Patent Publication Number: US-2022222685-A1

Title: Genuine product automatic authentication method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2020/035942, filed Sep. 24, 2020, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-180785, filed Sep. 30, 2019, the disclosures of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference here in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an automatic authentication method, an automatic authentication module, and an automatic analysis apparatus including the automatic authentication module for verifying whether or not an article is a genuine product on an apparatus side using the article based on an identification code assigned to the article, and particularly relates to an automatic authentication method, an automatic authentication module, and an automatic analysis apparatus including the automatic authentication module for authenticating a genuine product based on an identification code using a random number. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, various methods and systems have been known to verify whether an article (product) is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and there are many articles on the market for which such authentication is an important issue. 
     As an example, in an automatic analysis apparatus that can obtain measurement information on various test items by causing a reaction between various reagents and biological samples such as blood and urine, such as a blood coagulation analysis apparatus and an analysis apparatus using an immunoassay method, it is extremely important to verify whether or not a reagent as an article is a genuine product to prevent misuse and use of non-genuine products, or to ensure analysis with the required measurement quality. 
     Genuine product authentication is generally performed using an identification code including a password, etc., and such an identification code is generated by various methods and strictly managed for various purposes (for example, see Patent Document 1). Specifically, for example, a barcode is printed as an identification code including a password, etc. on a label displayed or affixed to an article, and it is determined whether the article is a genuine product or a non-genuine product by reading the barcode using a barcode reader on an apparatus side that uses the article. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2018-9841 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, an identification code (password, etc.) encoded by a simple conversion or a generation rule is easily decoded by a third party decrypting a generation method thereof when making full use of AI technology of today. In addition, even in the case of an identification code generated by a complicated rule, if an encryption table, etc. is referred to when collating the identification code, the identification code is completely decrypted by a third party if the table is stolen. Such decryption of an identification code by a third party promotes the distribution of non-genuine products (counterfeit products), hinders the use of genuine products, and makes it difficult to strictly control the quality of outputs obtained by using genuine products. 
     The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the invention is to provide an automatic authentication method, an automatic authentication module, and an automatic analysis apparatus including the automatic authentication module capable of verifying whether or not an article is a genuine product based on an identification code assigned to the article while making it difficult for a third party to decrypt the identification code. 
     Means for Solving Problem 
     To achieve the object, the invention is an automatic authentication method of verifying whether or not an article is a genuine product on a side of an apparatus using the article based on an identification code assigned to the article, the identification code including a character string formed by arranging a plurality of characters, the character string having an identification information part including identification information for identifying the article and a password part, the password part having a first password part including a random character generated based on a random number and a second password part including a random character generated according to a predetermined random character creation rule based on the first password part and the identification information, the method including an identification code reading step of reading the identification code assigned to the article on the apparatus side, a password part generation reproduction step of reproducing a procedure for generating the second password part according to the predetermined random character creation rule based on characters included in the identification information part and the first password part of the identification code read by the identification code reading step, a password collation step of collating a second password part generated by reproduction by the password part generation reproduction step with a second password part of an identification code of an article read by the identification code reading step, and an authentication step of authenticating the article as a genuine product when the second password parts collated by the password collation step match each other. 
     In the above configuration, not only the identification code generation method in which the identification information of the article is associated with the password is adopted, but also the password part of the identification code is formed by a combination of the random number and the random character creation rule, specifically, by a combination of the first password part generated based on the random number and the second password part generated according to the predetermined random character creation rule based on the first password part and the identification information. That is, while incorporating irregularity into the generation of the first password part by the random number, such a random number is involved in the generation of the second password part by the random character creation rule. Therefore, the difficulty of decrypting the password is increased, and it becomes very difficult for a third party to decrypt the password. Meanwhile, in collation of the identification code on the apparatus side (genuine product authentication), the identification code which is more difficult to decrypt is read, the procedure for generating the second password part is reproduced according to the random character creation rule based on the first password part of the read identification code (random character generated based on the random number) and the identification information, and the reproduced second password part is collated with the read second password part to verify whether or not the article is a genuine product. Thus, generation of the second password part can be reliably reproduced in a manner that is difficult for a third party to decrypt, and it is possible to reliably verify whether or not the article is a genuine product based on the reproduced second password part. Therefore, distribution of non-genuine products (counterfeit products) can be prevented, the use of genuine products is not hindered, and strict quality control of outputs associated with the use of genuine products can be performed. 
