Patent Abstract:
A sample testing apparatus comprising: a first storing section for storing identification information of an operator in association with first or second attribute information; an identification information receiving section for receiving an input of the identification information of the operator; a testing section for obtaining a test result by testing a sample; a second storing section for storing the test result of the sample so as to be linked with the received identification information; an operation end instruction receiving section for receiving an operation end instruction by the operator; and a deleting section for deleting from the second storing section the test result which is stored so as to be linked with the identification information received by the identification information receiving section in the case in which the received identification information is associated with the second attribute information when the operation end instruction is received.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-156257 filed on Jun. 30, 2009, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sample testing apparatus for testing a sample which is collected from a human subject. 
     2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-030100 discloses a dispensing apparatus in which, regarding operator identification information, three authority levels for a general operator, a manager and a serviceman are set in advance and which receives entry of an ID from an operator and permits the operator to execute functions of the authority level corresponding to the entered ID. In addition, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-030100 contains a description that this technique can be applied not only to the dispensing apparatus but also to an analysis apparatus. 
     When an ID corresponding to the general operator is entered, the dispensing apparatus permits an operator to execute functions for the general operator, when an ID corresponding to the manager is entered, the dispensing apparatus permits an operator to execute functions for the general operator and the manager, and when an ID corresponding to the serviceman is entered, the dispensing apparatus permits an operator to execute functions for the general operator, the manager and the serviceman. An operator having an ID corresponding to the serviceman performs an operation test of the apparatus as maintenance work and confirms whether the apparatus is operating normally on the basis of the operation history of the apparatus. A general operator and a manager are operators on the facility side having the above-described dispensing apparatus delivered thereto and a serviceman is an operator on the trader side delivering the above-described dispensing apparatus to the facility. 
     When the technique described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-030100 is applied to an analysis apparatus, a serviceman performs an analysis operation as maintenance work by using a control sample and confirms an analysis result to confirm whether the analysis apparatus is operating normally. Since the analysis result which is generated with the maintenance work is not necessary for operators on the facility side, the serviceman is required to delete the analysis result when the maintenance work ends. 
     However, in the analysis apparatus to which the technique described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-030100 is applied, the serviceman is permitted to execute functions of a general operator and a manager. Accordingly, there is a concern that analysis results which are obtained by an operator on the facility side may be deleted by mistake when the serviceman deletes the analysis result of the control sample which is generated with the maintenance work. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a sample testing apparatus comprising: a first storing section for storing identification information of an operator in association with first or second attribute information showing the attribute of the operator; an identification information receiving section for receiving an input of the identification information of the operator; a testing section for obtaining a test result by testing a sample; a second storing section for storing the test result of the sample, which is obtained by the testing section, so as to be linked with the identification information which is received by the identification information receiving section; an operation end instruction receiving section for receiving an operation end instruction by the operator; and a deleting section for deleting from the second storing section the test result which is stored so as to be linked with the identification information received by the identification information receiving section in the case in which the identification information received by the identification information receiving section is associated with the second attribute information when the operation end instruction is received by the operation end instruction receiving section. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a sample testing apparatus comprising: a first storing section for storing identification information of an operator in association with first or second attribute information showing the attribute of the operator; an identification information receiving section for receiving an input of the identification information of the operator; a testing section for obtaining a test result by testing a sample; a second storing section for storing the test result of the sample, which is obtained by the testing section, so as to be linked with the identification information which is received by the identification information receiving section; and an editing prohibition section for prohibiting a process of editing the test result which is linked with the identification information associated with the first attribute information when the identification information received by the identification information receiving section is associated with the second attribute information. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a sample testing apparatus, comprising a memory storing an identification information of an operator in association with first or second attribute information showing the attributer of the operator; a testing section for obtaining a test result by testing a sample; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to: receive an input of an identification information of an operator; store the test result in the memory which is obtained by the testing section so as to be linked with the received identification information; receive an operation end instruction; and delete from the memory the test result which is stored so as to be linked with the received identification information associated with the second attribute information in the case in which the received identification information is associated with the second attribute information when receiving the operation end instruction. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention is A sample testing apparatus, comprising a memory storing an identification information of an operator in association with first or second attribute information showing the attributer of the operator; a testing section for obtaining a test result by testing a sample; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to: receive an input of an identification information of an operator; store the test result in the memory which is obtained by the testing section so as to be linked with the received identification information; and prohibit a process of editing the test result which is linked with the identification information associated with the first attribute information when the received identification information is associated with the second attribute information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a sample testing apparatus according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the external configurations of a rack which holds sample containers and the sample containers which are held in the rack; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measuring unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a sample testing process of the control apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of a login screen which is displayed on a display section according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of an error screen which is displayed on the display section according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a process of a CPU in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen which is displayed on the display section in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a sample measurement process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result screen which is displayed on the display section in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing sample measurement operations of the measuring unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram showing an example of a test result list screen which is displayed on the display section in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a test result editing process in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing an example of an operation history screen which is displayed on the display section in a user mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a process of the CPU in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing an example of a test result list screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing a test result editing process in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram showing an example of an error screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a diagram showing an example of an operation history screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  is a flowchart showing an operation history editing process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram showing an example of an error screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic diagram showing an operator information database according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram showing a test result database according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic diagram showing an operation history database according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart showing a process in a service mode according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 29  is a diagram showing an example of a logoff screen which is displayed on the display section in a service mode according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sample testing system according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A sample testing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is a blood cell analysis apparatus which classifies and counts the number of blood cell components such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets which are included in a blood sample gathered from a human subject. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  includes a measuring unit  3 , a transport apparatus  4  which is disposed in front of the measuring unit  3  (in a direction of the arrow Y 1 ) and a control apparatus  5  which is composed of a personal computer electrically connected to the measuring unit  3  and the transport apparatus  4 . The control apparatus  5  includes a display section  52  and an input device  53 . The display section  52  is provided to display analysis results and the like which are obtained by analyzing data of digital signals transmitted from the measuring unit  3 . 
