Abstract:
A chromatograph analyzing device for automatically executing a base line setting process on an unseparated peak using preset base line conditions. The chromatograph analyzing device comprises a separation unit for separating a component included in a sample, a data processing device for identifying the component of the sample and the quantity of the component in the sample by using a chromatogram obtained from the separation. The chromatograph analyzing device also includes a storage device for saving a plurality of sample waveforms having overlapped peaks of the chromatograph and methods for separating each of the sample wavefroms so that the plurality of sample waveforms are associated with the methods.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/889,056, filed on Aug. 8, 2007, claiming priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-235701, filed on Aug. 31, 2006, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a chromatograph analyzing device, and particularly relates to a chromatograph device having a function for processing a waveform of chromatograph data. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Chromatograph data obtained by chromatograph analyzing devices are waveform data such that the abscissa axis is time and the ordinate axis is signal intensity. A relationship between the time and a component is given in advance. Therefore, a position of a peak of mountain wave portion of the waveform data on the abscissa axis represents a type or name of the component. On the other hand, an area of a mountain wave portion of the waveform data represents an amount of contained material in the component. A process for identifying the component based on the peak position of mountain wave portion is called a qualitative process. A process for calculating the area of the mountain wave portion so as to identify the amount of contained material in the component is called a quantitative calculation process. 
         [0006]    A so-called unseparated peak occasionally appears among mountain wave portions of the waveform data. The unseparated peak appears as one mountain wave portion when two mountain wave portions are slightly shifted from each other. In order to identify a component based on the unseparated peak so as to calculate the amount of the contained material in the component, it is necessary to identify two mountain wave portions included in the unseparated peak. 
         [0007]    The quantitative calculation process is executed by a waveform process using a computer. In the quantitative calculation process, it is necessary for determining an area of a mountain wave portion to set a base line. In general, it is difficult to set an accurate base line with respect to an unseparated peak. 
         [0008]    A user occasionally cannot satisfy a base line with respect to an unseparated peak set by a computer. In this case, the user manually corrects the base line set by the computer. This is called a manual base line correcting process. 
         [0009]    In the manual base line correcting process, a user manually sets a base line with respect to an unseparated peak. The setting of a base line depends on user&#39;s experience and knowledge. Therefore, the results of the quantitative calculation process for the unseparated peak subject to the manual base line correcting process have greatly dispersed accuracy. 
         [0010]    Chromatograph data is occasionally collected online. In this case, the quantitative calculation process is executed at real time. It is, however, difficult to execute the manual base line correcting process at real time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a chromatograph analyzing device in which results of a quantitative calculation process for unseparated peaks have less dispersion or the results are more accurate. 
         [0012]    The present invention relates to a chromatograph device having a waveform processing function. According to the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention, a base line setting process is automatically executed on an unseparated peak by using base line setting conditions set in advance. 
         [0013]    According to the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention, results of a quantitative calculation process on the unseparated peak have less dispersion or are more accurate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a flow of a basic analyzing process using a conventional chromatograph analyzing device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram explaining user&#39;s operations for automatically executing a base line setting process in the analyzing process using the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a data structure of sample waveforms of unseparated peak waveform registered in the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a sample waveform editing screen displayed on a display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a sample waveform apex display screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a separating method setting process screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of a first setting process screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an EMG (Exponentially Modified Gaussian) model fitting parameter setting screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of a separating process result display screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a separating process result display screen by means of a viewer function displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a second setting process screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a separated waveform drawing screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a base line drawing screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of a base line display screen by means of the viewer function displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an example of a time table information setting screen for the waveform process displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an example of a chromatograph data display screen displayed on the display device of the chromatograph analyzing device according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration example of a chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention. The chromatograph analyzing device of this example includes an eluent sending mechanism  101 , a reaction liquid sending mechanism  102 , a sample introducing section  103 , a separating mechanism  104 , a T-shaped joint  105 , a reaction device  106 , and a visible detector  107 . They are connected by a flow passage. The chromatograph analyzing device further includes a data processing device  108 , a storage device  109 , a display device  110  and an input device  111 . The data processing device  108  may include a computer. The storage device  109  is provided with a peak shape library and a sample waveform library. 