     Note that in the above configuration, the “article” refers to a product or goods regarded as having the same manufacturing quality, and two or more articles are produced. Examples of such an article include ink for a printer, a reagent used in the automatic analysis apparatus, etc. Further, the “identification code” refers to article identification coded information that is displayed or affixed to the article and can be read by some reading means. Examples of such an identification code include a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), etc. Further, the “apparatus” refers to an apparatus that uses the article as a consumable item and exerts a predetermined function. As the apparatus, a stand-alone apparatus that is not connected to a network (for example, an automatic analysis apparatus used in a stand-alone state in which a usage status of the reagent is not managed) is particularly preferable. However, the apparatus is not limited thereto. For example, in the invention, it is assumed that apparatuses are communicable with each other and/or are mechanically connected and collectively and centrally controlled. Further, the “genuine product” means an article that is genuine. Therefore, articles such as non-genuine counterfeit products and pirated products are non-genuine products. In addition, the “character” is a character that can be read by a general code reader, etc. and can be input by a keyboard, etc. Examples include numbers, alphabets (lower and upper cases), symbols, kana, etc. Further, the “random character” means a character generated based on a random number. 
     Further, in the above configuration, the predetermined random character creation rule may convert a character into a random character using at least one conversion table. In this case, examples of the conversion table can include a conversion table that converts a numerical value or a combination of numerical values into a random character, a conversion table that converts a character into a numerical value, etc. Further, when such a conversion table is used, in the predetermined random character creation rule, the character may be quantified and calculated, and a calculated value may be used as an input value in the conversion table. 
     Further, in the above configuration, when each article in the same lot is distinguished, the identification code may be distinguished by a serial number, the serial number being a character string included in the identification information part. On the other hand, when each article in the same lot is not distinguished, the identification code is created so that the first password part is different in the same lot. In this way, since the identification code having the same password part is not created in the same lot, it is possible to prevent the authentication from failing in the authentication count check (described later) in the authentication step on the apparatus. Further, a plurality of conversion tables may be prepared in advance, and the conversion table used in the password part generation reproduction step may be switched according to content of the identification information part or the first password part. Note that here, the “lot” is a collection of a plurality of articles that can be regarded as having the same production condition (manufacturing quality), and the individual lots are distinguished by a “lot number”. Further, the “serial number” means a number (character string) for distinguishing individual articles in the same lot. As an example, there are two types of articles, those having a serial number and those not having a serial number. 
     Further, in the above configuration, the automatic authentication method further includes an identification code storage step of storing an identification code of an article authenticated as a genuine product by the authentication step in a storage unit, in which when an identification code of an article read by the identification code reading step matches any identification code stored in the storage unit, the authentication step preferably does not authenticate the article as a genuine product. For example, when the composition of an article is a container filled with a substance, it is conceivable to use a counterfeit product in which the used container is filled with a counterfeit substance (non-genuine substance) after using a legitimate substance. However, as in this composition, when an identification code of the article read by the identification code reading step matches any of identification codes stored in the storage unit, it is possible to eliminate counterfeit products having the same identification code created in this way by not authenticating the article as a genuine product. Note that the storage unit may store the identification code of the authenticated article by lot or expiration date, and in that case, for example, a storage range of the identification code may be limited from the respective grant rules of lot and expiration date. Specifically, for example, as an example of a lot, when lots from A to Z as one letter of the alphabet are given in the order of production of articles, an expiration date is one year after production, and a production time of a next lot is one year after a previous lot, a period during which lot B can be used passes the expiration date of lot A. In this case, when the article of lot A is reused, it can be determined that the product cannot be used by checking the expiration date after genuine product authentication. 