     The transport apparatus  4  includes a before-analysis rack holding section  41  which can hold a plurality of racks  101  accommodating sample containers  100  each containing a sample not yet analyzed, an after-analysis rack holding section  42  which can hold a plurality of racks  101  accommodating sample containers  100  each containing a sample subjected to an analysis, a rack transporting section which transversely transports a rack  101  in directions of the arrows X 1  and X 2 , and a bar-code reading section which reads a bar-code  100   b  of a sample container  100  and a bar-code  101   a  adhered to a rack  101 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the external configurations of a rack which holds sample containers and the sample containers which are held in the rack. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a rack  101 , ten container accommodating sections  101   b  are formed so that ten sample containers  100  are accommodated in a line. A bar-code  100   b  of each sample container  100  is uniquely adhered to each sample and is used for management of a test result of each sample. In addition, in each container accommodating section  101   b , an opening section  101   c  is provided so as to visually check the bar-code  100   b  of the accommodated sample container  100 . A bar-code  101   a  is uniquely adhered to each rack  101  and is used for management of test results of samples. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the measuring unit  3  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 ′. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the measuring unit  3  includes a sample aspirating section  31  for aspirating blood which is a sample from a sample container  100 , a specimen preparing section  32  for preparing a detection specimen from the blood aspirated by the sample aspirating section  31  and a detecting section  33  for detecting blood cell components of the blood from the specimen prepared by the specimen preparing section  32 . In addition, the measuring unit  3  further includes a unit cover  34  for accommodating the sample aspirating section  31 , the specimen preparing section  32  and the like therein and a sample container transporting section  35  for introducing a sample container  100  into the unit cover  34  (see  FIG. 1 ) to transport the sample container  100  to a position where the aspiration is carried out by the sample aspirating section  31 . Moreover, the measuring unit  3  further includes a CPU  36  for controlling the sections, a memory  37  for storing programs which are executed by the CPU  36  and data which are used in the execution of the programs and a communication interface  38  which is connected to the control apparatus  5  so as to communicate therewith. 
     The detecting section  33  is configured to carry out RBC detection (detection of red blood cells) and PLT detection (detection of platelets) by a sheath-flow DC detection method and to carry out HGB detection (detection of hemochromes in blood) by a SLS-hemoglobin method. In addition, the detecting section  33  is configured to carry out WBC detection (detection of white blood cells) by a flow cytometry method using a semiconductor laser. The detection result obtained by the detecting section  33  is transmitted as measurement data to the control apparatus  5 . This measurement data is the base of a final test result (the number of red blood cells, the number of platelets, quantity of hemoglobin, the number of white blood cells and the like) which is provided to a user. 
     The sample container transporting section  35  has a hand section (not shown) which can grasp a sample container  100 , a bar-code reading section (not shown) and a sample container moving section  355  for horizontally moving a sample container  100  in directions of the arrows Y 1  and Y 2 . The hand section is disposed above a transport path of a rack  101  which is transported by the transport apparatus  4 . The sample container moving section  355  has a sample setting section  355   a  (see  FIG. 1 ) and can allow the sample setting section  355   a  to dispose an aspiration position (not shown) 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control apparatus  5  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control apparatus  5  is composed of a computer  500  mainly including a control device  51 , the display section  52  and the input device  53 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control device  51  mainly includes a CPU  51   a , a ROM  51   b , a RAM  51   c , a hard disk  51   d , a reading device  51   e , an I/O interface  51   f , a communication interface  51   g  and an image output interface  51   h . The CPU  51   a , ROM  51   b , RAM  51   c , hard disk  51   d , reading device  51   e , I/O interface  51   f , communication interface  51   g  and image output interface  51   h  are connected to each other by a bus  51   i.    
     The CPU  51   a  can execute computer programs which are stored in the ROM  51   b  and computer programs which are loaded to the RAM  51   c . The computer  500  functions as the control apparatus  5  by executing an application program  54   a  to be described later with the CPU  51   a.    
     The ROM  51   b  is composed of a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or the like, and computer programs which are executed by the CPU  51   a  and data which are used in the execution of the programs are recorded therein. 