         [0032]    The eluent sending mechanism  101  has a plurality of eluent tanks  101   a  and a pump  101   b , and a solenoid valve which connects one of the eluent tanks  101   a  to the pump  101   b  is provided. The solenoid valve may be provided in the pump  101   b , but may be provided between the eluent tanks  101   a  and the pump  101   b . The solenoid valve is switched by a signal from the data processing device  108  or direct input into the pump  101   b.    
         [0033]    The reaction liquid sending mechanism  102  includes a plurality of reaction liquid tanks  102   a , a cleaning liquid tank  102   b  and a pump  102   c . A solenoid valve which connects one of both the reaction liquid tanks  102   a  and the cleaning liquid tank  102   b  to the pump  102   c  is provided. The solenoid valve may be provided into the pump  102   c  but may be provided between the pump  102   c  and both the reaction liquid tanks  102   a  and the cleaning liquid tank  102   b . The solenoid valve is switched by a signal from the data processing device  108  or direct input into the pump  102   c.    
         [0034]    The separating mechanism  104  has a plurality of guard columns  104   a  and a separating column  104   b . A column switching valve is provided so as to connect one of the guard columns  104   a  to the separating column  104   b.    
         [0035]    The eluent from the eluent tank  101   a  is sent to the sample introducing section  103  by the pump  101   b . A sample liquid and the eluent are sent from the sample introducing section  103  to the separating mechanism  104 . The sample liquid and the eluent pass through the guard column  104   a  and a predetermined sample is separated in the separating column  104   b  so as to be sent to the T-shaped joint  105 . 
         [0036]    The reaction liquid from the reaction liquid tank  102   a  is sent to the T-shaped joint  105  by the pump  102   c . The sample and the reaction liquid are mixed in the T-shaped joint  105 , so that a mixed liquid is prepared. The mixed liquid is sent to the reaction device  106 . In the reaction device  106 , the sample reacts to the reaction liquid and takes on a color. The colored sample is detected by the visible detector  107 . A detected signal from the visible detector  107  is sent to the data processing device  108 . The data processing device  108  processes an input signal so as to create chromatogram and data. The chromatogram and data are saved in the storage device  109  and are displayed on the display device  110 . 
         [0037]    A basic flow of the analyzing processing in a conventional chromatograph analyzing device is described with reference to  FIG. 2 . A user checks connection of each unit composing the chromatograph analyzing device at step S 201 , and when no problem arises, each unit is warmed up so that the analyzing process can be started. The user creates analyzing conditions to be used for the analyzing process via the input device  111  at step S 202 . The analyzing conditions include setting parameters of each unit, qualitative process conditions, quantitative calculation process conditions and waveform processing conditions. The qualitative process conditions relate to a method of identifying a component of a sample. For example, a range for identifying each component on an abscissa axis is set. The quantitative calculation process conditions relate to a method of calculating an amount of a contained material. That is to say, they are conditions of a method for calculating an area of a mountain wave portion of waveform data. The waveform processing conditions are conditions of a waveform process necessary for the quantitative calculation process. 
         [0038]    The user creates sample conditions via the input device  111  at step S 203 . The sample conditions include information about the sample and analyzing cycle conditions. For example, the sample conditions include, for example, the number of standard samples, the number of samples to be measured, and the introducing order of the standard samples and the samples to be measured. 
         [0039]    The standard samples and the samples to be measured are measured by the chromatograph analyzing device at step S 204 . The samples to be measured are specified in a sample table in advance. The data processing device  108  analyzes measured data at step S 205 . The analyzed results as well as the analyzing conditions are recorded and saved in the storage device  109 . 
         [0040]    A determination is made at step S 206  whether the analyzed results of all the samples to be measured specified on the sample table are obtained. When the analyzed result of all the samples are not obtained, the sequence returns to step S 204  so that the samples are measured. When the analyzed results of all the samples are obtained, the sequence goes to step S 207 . 
         [0041]    At step S 207 , the user examines the analyzed results displayed on the display device  110 , and a determination is made whether the reanalysis is necessary. When the determination is made that the reanalysis is not necessary, the sequence goes to step S 211 . When the reanalysis is necessary, the sequence goes to step S 208 . 
         [0042]    The reanalysis is conducted at step S 208 . The user executes the manual base line correcting process with respect to an unseparated peak. 
