Detection method and apparatus for drug dispensing device

Abstract

This invention discloses a detection method and apparatus for a medicine dispensing device. The medicine dispensing device includes an operating surface and a light curtain. The detection method includes the following steps: controlling a transmitter to continuously emit light to a receiver, continuously receiving operation commands issued by several operating devices and their corresponding reception times, and storing them in a storage device; arranging the operation commands in the storage device into a queue Q according to the order of reception time, dividing several operation command segments from the queue Q; when there is an operation command segment with the number of operation commands ≥ a preset threshold and there is a light-blocking signal, the reception time of which is between the reception time of the first operation command and the reception time of the last operation command in the operation command segment, it is determined that the light curtain has malfunctioned. This method can accurately detect the state of the light curtain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of safety light curtain detection technology, specifically, to a detection method and apparatus for a medicine dispensing device. Background Technology

[0002] As medication dispensing devices become increasingly automated, their safety has become a growing concern. To protect operators, safety light curtains have become a crucial safety feature in these devices. A safety light curtain consists of an infrared transmitter and receiver vertically mounted in front of the dispensing device's working area. When a foreign object or an operator's body accidentally enters the working area, the light curtain detects this and stops the device, effectively preventing personal injury and damage. To ensure the safety of both personnel and the device, existing safety light curtains have built-in self-checking functions. However, these functions only activate before each use. Faults occurring during a single dispensing cycle can only be detected before the next cycle. If the light curtain malfunctions during a cycle, it goes undetected, significantly reducing the device's safety. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the above-mentioned problems by providing a detection method and apparatus for a medicine dispensing device.

[0004] A method for detecting a drug dispensing device is specifically proposed. The drug dispensing device includes an operating surface and a light curtain. A transmitter and a receiver in the light curtain are located on the left and right sides of the operating surface, respectively, extending from the top to the bottom of the operating surface. The receiver is capable of receiving the light emitted by the transmitter. The operating surface is equipped with several operating devices, and neither the operating surface nor the operating devices obstructs the light emitted by the transmitter. When an operating device is operated, it issues a corresponding operating command. The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0005] The transmitter is controlled to continuously emit light to the receiver, and the light-blocking signal and corresponding reception time are continuously obtained from the receiver; the operation instructions and corresponding reception times issued by several operation devices are continuously received and stored in the storage device.

[0006] The operation instructions in the storage device are arranged into a queue Q according to the order of their reception time. Several operation instruction segments are divided from the queue Q. Each operation instruction segment satisfies the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is at the head of the queue Q, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction after INS1 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; or the reception time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction before INS2 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction after INS3 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; wherein, the time threshold is greater than or equal to 0.

[0007] Including any of the above technical solutions, specifically including:

[0008] A display screen is provided on the operating surface;

[0009] The "determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned" specifically includes: determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned, and controlling the display screen to show the malfunction information.

[0010] Including any of the above technical solutions, the "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" specifically includes:

[0011] The transmitter is controlled to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

[0012] Including any of the above technical solutions, specifically including:

[0013] Several operation instruction segments are divided from queue Q, and the operation instructions and corresponding reception times contained in each operation instruction segment are deleted from the storage device.

[0014] Including any of the above technical solutions, specifically including that the light curtain determines once every preset time interval whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked, and when it is blocked, it emits a light blocking signal;

[0015] Preset time interval < time threshold.

[0016] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a detection device for a drug dispensing device. The drug dispensing device includes: an operating surface and a light curtain. A transmitter and a receiver in the light curtain are respectively located on the left and right sides of the operating surface, and both the transmitter and receiver extend from the top to the bottom of the operating surface. The transmitter is capable of receiving light emitted by the receiver. The operating surface is provided with a plurality of operating devices, and neither the operating surface nor the operating devices obstructs the light emitted by the receiver. When an operating device is operated, the operating device issues a corresponding operating command. The device is characterized by including the following modules:

[0017] The control module controls the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver, continuously obtains the light-blocking signal and the corresponding reception time from the receiver, and continuously receives operation commands and corresponding reception times from several operating devices and stores them in the storage device.

