Medicine weighing system and medicine weighing program

Abstract

To provide a medicine weighing system and medicine weighing program capable of reducing time and effort of users for managing a remaining amount of a medicine in a management container to which the medicine is replenished from a medicine container.SOLUTION: A medicine weighing system (1) includes: a weighing unit (12) that weighs a medicine; a first update processing unit (11) that can update remaining amount information representing a remaining amount of the medicine in a management container (B2) in which the medicine replenished from a medicine container (B1) is stored, on the basis of a weighing result obtained by weighing the medicine taken out from the management container (B2) by the weighing unit (12); and a second update processing unit (11) that can update the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container (B2), on the basis of a specified storage amount preset as a storage amount of the medicine in the medicine container (B1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine weighing system that assists in weighing medicines. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine weighing system capable of weighing medicines such as powdered medicines based on prescription information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7036178 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In medical institutions that handle pharmaceuticals, such as hospitals and pharmacies, pharmaceuticals stored in pharmaceutical containers supplied by pharmaceutical manufacturers are sometimes replenished into management containers in advance, and then the pharmaceuticals are removed from the management containers and used. In this case, it is conceivable to weigh the pharmaceuticals replenished from the pharmaceutical containers into the management container using a pharmaceutical weighing system, and manage this weight as the amount of pharmaceutical replenishment to the management container using the pharmaceutical weighing system. However, weighing the pharmaceuticals every time the pharmaceuticals are replenished into the management container is a time-consuming task for users.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine weighing system and a medicine weighing program that can reduce the user's effort in managing the remaining amount of medicine in a management container to which medicine is replenished from a medicine container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The medicine weighing system of the present invention includes a weighing unit that weighs medicine, a first update processing unit that can update remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of medicine in a management container that contains medicine replenished from a medicine container based on a weighing result obtained by weighing the medicine taken out of the management container by the weighing unit, and a second update processing unit that can update the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container based on a specified capacity that is preset as the capacity of the medicine to be contained in the medicine container.

[0007] The drug weighing program of the present invention is a program for causing a processor of a drug weighing device having a weighing unit for weighing drug to execute the following steps: updating remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of drug in a management container that contains drug replenished from a drug container, based on the weighing result of the drug taken out of the management container being weighed by the weighing unit; and updating the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container, based on a specified capacity that is preset as the capacity of the drug to be contained in the drug container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medicine weighing system and a medicine weighing program that can reduce the user's effort in managing the remaining amount of medicine in a management container to which medicine is replenished from a medicine container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medicine weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medicine weighing device of a medicine weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine container and a management container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a medicine packaging device of a medicine weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a medicine weighing process executed by the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a medicine supply process executed by the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the medicine weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a medicine packaging process executed by the medicine packaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to help understand the present invention. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Medicine weighing system 1] 1, a medicine weighing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a medicine weighing device 10 that weighs medicines such as powdered medicines, and a medicine packaging device 20 that packages the medicines in packaging paper. Note that the medicine weighing device 10 alone may be considered as the medicine weighing system according to the present invention.

[0012] The user of medicine weighing system 1 then replenishes medicines from medicine container B1 supplied by the pharmaceutical manufacturer into management container B2. Thereafter, the user places the medicines removed from management container B2 as needed on medicine sheet 30 placed on medicine weighing device 10 and weighs the medicines. The user then moves medicine sheet 30, on which the medicines weighed by medicine weighing device 10 are placed, to medicine packaging device 20 and inserts the medicines on medicine sheet 30 into medicine packaging device 20. As a result, in medicine packaging device 20, the medicines placed on medicine sheet 30 are divided into individual packets and packaged in packaging paper.

[0013] [Drug weighing device 10] First, the schematic configuration of a medicine weighing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] Medicine weighing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a weighing unit 12, a touch panel 13, an RFID reader / writer 14, a data storage unit 15, a USB port 16, a barcode reader 17, a printer 18, etc. In particular, at least control unit 11, weighing unit 12, and touch panel 13 are integrally provided on the device body of medicine weighing device 10. Medicine weighing device 10 can be used to weigh medicines in various dosage forms, such as powdered medicine, liquid medicine, tablets, and heat-resistant medicines (packaged with a predetermined amount of powdered medicine or tablets).

[0015] The control unit 11 is a computer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM (EEPROM, etc.), and performs overall control of the medicine weighing device 10. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes according to various programs. The ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores in advance programs such as BIOS to be executed by the CPU. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory that is used for expanding the various programs by the CPU and for temporarily storing data for various arithmetic processes.

[0016] The weighing unit 12 is a balance unit that weighs the medicine placed on a stainless steel balance platform 19. Specifically, the weighing unit 12 is a weighing unit that is also used in conventionally known electronic balances that include a balancing circuit, a force coil, a current / voltage conversion circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, etc. The weight of the medicine weighed by the weighing unit 12 is input to the control unit 11 as digital data.

[0017] When weighing a medicine using medicine weighing device 10, a user places medicine sheet 30 on balance platform 19 and then places the medicine on medicine sheet 30. Medicine sheet 30 is provided with RFID tag 31 as a recording medium for reading and writing various information. RFID tag 31 is provided in a position where data can be read and written by RFID reader / writer 14 when medicine sheet 30 is placed on balance platform 19. Weighing unit 12 determines the weighed value of the medicine by subtracting the preset weights of medicine sheet 30 and RFID tag 31.

[0018] Touch panel 13 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel that displays various screens and various information in accordance with control instructions from control unit 11, and a detection unit that detects operations on operation keys displayed on the display unit and inputs detection signals to control unit 11. That is, touch panel 13 serves as both display means and input means in medicine weighing device 10. Specifically, control unit 11 causes touch panel 13 to display the weighed value weighed by weighing unit 12 (see FIG. 7).

[0019] RFID reader / writer 14 records information on an RFID tag or an RFID label using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wireless communication technology, or reads information from an RFID tag or an RFID label. RFID reader / writer 14 is provided adjacent to balance platform 19, and is used to read and write information from RFID tag 31 when drug sheet 30 is placed on balance platform 19. RFID reader / writer 14 may be built into medicine weighing device 10.

[0020] If balance platform 19 is made of resin or the like and does not block RFID wireless communication, a configuration is also possible in which RFID reader / writer 14 is provided on the lower layer of balance platform 19 and RFID tag 31 is provided on the bottom surface of drug sheet 30. This allows RFID reader / writer 14 to read and write information from RFID tag 31 when drug sheet 30 is placed on balance platform 19, regardless of the orientation of drug sheet 30, etc.