         [0043]    The analyzed results are examined and a determination is made whether the reanalysis is further necessary at step S 209 . When the determination is made that the reanalysis is necessary, the sequence returns to step S 208 . When the reanalysis is not necessary, the reanalyzed results as well as the base line setting conditions are recorded and saved in the storage device  109  at step S 210 . A determination is made whether another analyzing process is necessary at step S 211 . When another analyzing process is necessary, the sequence goes to step S 202 , so that the analyzing process is again executed. When another analyzing process is not necessary, this process is ended. 
         [0044]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , steps  301  to  313  are referred to as part A and steps  314 - 317  are referred to as part B, as shown in  FIG. 3 . A process for registering the baseline setting conditions to be used for the base line setting process in the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 3 , part A. The user creates the base line setting conditions via the input device  111  at step S 301 . The baseline setting conditions include a sample waveform and an unseparated peak separating method. The sample waveform is a template of the unseparated peak expected to appear in the chromatograph data. The unseparated peak separating method is a method for separating two waveforms from a sample waveform. 
         [0045]    The data processing device of the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention checks the base line setting condition for separation specifying consistency determination at step S 302 . In the check process of the separation specifying consistency determination, a calculation is made by using the base line setting conditions, and a determination is made whether its result diverges or converges. When the result diverges, the determination is made as inconsistent, and when the result converges, the determination is made as consistent. 
         [0046]    When the baseline setting conditions are inconsistent, the result of the check process for the separation specifying consistency determination is determined as an error. In this case, re-specification of the base line setting conditions is requested at step S 303 . 
         [0047]    When the base line setting conditions are consistent, the result of the check process for the separation specifying consistency determination is determined as normal. At step  304 , a determination is made whether the check of the separation specifying consistency determination with respect to the base line setting conditions is completed. When the check is not completed, the sequence returns to step S 302 . When the check is completed, the base line setting condition is saved in the storage device and is registered in the peak shape library at step S 305 . 
         [0048]    In this embodiment, the base line setting process is executed by using the base line setting conditions registered in the peak shape library. Therefore, the base line setting process can be executed automatically at real time. 
         [0049]    A basic flow of the analyzing process in the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention is described with reference to  FIG. 3 , part B. The user specifies the analyzing conditions, the waveform processing conditions and the base line setting conditions in the peak shape library at step S 311 . The user creates a time table for waveform processing on a time table information setting screen for waveform processing at step S 312 . Namely, the user specifies a waveform processing interval to be subject to the base line setting process. An example of the time table information setting screen for waveform processing is described with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
         [0050]    The data processing device of the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention executes a quantitative calculation process based on the analyzing conditions and the waveform processing conditions specified at step S 311  according to the waveform process time table created at step S 312 . 
         [0051]    The data processing device determines whether an unseparated peak is detected in the specified waveform processing interval at step S 314 . When the unseparated peak is detected, the sequence goes to step S 315 . When the unseparated peak is not detected, the sequence goes to step S 316 . 
         [0052]    The data processing device executes the base line setting process according to the base line setting conditions at step S 315 . The data processing device compares the detected unseparated peak with the sample waveforms, and selects a plurality of sample waveforms which are determined to be approximate to the unseparated peak or a sample waveform which is determined to be the most approximate to the unseparated peak. The data processing device separates each of the sample waveforms into two peaks using the specified separating method. Areas of the two mountain wave portions of each sample waveform are calculated. 
         [0053]    The data processing device executes the quantitative calculation process according to a normal waveform process at step S 316 . Finally, the result of the quantitative calculation process is recorded and saved at step S 317 . 
         [0054]    In the conventional chromatograph analyzing device in  FIG. 2 , the data processing device  108  conducts the analysis at step S 205 , and the user executes the manual base line correcting process at step S 208 . In the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention, however, the data processing device  108  executes the base line setting process at step S 315 , and thus the manual base line correcting process by the user is not necessary. In the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention, therefore, even when the chromatograph data is supplied online, the quantitative calculation process can be executed on the chromatograph data at real time. In the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention, the base line setting process is executed on the unseparated peak according to the base line setting conditions specified by the user. For this reason, the result of the quantitative calculation process can reflect a user&#39;s preference. 