     The RAM  51   c  is composed of a SRAM, a DRAM or the like. The RAM  51   c  is used to read computer programs which are recorded in the ROM  51   b  and the hard disk  51   d . In addition, the RAM is used as a work area of the CPU  51   a  when these computer programs are executed. 
     In the hard disk  51   d , various computer programs for execution by the CPU  51   a , such as an operating system and an application program, and data which are used to execute the computer programs, are installed. The sample test program  54   a  for the control apparatus  5  is also installed in the hard disk  51   d . In addition, the hard disk  51   d  is provided with an operator information database  54   b , a test result database  54   c  and an operation history database  54   d . Detailed descriptions of the databases will be described later. 
     The reading device  51   e  is composed of a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive or the like and can read computer programs or data which are recorded in a portable recording medium  54 . In addition, the application program  54   a  is stored in the portable recording medium  54  and the computer  500  can read the application program  54   a  from the portable recording medium  54  and install the application program  54   a  in the hard disk  51   d.    
     The above-described application program  54   a  is provided by the portable recording medium  54  and can be also provided from an external device, which is connected to the computer  500  by an electric communication line (which may be wired or wireless) to communicate therewith, through the electric communication line. For example, the application program  54   a  is stored in a hard disk of a server computer on the internet and the computer  500  accesses the server computer to download the application program  54   a  and install the application program in the hard disk  51   d.    
     Further, in the hard disk  51   d , for example, an operating system for providing a graphic user interface environment, such as Windows (registered trade name) which is made and distributed by Microsoft Corporation in America, is installed. In the following description, the application program  54   a  operates on the above-described operating system. 
     The I/O interface  51   f  is composed of, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394 or RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE or IEEE1284, and an analog interface including a D/A converter and an A/D converter. The input device  53  is connected to the I/O interface  51   f  and a user uses the input device  53  so as to input data to the computer  500 . 
     For example, the communication interface  51   g  is an Ethernet (registered trade name) interface. The computer  500  uses a predetermined communication protocol by the communication interface  51   g  so as to transmit and receive data to and from the measuring unit  3  and the transport apparatus  4 . 
     The image output interface  51   h  is connected to the display section  52  composed of an LCD or a CRT so as to output to the display section  52  a picture signal corresponding to image data provided from the CPU  51   a . The display section  52  is configured to display an image (screen) in accordance with an input picture signal. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a sample testing process of the control apparatus  5  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . Hereinafter, the sample testing process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     First, in Step S 1 , the CPU  51   a  executes an initial setting process. Next, in Step S 2 , the CPU  51   a  displays a login screen F (see  FIG. 6 ) on the display section  52 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of the login screen F which is displayed on the display section  52 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the login screen F includes an ID field F 2 , a password field F 3  and an OK button F 4 . An operator enters an ID and a password in the ID field F 2  and the password field F 3  by the input device  53  and selects the OK button F 4  to confirm the entry of ID and password. Herein, the ID is identification information for identifying the operator. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , in Step S 3 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the entry of ID and password has been received. When it is determined that the entry of ID and password has been received (YES in Step S 3 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 4  whether the received ID and the password corresponding to the ID are registered in the operator information database  54   b.    
       FIG. 25  is a schematic diagram showing the operator information database  54   b  which is provided in the hard disk  51   d . The operator information database  54   b  is a relational database and includes fields of ID, password and group as shown in  FIG. 25 . The ID is information that is uniquely set for each operator and is used to specify an operator. The password is set by an operator. The group is information showing which of the three groups of general user, serviceman and manager an operator belongs to. In the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to this embodiment, executable functions vary depending on the group of an operator. 
     An operator belonging to the general user group (hereinafter, referred to as a general user) is an operator of the facility having the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  installed therein and carries out a test of a sample gathered from a human subject. The ID and password of the general user are registered in the operator information database  54   b  in a general user registration screen (not shown) by an operator belonging to the manager group (hereinafter, referred to as a manager). The general user can execute various processes, such as measurement of samples in the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 , registration of measurements, changing and deletion of test results, validation (approval) of test results, external output of a display screen and changing of settings, in the range set by the manager. 
     The manager is an operator on the facility side having the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  installed therein and mainly performs the management of general users of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . The ID and password of the manager are registered in the operator information database  54   b  by an operator belonging to the serviceman group (hereinafter, referred to as a serviceman). As described above, the manager can set which functions can be executed among the various functions of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  for each general user. In addition, the manager can execute all the functions, which can be executed by a general user, of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . 
     The serviceman is an operator on the trader side delivering the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  to the facility and mainly performs maintenance work of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . The serviceman can execute functions such as changing of settings which cannot be changed by a general user or a manager. As functions relating to the maintenance of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 , the serviceman can execute the setting of an error monitoring range by the apparatus, the setting of an error skip function and the like. In addition, the serviceman can execute all the functions, which can be executed by a general user, of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . However, the serviceman cannot change and delete test results and operation histories obtained by a general user. This will be described later. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , when it is determined that the received ID and the password corresponding to the ID are not registered in the operator information database  54   b  (NO in Step S 4 ), the CPU  51   a  displays an error screen (see  FIG. 7 ) J informing the operator of the determination on the display section  52  (Step S 5 ). 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of the error screen J which is displayed on the display section  52 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the message “the entered ID and password have not been registered” is displayed in the error screen J. Further, the error screen J includes an OK button J 1 . The operator selects the OK button J 1  by the input device  53  so as to instruct the removal of the error screen. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , in Step S 6 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received (YES in Step S 13 ), the CPU  51   a  removes the error screen J displayed on the display section  52  by executing an error screen removing process. Then, the CPU  51   a  executes a process of Step S 10  to be described later. 