[0021] The data storage unit 15 is a USB memory that stores control programs, such as a medicine weighing program executed by the control unit 11, and various data, such as a medicine master, and is detachably attached to the medicine weighing device 10. Specifically, the data storage unit 15 is detachably attached to a mounting portion of the USB port 16 that is exposed by removing a detachable cover (not shown) provided on the back of the medicine weighing device 10. Here, the detachable cover (not shown) can be opened and closed without disassembling the control unit 11, weighing unit 12, touch panel 13, etc. of the medicine weighing device 10. Therefore, the data storage unit 15 can be detachably attached to the medicine weighing device 10 without any problems under the Measurement Act. Therefore, various data, such as the medicine weighing program and the medicine master, can be easily updated by appropriately replacing the data storage unit 15. Note that the data storage unit 15 is not limited to a USB memory, and may be other recording media, such as a flash memory, a memory card, or a disk.

[0022] The medicine weighing program is software that causes a computer such as the control unit 11 to execute each processing step of the medicine weighing process (see FIG. 5) described below. The medicine weighing program also includes an inspection program that causes the control unit 11 to inspect whether the weighed value of the medicine is within the range of a normal dose (appropriate amount to be taken per day or once) previously set for each medicine. Therefore, the medicine weighing device 10 can both weigh the medicine and inspect the normal dose by itself, without using another information processing device such as a computer.

[0023] The pharmaceutical master contains pharmaceutical correspondence information such as pharmaceutical code, pharmaceutical name, JAN code (or RSS), management code, remaining amount information, specified capacity, classification (dosage form: powder, tablet, liquid, topical medicine, etc.), specific gravity, pharmaceutical type (ordinary medicine, poison, narcotic, powerful drug, antipsychotic, therapeutic drug, etc.), compounding variations, excipients, precautions, recommended dosage (corresponding to appropriate dosage information), and prohibited simultaneous use information, all of which are associated with each pharmaceutical. The pharmaceutical code, pharmaceutical name, and JAN code are pharmaceutical identification information for identifying pharmaceuticals. By referencing the pharmaceutical master, the control unit 11 can learn the correspondence between the management code, pharmaceutical code, pharmaceutical name, JAN code, and other pharmaceutical identification information, the specified capacity, and the remaining amount information.

[0024] The JAN code is medicine identification information for identifying the medicine contained in medicine container B1 (see FIG. 3) supplied by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. For example, the JAN code is attached to medicine container B1 by code BC1 (see FIG. 3) such as GS1 code. In this embodiment, the medicine contained in medicine container B1 and management container B2 is powder medicine.

[0025] The management code is management identification information for identifying a managed container B2 (see FIG. 3) to which a medicine is replenished from a medicine container B1 (see FIG. 3) supplied by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. For example, the management code is attached to the managed container B2 by a code BC2 (see FIG. 3) such as NW-7. That is, in the medicine weighing system 1, it is not possible to individually identify medicine containers B1 containing the same type of medicine, but it is possible to individually identify managed containers B2 by the management code. Note that the code BC2 may include not only the management code but also medicine identification information of the medicine contained in the managed container B2 corresponding to the management code.

[0026] The specified capacity is a value preset as the capacity of the medicine contained in the medicine container B1 supplied by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Specifically, the specified capacity is a value specified by the pharmaceutical manufacturer that supplies the medicine container B1. If the medicine contained in the medicine container B1 is a powdered medicine, the specified capacity is the weight of the medicine, and if the medicine is a tablet, the specified capacity is the number of tablets or the weight of the medicine.

[0027] The remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount (stock) of the medicine contained in the managed container B2. The amount of medicine that can be contained in the managed container B2 is greater than the specified amount contained in the medicine container B1, and when medicine is replenished from the medicine container B1 to the managed container B2, an integer number of bottles of the medicine in the medicine container B1 can be replenished to the managed container B2. In other words, the amount of medicine replenished to the managed container B2 is an integer multiple of the specified amount of medicine contained in the medicine container B1. For example, the amount of medicine replenished to the managed container B2 is the specified amount of medicine for one bottle of the medicine container B1. Note that in the pharmaceutical master, one medicine may be associated with multiple management codes corresponding to multiple managed containers B2, and in this case, the remaining amount information is recorded in the pharmaceutical master in association with each management code.

[0028] The control unit 11 can update the remaining amount information in the medicine master as needed, as will be described later. That is, the medicine weighing system 1 can manage the remaining amount (stock) of medicine for each management container B2. The control unit 11 can also output the remaining amount information for each management container B2 corresponding to each medicine registered in the medicine master. For example, the control unit 11 can display the remaining amount information on the touch panel 13 in response to a user operation. The control unit 11 can also transmit the remaining amount information to a predetermined destination via short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN, or the like.

[0029] The recommended dose is a proper amount to be taken per day or at a time, which is predetermined for each drug. The simultaneous administration prohibition information is information regarding drugs that are prohibited from being taken at the same time, which is predetermined for each drug. The recommended dose and the simultaneous administration prohibition information are used in the inspection process executed by the control unit 11 in accordance with the inspection program. Specifically, the control unit 11 inspects whether the weight measured by the weighing unit 12 is within a range of proper amounts predetermined for each drug, based on the recommended dose stored in the data storage unit 15. The control unit 11 also inspects whether multiple drugs included in the prescription information read by the barcode reader 17 are prohibited from being taken at the same time, based on the simultaneous administration prohibition information stored in the data storage unit 15.

[0030] If the weighed value is outside the range of the normal dose, or if the medicine recorded in the prescription includes a medicine that is prohibited from being taken at the same time, the control unit 11 displays a warning to that effect on the touch panel 13, etc. This makes it possible to prevent the prescription of a medicine in an amount that exceeds the normal dose, or the prescription of multiple medicines that may cause a change in composition or side effects if taken at the same time, at the stage of weighing the medicine in the medicine weighing device 10.

[0031] USB port 16 is a communication interface that communicates with USB devices in accordance with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication standard. USB port 16 has at least three connection sections to which data storage unit 15, barcode reader 17, and printer 18 are attached and detached. Power for driving barcode reader 17 and printer 18 is supplied from USB port 16. Of course, the medicine weighing device 10, barcode reader 17, and printer 18 may be individually connected to a commercial AC power source.

[0032] The method of connecting the barcode reader 17 and the printer 18 to the medicine weighing device 10 is not limited to USB, and may be, for example, LAN or IEEE. The barcode reader 17 and the printer 18 may be communicably connected to the medicine weighing device 10 via short-range wireless communication or wireless LAN. The barcode reader 17 may be provided integrally with the medicine weighing device 10.

[0033] The barcode reader 17 is a code reading unit that reads information from one-dimensional barcodes such as JAN codes and RSS codes, or two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark).

[0034] In medicine weighing device 10, control unit 11 uses barcode reader 17 to read prescription information, including information on one or more prescription drugs recorded (described) on a prescription, from a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) recorded (described) on the prescription. The prescription information includes the prescription issue date, patient ID, patient name, patient date of birth, dosage form information (oral, topical, etc.), drug code, drug name, JAN code, dosage, and usage method (three times a day after each meal, etc.). The prescription information also includes the total prescribed amount for each drug.