         [0055]    Examples of the sample waveforms provided by the chromatograph analyzing device of the present invention are described with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The sample waveforms  401  include a plurality of curve profiles having typical leading shape and tailing shape. The sample waveforms  401  are provided with registration codes  402 , respectively, and are saved in a sample waveform library  403 . The sample waveforms provided as standard ones and the sample waveforms manually created and registered by the user are saved in the sample waveform library  403 . 
         [0056]    A method that the user manually creates the sample waveforms is explained with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The user may correct the sample waveforms saved in the sample waveform library  403 , but may draw sample waveforms by oneself. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a sample waveform editing screen displayed on the display device. This editing screen includes a sample waveform registration code field  501 , a waveform process setting button  502 , a curve drawing button  503 , an apex coordinate edit button  504 , a read button  505 , a save button  506 , a cancel button  507  and a graph region  508 . A on-creating or created sample waveform is displayed on the graph region  508 . 
         [0058]    The user inputs a code of a sample waveform to be created into the sample waveform registration code field  501 . When the user clicks the waveform process setting button  502 , the waveform process setting screen in  FIG. 7  is displayed. When the user clicks the curve drawing button  503 , a sample waveform which expresses a desired unseparated peak waveform can be drawn on the graph region  508 . When the user clicks the apex coordinate edit button  504 , a screen shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed, apexes of the sample waveform curve displayed on the graph region  508  is displayed. When the user clicks the read button  505 , the sample waveform saved in the sample waveform library  403  is read so as to be capable of being displayed on the graph region  508 . When the user clicks the save button  506 , the sample waveform displayed on the graph region  508  is provided with the sample waveform registration code  501 , to be saved in the sample waveform library  403 . When the user clicks the cancel button  507 , the previous process can be restored. 
         [0059]    When the sample waveform creating process is ended or the sample waveform creating process is not executed, the user clicks the waveform process setting button  502 . As a result, a waveform process setting screen in  FIG. 7  is displayed. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a sample waveform apex display screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the apex coordinate edit button  504  on the sample waveform editing screen of  FIG. 5 , the sample waveform apex display screen of this example is displayed. The sample waveform apex display screen includes a sample waveform registration code field  601 , an apex coordinate edit button  602 , a define button  603 , a cancel button  604 , and a graph region  605 . A sample waveform curve with apexes (circular marks) is displayed on the graph region  605 . The apexes are given onto the curve by computer software. When the user clicks the apex coordinate edit button  602 , the user can edit the apexes of the curve displayed on the graph region  605 . For example, the user drags the circular mark representing the apex so as to move the apex. 
         [0061]    When a curve without an apex is displayed on the graph region  605 , the apex coordinate edit button  602  is clicked so that apexes can be given to the curve displayed on the graph region  605 . When the correction of the apex position is ended, the define button  603  is clicked. As a result, the display returns to the sample waveform editing screen shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0062]    A method of setting the base line setting conditions to be used for the base line setting process is described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 15 . The base line setting conditions includes a method of separating the sample waveform from the unseparated peak. The sample waveform is a template of an unseparated peak expected to appear on the chromatograph data. The unseparated peak separating method is a method for separating two peak waveforms from the sample waveform. Two setting methods are described below. The first setting method uses an existing automatic separating method. The existing automatic separating method includes EMG (Exponentially Modified Gaussian) model fitting, spline function approximation and normal distribution approximation. The second setting method uses a separating method specified by a user and a base line specified by the user. The separating method specified by the user includes a vertical line method, a forward horizontal line method, and a backward horizontal line method. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of the waveform process setting screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the waveform process setting button  502  in  FIG. 5 , the waveform process setting screen of this example is displayed. The waveform setting process screen includes a sample waveform registration code field  701 , a first setting button  702 , a second setting button  703 , a cancel button  704 , and a graph region  705 . A sample waveform to be subject to the waveform process is displayed on the graph region  705 . When the user clicks the first setting button  702 , the first setting process screen shown in  FIG. 8  is displayed. When the user clicks the second setting button  703 , the second setting process screen shown in  FIG. 12  is displayed. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example of the first setting process screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the first setting button  702  on the waveform process setting screen in  FIG. 7 , a first setting process screen of this example is displayed. The first setting process screen of this example has a separated waveform parameter setting field  801 , a separating method specifying field  802 , a setting button  803 , a read button  804 , a cancel button  805  and a graph region  806 . A sample waveform to be subject to the first setting process is displayed on the graph region  806 . 