     When it is determined that the received ID and the password corresponding to the ID are registered in the operator information database  54   b  (YES in Step S 4 ), the CPU  51   a  determines a group corresponding to the received ID by referring to the operator information database  54   b  in Step S 7 . When the group corresponding to the received ID is a general user group or a manager group (general user or manager in Step S 7 ), the CPU  51   a  performs a process of Step S 8 . In Step S 8 , the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  operates in the range of functions corresponding to the general user group or the manager group. Hereinafter, the process of the CPU  51   a  in Step S 8  will be called a user mode. When the group corresponding to the received ID is a serviceman group (serviceman in Step S 7 ), the CPU  51   a  performs a process of Step S 9 . In Step S 9 , the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  operates in the range of functions corresponding to the serviceman group. Hereinafter, the process of the CPU  51   a  in Step S 9  will be called a service mode. Processes of the CPU  51   a  in a user mode and in a service mode will be described later in detail. 
     Next, in Step S 10 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether an instruction of shutdown from the operator has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of shutdown has been received (YES in Step S 10 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a shutdown process in Step S 11 . When it is determined that the instruction of shutdown has not been received (NO in Step S 10 ), the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a process of the CPU  51   a  in a user mode. Hereinafter, the process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) in a user mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . In the following description, a general user is set by a manager so as to execute at least the functions of changing and deletion of test results. 
     In Step S 101 , the CPU  51   a  displays an initial screen  521  (see  FIG. 9 ) on the display section  52 . 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of the initial screen  521  which is displayed on the display section  52  in a user mode. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the initial screen  521  includes various buttons for instructing the CPU  51   a  so as to execute processes, such as measurement of samples, display of a setting screen, display of test results, display of operation histories and instructions of logoff and shutdown. An operator selects the above-described various buttons by the input device  53  so as to instruct the CPU  51   a  of the various processes. 
     Next, in Step S 102 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether an instruction of sample measurement from the operator has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of sample measurement has been received (YES in Step S 102 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a sample measurement process in Step S 103 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a sample measurement process of the control apparatus  5  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . Hereinafter, the sample measurement process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     First, in Step S 201 , the CPU  51   a  transmits an instruction for starting the measurement of a sample to the measuring unit  3 . Sample measurement operations of the measuring unit  3  will be described later in detail. Next, in Step S 202 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether measurement data transmitted from the measuring unit  3  has been received. When it is determined that the measurement data has been received (YES in Step S 202 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a process of storing the received measurement data in the RAM  51   c  in Step S 203 . Next, in Step S 204 , the CPU  51   a  obtains a test result by analyzing the measurement data stored in the RAM  51   c . Next, in Step S 205 , the CPU  51   a  stores the obtained test result together with the ID of the operator in the test result database  54   c  provided in the hard disk  51   d.    
       FIG. 26  is a schematic diagram showing the test result database  54   c  which is provided in the hard disk  51   d . The test result database  54   c  is a relational database and includes fields of sample ID, WBC, RBC, . . . and ID as shown in  FIG. 26 . The sample ID is identification information that is uniquely set for each sample contained in a sample container  100 . The WBC and the RBC are test items and indicate the number of white blood cells and the number of red blood cells in blood, respectively. The test items are not limited to the WBC and the RBC and may include the number of platelets and quantity of hemoglobin in blood. The ID indicates the ID of the operator of the apparatus when the test result is obtained. 
     Returning to  FIG. 10 , in Step S 206 , the CPU  51   a  executes a process of displaying on the display section  52  a test result display screen B (see  FIG. 11 ) showing the test results stored in the test result database  54   c.    
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an example of the test result display screen B which is displayed on the display section  52  in a user mode. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the test result display screen B includes a sample information field B 1  in which an ID of the sample and the like are displayed, an operator information field B 2  in which an ID of the operator executing the test and the like are displayed and a measurement result field B 3  in which test items of the sample are displayed. When a predetermined time elapses after the display of the test result display screen B on the display section  52 , the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 102  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing sample measurement operations of the measuring unit  3  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . Hereinafter, the sample measurement operations of the measuring unit  3  will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     First, in Step S 301 , the CPU  36  executes an initial process and returns the sections in the measuring unit  3  to respective initial operation positions. Next, in Step S 302 , the CPU  36  determines whether a measurement start instruction transmitted from the control apparatus  5  has been received. When it is determined that the measurement start instruction has been received (YES in Step S 302 ), the CPU  36  controls the sample aspirating section  31  so as to aspirate a sample from a sample container  100  transported to the aspiration position in Step S 303 . Next, in Step S 304 , the CPU  36  controls the specimen preparing section  32  so as to prepare a detection specimen from the aspirated sample. Next, in Step S 305 , the CPU  36  controls the detecting section  33  so as to detect components of an analysis target from the detection specimen. Next, in Step S 306 , the CPU  36  transmits measurement data to the control apparatus  5 . 