[0035] For example, in the medicine weighing device 10, the control unit 11 reads the JAN code of the medicine contained in the medicine container B1 from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 using the barcode reader 17. The control unit 11 also uses the barcode reader 17 to read the identification information of the managed container B2 from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2.

[0036] The method for reading information from the prescription or medicine container B1 is not limited to using code information such as a barcode, but may also use character recognition technology or image recognition technology. Furthermore, an information recording medium such as an RFID tag or RFID label may be provided on medicine container B1 or management container B2, and information such as the JAN code or management code may be recorded on the information recording medium. In this case, it is conceivable that medicine weighing device 10 is equipped with wireless reading means such as an RFID reader that reads information from the information recording medium via wireless communication, and control unit 11 reads information from the information recording medium using the wireless reading means.

[0037] The printer 18 prints out print data input from the control unit 11 via the USB port 16. Specifically, the printer 18 is used to print the weighing results of the medicine weighing device 10. The print layout of the weighing results is set in advance or can be set arbitrarily during initial setup of the medicine weighing device 10. In addition, in the medicine weighing device 10, the control unit 11 can input the prescription information to the printer 18, thereby printing a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the prescription information along with the weighing results. This allows the medicine packaging device 20 to perform a packaging operation according to the prescription information printed by the printer 18. In addition, in the medicine weighing device 10, the control unit 11 can also print a code BC2 indicating the control code with the printer 18. This allows the user to obtain a printout of the code BC2 indicating the control code and affix it to the management container B2.

[0038] [Medicine packaging equipment 20] 1 and 4, medicine packaging device 20 includes a control unit 21, a packaging unit 22, a touch panel 23, an RFID reader / writer 24, and a supply hopper 25. Medicine packaging device 20 divides input powder medicine into predetermined single packets and packages them in packaging paper, and is also called a powder medicine packaging machine.

[0039] The control unit 21 is a computer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM (EEPROM, etc.), and performs overall control of the medicine packaging device 20. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes according to various programs. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which programs such as BIOS executed by the CPU are stored in advance. For example, the ROM stores a medicine packaging program that causes the control unit 21 to execute the medicine packaging process described below. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory that is used for expanding the various programs by the CPU and for temporarily storing data for various arithmetic processes.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, supply hopper 25 has two hoppers 25A and 25B (corresponding to input sections) for inputting powdered medicine. Packaging unit 22 has a dividing unit 221 that divides the powdered medicine input into hoppers 25A and 25B into single-dose units according to the prescription information, and a packaging section 222 that packages the powdered medicine divided by dividing unit 221, and performs a packaging operation to package the powdered medicine into single-dose units. Specifically, dividing unit 221 evenly distributes the powdered medicine input into hoppers 25A and 25B onto a rotating annular distribution tray using a vibrating feeder, and then rotates the annular distribution tray by a predetermined angle while discharging a fixed amount of the powdered medicine into packaging unit 22 using a scraping unit. Therefore, in packaging unit 22, it is possible to package one type of powdered medicine put into either hopper 25A or 25B in a single dose unit into a packaging paper (medicine bag), or to package two types of powdered medicine put into hoppers 25A and 25B in the same packaging paper in a single dose unit. Note that the number of hoppers provided in supply hopper 25 may be three or more. Furthermore, in medicine packaging device 20, it is also possible to package multiple powdered medicines in single dose units into packaging paper by putting powdered medicine into hopper 25A or hopper 25B multiple times and repeatedly distributing the powdered medicine evenly to the annular distribution tray.

[0041] [Chemical weighing process] An example of the procedure of the medicine weighing process executed by the control unit 11 in the medicine weighing device 10 according to the medicine weighing program will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. The control unit 11 executes the medicine weighing process when the prescription information is read by the barcode reader 17 from the two-dimensional code on the prescription.

[0042] <Step S0> First, in step S0, the control unit 11 selects a drug to be weighed from the prescription information. Then, when the drug to be weighed is selected, the process proceeds to step S1. Note that if the prescription information includes multiple drugs as prescribed drugs, the control unit 11 selects each drug included in the prescription information in turn each time step S0 is executed.

[0043] Specifically, in step S0, when the barcode reader 17 reads the management code from the code BC2 on the managed container B2, the control unit 11 identifies the drug corresponding to the management code based on the drug master, and if the identified drug is included in the prescription information, selects the drug as the drug to be weighed. In another embodiment, the control unit 11 may select the drug to be weighed in response to a user operation on a prescription screen (not shown) on which the prescription information is displayed. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may provisionally select the drug to be weighed in response to a user operation on the prescription screen (not shown) on which the prescription information is displayed, and then select the provisionally selected drug as the drug to be weighed when the barcode reader 17 reads the management code corresponding to the drug from the code BC2 on the managed container B2. Furthermore, the control unit 11 may sequentially select each of the drugs as the drug to be weighed in accordance with the display order of the drugs included in the prescription information on the prescription screen (not shown).

[0044] <Step S1> In step S1, the control unit 11 causes the touch panel 13 to display a weighing screen P1 (an example of a first display screen) on which information regarding the weighing of the drug selected to be weighed is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, the weighing screen P1 displays the drug name, daily dose, target amount, weighed value, various operation keys, and the like for the drug to be weighed. The target amount is the total amount indicated in the prescription information for the drug to be weighed. The target amount may also be calculated based on the volume and usage of the drug to be weighed. The control unit 11 causes the weighing screen P1 to display a barometer image K1 that allows the difference between the target amount and the current weighed value obtained by the weighing unit 12 to be easily confirmed.

[0045] <Step S2> In step S2, the control unit 11 determines whether or not medicine identification information has been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1. If it is determined that medicine identification information has been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S21. If it is determined that medicine identification information has not been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 (S2: No), the process proceeds to step S3. In this embodiment, reading the medicine identification information from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 triggers the execution of a process for updating the remaining amount information corresponding to the managed container B2. Therefore, in step S2, it is determined whether or not medicine identification information has been read from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1, and if the medicine identification information has been read, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0046] <Step S3> In step S3, the control unit 11 determines whether a control code has been read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2. If it is determined that a control code has been read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that a control code has not been read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 (S3: No), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0047] <Step S4> In step S4, the control unit 11 determines whether the drug identification information, such as the drug name, corresponding to the management code read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 matches the drug identification information, such as the drug name, of the drug selected to be weighed. The control unit 11 identifies the drug identification information corresponding to the management code based on the management code and the drug master. If it is determined that the drug identification information does not match (S4: No), the process proceeds to step S211. If it is determined that the drug identification information matches (S4: Yes), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0048] Note that, when there is one managed container B2 associated with one medicine, and the medicine to be weighed is selected by reading the management code from the code BC2 of the managed container B2 by the barcode reader 17 in step 0, steps S3 to S4 may be omitted. On the other hand, even when the medicine to be weighed is selected by reading the management code from the code BC2 of the managed container B2 by the barcode reader 17 in step 0, if there are multiple managed containers B2 associated with the medicine, another managed container B2 may be used, and therefore steps S3 to S4 may be executed.