         [0065]    Parameters of separated waveforms to be used commonly for the first setting process are displayed on the separated waveform parameter setting field  801 . The parameters include retention time showing the time of an apex of a separated waveform, base line starting time, base line end time and sampling period. The user sets desired values as the parameters of the separated waveform, so as to be capable of setting two waveform shapes included in the unseparated peak waveform. The separating method for the sample waveform is displayed on the separating method specifying field  802 . The user can select a desired separating method as the separating method for separating two waveforms from the unseparated peak. The separating method includes EMG model fitting, spline function approximation, and normal distribution approximation. These separating methods are well known, and thus they are not described here. For example, as to details of the EMG model fitting, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-161725. 
         [0066]    The user sets desired parameters on the separated waveform parameter setting field  801 , specifies a desired separating method on the separating method specifying field  802 , and clicks the setting button  803 . The case where the EMG model fitting is specified as the separating method is described here. When the user clicks the setting button  803 , a screen where parameters of the EMG model fitting in  FIG. 9  is set is displayed. 
         [0067]    When the user clicks the read button  804 , the separated waveform parameters and the separating method set by the first setting process as well as the sample waveform can be read. When the user clicks the cancel button  805 , the previous process can be canceled. 
         [0068]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the EMG model fitting parameter setting screen displayed on the display device. The EMG model fitting is specified on the separating method specifying field  802  of the first setting process screen in  FIG. 8 , and the setting button  803  is clicked. As a result, the EMG model fitting parameter setting screen of this example is displayed. The EMG model fitting parameter setting screen of this example has a separated waveform parameter setting field  901 , a specific parameter setting field  902 , an execute button  903  and a cancel button  904 . 
         [0069]    The separated waveform parameters and the separating method used commonly for the first setting process are displayed on the separated waveform parameter setting field  901 . The parameters set on the separated waveform parameter setting field  801  of the first setting process screen in  FIG. 8  and the separating method specified on the separating method specifying field  802  are displayed. The user can check the separated waveform parameters and the separating method to be used commonly for the first setting process on the separated waveform parameter setting field  901 . 
         [0070]    The user sets specific parameters for the separating process using the EMG model fitting on the specific parameter setting field  902 . The parameters include peak shape specification and weighting coefficient. The user sets the parameters in the specific parameter setting field  902  and clicks the execute button  903  so that the separating process is executed. 
         [0071]      FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a separating process result display screen displayed on the display device. The separating process is executed by using the EMG model fitting. When the user clicks the execute button  903  on an EMG model fitting parameter setting screen separating process result display screen of  FIG. 9 , the separating process result display screen of this example is displayed. The separating process result display screen of this example has a graph region  1001 , a fitting result display field  1002 , a separating waveform parameter display field  1003 , a save button  1004  and a cancel button  1005 . The separating method specified on the separating method specifying field  802  of the first setting process screen in  FIG. 8  is displayed on an upper end of the graph region  1001 . Two waveforms separated from the sample waveform are displayed on the center of the graph region  1001 . The number of iterative calculations and constants of the separated two peaks are displayed on the fitting result display field  1002 . The parameters set on the separated waveform parameter setting field  801  of the first setting process screen in  FIG. 8  and on the specific parameter setting field  902  of the EMG model fitting parameter setting screen in  FIG. 9  are displayed on the separated waveform parameter display field  1003 . When the user clicks the save button  1004 , the separating method and the separating process result displayed on this screen are saved in the peak shape library. 
         [0072]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example of the separating process result display screen displayed on the display device. The example of the separating process result saved in the peak shape library can be displayed by using a viewer function. The separating process result display screen of this example has a graph region  1101 , a fitting result display field  1102 , a separated waveform parameter display field  1103 , a save button  1104 , a reedit button  1105 , a next button  1106 , a return button  1107  and an end button  1108 . 
         [0073]    A different point from the separating process result display screen of  FIG. 10  is described below. A peak shape registration code as the registration code of the peak shape library is displayed on an upper end of the graph region  1101 . 