     Further, in the above configuration, the password part may include an array of random characters, and the password part generation reproduction step may specify a position of another random character of the password part on the array based on a conversion table from one or more specific random characters of the first password part of the identification code read by the identification code reading step and a position of the random character on an array. In this way, the difficulty of decrypting the password is further increased, and it becomes very difficult for a third party to decrypt the password. Note that as the conversion table for specifying, from one or more specific random characters of the first password part of the read identification code and positions of the random characters on the array, a position of another random character on the array, a list (random character position decrypting table) that specifies the positions of the random characters by rows and columns can be given as an example. 
     Further, in the above configuration, the automatic authentication method may further include a number-of-times storage step of storing the number of times of authentication and the number of times of non-authentication in the authentication step with regard to an article to which an identification code having the same identification information part is assigned, and an apparatus use restriction signal generation step of generating a signal for restricting use of the apparatus (for example, for suspending the apparatus) when the number of times of non-authentication stored in the number-of-times storage step reaches a predetermined number of times. In this way, it is possible to prevent the use of a non-genuine product (a counterfeit product having a low degree of perfection) having an incomplete identification code. Note that when the apparatus is suspended in accordance with the apparatus use restriction signal generation step, it is preferable to incorporate a function for accepting a suspension state release process using a manually input password, etc. that can release a suspension state on the apparatus side. 
     Further, after the genuine product authentication step, an article suitability determination step for determining the suitability of the identification information part is executed. In this article suitability determination step, it is determined whether or not an element of the identification information part, such as the article type number, lot number, serial number, expiration date, etc., has content (character string) according to each definition thereof, and when the element is inconsistent with the definition, it is determined that the element has a reading content error. 
     In addition, the invention provides an automatic authentication module using such an automatic authentication method and an automatic analysis apparatus including the module. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the invention, it is possible to provide an automatic authentication method, an automatic authentication module, and an automatic analysis apparatus including the automatic authentication module capable of verifying whether or not an article is a genuine product based on an identification code assigned to the article while making it difficult for a third party to decrypt the identification code. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an automatic authentication module according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic overall external view of an automatic analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which the automatic authentication module of  FIG. 1  is incorporated; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the automatic analysis apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an automatic authentication method according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration array of identification codes; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of two tables illustrating a first example of a conversion table used in automatic authentication; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of a table illustrating a second example of the conversion table used in the automatic authentication; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a table illustrating a third example of the conversion table used in the automatic authentication; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a detailed generation form of an element of an identification code; and 
         FIG. 10  is a conceptual diagram of a structure of an identification code. 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an automatic authentication module  90  according to an embodiment of the invention for verifying whether or not an article G is a genuine product on an apparatus (not illustrated) side using the article G based on an identification code C assigned to the article G. 
     Here, the identification code C includes a character string formed by arranging a plurality of characters. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the identification code C may include a character string formed by arranging eight characters “2”, “A”, “1”, “0”, “C”, “H”, “d”, and “U”. Further, the identification code C of the character string has an identification information part ID including identification information for identifying the article G and a password part P. For example, in  FIG. 5 , the identification information part ID is divided into two parts A and B. More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , for example, the identification information part ID may be divided into a first part A including an article type number A 1  (for example, a one-digit number from 0 to 9) and a lot number A 2  (for example, one letter of the alphabet from A to Z), and a second part B including serial numbers B 1  and B 2  (for example, two digits from 01 to 99). Note that in  FIG. 9 , the identification information part ID further has an expiration date E as an element thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the password part P included in the identification code C has a first password part (which may be referred to as a first password) P 1  and a second password part (which may be referred to as a second password) P 2 . In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the first password part P 1  includes random characters L (numbers, lower and upper cases of the alphabet, etc.) generated based on a random number r, while the second password part P 2  is generated according to a predetermined random character creation rule R based on the first password part P 1  and the identification information (identification information part ID). 