[0049] <Step S5> In step S5, the control unit 11 determines whether weighing of the medicine to be weighed has been completed. At this time, the user removes the medicine from the management container B2 and places it on the medicine sheet 30 on the weighing unit 12 so that the weighing result by the weighing unit 12 approaches the target amount. Specifically, the control unit 11 may determine that weighing of the medicine to be weighed has been completed when the difference between the weighed value measured by the weighing unit 12 and the total amount (target amount) indicated in the prescription information for the medicine to be weighed remains equal to or less than a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. That is, in step S5, the control unit 11 executes a verification process to verify the weighing result of the medicine in the medicine weighing system 1 with the prescription information. Note that in another embodiment, the control unit 11 may determine that weighing of the medicine to be weighed has been completed when a weighing completion operation is performed on the weighing screen P1. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may determine that weighing of the medicine to be weighed is complete when the drug sheet 30 is lifted while the weighing value by the weighing unit 12 remains stable for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second).

[0050] <Step S6> In step S6, the control unit 11 causes the RFID reader / writer 14 to record in the RFID tag 31 the weighing result including the weighed value when it is determined in step S5 that the weighing has been completed, and the prescription information.

[0051] <Step S7> In step S7, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information registered in the medicine master in association with the management code read in step S0 or step S3, based on the weighed value when it is determined in step S5 that weighing has been completed. The control unit 11 when executing step S7 is an example of a first update processing unit according to the present invention.

[0052] Specifically, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the drug master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S0 or step S3 is 100 g and the weighing result in the drug weighing process is 5 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to 95 g, which is 100 g minus 5 g. Similarly, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the drug master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S0 or step S3 is 3 g and the weighing result in the drug weighing process is 5 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to -2 g, which is 3 g minus 5 g.

[0053] <Step S8> In step S8, the control unit 11 determines whether weighing has been completed for all medicines included in the prescription information. If it is determined that weighing has been completed for all medicines (S8: Yes), the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that weighing has not been completed for all medicines (S8: No), the process returns to step S0.

[0054] <Step S9> In step S9, the control unit 11 executes a weighing result output process to output the weighing results in the medicine weighing process, and ends the medicine weighing process for the prescription information. Specifically, the control unit 11 prints the weighing results of the medicines for the prescription information in the medicine weighing process with the printer 18.

[0055] <Step S21> As described above, if the medicine identification information is read from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 during the period from when the medicine to be weighed is selected and the weighing screen P1 for that medicine is displayed until the weighing of that medicine is completed, the process proceeds to step S21. Then, from step S21 onwards, the control unit 11 executes a replenishment process during weighing to assist the user in replenishing the medicine contained in the medicine container B1 to the control container B2.

[0056] Specifically, in step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether the medicine identification information, such as the medicine name read from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1, matches the medicine identification information, such as the medicine name of the medicine to be weighed. If it is determined that the medicine identification information does not match (S21: No), the process proceeds to step S211. If it is determined that the medicine identification information matches (S21: Yes), the process proceeds to step S212. That is, in this embodiment, in addition to reading the medicine identification information from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 in step S2, a match between the medicine identification information read from the code BC1 and the medicine identification information of the medicine to be weighed triggers the execution of a process to update the remaining amount information corresponding to the managed container B2. Therefore, in step S21, if the medicine identification information read from the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 matches the medicine identification information of the medicine to be weighed, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0057] <Step S211> In step S211, the control unit 11 executes an error notification process to notify a preset error, and returns the process to step S1. That is, if the drug indicated by the drug identification information corresponding to the drug container B1 read by the barcode reader 17 is different from the drug selected as the drug to be weighed by the weighing unit 12 (S21: No), the control unit 11 restricts updating of the remaining amount information corresponding to the managed container B2. As described above, in the drug weighing device 10 according to this embodiment, if the drug indicated by the drug identification information read from the drug container B1 that is the supply source is different from the drug currently to be weighed, and there is a risk that the wrong drug will be supplied to the managed container B2, the error notification process is executed and the updating of the remaining amount information is restricted, thereby preventing the wrong drug from being supplied to the managed container B2.

[0058] Specifically, if it is determined in step S21 or step S4 that the medicine identification information does not match, an error screen P11 including a message indicating this is displayed as a pop-up on the touch panel 13 in step S211, as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S212 (described later) that management codes have been read from multiple managed containers B2, an error screen P11 including a message indicating this is displayed as a pop-up on the touch panel 13 in step S211, as shown in FIG. 8. Note that if it is determined in step S212 that management codes have been read from multiple managed containers B2 and an error notification process is executed in step S211, the medicine weighing process may be terminated. Furthermore, if step S211 is executed, a guidance message for selecting one of the multiple managed containers B2 may be displayed. If the management code is read from any managed container B2, that managed container B2 may be identified as the medicine replenishment destination, and the process may proceed to step S22. In addition, if it is determined in step 212 that the management codes of multiple management containers B2 have been read, the user may operate a setting key displayed on the weighing screen P1, as described below, and then operate a drug supply start key included in a setting menu screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 13, thereby causing the control unit 11 to execute a drug supply process and supply drug to any of the management containers B2.

[0059] <Step S212> In step S212, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the code BC2 has been read from multiple managed containers B2 after the medicine to be weighed has been selected until the weighing of the medicine is completed (S2 to S5). That is, in step S212, it is determined whether or not the medicine in multiple managed containers B2 has been used to weigh the medicine to be weighed. If it is determined that the code BC2 has been read from multiple managed containers B2 (S212: Yes), the process proceeds to step S211. If it is determined that the code BC2 has not been read from multiple managed containers B2 (S212: No), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0060] Note that, when the managed container B2 is replenished with medicine from the medicine container B1 whenever the managed container B2 runs low, a situation in which the code BC2 is read from multiple managed containers B2 in step S212 does not occur. On the other hand, a situation in which the code BC2 is read from multiple managed containers B2 can occur when two or more managed containers B2 are used. For example, a situation in which the code BC2 is read from multiple managed containers B2 can occur in the following cases: First, the user removes the medicine from the first managed container B2 corresponding to the code BC2 first read in step S0 or step S3, and performs weighing so that the weight value reaches the target (S5: No). Here, if the managed container B2 runs low on medicine and there is another managed container B associated with the medicine, the user reads the code BC2 of the other managed container B2 in order to use the other managed container B2, and then removes the medicine from the other managed container B2 and performs weighing so that the weight value reaches the target (S5: No). Then, when the medicine in the other management container B2 also runs low, the user reads the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 in order to replenish the medicine from the medicine container B1 to the management container B2 (S2: Yes), which indicates that there are multiple management containers B2 being used in this weighing operation (S212: Yes).

