample container recovery state” are set. By the scroll bar  822 , all cases can be displayed in the recovery state display area  821 . The recovery state screen  820  is closed when a user pushes the end button  823  which is disposed in the upper right. 
         [0206]    In the “sample container recovery state”, the recovery state of the sample container T in each holding position in the target sample rack L is visually shown in addition to the holding positions in the sample rack L. When there is a sample container T which is detected in the upstream (rear position of the output unit  23 ) but is not detected in the downstream (front position of the recovery unit  21 ), the holding position where the lost sample container T was held in the upstream is marked. For example, in the recovery state screen  820  shown in  FIG. 18B , it is recognized that the sample container T in the second holding position from the left in a sample rack L with a rack ID “000010” has been lost. 
         [0207]    Returning to  FIG. 17B , when an instruction for closing the recovery state screen  820  is issued, that is, when a user pushes the end button  823  (S 43 : YES), the controller  601  of the transport controller  6  does not display the recovery state screen  820  which is displayed on the display section  604  (S 44 ). 
         [0208]    As described above, according to this embodiment, the sample ID of the sample container T which is held in the sample rack L is read by the barcode unit B. In addition, the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L is detected by the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E. Accordingly, it is recognized whether or not the sample container T has been lost between the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E, and the lost sample container T can be specified. 
         [0209]    In addition, according to this embodiment, the loss notification screen  800  of  FIG. 16C  is displayed when the sample container T is lost. Accordingly, a user can identify the loss of the sample container T between the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E. In addition, a user can identify whether or not each sample container T has been lost through the display of the progress state screen  810  of  FIG. 18A . 
         [0210]    Furthermore, due to the recovery state screen  820  of  FIG. 18B , a user can intuitively identify from which holding position the sample container T has been lost. That is, a user cannot distinguish whether the sample container T was not held originally or lost in the course of transport by simply actually seeing the sample rack L recovered in the recovery unit  21 . A user can intuitively notice the loss of the sample container T since the holding position of the lost sample container T is shown in the recovery state screen  820 . 
         [0211]    In this embodiment, the loss of the sample container T is detected between the barcode unit B and the container detection unit E, but the loss of the sample container T may be detected on the basis of the presence or absence of the sample container T which is detected by the barcode unit C or D. That is, in the holding position where the barcode unit B detects the sample container T, when the barcode unit C or D detects no sample container T which is held, the loss of the sample container T may be detected as described above. 
         [0212]    As described above, the embodiments of the invention have been described, but are not limited to these. 
         [0213]    For example, in the above-described embodiments, blood is exemplified as a measurement target. However, urine may be a measurement target. That is, the invention can also be applied to sample processing systems which examine urine and can be further applied to clinical sample processing systems which examine other clinical samples. 
         [0214]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, when the sample container T is lost, the loss notification screen  800  of  FIG. 16C  is displayed as a recognition process for making a user recognize the fact, but the invention is not limited to this. As the recognition process of making a user recognize the loss of the sample container T, a process of notifying the loss of the sample container T using a lamp, sound or the like, a process of stopping the transport line, a process of stopping the measurement by the measuring unit  41  or the like may be performed. Accordingly, a user can notice the loss of the sample container T and can take a necessary measure while noticing the occurrence of some kind of abnormality and coping with the abnormality. 
         [0215]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the output unit  23  and the recovery unit  21  are disposed on the same side (right side) with respect to the measuring units  41  and the smear preparation apparatus  5 . However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the output unit  23  and the recovery unit  21  may be disposed on the opposite side with respect to the measuring units  41  and the smear preparation apparatus  5 . For example, the recovery unit  21  may be disposed on the left side of the smear preparation apparatus  5 . Furthermore in this case, as in the above-described embodiments, the loss of the sample container T can be detected by the barcode unit B which is disposed at the output unit  23  and the container detection unit E which is disposed at the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0216]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the rack information is obtained by the barcode unit B and the presence or absence information is obtained by the container detection unit E, but the invention is not limited thereto. The rack information and the presence or absence information may be obtained by the barcode unit B. 
         [0217]      FIG. 19A  is a view schematically showing a transport route of a sample rack L when the rack information and the presence or absence information are obtained by the barcode unit B. The dotted line represents a transport route of a sample rack L from when the sample rack L is placed in the feeding unit  22  to when the sample rack L is output to the transport unit  31  from the output unit  23 . In addition, the broken line represents a transport route of a sample rack L from when the sample rack L is output to the output unit  23  from the transport unit  31  along the recovery line to when the sample rack L is recovered in the recovery unit  21 . 
         [0218]    Also in this case, as in the above-described embodiments, regarding the sample rack L which is placed in the feeding unit  22 , first, the rack information is obtained by the barcode unit B at the rear position of the output unit  23 . 
         [0219]    Next, the sample rack L which has been subjected to the measurement or smear preparation and output in the rightward direction from the transport unit  31  along the recovery line is positioned at the front position of the feeding unit  22  by the belts  237  and  224  and is pushed backward by a rack pushing mechanism  225  which is disposed in the vicinity of the front position of the feeding unit  22 . The sample rack L which is positioned again on the feeding unit  22  is positioned at the rear position of the output unit  23 , and only the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L is detected by the barcode unit B. Then, this sample rack L is recovered in the recovery unit  21  through the belts  237 ,  224 , and  213 . 