     That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the password part P including the first password part P 1  and the second password part P 2  is configured as a mixed password in which random character groups of the first password part P 1  and the second password part P 2  are mixed according to an arrangement rule included in the random character creation rule R, and the identification code C is configured by a combination of this mixed password (P 1  +P 2 ) and the identification information part ID. 
     Note that the password part P may include an array of random characters L as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and in particular, in  FIG. 5 , characters “H” and “U” of elements C 1  and C 2  included in the first password part P 1  and characters “C” and “d” of elements D 1  and D 2  included in the second password part P 2  are alternately arranged. Further, the first password part P 1  is not limited to such an array form. For example, a “dummy random character” may be included in the first password part P 1 . In this way, it becomes more difficult to decrypt the password part P. In this case, the “dummy random character” is not used for generating the second password part P 2 , and is placed at a predetermined position in the array of the password part P. However, the “dummy random character” is not used for authentication. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the automatic authentication module  90  according to the present embodiment includes an identification code reading unit  91  mounted on an apparatus (not illustrated) that uses the article G to read the identification code C (for example, affixed to the article G as a label printed with a barcode, etc.) assigned to the article G, a password part generation reproduction unit  92  that reproduces a generation procedure of the second password part P 2  according to a predetermined random character creation rule R based on characters included in the first password part P 1  and the identification information part ID of the identification code C read by the identification code reading unit  91 , a password collation unit  93  that collates the second password part P 2  generated by reproduction by the password part generation reproduction unit  92  with the second password part P 2  of the identification code C of the article G read by the identification code reading unit  91 , and an authentication unit  94  that authenticates the article G as a genuine product when the second password parts P 2  collated by the password collation unit  93  match each other. 
     Further, the automatic authentication module  90  further includes a storage unit (identification code storage unit)  96  that stores the identification code C of the article G authenticated as a genuine product by the authentication unit  94 . In particular, in the present embodiment, the storage unit  96  functions as a number-of-times storage unit that stores the number of times of authentication and the number of times of non-authentication by the authentication unit  94  with respect to the article G to which the identification code C having the same identification information part ID is assigned. Further, the automatic authentication module  90  of the present embodiment includes an apparatus use restriction signal generation unit  95  that generates a signal for restricting the use of the apparatus (not illustrated) on which the module  90  is mounted when the number of times of non-authentication stored in the storage unit  96  reaches a predetermined number of times. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, in this way, the automatic authentication module  90  individually includes the identification code reading unit  91 , the password part generation reproduction unit  92 , the password collation unit  93 , the authentication unit  94 , the apparatus use restriction signal generation unit  95 , and the storage unit  96 . However, a functional part that integrates at least some or all of these elements may be included. In short, as long as a function of each of these elements is ensured, the elements may be present in any form. 
     Next, as an example of an apparatus on which such an automatic authentication module  90  is mounted, an automatic analysis apparatus  1  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the automatic analysis apparatus  1  includes a reaction portion  40  that holds a reaction vessel  54  into which a specimen is dispensed and a reagent supply portion  70  that supplies the reagent to the reaction vessel  54 . By causing a reaction between the reagent supplied from the reagent supply portion  70  to the reaction vessel  54  and the specimen and measuring a reaction process, measurement information is obtained for a predetermined test item. The automatic authentication module  90  mounted on any of the elements of the automatic analysis apparatus  1  is configured to verify whether or not the reagent as the article G is a genuine product. In particular, in the present embodiment, the automatic authentication module  90  including the identification code reading unit  91  that reads the identification code C as a barcode affixed to the reagent vessel (reagent)  32  as an article by a barcode reader is provided to the reagent supply portion  70 . Note that only the identification code reading unit  91  may be provided to the reagent supply portion  70 , and other elements of the automatic authentication module  90  may be collectively provided to a control unit  10  of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic overall external view of the automatic analysis apparatus of the present embodiment, and  FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the automatic analysis apparatus of  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in these figures, an outer frame of the automatic analysis apparatus  1  of the present embodiment is formed by a housing  100 , and the automatic analysis apparatus  1  is configured by forming a specimen processing space (hereinafter, simply referred to as a processing space) in an upper part of the housing  100 . 