[0061] For example, each time code BC2 is read in step S0 or step S3, the control unit 11 stores the control code indicated by code BC2 in association with the medicine currently being weighed. Then, in step S212, if multiple control codes corresponding to the medicine currently being weighed are stored, the control unit 11 determines that code BC2 has been read from multiple controlled containers B2. Alternatively, when code BC2 is read in step S0 or step S3, the control unit 11 may add up the number of controlled containers B2 used to weigh the medicine, and, in step S212, determine based on that number whether code BC2 has been read from multiple controlled containers B2.

[0062] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 11 determines whether the specified capacity is registered in the medicine master for the medicine corresponding to the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 read in step S2. If it is determined that the specified capacity is registered (S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23, and if it is determined that the specified capacity is not registered (S22: No), the process proceeds to step S221.

[0063] <Step S221> In step S221, the control unit 11 displays a replenishment amount input screen P2 (an example of a second display screen) in a state where the amount of medicine replenished to the management container B2 has not been input, and then proceeds to step S24. As shown in Fig. 9, the replenishment amount input screen P2 is displayed as a pop-up overlaid on the weighing screen P1 on the touch panel 13. In step S221, for example, as shown in Fig. 9, the replenishment amount input screen P2 is displayed with the replenishment amount blank or 0.

[0064] <Step S23> On the other hand, in step S23, the control unit 11 displays the replenishment amount input screen P2 with the specified storage amount of the medicine corresponding to the code BC1 of the medicine container B1 read in step S2 input as the amount of medicine to be replenished to the management container B2, and proceeds to step S24. As shown in Fig. 10, the replenishment amount input screen P2 is displayed as a pop-up superimposed on the weighing screen P1 on the touch panel 13. In step S23, for example, as shown in Fig. 10, if the specified storage amount is 100 g, the replenishment amount input screen P2 displays a state in which 100 has been input as the replenishment amount.

[0065] In another embodiment, the control unit 11 may be capable of receiving an input of the number of medicine containers B1 used to replenish the medicine to the management container B2, and may input the total of the specified storage capacity of the medicine containers B1 corresponding to the number of medicine containers B1 as the replenishment amount on the replenishment amount input screen P2. Furthermore, in step S23, the control unit 11 may be capable of reading the code BC1 from the medicine container B1, and may receive the number of the read codes BC1 as the number of medicine containers B1.

[0066] <Step S24> In step S24, the control unit 11 accepts input of the amount of medicine to be replenished to the management container B2 corresponding to the medicine to be weighed. For example, the control unit 11 displays a software keyboard of numeric keys in response to an operation in the input area of ​​the replenishment amount on the replenishment amount input screen P2 displayed on the touch panel 13, and accepts input of the replenishment amount in response to a user operation on the software keyboard.

[0067] <Step S25> In step S25, the control unit 11 determines whether a confirmation operation has been performed to confirm the input of the amount of medicine to be replenished to the management container B2 corresponding to the medicine to be weighed. If it is determined that the confirmation operation has been performed (S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S26, and if the confirmation operation has not been performed (S25: No), the process returns to step S24.

[0068] For example, the control unit 11 determines that the confirmation operation has been performed when the confirmation key displayed on the replenishment amount input screen P2 is operated. Note that, when the cancel key displayed on the replenishment amount input screen P2 is operated, the control unit 11 cancels the process, which starts in step S21 and is for supporting the operation of replenishing the medicine contained in the medicine container B1 to the control container B2.

[0069] <Step S26> In step S26, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information registered in the medicine master in association with the medicine to be weighed based on the supply amount when it is determined that the confirmation operation has been performed in step S25, and returns the process to step S1. The control unit 11 when executing steps S21 to S26 is an example of a second update processing unit according to the present invention.

[0070] Specifically, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the drug master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S0 or step S3 is 0 g and the replenishment amount is 100 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to 100 g by adding 100 g to 0 g. Similarly, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the drug master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S0 or step S3 is -2 g and the replenishment amount is 100 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to 98 g by adding 100 g to -2 g.

[0071] As described above, in the medicine weighing process, when replenishing a medicine from medicine container B1 to control container B2 in the medicine weighing device 10, if the specified capacity in the medicine container B1 is registered in the medicine master, the specified capacity is automatically input as the theoretical value of the replenishing amount into replenishing amount input screen P2 (S23). Therefore, the user does not need to manually input the replenishing amount into replenishing amount input screen P2, which reduces the effort required by the user to manage the remaining amount of medicine in control container B2 in the medicine weighing device 10.

[0072] In particular, if the weighing results of the weighing unit 12 are used not only when using medicine from the management container B2 but also when replenishing the management container B2, it is necessary to temporarily move the medicine being weighed that is placed on the medicine sheet 30 on the weighing unit 12 in order to weigh the replenishing amount using the weighing unit 12. In contrast, in the medicine weighing process according to this embodiment, the predetermined specified capacity is regarded as the actual weighed value of the replenishing amount of medicine being replenished from the medicine container B1 to the management container B2, and the remaining amount information of the management container B2 is updated. Therefore, even if there is a medicine being weighed that is placed on the medicine sheet 30 on the weighing unit 12 when steps S2 to S5 are being executed, it is possible to replenishing the medicine from the medicine container B1 to the management container B2 in that state without moving the medicine from the weighing unit 12, and update the remaining amount information of the management container B2. Therefore, the medicine weighing device 10 according to this embodiment can further reduce the user's effort in managing the remaining amount of medicine in the management container B2 in the medicine weighing device 10.

[0073] Furthermore, in the medicine weighing device 10, the replenishment amount input screen P2 is displayed while the weighing screen P1 is being displayed (during the weighing operation of the medicine to be weighed) and the remaining amount information of the management container B2 is updated, and then when the replenishment amount input screen P2 is closed, the weighing screen P1 is displayed. Therefore, the user can resume the weighing operation of the medicine to be weighed after the remaining amount information has been updated.

[0074] In another embodiment, if it is determined in step S22 that the specified capacity has been registered, steps S23 to S25 may be omitted, and the remaining amount information may be automatically updated in step S26 with the specified capacity as the replenishment amount. That is, the user's confirmation process in steps S24 to S25 may be omitted.

[0075] [Chemical supply processing] In the medicine weighing process, medicines are replenished to managed container B2 and the remaining amount information is updated, but the medicine weighing system 1 may be capable of executing a medicine replenishment process for updating the remaining amount information in association with the replenishment of medicines to managed container B2, separate from the medicine weighing process. Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the medicine replenishment process executed by the control unit 11 in accordance with the medicine weighing program will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 11.

[0076] Specifically, the control unit 11 executes the medicine supply processing when a preset medicine supply start operation is performed on the touch panel 13. The medicine supply start operation is, for example, operation of a setting key displayed on the weighing screen P1 of the touch panel 13, followed by operation of a medicine supply start key included in a setting menu screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 13. The medicine supply start operation may also be operation of a setting key displayed on an initial screen (not shown) of the touch panel 13, followed by operation of a medicine supply start key included in a setting menu screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 13.

