Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to form an image, transmit the image to a server that generates a processed image of the image by executing a designated image process on the image and is on an outside of a firewall, and, in a case where the image includes designation information designating the processed image to be transmitted to an instructed transmission destination via a fax line, request an alternative apparatus to fax-transmit the processed image to the transmission destination, the alternative apparatus being on an inside of the firewall together and having a fax function.

Abstract: Particle pattern judging method in which a particle pattern formed on the bottom surface of a reaction vessel by an immunological agglutinated reaction is measured in an optical manner; a variation ratio of light intensity of the border of the particle pattern is obtained and the particle pattern is judged whether it is agglutinated or not on the basis of the variation ratio: or a two-dimensional image of the particle pattern is picked up; the two-dimensional image of the particle pattern is differentiated to obtain differentiated values concerning pixel compositions consisting of the particle pattern; and the particle pattern is judged whether it is agglutinated or not on the basis of a distribution of the thus obtained differentiated values.

Abstract: Particle pattern images of the sample are optically measured by an image reader of a particle agglutination pattern judgment apparatus, and the measured particle pattern images are retrieved by a data processing controller to be able to execute pattern judgment processing. The data processing controller obtains predetermined parameters on the basis of the particle pattern images read by the image reader, and automatically judges an agglutination, non-agglutination, or unidentified attribute of each particle pattern on the basis of the obtained parameters. An operator visually observes the particle pattern images of the sample to visually determine an agglutination, non-agglutination, or unidentified attribute of each particle pattern of the sample. The operator inputs the visual judgment results in the particle agglutination pattern judgment apparatus using an input unit.

Abstract: Automatic particle pattern judging method, in which particles to be tested, such as blood cell particles, are delivered into not only a reaction vessel but also a reference vessel, and an amount of the particles delivered into the reference vessel is measured and a judgement whether the particle pattern formed in the reaction vessel is agglutinated or not is conducted by correcting values of a reaction liquid contained in the reaction vessel concerning parameters for the judgement or correcting threshold values, with which the values of the test liquid concerning the parameters should be compared in accordance with the amount of the particles delivered into the reference vessel. Therefore, by the method according to the invention, even when the amount of particles to be tested delivered into the reaction vessel is varied for some reason, it is possible to judge correctly whether the particle pattern is agglutinated or not.

Abstract: A method for detecting and measuring the image of an agglutination particle pattern produced in a test liquid in which the existence of hemolysis in a test liquid is judged at the same time as an analysis is conducted of particle patterns produced in the test liquid in response to an immunological agglutination reaction. By this method, it is possible to increase the precision of the analysis of the particle pattern by feeding back the result of the judgement of the existence of hemolysis in the test liquid. A reaction apparatus suitable for use in the method according to the invention is also disclosed. In this apparatus, a plurality of wells for containing the test liquid are formed, and a plurality of marks are formed in positions where the marks can be read through the test liquid by an optical system for detecting the particle patterns produced in the test liquid. Therefore, hemolysis existing in the test liquid can be objectively judged.

Abstract: In a four-phase stepping motor driving apparatus phase-A and phase-A, or phase-B and phase-B are prevented from simultaneously becoming conductive. A device for this includes a change-over circuit which validates either of the phase-A and the phase-A, a change-over circuit which validates either of the phase-B and the phase-B, a change-over circuit which renders both the phase-A and the phase-A conductive or nonconductive and a change-over circuit which rendered both the phase-B and the phase-B conductive or nonconductive.