     As clearly illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the automatic analysis apparatus  1  includes a control unit  10 , a measurement unit  30 , and a touch screen  190 . 
     The control unit  10  controls the overall operation of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  includes, for example, a personal computer (PC). The control unit  10  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  12 , a Random Access Memory (RAM)  14 , a Read Only Memory (ROM)  16 , a storage  18 , and a communication interface (I/F)  20  connected to each other via a bus line  22 . The CPU  12  performs various signal processing, etc. The RAM  14  functions as a main storage device of the CPU  12 . As the RAM  14 , for example, a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Static RAM (SRAM), etc. can be used. The ROM  16  records various boot programs, etc. For the storage  18 , for example, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid State Drive (SSD), etc. can be used. Various types of information such as programs and parameters used by the CPU  12  are recorded in the storage  18 . Further, data acquired by the measurement unit  30  is recorded in the storage  18 . The RAM  14  and the storage  18  are not limited thereto, and can be replaced with various storage devices. The control unit  10  communicates with an external device, for example, the measurement unit  30  and the touch screen  190  via the communication I/F  20 . 
     The touch screen  190  includes a display device  192  and a touch panel  194 . The display device  192  may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, etc. The display device  192  displays various screens under the control of the control unit  10 . This screen may include various screens such as an operation screen of the automatic analysis apparatus  1 , a screen showing a measurement result, and a screen showing an analysis result. The touch panel  194  is provided on the display device  192 . The touch panel  194  acquires an input from a user and transmits the obtained input information to the control unit  10 . 
     The control unit  10  may be connected to other devices such as a printer, a handy code reader, and a host computer via the communication I/F  20 . 
     The measurement unit  30  includes a control circuit  42 , a data processing circuit  44 , a constant temperature bath  52 , the reaction vessel  54 , a light source  62 , a scattered light detector  64 , a transmitted light detector  66 , a specimen vessel  72 , a reagent vessel  74 , a specimen probe  76 , and a reagent probe  78 . In this case, the reaction vessel  54 , the scattered light detector  64 , and the transmitted light detector  66  are provided in the constant temperature bath  52 . 
     The control circuit  42  controls an operation of each part of the measurement unit  30  based on a command from the control unit  10 . Although not illustrated, the control circuit  42  is connected to the data processing circuit  44 , the constant temperature bath  52 , the light source  62 , the scattered light detector  64 , the transmitted light detector  66 , the specimen probe  76 , the reagent probe  78 , etc., and controls an operation of each part. 
     The data processing circuit  44  is connected to the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 , and acquires a detection result from the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 . The data processing circuit  44  performs various processes on the acquired detection result and outputs a processing result. The processes performed by the data processing circuit  44  may include, for example, an A/D conversion process for converting a format of data output from the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66  into a format that can be processed by the control unit  10 . 
     The control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may include, for example, a CPU, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), etc. Each of the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may be configured by one integrated circuit, etc., or may be configured by combining a plurality of integrated circuits, etc. Further, the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may include one integrated circuit, etc. The operation of the control circuit  42  and the data processing circuit  44  may be performed according to, for example, a program recorded in a storage device or a recording area in the circuit. 