[0077] <Step S11> In step S11, the control unit 11 displays a medicine supply screen P3 on the touch panel 13. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the medicine supply screen P3 displays identification information of the medicine contained in the medicine container B1, identification information of the management container B2, and the like.

[0078] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the medicine identifying information has been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1. If it is determined that the medicine identifying information has been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and the process waits at step S12 until the medicine identifying information has been read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 (S12: No).

[0079] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 11 determines whether the control code has been read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2. If it is determined that the control code has been read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 (S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and the process waits in step S13 until the control code is read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 (S13: No). Note that the execution order of steps S12 to S13 may be reversed. Furthermore, in step S12, the code may be read from either the medicine container B1 or the managed container B2, and in step S13, the code may be read from either the medicine container B1 or the managed container B2, whichever was not read in step S12.

[0080] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 11 determines whether the medicine identification information corresponding to the management code read from the code BC2 attached to the managed container B2 in step S13 matches the medicine identification information read from the code BC1 attached to the medicine container B1 in step S12. The control unit 11 identifies the medicine identification information corresponding to the management code based on the management code and the medicine master. If it is determined that the medicine identification information does not match (S14: No), the process proceeds to step S141. If it is determined that the medicine identification information matches (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0081] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 11 determines whether or not to manually register the amount of medicine replenished in the managed container B2. For example, the control unit 11 displays a selection screen for selecting whether or not to manually register the amount of medicine, and determines whether or not to manually register the amount of medicine in response to a user operation on the selection screen. The control unit 11 may also be able to set, in the initial settings, whether or not to manually register the amount of medicine in response to a user operation. If it is determined that the amount of medicine is to be manually registered (S15: Yes), the process proceeds to step S16. If it is determined that the amount of medicine is not to be manually registered (S15: No), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0082] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 11 determines whether or not weighing of the medicine to be replenished has been completed. For example, the control unit 11 determines that weighing has been completed when a replenishment completion operation is performed on the medicine replenishment screen P3. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may determine that weighing of the medicine to be replenished has been completed when the weight value measured by the weighing unit 12 remains stable for a predetermined period of time. Then, when it is determined that weighing of the medicine to be replenished has been completed (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to step S26, and the process waits in step S16 until it is determined that weighing of the medicine to be replenished has been completed (S16: No).

[0083] <Steps S22 to S26> On the other hand, the processes of steps S22 to S26 that are executed when it is determined in step S15 that the replenishment amount is to be manually registered are the same as steps S22 to S26 in the medicine weighing process, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] However, in step S26, which is executed when it is determined in step S16 that weighing is complete, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information registered in the pharmaceutical master in association with the drug to be replenished, based on the weighed value when it is determined in step S16 that weighing is complete. Specifically, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the pharmaceutical master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S13 is 0 g and the weighed value when it is determined in step S16 that weighing is complete is 100 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to 100 g, which is 0 g plus 100 g. Similarly, for a drug to be weighed that is registered in the pharmaceutical master, if the remaining amount information corresponding to the management code read in step S0 or step S3 is 10 g and the replenishment amount is 100 g, the control unit 11 updates the remaining amount information to 110 g, which is 10 g plus 100 g.

[0085] As described above, in the medicine weighing device 10, when a medicine is replenished from medicine container B1 to control container B2 in the medicine replenishment process, if the specified capacity in medicine container B1 is registered in the medicine master, the specified capacity is automatically input as the theoretical value of the replenishment amount into replenishment amount input screen P2 (S23). Therefore, the user does not need to manually input the replenishment amount into replenishment amount input screen P2, which reduces the effort required by the user to manage the remaining amount of medicine in control container B2 in the medicine weighing device 10.

[0086] In another embodiment, if it is determined in step S2 that the specified capacity has been registered, steps S23 to S25 may be omitted, and the remaining amount information may be automatically updated in step S26 with the specified capacity as the replenishment amount. That is, the user's confirmation process in steps S24 to S25 may be omitted.

[0087] [Medicine packaging processing] Next, an example of the procedure of the medicine packaging process executed by the control unit 21 in accordance with the medicine packaging program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0088] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 21 determines whether or not prescription information has been input. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the prescription information has been read from the RFID tag 31 by the RFID reader / writer 24. As described above, in the medicine weighing system 1, the prescription information can be read from the RFID tag 31 in the medicine packaging device 20, so there is no need to communicatively connect the medicine packaging device 20 to a higher-level system such as a dispensing support system. Furthermore, because the medicine packaging device 20 acquires the prescription information from the RFID tag 31, it is possible to reduce the work of inputting prescription information into the medicine packaging device 20 and the operational work of operating the medicine packaging device 20, which have conventionally been performed by the user.

[0089] On the other hand, another embodiment can be considered in which the medicine packaging device 20 is communicatively connected to the host system. In this case, the control unit 21 determines whether the prescription information has been input from the host system in step S31. Another embodiment can be considered in which the control unit 21 is provided with a barcode reader that reads prescription information from a two-dimensional code recorded on a prescription. In this case, the control unit 21 determines whether the two-dimensional code has been read in step S31. Of course, a configuration can also be considered in which the medicine packaging device 20 has multiple input functions for inputting the prescription information using these different methods, and one of the input functions can be selected in advance.

[0090] Here, if the control unit 21 determines that the prescription information has been input (Yes side of S31), it shifts the processing to step S32, and if it determines that the prescription information has not been input (No side of S31), it shifts the processing to step S33.

[0091] <Step S32> In step S32, the control unit 21 selects whether the hopper 25A or the hopper 25B is to be used for packaging medicines related to the prescription information read in step S31.

[0092] For example, it is considered that it is predetermined that when prescription information describing a drug prescribed for patient C1 is input, hopper 25A is used to package the drug, and when prescription information describing a drug prescribed for patient C2 is input, hopper 25B is used to package the drug, and allocation information indicating this is included in the prescription information. In this case, in step S32, the control unit 21 can determine whether hopper 25A or hopper 25B is to be used, depending on the allocation information included in the prescription information.

[0093] It is also conceivable that the control unit 21 automatically assigns which of the hopper 25A and the hopper 25B to use for each piece of prescription information in step S32 each time the prescription information is read from the RFID tag 31. For example, it is conceivable that the control unit 21 selects the hopper 25A and the hopper 25B to be used alternately each time the prescription information is input.

[0094] In the medicine packaging device 20 configured in this manner, the user can use hopper 25A and hopper 25B to load medicines according to the prescription information, thereby enabling dispensing work related to the prescription information of multiple patients to be carried out in parallel.

[0095] However, if dispensing work related to prescription information for multiple patients is carried out in parallel, there is a risk that the user may put medicines into the wrong hopper 25A or hopper 25B. Therefore, in the medicine packaging process, the following processing from step S33 onwards prevents the user from making a mistake in determining where to put the medicines.

[0096] <Step S33> In step S33, control unit 21 determines whether or not drug identification information of the drug placed on drug sheet 30 (hereinafter referred to as "input drug information") has been read from RFID tag 31. Note that in step S31, when prescription information is read from RFID tag 31, the input drug information is also read at the same time, and therefore, in step S33, it is determined that the input drug information has been read.