         [0220]    In this manner, also in the case in which the rack information and the presence or absence information are obtained by the barcode unit B, the loss of the sample container T can be detected during the period from the first positioning at the barcode unit B to the second positioning at the barcode unit B as described above. 
         [0221]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the holding state of the sample container T at the rear position of the output unit  23  is compared with the holding state of the sample container T at the front position of the recovery unit  21  and thus the loss of the sample container T is detected. However, the positions where the holding states are compared are not limited thereto. 
         [0222]      FIG. 19B  is a plan view when reflection type sensors  324  and  325  which are disposed near the supply position of the transport units  31  to  33  are viewed from the upper side. As shown in the drawing, the sensors  324  and  325  are disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side with respect to the supply position, respectively. The sensors  324  and  325  can detect whether or not the sample container T is held ahead thereof (at the back). 
         [0223]    In this manner, it is recognized whether or not the sample container T which is held in the sample rack L when passing through the front of the sensor  324  is held when passing through the front of the sensor  325 . Accordingly, the loss of the sample container T is detected during the period from when the sample container T is taken into the measuring unit  41  from the position of the sensor  324  and is subjected to the measurement to when the sample container T is positioned at the position of the sensor  325 . 
         [0224]    As shown in  FIG. 19C , a reflection type sensor  326  may be disposed only in front of the supply position. In this case, the sample container T before or after being taken into the measuring unit  41  is detected by the sensor  326 . 
         [0225]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the loss of the sample container T is detected by detecting the presence or absence of the sample container T at time points before and after the supply of the sample container T to the measuring unit  41 , but the invention is not limited thereto. The presence or absence of the sample container T may be detected at a place on the upstream side in the transport direction of the sample rack L and at a place on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sample rack L at a time point before the supply of the sample container T in the sample rack L to the measuring unit  41 . Accordingly, even at a time point before the supply of the sample container T to the measuring unit  41 , the loss of the sample container T in the sample rack L can be detected until the sample container T is transported from a place on the upstream side in the transport direction to a place on the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, for example, even when an examination technician of another examination department takes the sample container T from the sample rack L during the transport of the sample rack L, the loss of the sample container T can be rapidly noticed at a time point before the supply of the sample container T to the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0226]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the rack information is obtained by the barcode unit B at the rear position of the output unit  23 , but the invention is not limited thereto. The rack information may be obtained by the barcode unit B at the front position of the transport passage  221  of the feeding unit  22 . 
         [0227]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the reading of the sample ID and the detection of the presence or absence of the sample container T are performed in parallel by the barcode unit B, but the invention is not limited thereto. The reading of the sample ID and the detection of the presence or absence of the sample container T may be performed at different positions on the transport route. For example, first, the reading of the sample ID may be performed on the upstream side in the transport route and the detection of the presence or absence of the sample container T may be performed on the downstream side in the transport route. 
         [0228]    In addition, the detection of the presence or absence of the sample container T is not limited to the above-described method of detecting the sample container T and may be performed using a transmission type sensor including a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section or a reflection type sensor. In addition, the presence or absence of the sample container T may be detected by bringing a contact member into contact with the sample container T. In addition, a portion of the cap section CP of the sample container T protruding upward from the upper surface of the sample rack L may be picked up and the presence or absence of the sample container T may be detected on the basis of the picked-up image. 
         [0229]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the sample container T is transported by being held in the sample rack L, but the invention is not limited thereto. The sample container T may be transported by a transport section directly holding the sample container T. 
         [0230]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, inversion stirring of the sample container T, sample dispensing, and the like are performed together in one measuring unit  41 . However, only one of inversion stirring of the sample container T, sample dispensing, and the like may be performed in the measuring unit  41 . 
         [0231]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the loss of the sample container T is detected by comparing the rack information which is obtained by the barcode unit B with the presence or absence information which is obtained by the container detection unit E, but the invention is not limited thereto. A sensor which detects the presence or absence of the sample container T may be further added on the transport route. 
         [0232]      FIG. 20  is a view showing the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  with reflection type sensors G 1  to G 3  added thereto. As shown in the drawing, the sensors G 1  to G 3  are disposed in the vicinity of the left sides of the rack transport sections  320  of the transport units  31  to  33 , respectively. 
         [0233]    In this case, in the holding position where the barcode unit B detects the sample container T, when the sensors G 1  to G 3  detect no sample container T which is held, the loss of the sample container T may be detected as described above. 
         [0234]    In this manner, for example, when the sample container T detected by the barcode unit B is not detected by the sensor G 1 , it is recognized that this sample container T has been lost between the barcode unit B and the sensor G 1 . In addition, when the sample container T detected by the sensor G 2  is not detected by the container detection unit E, it is recognized that this sample container T has been lost between the sensor G 2  and the container detection unit E. 
         [0235]    In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the rack ID of the sample rack L is read by the barcode reader  243  which is disposed at the front position of the recovery unit  21 . In addition, the presence or absence of the sample container T in each holding position in the sample rack L is detected by the container detection unit E, and thus the loss of the sample container T is detected. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a reading mechanism such as the barcode unit B which reads the sample IDs of sample containers T in the sample rack L may be disposed at the front position of the recovery unit  21 , whereby when a sample ID read by the barcode unit B is not read by the reading mechanism, the loss of the sample container T with the above sample ID adhered thereto may be notified. 
         [0236]    The embodiments of the invention can be appropriately and variously modified within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.