     The specimen vessel  72  contains, for example, a specimen obtained from blood collected from a patient. The reagent vessel  74  contains various reagents used for measurement. Any number of specimen vessels  72  and reagent vessels  74  may be provided. Since there is usually a plurality of types of reagents used for analysis, there is generally a plurality of reagent vessels  74 . The specimen probe  76  dispenses the specimen contained in the specimen vessel  72  into the reaction vessel  54  under the control of the control circuit  42 . The reagent probe  78  dispenses the reagent contained in the reagent vessel  74  into the reaction vessel  54  under the control of the control circuit  42 . Any number of specimen probes  76  and reagent probes  78  may be used. 
     The constant temperature bath  52  maintains the temperature of the reaction vessel  54  at a predetermined temperature under the control of the control circuit  42 . In the reaction vessel  54 , a mixed solution obtained by mixing the specimen dispensed by the specimen probe  76  and the reagent dispensed by the reagent probe  78  reacts. Note that any number of reaction vessels  54  may be used. 
     The light source  62  emits light having a predetermined wavelength under the control of the control circuit  42 . The light source  62  may be configured to emit light having a different wavelength depending on the measurement condition. Therefore, the light source  62  may have a plurality of light source elements. The light emitted from the light source  62  is guided by, for example, an optical fiber, and is applied to the reaction vessel  54 . The light applied to the reaction vessel  54  is partially scattered and partially transmitted depending on the reaction process state of the mixed solution in the reaction vessel  54 . The scattered light detector  64  detects the light scattered in the reaction vessel  54 , and detects, for example, the amount of the scattered light. The transmitted light detector  66  detects the light transmitted through the reaction vessel  54 , and detects, for example, the amount of transmitted light. The data processing circuit  44  processes information on the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector  64 , and processes information on the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector  66 . Any one of the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66  may operate depending on the measurement condition. Therefore, the data processing circuit  44  may process any one of the information on the amount of scattered light detected by the scattered light detector  64  or the information on the amount of transmitted light detected by the transmitted light detector  66  according to the measurement condition. The data processing circuit  44  transmits processed data to the control unit  10 . Note that even though the measurement unit  30  illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes two light detectors, the scattered light detector  64  and the transmitted light detector  66 , the measurement unit  30  may include any one of the light detectors. 
     The control unit  10  performs various calculations based on the data acquired from the measurement unit  30 . These calculations include calculation of the reaction amount of the mixed solution, quantitative calculation of the substance amount or an activity value of a substance to be measured in a subject based on the reaction amount, etc. The data processing circuit  44  may perform some or all of these calculations. 
     Note that here, even though the case where a PC that controls the operation of the measurement unit  30  and a PC that performs data calculation and quantitative calculation are the same control unit  10  is illustrated, the PCs may be separate bodies. In other words, the PC that performs the data calculation and the quantitative calculation may exist as each. 
     Next, a description will be given of a method of verifying whether or not a reagent is a genuine product by the automatic authentication module  90  mounted on the automatic analysis apparatus  1  with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 8 . First, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the automatic authentication module  90  reads the identification code C assigned to the reagent vessel  32  by the identification code reading unit  91  (identification code reading step S 1 ). 
     Here, assuming that the identification code C is as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the password part (PW) P of the identification code C is created as follows, for example, by using the identification information part ID. That is, a random number is generated by a well-known arbitrary method to create the elements C 1  and C 2  of the first password part P 1 . Here, it is assumed that a random number “18” is generated as the element C 1  and a random number “31” is generated as the element C 2 . Thereafter, each of these random numbers “18” and “31” is converted into a random character L using a first conversion table  81  illustrated in  FIG. 6  according to a random character creation rule R. In the first conversion table  81 , the random number #“18” is converted into a random character “H”, and the random number #“31” is converted into a random character “U”. As a result, the two elements C 1  and C 2  of the first password part P 1  are determined as “H” and “U”, respectively. 