[0018] The execution module arranges the operation instructions in the storage device into a queue Q according to the order of their reception time. It then divides the queue Q into several operation instruction segments, each satisfying the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the segment is at the head of the queue Q, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction following INS1 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; or the reception time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction preceding INS2 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction following INS3 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; where the time threshold is greater than or equal to 0.

[0019] The processing module determines that the light curtain has malfunctioned when the number of operation instructions in an operation instruction segment is greater than or equal to a preset threshold and a preset condition is met. The preset condition is: if there is a light-blocking signal and its corresponding reception time is between Time1 and Time2, the preset condition is not met; otherwise, the preset condition is met. The reception time of the operation instruction at the beginning of the operation instruction segment is Time1, and the reception time of the operation instruction at the end is Time2.

[0020] Including any of the above technical solutions, specifically including:

[0021] A display screen is provided on the operating surface;

[0022] The "determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned" function of the processing module specifically includes: determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned and controlling the display screen to show the malfunction information.

[0023] Including any of the above technical solutions, the "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" of the control module specifically includes:

[0024] The transmitter is controlled to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

[0025] Including any of the above technical solutions, the "dividing several operation instruction segments from queue Q" of the execution module specifically includes:

[0026] Several operation instruction segments are divided from queue Q, and the operation instructions and corresponding reception times contained in each operation instruction segment are deleted from the storage device.

[0027] Including any of the above technical solutions, specifically including:

[0028] The light curtain determines every preset time interval whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked, and sends a light-blocking signal when it is blocked; the preset time interval is less than a time threshold.

[0029] The advantages of the detection method and device for drug dispensing device provided by the present invention are as follows: based on the self-testing function of the safety light curtain, detection during the drug dispensing process is added, which improves the safety of the drug dispensing device and the reliability of the safety light curtain in detecting the drug dispensing device, and effectively avoids personal injury and damage rate of the drug dispensing device. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the medicine dispensing device described in this invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the main detection steps of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional modifications made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] If the present invention involves orientation (e.g., up, down, left, right, front, back, outside, inside, etc.) in its description, then the orientations involved need to be defined.

[0034] Embodiment 1 of the present invention provides a detection method and apparatus for a drug dispensing device. The drug dispensing device includes an operating surface and a light curtain. A transmitter and a receiver in the light curtain are located on the left and right sides of the operating surface, respectively, and both the transmitter and the receiver extend from the top to the bottom of the operating surface. The receiver is capable of receiving the light emitted by the transmitter. The operating surface is provided with several operating devices, and neither the operating surface nor the operating devices obstruct the light emitted by the transmitter. When an operating device is operated, it issues a corresponding operating command. An execution module can be provided in the drug dispensing device to execute the detection method. The execution module can be an MCU (Microcontroller Unit), a PC (Personal Computer), an industrial control computer, etc.

[0035] The detection method for the drug dispensing device includes the following steps:

[0036] Step 201: Control the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver, continuously obtain the light blocking signal and the corresponding reception time from the receiver; continuously receive operation instructions issued by several operation devices and the corresponding reception time and store them in the storage device.

[0037] Step 202: Arrange the operation instructions in the storage device into a queue Q according to the order of their reception time. Divide the queue Q into several operation instruction segments. Each operation instruction segment satisfies the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is at the head of the queue Q, and |the reception time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail of the operation instruction - the reception time of the operation instruction after INS1 in the queue Q| ≥ a time threshold, or |the reception time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head of the operation instruction segment - the reception time of the operation instruction before INS2 in the queue Q| ≥ a time threshold, and |the reception time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail of the operation instruction segment - the reception time of the operation instruction after INS3 in the queue Q| ≥ a time threshold; wherein, the time threshold ≥ 0;

[0038] Step 203: When the number of operation instructions in an operation instruction segment is greater than or equal to a preset threshold and a preset condition is met, it is determined that the light curtain has malfunctioned. The preset condition is: if there is a light-blocking signal and its corresponding reception time is between Time1 and Time2, then the preset condition is not met; otherwise, the preset condition is met. The reception time of the operation instruction at the beginning of the operation instruction segment is Time1, and the reception time of the operation instruction at the end is Time2.

[0039] In this embodiment, a display screen is provided on the operation surface, and the "determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned" specifically includes: determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned, and controlling the display screen to display fault information.