     Next, in Step S 307 , the CPU  36  determines whether a shutdown instruction from the control apparatus  5  has been received. When it is determined that the shutdown instruction is not received (NO in Step S 307 ), the CPU  36  executes the process of Step S 302 . When it is determined that the shutdown instruction has been received (YES in Step S 307 ), the CPU  36  transmits an operation history to the control apparatus  5  and executes a shutdown process in Step S 308 . 
     The CPU  51   a  receives the operation history transmitted from the measuring unit  3  and stores the received operation history together with the ID of the operator in the operation history database  54   d  provided in the hard disk  51   d.    
       FIG. 27  is a schematic diagram showing the operation history database  54   d  which is provided in the hard disk  51   d . The operation history database  54   d  is a relational database and includes fields of date, time, contents and ID as shown in  FIG. 27 . The date indicates a date at which the operation history is generated. The time indicates time at which the operation history is generated. The contents indicate the contents of the operation history (error or the like). The ID indicates an ID of the operator operating apparatus when the operation history is generated. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , when it is determined that the instruction of sample measurement is not received (NO in Step S 102 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 104  whether a test result list screen E (see  FIG. 13 ) is displayed on the display section  52 . When the test result list screen E is not displayed on the display section  52  (NO in Step S 104 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 105  whether an instruction for displaying the test result list screen E has been received. When it is determined that the instruction for displaying the test result list screen E has been received (YES in Step S 105 ), the CPU  51   a  displays the test result list screen E on the display section  52  in Step S 106 . 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram showing an example of the test result list screen E which is displayed on the display section  52  in a user mode. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the test result list screen E includes an outline display field E 1  in which outlines of test results are displayed and a detailed display field E 2  in which the test result selected in the outline display field E 1  is displayed in detail. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , when the test result list screen E is displayed on the display section  52  (YES in Step S 104 ) and when the test result list screen E is caused to be displayed on the display section  52 , the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 107  whether a measurement result editing start instruction has been received. When it is determined that the measurement result editing start instruction is not received (NO in Step S 107 ), the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 102 . When it is determined that the measurement result editing start instruction has been received (YES in Step S 107 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a test result editing process in Step S 108 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing a test result editing process of the control apparatus  5  in a user mode. Hereinafter, the test result editing process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) in a user mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 14 . Herein, the editing process is a process of executing the changing and deletion of the contents of test results. 
     In the outline display field E 1  of the test result list screen E which is displayed on the display section  52 , test results are displayed as a list in a tabular form. Herein, a row of the table corresponds to one test result registered in the test result database  54   c . By selecting a row by the input device  53 , an operator can select one corresponding test result. In Step S 501 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the selection of the test result in the outline display field E 1  has been received. 
     By selecting a test result by the input device, the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  to edit the selected test result. When it is determined that the selection of the test result has been received (YES in Step S 501 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 502  whether an instruction for editing the selected test result has been received. By the input device  53 , the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  of an editing process of the selected test result. The operator can instruct a deletion process of the test result by, for example, pressing a Delete button (not shown) of the input device  53 . 
     When it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the test result has been received (YES in Step S 502 ), in Step S 503 , the CPU  51   a  executes on the basis of the received instruction a process of editing the test result for which the editing instruction is issued. 
     When it is determined that the selection of the test result is not received (NO in Step S 501 ), when it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the test result is not received (NO in Step S 502 ), and when the editing process is executed, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 102  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , when it is determined that the display instruction of the test result list screen E is not received (NO in Step S 105 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 109  whether an operation history screen G (see  FIG. 15 ) is displayed on the display section  52 . When the operation history screen G is not displayed on the display section  52  (NO in Step S 109 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 110  whether a display instruction of an operation history screen has been received. When it is determined that the display instruction of an operation history screen has been received (YES in Step S 110 ), the CPU  51   a  displays an operation history screen on the display section  52  in Step S 111 . 
       FIG. 15  shows the operation history screen G which is displayed on the display section  52  in a user mode. The operation history screen G includes an operation history list field G 1  in which an operation history list is displayed, as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , when the operation history screen G is displayed on the display section  52  (YES in Step S 109 ) and when the operation history screen G is caused to be displayed on the display section  52 , the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 102 . 
     When it is determined that the display instruction of the operation history screen G is not received (NO in Step S 110 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 112  whether an instruction of logoff has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of logoff has been received (YES in Step S 112 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a logoff process in Step S 113 . Then, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 10  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . When it is determined that the instruction of logoff is not received, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 102 . 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a process of the CPU  51   a  in a service mode. 