     Next, based on the first password part P 1  created in this way and the identification information ID, the second password part P 2  including random characters is created according to the random character creation rule R. Specifically, for example, according to the random character creation rule R, a first numerical value “49”, which is the sum of the random number “18” of the element C 1  and the random number “31” of the element C 2 , is obtained. In addition thereto, calculation including multiplying each of the random number “18” of the element C 1  and the random number “31” of the element C 2  by a predetermined constant is performed according to the random character creation rule R. Here, a second numerical value “1963”, which is the sum of a first product “1746” obtained by multiplying the random number “18” of the element C 1  by a constant “97” and a second product “217” obtained by multiplying the random number “31” of the element C 2  by a constant “7”, is obtained. In addition, on the other hand, according to the random character creation rule R, an element A 2  (lot number) of the identification information part ID is quantified using the first conversion table  81 . In the first conversion table  81 , the character (alphanumeric character) “A” of the element A 2  of the identification information part ID is converted into a numerical value #“11”. This numerical value “11” is added to the character (number) “2” of the element A 1  (article type number) of the identification information part ID according to the random character creation rule R, whereby a third numerical value “13” is obtained. Thereafter, according to the random character creation rule R, the first numerical value “49” and the third numerical value “13” obtained earlier are added, and a fourth numerical value “62” is obtained. Subsequently, according to the random character creation rule R, a fifth numerical value “62”, which is a remainder of dividing the fourth numerical value “62” by 100, is obtained, a sixth numerical value “2”, which is a remainder of dividing the fourth numerical value “62” by 3, is obtained, and the element D 1  of the second password part P 2  is determined using the second conversion table  82  illustrated in  FIG. 6  from these fifth and sixth numerical values. Specifically, a random character “C” obtained by associating the fifth numerical value “62” with a row of the second conversion table  82  and associating the sixth numerical value “2” with a column of the second conversion table  82  is determined as the element D 1  of the second password part P 2 . Thereafter, according to the random character creation rule R, the element D 2  of the second password part P 2  is determined from the second numerical value “1963” obtained earlier and a numerical value “10” based on the characters (numbers) “1” and “0” of the elements B 1  and B 2  (serial number) of the identification information part ID. Specifically, the second numerical value “1963” and the numerical value “10” are added to obtain a seventh numerical value “1973”, an eighth numerical value “73”, which is a remainder of dividing the seventh numerical value “1973” by 100, is obtained, a ninth number “1”, which is a remainder of dividing the seventh number “1973” by 3, is obtained, and the element D 2  of the second password part P 2  is determined using the second conversion table  82  illustrated in  FIG. 6  from these eighth and ninth numerical values. Specifically, a random character “d” obtained by associating the eighth numerical value “73” with a row of the second conversion table  82  and associating the ninth numerical value “1” with a column of the second conversion table  82  is determined as the element D 2  of the second password part P 2 . As described above, the random character creation rule R quantifies and calculates a character, and uses a calculated value as an input value of the conversion table. 
     Note that the identification code C is distinguished by the serial numbers B 1  and B 2 , which are character strings included in the identification information part ID, when each reagent vessel (reagent) in the same lot is distinguished, and is set to that the first password part P 1  is different in the same lot when each reagent vessel (reagent) in the same lot is not distinguished. 
     After the identification code C generated in this way is read by the identification code reading unit  91  as described above, the automatic authentication module  90  subsequently reproduces a procedure for generating the second password part P 2  according to the above-mentioned random character creation rule R based on characters included in the first password part P 1  of the read identification code C and the identification information part ID by the password part generation reproduction unit  92  (password part generation reproduction step S 2 ). In this way, from one or more specific random characters of the first password part P 1  of the identification code C read by the identification code reading unit  91  and a position of the random character on an array, the password part generation reproduction unit  92  may specify a position of another random character of the password part on the array based on the conversion table. Specifically, for example, in the example of the identification code C of  FIG. 5 , the password part generation reproduction unit  92  determines that “H” is Type 4 using the third conversion table  83  illustrated in  FIG. 7  from the fact that the random character of the element C 1  of the first password part P 1  is “H”, then detects positions of other password elements D 1 , D 2 , and C 2  from a number #14 corresponding to the position of the element C 1  on the password array (here, C 1  is located second on the array (see  FIG. 5 )) from numbers #13 to #16 of Type 4 based on the fourth conversion table  84  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and specifies random characters thereof. 