         [0074]    When the user clicks the reedit button  1105 , the separating method created by the first setting process can be reedited. When the user clicks the save button  1104 , the reedited result can be saved in the peak shape library. When the user clicks the next button  1106 , a next separating method saved in the peak shape library is displayed. When the user clicks the return button  1107 , a previous separating method saved in the peak shape library is displayed. When the user clicks the end button  1108 , the display on the separating process result display screen can be ended. 
         [0075]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a second setting process screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the second setting button  703  on the waveform process setting screen in  FIG. 7 , the second setting process screen of this example is displayed. The second setting process screen of this example has a separated waveform drawing button  1201 , a base line drawing button  1202 , a define button  1203 , a separated waveform parameter field  1204 , a read button  1205 , a save button  1206 , a cancel button  1207  and a graph region  1208 . A sample waveform for which a separating method will be set is displayed on the graph region  1208 . 
         [0076]    Separated waveform parameters to be used commonly for the second setting process are displayed on the separated waveform parameter setting field  1204 . The parameters include retention time showing time of an apex of the separated waveform, base line starting time, base line end time and sampling period. The user sets desired values as the separated waveform parameters so as to be capable of separating the unseparated peak waveform into two waveforms. 
         [0077]    The user sets predetermined separated waveform parameters on the separated waveform parameter setting field  1204 , and clicks the separated waveform drawing button  1201 . As a result, a separated waveform drawing screen in  FIG. 13  is displayed. When the user clicks a base line drawing button  1202 , a base line drawing screen in  FIG. 14  is displayed. 
         [0078]    When the user clicks the read button  1205 , the separating method created by the second setting process can be read. When the user clicks the save button  1206 , information on the screen is saved. When the user clicks the cancel button  1207 , the previous process can be cancelled. 
         [0079]      FIG. 13  illustrates an example of a separated waveform drawing screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the separated waveform drawing button  1201  of the second setting process screen in  FIG. 12 , the separated waveform drawing screen of this example is displayed. The separated waveform drawing screen of this example has a separated waveform drawing button  1301 , an apex coordinate edit button  1302 , a define button  1303 , a cancel button  1304 , a separated waveform parameter display field  1305 , a read button  1306 , a save button  1307 , a cancel button  1308  and a graph region  1309 . A sample waveform for which a separating method is to be set is displayed on the graph region  1309  on an initial screen. The parameters set on the separated waveform parameter setting field  1204  of the second setting process screen in  FIG. 12  are displayed on the separated waveform parameter display field  1305 . 
         [0080]    Indicators which show the retention time, the base line starting time, the base line end time and the sampling period displayed on the separated waveform parameter display field  1305  are displayed on the graph region  1309 . When clicking the separated waveform drawing button  1301 , the user can draw two waveforms included in the sample waveform. The user can easily draw the two waveforms using the indicators displayed on the graph region  1309 . When clicking the apex coordinate edit button  1302 , the user can edit the apex coordinate. The editing of the apex coordinate is described with reference to  FIG. 6 . When the user clicks the define button  1303 , the drawn two separated waveforms are defined. When the user clicks the save button  1307 , the separated waveform created by the second setting process is saved as the separating method in the peak shape library. When the user clicks the read button  1306 , the separated waveform can be read as the separating method saved in the peak shape library. 
         [0081]      FIG. 14  illustrates an example of the base line drawing screen displayed on the display device. When the user clicks the base line drawing button  1202  of the second setting process screen in  FIG. 12 , the base line drawing screen of this example is displayed. The base line drawing screen of this example has a base line drawing button  1401 , a define button  1402 , a cancel button  1403 , a separated waveform parameter display field  1404 , a read button  1405 , a save button  1406 , a cancel button  1407  and a graph region  1408 . 
         [0082]    The sample waveform displayed on the graph region  1208  of the second setting process screen in  FIG. 12  is displayed on the graph region  1408 . The parameters set on the separated waveform parameter setting field  1204  of the second setting process screen in  FIG. 12  are displayed on the separated waveform parameter display field  1404 . 
         [0083]    When the user clicks the base line drawing button  1401 , a field for specifying the separating method of the sample waveform is displayed. The user can select the separating method from the list including the vertical line division, the leading division, the tailing division and the like. The user can draw a base line for the sample waveform according to the selected separating method. For example, the base line is drawn by the vertical line method, the forward horizontal line method, the backward horizontal line method or the like. In the example of  FIG. 14 , the user selects the vertical line division as the separating method, and draws the base line according to the vertical line method. 