     Hereinafter, the process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) in a service mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
     In Step S 601 , the CPU  51   a  displays an initial screen  521  (see  FIG. 17 ) on the display section  52 . 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing an example of the initial screen  521  which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. Herein, all the display screens in a service mode, that is, the initial screen  521  (see  FIG. 17 ), a test result display screen B (see  FIG. 18 ), a test result list screen E (see  FIG. 19 ), an error screen K (see  FIG. 21 ), an operation history screen G (see  FIG. 22 ) and an error screen L (see  FIG. 24 ) include a mode display bar A showing that a current operator is a serviceman. In addition, the mode display bar A is movable on the display section  52 . By the input device  53 , an operator can freely move the mode display bar A on the display section  52 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , in Step S 602 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether a sample measurement instruction from an operator has been received. When it is determined that the sample measurement instruction has been received (YES in Step S 602 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a sample measurement process in Step S 603 . In the related sample measurement, the serviceman performs a measurement operation on a control specimen and confirms a measurement result of the specimen and an operation history of the apparatus to confirm whether the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  is operating normally. 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram showing an example of the test result display screen B which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. The process of Step S 603  is almost the same as the process of Step S 103  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 , except that the CPU  51   a  displays on the display section  52  the test result display screen B shown in  FIG. 18 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , when it is determined that the sample measurement instruction is not received (NO in Step S 602 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 604  whether the test result list screen E (see  FIG. 19 ) is displayed on the display section  52 . When the test result list screen E is not displayed on the display section  52  (NO in Step S 604 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 605  whether a display instruction of the test result list screen E has been received. 
     When it is determined that the instruction for displaying the test result list screen E has been received (YES in Step S 605 ), the CPU  51   a  displays the test result list screen E on the display section  52  in Step S 606 . 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram showing an example of the test result list screen E which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. Herein, the CPU  51   a  displays an S mark in a flag column of the test result corresponding to an ID of the serviceman by referring to the operator information database  54   b  in an outline display field E 1  in which outlines of test results are displayed as a list. In this manner, the operator (serviceman) can identify whether each test result is obtained by the serviceman. 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , when the test result list screen E is displayed on the display section  52  (YES in Step S 604 ) and when a process of displaying the test result list screen E on the display section  52  is executed, the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 607  whether a test result editing start instruction has been received. When it is determined that the test result editing start instruction is not received (NO in Step S 607 ), the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 602 . When it is determined that the test result editing start instruction has been received (YES in Step S 607 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a test result editing process in Step S 608 . 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing a test result editing process of the control apparatus  5  in a service mode. Hereinafter, the test result editing process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) in a service mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 20 . Herein, the editing process is a process of executing the changing and deletion of the contents of test results. 
     In the outline display field E 1  of the test result list screen E which is displayed on the display section  52 , test results are displayed as a list in a tabular form. Herein, a row of the table corresponds to one test result registered in the test result database  54   c . By selecting a row by the input device  53 , an operator can select one corresponding test result. In Step S 701 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the selection of the test result has been received. 
     By selecting a test result by the input device, the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  to edit the selected test result. When it is determined that the selection of the test result has been received (YES in Step S 701 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 702  whether there is an instruction for editing the selected test result. By the input device  53 , the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  of an editing process of the selected test result. The operator can instruct the deletion of the test result by, for example, pressing the Delete button (not shown) of the input device  53 . 
     When it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the test result has been received (YES in Step S 702 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 703  whether the test result for which the editing instruction is issued corresponds to the ID of the serviceman on the basis of whether an S mark is displayed in the flag column. When it is determined that the test result for which the editing instruction is issued does not correspond to the ID of the serviceman (when an S mark is not displayed in the flag column, NO in Step S 703 ), in Step S 704 , the CPU  51   a  displays on the display section  52  the error screen K (see  FIG. 21 ) for informing the operator (serviceman) that the target test result cannot be edited. 
       FIG. 21  is a diagram showing an example of an error screen which is displayed on the display section  52 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the message “this test result cannot be edited” is displayed in the error screen K. The operator selects an OK button K 1  by the input device  53  so as to instruct the removal of the error screen. 
     Returning to  FIG. 20 , in Step S 705 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received (YES in Step S 705 ), the CPU  51   a  removes the error screen K displayed on the display section  52 . 
     When it is determined that the test result for which the editing instruction is issued corresponds to the ID of the serviceman (when an S mark is displayed in the flag column, YES in Step S 703 ), the editing process is executed on the basis of the instruction in Step S 706  and the test result database  54   c  is updated. 
     When it is determined that the selection of the test result is not received (NO in Step S 701 ), when it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the test result is not received (NO in Step S 702 ), when it is determined that the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received, and when the test result database  54   c  is updated, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 602  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , when it is determined that the display instruction of the test result list screen E is not received (NO in Step S 605 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 609  whether the operation history screen G (see  FIG. 22 ) is displayed on the display section  52 . When the operation history screen G is not displayed on the display section  52  (NO in Step S 609 ), in Step S 610 , the CPU  51   a  executes a process of determining whether a display instruction of the operation history screen G has been received. When it is determined that the display instruction of the operation history screen G has been received (YES in Step S 610 ), in Step S 611 , the CPU  51   a  executes a process of displaying the operation history screen G on the display section  52 . 