[0040] In practice, the display is used to show the current working status and process of the medicine dispensing device, so an LED display screen that can clearly display relevant information can be selected, including but not limited to dot matrix graphic display screens and video display screens.

[0041] In this embodiment, "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" specifically includes:

[0042] The transmitter is controlled to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

[0043] In this embodiment, the step of "dividing several operation instruction segments from queue Q" includes:

[0044] Several operation instruction segments are divided from queue Q, and the operation instructions and corresponding reception times contained in each operation instruction segment are deleted from the storage device.

[0045] Understandably, most storage devices use firmware with a fixed storage capacity. Therefore, after completing the testing process, previous operation commands should be deleted promptly to avoid security and efficiency issues caused by insufficient memory or latency.

[0046] In this embodiment, the light curtain determines every preset time interval whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked, and when it is blocked, it sends a light-blocking signal.

[0047] Preset time interval < time threshold.

[0048] Embodiment 2 of the present invention provides a detection device for a drug dispensing device. The drug dispensing device includes: an operating surface and a light curtain. A transmitter and a receiver in the light curtain are respectively located on the left and right sides of the operating surface, and both the transmitter and the receiver extend from the top to the bottom of the operating surface. The receiver is capable of receiving the light emitted by the transmitter. The operating surface is provided with a plurality of operating devices, and neither the operating surface nor the operating devices obstructs the light emitted by the transmitter. When an operating device is operated, the operating device issues a corresponding operating command. The device is characterized by including the following modules:

[0049] The control module controls the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver, continuously obtains the light-blocking signal and the corresponding reception time from the receiver, and continuously receives operation commands and corresponding reception times from several operating devices and stores them in the storage device.

[0050] The execution module arranges the operation instructions in the storage device into a queue Q according to the order of their reception time. It then divides the queue Q into several operation instruction segments, each satisfying the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the segment is at the head of the queue Q, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction following INS1 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; or the reception time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction preceding INS2 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold, and the reception time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail of the segment minus the reception time of the operation instruction following INS3 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold; where the time threshold is greater than or equal to 0.

[0051] The processing module determines that the light curtain has malfunctioned when the number of operation instructions in an operation instruction segment is greater than or equal to a preset threshold and a preset condition is met. The preset condition is: if there is a light-blocking signal and its corresponding reception time is between Time1 and Time2, the preset condition is not met; otherwise, the preset condition is met. The reception time of the operation instruction at the beginning of the operation instruction segment is Time1, and the reception time of the operation instruction at the end is Time2.

[0052] In this embodiment, a display screen is provided on the operating surface;

[0053] The "determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned" function of the processing module specifically includes: determining that the light curtain has malfunctioned and controlling the display screen to show the malfunction information.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control module's "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" specifically includes:

[0055] The transmitter is controlled to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

[0056] In this embodiment, the "dividing several operation instruction segments from queue Q" in the execution module includes:

[0057] Several operation instruction segments are divided from queue Q, and the operation instructions and corresponding reception times contained in each operation instruction segment are deleted from the storage device.

[0058] In this embodiment, the light curtain determines every preset time interval whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked, and when it is blocked, it sends a light-blocking signal.

[0059] Preset time interval < time threshold.

[0060] It should be noted that although the steps are described in a specific order above, it does not mean that the steps must be executed in the above specific order. In fact, some of these steps can be executed concurrently, as long as the required function can be achieved.

[0061] This invention can be a system, method, and / or computer program product. A computer program product may include a readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions loaded thereon for causing a processor to implement various aspects of the invention.

[0062] A readable storage medium can be a tangible device that holds and stores instructions for use by an instruction execution device. Readable storage media can include, for example, but not limited to, electrical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of readable storage media include: portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multifunction disc (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanical encoding devices, such as punch cards or recessed protrusions storing instructions thereon, and any suitable combination thereof.

