JP4842648B2 - Reagent bottle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to bar code display for information management displayed on a reagent bottle of an automatic chemical analyzer or the like.

  In the automatic chemical analyzer, the information management of reagent bottles is performed with barcodes, and a disk on which reagent bottles are arranged in an annular shape is rotated and the barcodes are read with a barcode reader. In this case, barcodes in which a plurality of different formats are printed on a single sheet that can be read even when the disk is rotated while the barcode reader is fixed are often used.

  In an automatic chemical analyzer, a method of managing a reagent that differs depending on a test item is provided by providing each reagent with a barcode as identification information corresponding to each reagent and reading the barcode.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 9, a barcode label 2 is affixed to the upper surface of the reagent bottle 1, a plurality of reagent bottles 1 are arranged in an annular shape on the reagent disk 3, the reagent disk 3 is rotated, Read with a fixed barcode reader 4.

  Alternatively, the reagent disk is fixed, and the arm or the like with the barcode attached is read once, and the information is input to the CPU. As this type of technology, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-61165) is known.

  In addition, in the barcode attached to the reagent bottle, there may be a case where a lot of information can be obtained by using a plurality of barcodes having different formats in one sheet. As this type of technology, for example, one described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3612609) is known.

JP 63-61165 A Japanese Patent No. 3612609

  However, if the reagent bottles are arranged in an annular shape as described above and the barcode is read from the upper surface of the reagent bottle, if there is not enough space to attach the barcode to the upper surface of the reagent bottle, the length of the barcode Therefore, the information to be input to the barcode is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the barcode character bar 7 is divided, a plurality of different barcodes are used in one sheet 8, and the barcode character bars 7 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the height direction. In this case, the angular distance 6 between the bar code character bar 7 and the bar code reader laser beam 5 is different between the inner circumference side (start side quiet zone) and the outer circumference side (end side quiet zone) in one sheet 8. Occurs.

  Since the angular distance 6 between the inner circumference and the outer circumference becomes larger as the number of barcodes becomes larger, the laser beam 5 comes off the barcode character bar 7 and cannot be read.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the printing of the bar code character bar 7, the bar code line is obliquely or arcuately shaped as shown in FIG. Even if printing is attempted, the barcode character bar 7 cannot be printed diagonally or arcuately due to restrictions of the barcode printer.

  Even if it can be done, the dots on the character bar 7 will be rough.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reagent bottle having a barcode display that can input a large amount of information using a plurality of barcodes and is not restricted by a barcode printer that prints barcodes. To do.

The present invention relates to a reagent bottle placed on an automatic analyzer equipped with a rotationally-driveable reagent disk in which reagent bottles are arranged in an annular shape and a barcode reader for reading barcode information, and the rotation of the reagent disk The barcode reader reads the barcode information by light scanning the upper surface of the reagent bottle from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, which is the center side, and a plurality of the barcodes attached to the upper surface of the reagent bottle are rotated. When the scanning of the first barcode read first by the rotation of the disk is completed, the scanning proceeds to the second barcode, and the character bars of the plurality of barcodes extend in the same direction. It is characterized by being prepared .

1. A lot of information can be input by multiple barcodes.
2. Since the character bars of the plurality of barcodes are aligned in the same direction, printing by the barcode printer is performed without restriction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic analyzer embodying the present invention.

  A reaction disk 36 and a reagent disk 41 are arranged side by side on the casing 62 of the automatic analyzer. The reaction vessel 35 is placed on the reaction disk 36 side by side on the circumference. A reagent disk 42 is arranged side by side inside the reaction disk 36.

  A plurality of reagent containers 40 can be placed on the circumference of each of the reagent disks 41 and 42. A transport mechanism 12 for moving the rack 11 on which the sample container 10 is placed is installed near the reaction disk 36.

  Between the reagent disk 41 and the reagent disk 42, reagent probes 20, 21, 22, and 23 that can be rotated and moved up and down are installed. The sample probes 15 and 16 inject the specimen from the sample container 10 into the reaction container 35.

  Reference numerals 25, 26 and 72 denote rails. 30 and 31 are stirring devices, and 45 is a container cleaning mechanism. Reference numeral 50 denotes a light source, 51 denotes a detection optical device, 54 denotes a washing port, and 60 denotes a controller.

  71 is a reagent storage for replenishment, 73 is a reagent holding mechanism, 74 is a reagent cap opening mechanism, 75 is an installation port, 77 is a disposal port, and 78 is a barcode reader.

  The reagent contained in the reagent container 40 has a barcode printed on the label 2 shown in FIG. 9 described above as identification information corresponding to each reagent. Those barcodes are pasted on the upper surface of the reagent container 40 and are managed by being read by the barcode reader 78.