       FIG. 22  is a diagram showing an example of the operation history screen G which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. Herein, the CPU  51   a  displays an S mark in a flag column of the operation history corresponding to the ID of the serviceman by referring to the operator information database  54   b  in an operation history list field G 1  in which operation histories are displayed as a list. In this manner, the operator (serviceman) can identify whether each operation history is obtained by the serviceman. 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , when the operation history screen G is displayed on the display section  52  (YES in Step S 610 ) and when a process of displaying the operation history screen G on the display section  52  is executed, the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 612  whether an operation history editing start instruction has been received. When it is determined that the operation history editing start instruction is not received (NO in Step S 612 ), the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 602 . When it is determined that the operation history editing start instruction has been received (YES in Step S 612 ), the CPU  51   a  executes an operation history editing process in Step S 613 . Herein, the editing process is a process of executing the changing and deletion of the contents of operation histories. 
       FIG. 23  is a flowchart showing an operation history editing process of the control apparatus  5  of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . Hereinafter, the operation history editing process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) will be described with reference to  FIG. 23 . 
     In the operation history list field G 1  of the operation history screen G which is displayed on the display section  52 , operation histories are displayed as a list in a tabular form. Herein, a row of the table corresponds to one operation history. By selecting a row by the input device  53 , an operator can select one corresponding operation history. In Step S 801 , the CPU  51   a  executes a process of determining whether the selection of an operation history has been received. 
     By selecting an operation history by the input device  53 , the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  to edit the selected operation history. When it is determined that the selection of the operation history has been received (YES in Step S 801 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 802  whether an instruction for editing the selected operation history has been received. By the input device  53 , the operator can instruct the CPU  51   a  of an editing process of the selected test results. The operator can instruct the deletion of the operation history by, for example, pressing the Delete button (not shown) of the input device  53 . 
     When it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the operation history has been received (YES in Step S 802 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 803  whether the operation history for which the editing instruction is issued corresponds to the ID of the serviceman on the basis of whether an S mark is displayed in the flag column. When it is determined that the operation history for which the editing instruction is issued does not correspond to the ID of the serviceman (when an S mark is not displayed in the flag column, NO in Step S 803 ), in Step S 804 , the CPU  51   a  displays on the display section  52  the error screen L (see  FIG. 24 ) for informing the operator (serviceman) that the target operation history cannot be edited. 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram showing an example of the error screen L which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. As shown in  FIG. 24 , the message “this operation history cannot be edited” is displayed in the error screen L. The operator selects an OK button L 1  by the input device  53  so as to instruct the removal of the error screen. 
     Returning to  FIG. 23 , in Step S 805 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received. When the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received (YES in Step S 804   a ), the CPU  51   a  removes the error screen L displayed on the display section  52 . 
     When it is determined that the operation history for which the editing instruction is issued corresponds to the ID of the serviceman (when an S mark is displayed in the flag column, YES in Step S 803 ), the CPU  51   a  executes the editing process in Step S 806  and updates the operation history database  54   d.    
     When it is determined that the selection of the operation history is not received (NO in Step S 801 ), when it is determined that the instruction of the editing of the operation history is not received (NO in Step S 802 ), when it is determined that the instruction of the removal of the error screen has been received, and when the operation history database  54   d  is updated, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 602  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 16 , when it is determined that the display instruction of the operation history screen G is not received (NO in Step S 610 ), the CPU  51   a  determines in Step S 614  whether an instruction of logoff has been received. When it is determined that the instruction of logoff has been received (YES in Step S 614 ), the CPU  51   a  executes a logoff process in Step S 615  and then executes the process of Step S 10  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . When it is determined that the instruction of logoff is not received, the CPU  51   a  executes the process of Step S 602 . 
     As described above, the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to this embodiment is configured so that when a serviceman edits a test result and an operation history, it is determined whether the test result and the operation history correspond to an ID of the serviceman, and when it is determined that the test result and the operation history do not correspond to the ID of the serviceman, the test result and the operation history cannot be edited. Accordingly, in the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to this embodiment, there is no concern that test results and operation histories which are obtained by a general user will be deleted by mistake when the serviceman deletes a test result and an operation history which are generated with the maintenance work. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a sample testing apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. The sample testing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the sample testing apparatus according to the first embodiment, except that when a logoff process is executed in a service mode, a test result and an operation history corresponding to an ID of a serviceman can be collectively deleted. 
       FIG. 28  is a flowchart showing a process in a service mode. Hereinafter, the process of the control apparatus  5  (CPU  51   a ) in a service mode will be described with reference to  FIG. 28 . 
     Herein, since Steps S 1001  to S 1014  and Step S 1019  are the same as Steps S 601  to S 614  and Step S 615  of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 16 , respectively, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     In Step S 1015 , the CPU  51   a  displays a logoff screen H (see  FIG. 29 ) on the display section  52 . 