[0097] Here, when the input medicine information is read (Yes side of S33), the control unit 21 transitions the processing to step S34, and until the input medicine information is read (No side of S33), transitions the processing to step S31.

[0098] <Step S34> Then, in step S34, control unit 21 selects whether hopper 25A or hopper 25B is to be used based on the prescription information and the input medicine information. For example, consider a case where, in step S32, it is set that hopper 25A is to be used for packaging medicines prescribed for patient C1 and hopper 25B is to be used for packaging medicines prescribed for patient C2. In this case, in step S34, hopper 25A is selected when the input medicine information included in the prescription information corresponding to patient C1 is read, and hopper 25B is selected when the input medicine information included in the prescription information corresponding to patient C2 is read.

[0099] Even if the prescription information is not recorded on RFID tag 31, in step S32, the selection of hopper 25A or hopper 25B to be used is made based on the prescription information input from the host system or the prescription information read from the two-dimensional code on the prescription. Therefore, if RFID tag 31 stores at least information such as drug identification information and weighing value regarding the drug placed on drug sheet 30, control unit 21 can make the determination in step S34 based on that information. Specifically, control unit 21 identifies prescription information including prescription drug identification information and prescribed amount corresponding to the drug identification information and weighing value regarding the drug placed on drug sheet 30, and selects either hopper 25A or hopper 25B corresponding to the prescription information.

[0100] <Step S35> In step S35, the control unit 21 displays the result of the selection made in step S34 as text or an image on the touch panel 23. For example, the control unit 21 may display a guidance message such as "Please put chemical A into hopper A." Note that this display is intended to notify the user of either hopper 25A or hopper 25B, and is not limited to a display on the touch panel 23.

[0101] <Step S36> In step S36, the control unit 21 controls the packaging operation performed by the packaging unit 22 based on the prescription information and the weighing result read from the RFID 31 in accordance with preset control conditions.

[0102] [Other features] Other functions of the medicine weighing system 1 will be described below.

[0103] [Bulk crushing and weighing function] The medicine weighing system 1 described above can be used not only when the prescription information contains powdered medicines as prescription drugs, but also when the prescription information contains tablets and the tablets are crushed (crushed) into powder to weigh the powdered tablets. Conventionally, when the prescription information contains multiple types of tablets as prescription drugs, each type of tablet must be crushed and weighed separately, resulting in poor user efficiency. To address this issue, the control unit 11 of the medicine weighing device 10 may have a batch crushing and weighing function that enables crushed tablets of multiple types to be weighed together. The control unit 11 can switch between enabling and disabling the batch crushing and weighing function in response to a user operation.

[0104] Specifically, even if the prescription information includes information indicating that multiple types of tablets are to be crushed, if the batch crushing and weighing function is set to disabled, the control unit 11 weighs each type of tablet as in the conventional manner. On the other hand, if the prescription information includes information indicating that multiple tablets are to be crushed and prescribed and the batch crushing and weighing function is set to enabled, the control unit 11 executes a preset batch crushing and weighing process.

[0105] In the batch crushing and weighing process, the control unit 11 displays all types of tablets to be crushed in the prescription information (hereinafter referred to as "tablets to be crushed") on the touch panel 13. Then, when the barcode reader 17 reads the code BC1 or code BC2 corresponding to each tablet to be crushed from the medicine container B1 or the management container B2, the control unit 11 determines that the reading of the tablets to be crushed is complete, and sets the total amount (target amount) indicated in the prescription information for the tablets to be crushed that have been read as the "target amount." Therefore, on the weighing screen P1, the total amount (target amount) indicated in the prescription information for each tablet to be crushed that has been read is displayed as the "target amount."

[0106] In this way, with the batch crushing and weighing function, when multiple types of tablets are crushed and prescribed, the user can crush the multiple types of tablets, place them all together on the drug sheet 30, and weigh them in the weighing unit 12, thereby determining whether the total weight of the multiple types of tablets matches the target value. Therefore, since there is no need to weigh each type of tablet individually, the user's work efficiency can be improved.

[0107] Furthermore, when the prescription information includes multiple types of tablets, the control unit 11 may select, in response to a user operation, the types of tablets to be subjected to the bulk crushing and weighing process from among the multiple types of tablets, and perform the bulk crushing and weighing process on the selected types of tablets. In particular, in this case, the control unit 11 may restrict (prohibit) the selection of a type of tablet that should be restricted from being subjected to the bulk crushing and weighing process, or a combination of types of tablets that should be restricted from being subjected to the bulk crushing and weighing process, from among the multiple types of tablets included in the prescription information. This prevents a combination of types of tablets that should not be mixed from being subjected to the bulk crushing process. Furthermore, when the prescription information includes multiple types of tablets, the control unit 11 may automatically select, from among the multiple types of tablets, a specific type of tablet that has been preset as a type of tablet that can be subjected to the bulk crushing and weighing process, and perform the bulk crushing and weighing process on the selected specific type of tablets.

[0108] [Package separator function] In the aforementioned medicine packaging device 20, the maximum number of packages in one packaging operation may be specified in advance. Therefore, the medicine weighing system 1 may have a first package separator function that divides the packaging operation in the medicine packaging device 20 into multiple batches when the number of packages in the packaging operation performed in the medicine packaging process based on the prescription information exceeds the maximum number of packages. In the medicine weighing system 1, medicines weighed by the medicine weighing device 10 are fed into the medicine packaging device 20. Therefore, in the medicine weighing device 10, the control unit 11 can set the maximum number of packages in response to, for example, a user operation. When the medicine packaging process is performed in the medicine packaging device 20 based on the prescription information, if the number of packages in one packaging operation exceeds the maximum number of packages, the control unit 11 divides the total amount of medicines included in the prescription information so that the number of packages in one packaging operation is equal to or less than the maximum number of packages. For example, when the maximum number of packets is set to 93 and the medicine packaging device 20 executes the medicine packaging process based on the prescription information, if the number of packets in a single packaging operation is 102, the control unit 11 divides the total amount of medicine to be weighed into a target amount equal to the sum of the medicine for 93 packets and a target amount equal to the sum of the medicine for the remaining 9 packets, and executes the medicine weighing process based on each divided target amount. This allows the user to use the medicine weighing device 10 to weigh the medicine for each divided target amount and to feed each divided target amount of medicine into the medicine packaging device 20. Furthermore, when the total amount of medicine indicated in the prescription information is divided, the control unit 11 generates split prescription information as prescription information including the division details of the total amount. The control unit 11 then inputs each piece of split prescription information to the medicine packaging device 20 by recording each piece of split prescription information on the RFID tag 31 of the medicine sheet 30 on which the medicine corresponding to the split prescription information is placed. As a result, the medicine packaging process based on each of the divided prescription information is executed in the medicine packaging device 20. Note that the control unit 11 may transmit the divided prescription information to the medicine packaging device 20 or the like via short-range wireless communication or wireless LAN.