  The bar code includes information such as application type, reagent type, lot number, serial number, and expiration date.

  It is assumed that the barcode label of the embodiment attached to the reagent bottle is filled with a one-dimensional barcode that can be read by an inexpensive dedicated reader that is usually used and can be created by an ordinary barcode printer.

  Here, a barcode reader capable of scanning in the length direction of the barcode is used.

  Before explaining the barcode display in detail, the barcode reading will be explained with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 shows a reagent disc 1 (reagent discs 41 and 42), a plurality of reagent bottles 1 (reagent containers 40) arranged in an annular shape, a barcode label 2 attached to them, and a barcode reader 4 for reading them. It is the top view which showed.

  On the upper surface of the reagent bottle 1, a barcode of identification information for the contained reagent is provided.

  On the reagent disk 3 that can arrange a plurality of reagent bottles 1 in an annular shape, the reagent bottle 1 is arranged manually or automatically, and rotates in the circumferential direction.

  A barcode reader 4 is fixedly arranged on the upper surface of the reagent disk 3 and is in a position to read the barcode label 2 from above the reagent bottle 1. When the barcode label 2 is read, the reagent disk 3 (reagent disks 41 and 42) rotates in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the barcode reader 4 is rotated once around the reagent disk 3 (reagent disks 41 and 42), or the barcode label 2 is read while stopping for each reagent bottle, and the information is input to the CPU.

  A plurality of barcodes are provided in the barcode label 2 in the height direction of the barcode.

  Next, each embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(First embodiment)
A description will be given with reference to FIG.

  First, the configuration of the barcode will be described with reference to FIG.

  The bar code is arranged next to the start side quiet zone 101 (inner circumference side), the start side quiet zone 101, a bar code symbol 70 having a number of character bars 7, and next to the bar code symbol 70. The total length with the terminal side quiet zone 102 located on the opposite side of the quiet zone 101 is defined as the barcode length.

  In the barcode, the height of the character bar 7 extending in the direction perpendicular to the barcode length direction is defined as the barcode height.

  The barcode is expressed by a barcode length and a barcode height. A number of character bars 7 indicate the contents of information and the start and end of information. The start side quiet zone 101 and the end side quiet zone 102 are indispensable for accurately reading the contents of information.

  FIG. 5 shows a plurality (three) of barcodes. The sheet 8 (barcode label) on which a plurality (three) of barcodes are written is read by the laser beam 5 of the barcode reader 4. The laser beam 5 scans from the start side quiet zone 101 (inner circumference side) toward the end side quiet zone 102.

  When reading with the barcode reader 4, a plurality of barcodes are rotationally moved with the side closer to the start side quiet zone 101 (inner circumference side) as the rotation center side. In FIG. 5, the end side quiet zone 102 side of the sheet 8 (barcode label) moves to the right as indicated by an arrow 80.

  The bar code read first by the bar code reader 4 is the lower level. Next, the bar code is read in the order of interruption and upper row.

  For this reason, the inclination of the scan of the laser beam 5 with respect to the side-by-side arrangement of the character bars 7 forming the bar code increases as the order of interruption and upper stage progresses. That is, the above-mentioned angular distance 6 increases as the process proceeds from interruption to upper stage.

  Considering this, the barcode character bar 7 to be printed on the barcode label is set as follows.

  That is, a plurality of barcodes expressed by the barcode length and barcode height are written in one sheet 8 (barcode label). The plurality of barcodes are described separately so as to be arranged in the height direction of the character bar 7, and the direction of the height direction of the character bar 7 is aligned in the same direction. A bar code read early by the bar code reader 4 has a low character bar 7 height arrangement, and a bar code read late increases the character bar 7 height arrangement.

  As a result, the character bar 7 to be read last does not cause a reading failure due to insufficient height, and can be read satisfactorily by the barcode reader, regardless of the reading of the barcode accompanying the rotational movement.

  In addition, since the plurality of barcodes are aligned in the same direction in the height direction of the character bar 7, a barcode label can be created using a normal barcode label producing apparatus.

Further, since a plurality of barcodes can be written in one sheet 8 (in the barcode label), a lot of information can be input.
(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

  The portions common to the first embodiment described above are omitted, and the features are mainly described.

  The height of the character bar 7 of the three barcodes (lower, interrupted, upper) is lower in the start-side quiet zone 101 (inner side) and higher in the end-side quiet zone 102 (outer side). That is, the straight line 100 connecting the upper ends of the character bar 7 and the straight line 9 connecting the lower ends spread from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side.

