Sample processing system

A sample processing system that performs a sample processing operation and a sample transporting operation, comprising:

• a sample processing apparatus configured to process a sample in a sample container;
• a transporting apparatus configured to transport the sample container to the sample processing apparatus;
• a first computer system configured to collect first status information on the sample processing operation and control the sample processing operation;
• a second computer system independent from the first computer system and configured to collect second status information on the sample transporting operation and control the sample transporting operation;
• a communication network that connects the first and second computer systems for data communication between them;
• and
• a display unit physically connected to the second computer system,
• wherein the second computer system is programmed to:
• generate and display on the display unit a second menu screen for controlling the sample transporting operation, the second menu screen comprising (i) a second non-transitional screen showing a computer switching button at a fixed location of the display unit and (ii) a second transitional screen showing the second status information;
• responsive to an operation of the computer switching button on the second menu screen, send a connection request to the first computer system and then connect to the first computer system via the communication network;
• via the communication network, receive from the first computer system and display on the display unit a first menu screen for controlling the sample processing operation, the first menu screen comprising (i) a first non-transitional screen showing the computer switching button at the fixed location of the display unit and (ii) a first transitional screen showing the first status information;
• responsive to an operation of the computer switching button on the second menu screen, send switching button operation information to the first computer system via the communication network;
• and
• responsive to the operation of the computer switching button on the first menu screen, end the data communication with the first computer system and switch the first menu screen to the second menu screen on the display unit, and
• further wherein the first computer system is programmed to:
• receive the connection request from the second computer system and connect to the second computer system via the communication network;
• after connecting to the second computer system, output the first menu screen and the first status information to the second computer system via the communication network;
• and
• responsive to receipt of the switching button operation information from the second computer system, end the data communication with the second computer system.