[0109] In the medicine packaging device 20, the maximum capacity of a medicine per packaging paper may be specified in advance. Therefore, if there is a dosing period during the packaging operation performed in the medicine packaging process based on the prescription information when the capacity of a single packaging paper exceeds the maximum capacity, the medicine weighing system 1 may have a second packet separator function that divides the medicine corresponding to that dosing period into multiple portions and packages them in multiple packaging paper. In this case, the control unit 11 in the medicine weighing device 10 can set the maximum capacity, for example, in response to a user operation. Then, when the medicine packaging process is performed in the medicine packaging device 20 based on the prescription information, if there is a dosing period during which the capacity of a single packaging paper exceeds the maximum capacity, the control unit 11 divides the medicine corresponding to that dosing period so that the capacity of each packaging paper corresponding to that dosing period is equal to or less than the maximum capacity. For example, when the maximum storage capacity is set to 10 g and the medicine packaging device 20 executes the medicine packaging process based on the prescription information, if there is a dosing period in which the storage capacity of the medicine per packet is 20 g, the control unit 11 divides the target weighing amount of the medicine corresponding to the dosing period into 10 g portions and executes the medicine weighing process based on each divided target amount. Furthermore, when the storage capacity of the medicine per packaging paper indicated in the prescription information is divided, the control unit 11 generates split prescription information as prescription information including the division details of the storage capacity. The control unit 11 then inputs each piece of split prescription information to the medicine packaging device 20 by recording the split prescription information on the RFID tag 31 of the medicine sheet 30 on which the medicine corresponding to the split prescription information is placed. As a result, the medicine packaging device 20 executes the medicine packaging process based on each piece of split prescription information. The control unit 11 may transmit the split prescription information to the medicine packaging device 20 via short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN, or the like.

[0110] In the medicine weighing system 1 configured as described above, even if the number of packets does not exceed the maximum number of packets in the medicine packaging process based on the prescription information, the second packet separator function may divide the amount of medicine corresponding to one dosing period into multiple packets, causing the number of packets to exceed the maximum number of packets. In particular, when division is performed by the second packet separator function, there is a risk that division by the first packet separator function will occur between multiple packet papers corresponding to multiple dosing periods on the same dosing date or between multiple packet papers corresponding to one dosing period. For this reason, in the medicine weighing device 10, it is conceivable that the control unit 11 determines the timing of division by the first packet separator function taking into account the results of division by the second packet separator function.

[0111] Specifically, the control unit 11 of the medicine weighing device 10 first determines, based on the prescription information and the maximum capacity, whether there is a time when the medicine will be divided into two or more packets using the second packet separator function. Next, if there is a time when the amount of medicine contained in one packet will be divided, the control unit 11 calculates the number of packets that will be divided. Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether the number of packets after division using the second packet separator function exceeds the maximum number of packets. Then, if the number of packets after division using the second packet separator function exceeds the maximum number of packets, the control unit 11 sets the timing for dividing the medicine using the first packet separator function based on preset conditions.

[0112] In particular, the control unit 11 sets the timing of division by the first packet separator function so that it does not occur between multiple packet papers corresponding to multiple dosing periods on the same dosing date. In this case, when the number of packets is divided into two by the first packet separator function, the number of packets in each of the first and second halves may both be less than the maximum number of packets. The control unit 11 then generates multiple pieces of divided prescription information reflecting the division results of the first and second packet separator functions for the prescription information, records the information on the RFID tag 31, and transmits the information to the medicine packaging device 20. As a result, in the medicine packaging process in the medicine packaging device 20, the control unit 21 does not divide the packaging operation between multiple packet papers corresponding to multiple dosing periods on the same dosing date, but divides the packaging operation between packet papers corresponding to different dosing dates, based on the division results. This allows the user to manage packet papers corresponding to the same dosing date together.

[0113] In another embodiment, the control unit 11 may set the timing of division by the first package separator function to a timing that does not occur between multiple package papers corresponding to a single dosing period. In this case, when the number of packages is divided into two by the first package separator function, the number of packages in each of the first and second halves may both be less than the maximum number of packages. The control unit 11 then transmits the division results of the prescription information by the first package separator function and the second package separator function to the medicine packaging device 20 by recording them on the RFID tag 31. As a result, in the medicine packaging process in the medicine packaging device 20, the control unit 21 does not divide the packaging operation between multiple package papers corresponding to a single dosing period, but divides the packaging operation between package papers corresponding to different dosing periods, based on the division results. This allows the user to manage at least package papers corresponding to the same dosing period together.

Claims

1. a weighing unit that weighs the chemical; a first update processing unit that is capable of updating remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the medicine in a management container that contains the medicine supplied from the medicine container, based on a weighing result obtained by weighing the medicine taken out of the management container by the weighing unit; a second update processing unit that can update the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container based on a predetermined storage amount that is set as the storage amount of the medicine in the medicine container; A drug weighing system comprising:

2. The first update processing unit subtracts the weighing result from the remaining amount information, The second update processing unit adds the specified capacity to the remaining amount information. The drug weighing system of claim 1 .

3. The medicine is a powder. The medicine weighing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A code reading unit capable of reading code information is provided, the second update processing unit, when the code reading unit reads the medicine identification information corresponding to the medicine container, updates the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container based on the specified storage amount corresponding to the medicine container. The medicine weighing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A code reading unit capable of reading code information is provided, the second update processing unit determines whether or not the medicine indicated by the medicine identification information corresponding to the medicine container read by the code reading unit matches the medicine selected as the object to be weighed by the weighing unit, and executes a predetermined process according to the determination result. The medicine weighing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a code reading unit capable of reading code information; a control unit that identifies a medicine corresponding to the identification information of the managed container read by the code reading unit as a medicine to be weighed by the weighing unit based on medicine correspondence information in which the identification information of the managed container and the medicine contained in the managed container are associated with each other; Equipped with The medicine weighing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the second update processing unit displays a second display screen for inputting the amount of medicine to be replenished to the management container on a display unit that displays a first display screen that displays the medicine to be weighed by the weighing unit; The medicine weighing system of claim 6 .

8. the second update processing unit displays the second display screen in a state in which the specified storage amount corresponding to the medicine container is input as the amount of medicine to be replenished to the management container, and when a confirmation operation for the replenishment amount input on the second display screen is performed, adds the replenishment amount to the remaining amount information. The drug weighing system of claim 7.

9. A processor of a medicine weighing device having a weighing unit that weighs medicines, a step of updating remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of the medicine in a management container that contains the medicine supplied from the medicine container, based on a weighing result obtained by weighing the medicine taken out of the management container by the weighing unit; a step of updating the remaining amount information corresponding to the management container based on a predetermined storage amount set in advance as the storage amount of the medicine in the medicine container; A drug weighing program to execute the above.

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