         [0084]    When the user clicks the define button  1402 , the drawn base line is defined. When the user clicks the save button  1406 , the base line created by the second setting process is saved as the separating method into the peak shape library. When the user clicks the read button  1405 , the base line can be read as the separating method created by the second setting process saved in the peak shape library. 
         [0085]      FIG. 15  illustrates a display state of the base line display screen displayed on the display device. The example of the base line saved in the peak shape library can be displayed by using the viewer function. The base line display screen of this example has a peak shape registration code field  1501 , a separating method specifying field  1502 , a separating waveform parameter display field  1503 , a save button  1504 , a reedit button  1505 , a next button  1506 , a return button  1507 , an end button  1508 , and a graph region  1509 . The sample waveform is displayed on the graph region  1509 . 
         [0086]    In the example of  FIG. 15 , the base line drawing is displayed on the separating method specifying field  1502 . The graph region  1509  shows that the sample waveform is separated by the vertical line division. This means that the user draws the base line according to the vertical line separating method so as to separate the sample waveform into two. 
         [0087]    When the user clicks the reedit button  1505 , the base line can be reedited. When the user clicks the save button  1504 , the reedited result can be saved in the peak shape library. When the user clicks the next button  1506 , a next base line saved in the peak shape library is displayed. When the user clicks the return button  1507 , a previous base line saved in the peak shape library is displayed. When the user clicks the end button  1508 , the base line display screen can be ended. 
         [0088]      FIG. 16  illustrates an example of a time table information setting screen for the waveform process displayed on the display device. The waveform process time table information setting screen of this example has a waveform process time table  1601  and a peak shape library name specifying field  1602 . The user sets a schedule of the base line drawing method on the waveform process time table  1601 . At this time, the user sets a waveform processing interval to be subject to the base line setting process. The waveform process time table  1601  includes elapsed time, function, numerical value and on/off fields in this order from the left. The waveform process base line drawing method is specified for the function field. 
         [0089]    In the example of  FIG. 16 , a base line N method is used. The forward horizontal line method is ON at elapsed time of 1.0 minute, and the forward horizontal line method is OFF at elapsed time of 3.0 minutes. The base line is drawn by the forward horizontal line method for 2 minutes from elapsed time of 1.0 minute to 3.0 minutes. The base line setting is ON at elapsed time of 3.5 minutes, and the base line setting is OFF at elapsed time of 4.5 minutes. The base line setting process is automatically executed on the chromatograph data for 1 minute from elapsed time of 3.5 minutes to 4.5 minutes. The backward horizontal line method is ON at elapsed time of 5.0 minutes, and the backward horizontal line method is OFF at elapsed time of 5.5 minutes. The base line is drawn by the backward horizontal line method for 0.5 minute from elapsed time of 5.0 minutes to 5.5 minutes. 
         [0090]    According to the waveform process time table of this example, the waveform process base line drawing methods which are different from each other can be specified in a plurality of intervals. 
         [0091]    The user can specify the separating method to be used for the base line setting on the peak shape library name specifying field  1602 , by using the peak shape library. 
         [0092]      FIG. 17  illustrates an example of the chromatograph data display screen displayed on the display device. Effective range information of the waveform process time table is displayed for a waveform of the chromatograph data on the chromatograph data display screen of this example. An example of the waveform process time table  1601  in  FIG. 16  is displayed. 
         [0093]    According to this example, when the reanalyzing process is executed, while this display screen is being viewed, the waveform process time table can be set. That is to say, while the unseparated peak waveform included in the chromatograph data is being viewed, the base line setting process can be set in the waveform process time table. 
         [0094]    When the waveform process is executed on the chromatograph data according to the base line setting conditions created by the user, a base line code which represents that the base line setting process has been applied, a peak shape library name and a peak shape registration code in the peak shape library are output onto the quantitative calculation result in the report. As a result, the user can easily check that the waveform process is executed according to the base line setting conditions. 
         [0095]    The examples of present invention are explained, but a person skilled in the art can easily understand that the present invention is not limited to these and can be variously modified within a range of the present invention described in claims.