[0063] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A detection method for a dispensing device, the dispensing device comprising: The operation surface and the light curtain, the transmitter and the receiver in the light curtain are respectively located at the left and right sides of the operation surface, and both of them extend from the top to the bottom of the operation surface; the receiver can receive the light emitted by the transmitter; the operation surface is provided with a plurality of operation devices, and both the operation surface and the operation devices do not block the light emitted by the transmitter; when the operation device is operated, the operation device emits corresponding operation instruction; characterized in that, comprising the following steps: The transmitter continuously emits light to the receiver, continuously obtains the light blocking signal and the corresponding receiving time from the receiver, continuously receives the operation instruction and the corresponding receiving time emitted by the operation device and stores them into the storage device; The operation instructions in the storage device are arranged in the queue Q according to the receiving time in order, and a plurality of operation instruction segments are divided from the queue Q, each operation instruction segment meets the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is located at the head of the queue Q, and the receiving time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail is greater than or equal to the time threshold value, or the receiving time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head is greater than or equal to the time threshold value and the receiving time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail is greater than or equal to the time threshold value; wherein, the time threshold value is greater than or equal to 0; When the number of operation instructions in an operation instruction segment is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value and meets a preset condition, it is determined that the light curtain fails, and the preset condition is that when there is a light blocking signal whose corresponding receiving time is between Time1 and Time2, the preset condition is not met, otherwise, the preset condition is met; wherein, the receiving time of the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is Time1, and the receiving time of the operation instruction at the tail is Time2.

2. The detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation surface is provided with a display screen; The "determining that the light curtain fails" specifically includes: determining that the light curtain fails, and controlling the display screen to display fault information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" specifically includes: Controlling the transmitter to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The "dividing a plurality of operation instruction segments from the queue Q" includes: Dividing a plurality of operation instruction segments from the queue Q, and deleting the operation instructions and the corresponding receiving time contained in each operation instruction segment from the storage device.

5. The detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light curtain judges whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked every preset time interval, and emits a light blocking signal when it is blocked; The preset time interval is less than the time threshold value.

6. A detection device for a medication retrieval device, the medication retrieval device comprising: The operation surface and the light curtain, the transmitter and the receiver in the light curtain are respectively located at the left and right sides of the operation surface, and both of them extend from the top to the bottom of the operation surface; the transmitter can receive the light emitted by the receiver; the operation surface is provided with a plurality of operation devices, and both the operation surface and the operation devices do not block the light emitted by the receiver; when the operation device is operated, the operation device emits a corresponding operation instruction; characterized in that it comprises the following modules: The control module controls the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver, continuously acquires the light blocking signal and the corresponding receiving time from the receiver, continuously receives the operation instruction and the corresponding receiving time emitted by the plurality of operation devices and stores them into the storage device; The execution module arranges the operation instructions in the storage device into a queue Q according to the receiving time in chronological order, divides a plurality of operation instruction segments from the queue Q, and each operation instruction segment meets the following conditions: the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is located at the head of the queue Q, and the absolute value of the receiving time of the operation instruction INS1 at the tail minus the receiving time of the operation instruction after INS1 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to a time threshold, or the absolute value of the receiving time of the operation instruction INS2 at the head minus the receiving time of the operation instruction before INS2 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to the time threshold, and the absolute value of the receiving time of the operation instruction INS3 at the tail minus the receiving time of the operation instruction after INS3 in the queue Q is greater than or equal to the time threshold; wherein the time threshold is greater than or equal to 0; The processing module determines that the light curtain fails when the number of operation instructions in an operation instruction segment is greater than or equal to a preset threshold and meets a preset condition, and the preset condition is that when there is a light blocking signal whose corresponding receiving time is between Time1 and Time2, the preset condition is not met, otherwise, the preset condition is met; wherein the receiving time of the operation instruction at the head of the operation instruction segment is Time1, and the receiving time of the operation instruction at the tail is Time2.

7. The detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, a display screen is arranged on the operation surface; the "determining that the light curtain fails" of the processing module specifically includes: determining that the light curtain fails, and controlling the display screen to display fault information.

8. The detection device of claim 6, wherein, the "controlling the transmitter to continuously emit light to the receiver" of the control module specifically includes: controlling the transmitter to continuously emit infrared light to the receiver.

9. The detection device of claim 6, wherein, the "dividing a plurality of operation instruction segments from the queue Q" of the execution module includes: dividing a plurality of operation instruction segments from the queue Q, and deleting the operation instructions and the corresponding receiving time contained in each operation instruction segment from the storage device.

10. The detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: the light curtain judges whether the light emitted by the transmitter is blocked every preset time interval, and emits a light blocking signal when it is blocked; the preset time interval is less than the time threshold.

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