  Also, the lower character bar 7 as a whole has a low height, and becomes higher as it is interrupted and progressed upward.

  Furthermore, the upper end of the character bar 7 of three bar codes (lower, interrupted, upper) is inclined so that the start side quiet zone 101 (inner side) is lower and the end side (outer side) of the bar code label 8 is higher. is doing. In addition, when the laser beam 5 of the barcode reader comes along the straight line 100 connecting the upper ends of the character bar 7, the straight line 100 and the laser beam 5 are aligned in parallel.

By using such a bar code notation, good reading can be performed by a bar code reader. In addition, the bar code of the second embodiment is superior to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, at the time of reading, the laser beam 5 can be removed from the bar code at the same time on the inner and outer peripheral sides of the bar code, so that the next bar code can be read quickly.
(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

  The points common to the first embodiment described above are omitted, and the features are mainly described.

  The three bar codes (lower, interrupted, upper) have the same height of the character bar 7 from the start-side quiet zone 101 (inner periphery side) to the end-side quiet zone 102 (outer periphery side). It's all there. That is, the straight line 100 connecting the upper ends of the character bar 7 and the straight line 9-a connecting the lower ends are parallel to each other.

  A straight line 9-a connecting the lower ends of the character bar 7 is parallel to the laser beam 5 when coming on the laser beam 5.

By using such a bar code notation, good reading can be performed by a bar code reader. In addition, the bar code of the third embodiment is superior to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, since the height of each character bar 7 is the same height from the start side quiet zone 101 (inner circumference side) to the end side quiet zone 102 (outer circumference side), the height of the character bar 7 is lowered. It is possible. Thereby, the sheet can be reduced.
(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described.

  The fourth embodiment combines the features of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment.

  That is, the features of the third embodiment are adopted for the upper barcode, the features are adopted for the interrupted barcode, and the features of the first embodiment are adopted for the lower barcode.

  By using such a bar code notation, good reading can be performed by a bar code reader.

The top view of the automatic analyzer which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bar code label which is given for easy understanding of the present invention. The top view which showed in order to make this invention intelligible, and shows the barcode label of another form. The top view which showed in order to make this invention intelligible, and shows the barcode label of another form similarly. The top view of the barcode label which shows 1st Example of this invention. The top view of the barcode label which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The top view of the barcode label which shows 3rd Example of this invention. The top view of the barcode label which shows 4th Example of this invention. They are given to make the present invention easier to understand. The figure which shows the place read by the barcode reader which affixed the barcode label 2 on the upper surface of a reagent bottle, arranged a plurality of reagent bottles on the reagent disk circularly, rotated the reagent disk 3, and was fixed to the upper surface of the reagent disk.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Start side quiet zone, 102 ... End side quiet zone, 7 ... Character bar, 70 ... Bar code symbol, 8 ... Sheet (bar code label), 4, 78 ... Bar code reader.

Claims (5)

A reagent bottle placed on an automatic analyzer equipped with a rotationally-driveable reagent disk for arranging reagent bottles in an annular shape and a barcode reader for reading barcode information,
The barcode reader reads the barcode information by light scanning the upper surface of the reagent bottle from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side, which is the rotation center side of the reagent disk,
The plurality of barcodes attached to the upper surface of the reagent bottle are arranged so as to be scanned by moving to the second barcode after completing the scanning of the first barcode read first by the rotation of the rotating disk,
A reagent bottle characterized in that the character bars of the plurality of barcodes have the same extending direction in the same direction . In the reagent bottle according to claim 1,
The reagent bottle according to claim 1, wherein in the height array in which the character bars extend, the barcode read earlier is lower and the barcode read later is higher . In the reagent bottle according to claim 1,
The character height bar extending the reagent bottle inner peripheral side which is on the rotation center side of the reagent disk is characterized by a high low outer periphery. In the reagent bottle according to claim 1,
The height at which the character bar extends is the same height from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side, which is the rotation center side of the reagent disk, and is a straight line connecting the upper ends of the character bars ahead of the rotation direction of the reagent disk. reagent bottles, characterized in that in parallel the straight line connecting the lower end of the character bar made after the rotation direction of the reagent disk and. In the reagent bottle according to claim 1,
With three barcodes,
In the barcode read second, the height at which the character bar extends is lower on the inner peripheral side, which is the rotation center side of the reagent disk, and higher on the outer peripheral side,
In the barcode except for the second, the height of the extended character bar is the same from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side, which is the rotation center side of the reagent disk, and the rotation direction of the reagent disk. A reagent bottle , characterized in that a straight line connecting the upper end of the character bar ahead and a straight line connecting the lower end of the character bar behind the rotation direction of the reagent disk are parallel to each other .

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