     In response to the password part generation reproduction unit  92  reproducing the procedure for generating the second password part P 2  according to the random character creation rule R in this way, the password collation unit  93  collates the second password part P 2  generated by the reproduction with the second password part P 2  of the identification code C of the reagent vessel  32  read by the identification code reading unit  91  (password collation step S 3 ). Then, the authentication unit  94  determines whether or not these two random character strings match (step S 4 ). The authentication unit  94  authenticates the reagent vessel  32  as a genuine product when the random character strings match (step S 7 ; authentication step), and does not authenticate the reagent vessel  32  as a genuine product when the random character strings do not match (step S 6 ). Here, the identification code C of the reagent vessel  32  authenticated as a genuine product by the authentication unit  94  is stored in the storage unit  96  (identification code storage step S 8 ). Then, when the identification code C of the reagent vessel  32  read by the identification code reading unit  91  matches any of the identification codes C stored in the storage unit  96  in the authentication process (in the case of YES in step S 5 ), the authentication unit  94  does not authenticate the reagent vessel  32  as a genuine product (step S 6 ). In this way, it is possible to exclude a counterfeit product produced by the same identification code based on the genuine product. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, with regard to the reagent vessel  32  to which the identification code C having the same identification information part ID is assigned, the authentication unit  94  may store the number of times of authentication and the number of times of non-authentication in the storage unit  96  (number-of-times storage step). Then, in this case, the authentication unit  94  may cause the apparatus use restriction signal generation unit  95  to generate a signal for restricting use of the automatic analysis apparatus  1  when the number of times of non-authentication stored in the storage unit  96  reaches a predetermined number of times (apparatus use restriction signal generation step; see  FIG. 1 ). In this way, it is possible to prevent execution of confirmation work of the possibility of authentication by trial and error for elucidating a password generation method for the purpose of establishing an identification code creation condition of a counterfeit product. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only the identification code generation method in which the identification information of the article G (reagent vessel  32 ) is associated with the password is adopted, but also the password part P of the identification code C is formed by a combination of the random number r and the random character creation rule R, specifically, by a combination of the first password part P 1  generated based on the random number r and the second password part P 2  generated according to the predetermined random character creation rule R based on the first password part P 1  and the identification information ID. That is, while incorporating irregularity into the generation of the first password part P 1  by the random number r, such a random number r is involved in the generation of the second password part P 2  by the random character creation rule R. Therefore, the difficulty of decrypting the password P is increased, and it becomes very difficult for a third party to decrypt the password. Meanwhile, in correctness determination (genuine product authentication) of the identification code C on the automatic analysis apparatus  1  side, the identification code C which is more difficult to decrypt is read, the procedure for generating the second password part P 2  is reproduced according to the random character creation rule R based on the first password part P 1  of the read identification code C (random character L generated based on the random number r) and the identification information ID, and the reproduced second password part P 2  is collated with the read second password part P 2  to verify whether or not the article G (reagent vessel  32 ) is a genuine product. Thus, generation of the second password part P 2  can be reliably reproduced in a manner that is difficult for a third party to decrypt, and it is possible to reliably verify whether or not the article G (reagent vessel  32 ) is a genuine product based on the reproduced second password part P 2 . Therefore, distribution of non-genuine products (counterfeit products) can be prevented, the use of genuine products is not hindered, and strict quality control of outputs associated with the use of genuine products can be performed. 
     Note that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the invention, the configuration form of the identification code C, the form of the conversion table, the content of the random character creation rule R, etc. can be arbitrarily set. Further, the apparatus to which the automatic authentication module  90  is applied is not limited to the automatic analysis apparatus. Further, some or all of the above-described embodiments may be combined, or a part of a configuration may be omitted from one of the above-mentioned embodiments.