       FIG. 29  is a diagram showing an example of the logoff screen H which is displayed on the display section  52  in a service mode. As shown in  FIG. 29 , the message “the test result in the service mode will be deleted” is displayed in the logoff screen H. In addition, the logoff screen H includes a check box H 1  and an OK button H 2 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 28 , in Step S 1016 , the CPU  51   a  determines whether an operation history deletion instruction has been received. An operator selects the check box H 1  by the input device  53  and presses the OK button H 2  so as to instruct the CPU  51   a  of the operation history deletion. Herein, when the operator does not select the check box H 1  but selects the OK button H 2  by the input device  53 , the operation history deletion instruction with respect to the CPU  51   a  is not carried out. In this manner, in this embodiment, the deletion of the operation history in a service mode is selectable. Accordingly, a general user and a manager as operators on the facility side can confirm on the basis of the operation history which operation was executed in the maintenance work by the serviceman as an operator on the trader side. 
     When it is determined that the operation history deletion instruction has been received (YES in Step S 1016 ), in Step S 1017 , the CPU  51   a  deletes all the test results and operation histories corresponding to the ID of the serviceman from the test result database  54   c  and the operation history database  54   d . In addition, when it is determined that the operation history deletion instruction is not received (NO in Step S 1016 ), in Step S 1018 , the CPU  51   a  deletes all the test results corresponding to the ID of the serviceman from the test result database  54   c.    
     As described above, the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to this embodiment is configured so that when a logoff process is executed in a service mode operation, a test result corresponding to an ID of a serviceman, or a test result and an operation history corresponding to the ID of the serviceman can be deleted from the test result database  54   c  and the operation history database  54   d . Accordingly, in the sample testing apparatus according to this embodiment, it is possible to save for the serviceman the time to delete the test result and the operation history generated by maintenance work. 
     The blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to this embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration and may have a configuration so that when it is determined that a logoff instruction has been received in Step S 1014 , the CPU  51   a  automatically and collectively deletes a test result and an operation history corresponding to the ID of the serviceman from the test result database  54   c  and the operation history database  54   d  and then executes a logoff process. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a sample testing system according to a third embodiment will be described. In the sample testing system according to the third embodiment, a plurality of sample testing apparatuses according to the first or second embodiment, which are installed in facilities such as hospitals, and a server computer, which is installed in a support center, are connected to each other via a network. Herein, the support center is a facility in which servicemen are always resident as operators on the trader side delivering apparatuses to facilities such as hospitals. 
       FIG. 30  is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sample testing system  7  according to the third embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 30 , in the sample testing system  7 , a plurality of blood cell analysis apparatuses  1 , which are installed in facilities such as hospitals, are connected to a server computer  2 , which is installed in a support center, via a network  6 . The server computer  2  manages operation histories in a user mode and test results and operation histories of control specimens in a service mode. In the server computer  2 , the test result database shown in  FIG. 26  and the operation history database shown in  FIG. 27  are provided for each blood cell analysis apparatus  1 . 
     The blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment transmits operation histories in a user mode and test results and operation histories of control specimens in a service mode to the server computer  2  at predetermined timing. For example, in urgent situations, the apparatus promptly transmits the test results and operation histories, and in less urgent situations, the apparatus transmits the test results and operation histories at the time of logoff or shutdown. In addition, the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to the second embodiment transmits test results and operation histories of control specimens in a service mode to the server computer  2  when executing a logoff process in addition to the predetermined timing, and then deletes the transmitted test results and operation histories. 
     The server computer  2  receives the operation histories in a user mode and the test results and the operation histories of the control specimens in a service mode, which are transmitted from the blood cell analysis apparatus  1 , and stores the received test results and operation histories in the test result database and the operation history database corresponding to the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  transmitting them. 
     As described above, the sample testing system  7  according to this embodiment is configured so that operation histories in a user mode of the blood cell analysis apparatus  1  according to the first and second embodiments and test results and operation histories of control specimens in a service mode are managed by the server computer  2  installed in the support center. Accordingly, in the sample testing system  7  according to this embodiment, states of the blood cell analysis apparatuses  1 , each of which is installed in a facility, and situations of maintenance work of the apparatuses can be monitored in the support center. 
     Other Embodiments 
     It should be considered that the disclosed embodiments are examples in all aspects but do not restrict the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and not by the above description. 
     For example, in the above-described embodiments, the sample testing apparatus is a blood cell analysis apparatus, but the invention is not limited thereto. In the invention, the sample testing apparatus may be a blood coagulation measurement apparatus, a blood image analysis apparatus, an in-urine physical component analysis apparatus, a biochemical analysis apparatus or an immunoassay apparatus. 
     In addition, in the above-described embodiments, a sample container  100  held in a rack  101  is transported to the sample setting section  355   a  by the transport apparatus  4 , but the invention is not limited thereto. In the invention, the sample container  100  may be directly disposed in the sample setting section  355   a  by an operator. 
     In the above-described embodiments, test results and operation histories are stored in association with identification information (ID) of an operator in the test result database  54   c  and the operation history database  54   d , but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, test results and operation histories may be stored in association with at least one of identification information (ID) of an operator and information indicating a group to which the operator belongs in the test result database  54   c  and the operation history database  54   d.    
     In the above-described embodiments, a process in a user mode is executed when a group corresponding to a received ID is a general user group or a manager group, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the group corresponding to the received ID is a manager group, a process in a manager mode may be executed. In the manager mode, for example, a process of setting a function which can be executed for each general user may be executed by a manager.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6