Medicine photographing device and medicine dispensing device

Abstract

The medicine photographing device and the medicine dispensing device of the present application perform photographing of medicine and counting of medicine in the medicine storage part, and realize fast medicine photographing processing. The medicine dispensing device comprises a medicine storage and dispensing unit (11) for supplying various medicines; a medicine packaging part (45) for dispensing the medicine supplied from the medicine storage and dispensing unit (11) with a dispensing paper (S); a medicine packaging guide part (7) for making the medicine to be packaged to fall from the dispensing paper (S) in the medicine packaging part (45); a storage part (50) for storing the medicine on the upstream side of the medicine packaging guide part (7); and a medicine photographing device (6) for photographing the medicine in the storage part (50). The medicine photographing device (6) performs photographing processing of the medicine in the storage part (50) in non-backlight state and photographing processing of the medicine in the storage part (50) in backlight state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a medicine photographing device that photographs medicine such as tablets, capsules, and the like before being packaged, and a medicine packaging device that packages the medicine photographed by the medicine photographing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, there is disclosed a medicine packaging device that includes a medicine supply section that supplies various medicines, a medicine packaging section that packages the medicine supplied from the medicine supply section with a packaging paper, an introduction member that introduces the medicine to be packaged into the packaging paper in the medicine packaging section, and a medicine inspection section that judges whether or not the medicine adheres to the introduction member based on an image photographed by the introduction member.

[0003] The medicine inspection section includes a medicine recognition section that rotates the medicine by a medicine rotating section in which a pair of rotating rollers are disposed, and judges the imprint and printing of the medicine by photographing the medicine, and a number judgment section that judges the number of the medicine by photographing the medicine packaged on the upstream side of the introduction member.

[0004] In addition, in Patent Literature 2, there is disclosed a non-medicine information acquisition device. The medicine information acquisition device is configured such that the bottom of a photographing tray that temporarily holds a package of medicine is composed of a groove row of V-shaped grooves, and the overlapping of the package of medicine is eliminated by applying vibration to the photographing tray after the medicine is dropped, and the posture of the medicine is corrected by a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface of the V-shaped grooves. Two photographing cameras are disposed opposite to the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the V-shaped grooves, respectively.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: WO2018 / 025852A1

[0008] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-2795 SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] However, in the recognition processing of the medicine in the above-described conventional device, since the photographing site at which the imprint and the like of the medicine are photographed and the photographing site for the number judgment of the medicine are different, there are disadvantages that the configuration becomes complicated, and the medicine photographing processing takes time. In addition, in the above-described conventional device, since the shape information of the medicine is obtained by the processing of the image of the medicine photographed in a non-backlight state, it is difficult to specify the shape information of the medicine and the like having the same color as the background color with high precision.

[0011] The present application provides a medicine photographing device and a medicine dispensing device, which perform photographing of a medicine and counting of the number of the medicine in a medicine storage unit, thereby achieving rapid medicine photographing processing and high accuracy of counting of the number of the medicine.

[0012] Technical solutions for solving the problems

[0013] The medicine photographing device of the present application is a medicine photographing device having a photographing unit for photographing a medicine, characterized in that the photographing unit performs photographing processing of the medicine in a medicine storage unit in a non-backlight state and photographing processing of the medicine in the medicine storage unit in a backlight state.

[0014] According to the above structure, the photographing processing in the non-backlight state can photograph the medicine with the imprint and the like, and the medicine in the medicine storage unit can be identified. In addition, the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the photographing processing in the backlight state can be used to count the number of the medicine in the medicine storage unit. That is, since the photographing of the medicine and the counting of the number of the medicine are performed in the medicine storage unit, rapid medicine photographing processing and high accuracy of counting of the number of the medicine can be achieved.

[0015] The photographing unit can perform first photographing processing of the medicine in the medicine storage unit from one side in the non-backlight state, second photographing processing in the backlight state, and third photographing processing of the medicine in the medicine storage unit from the other side in the non-backlight state.

[0016] According to the above structure, the first photographing processing can photograph the medicine with the imprint and the like on the upward side, and the third photographing processing can photograph the medicine with the imprint and the like on the downward side. Thus, for the medicine with the imprint and the like on only one side, the medicine in the medicine storage unit can be identified based on the images obtained by the first and third photographing processing. In addition, the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the second photographing processing can be used to count the number of the medicine in the medicine storage unit.

[0017] The photographing unit has a first camera for photographing the medicine in the medicine storage unit from the upper side, an upper side illumination unit for irradiating the medicine in the medicine storage unit from the upper side, a second camera for photographing the medicine in the medicine storage unit from the lower side, and a lower side illumination unit for irradiating the medicine in the medicine storage unit from the lower side.

[0018] Further, the above-described photographing section has a surface light emitting section capable of switching between a surface light emitting state and a transparent state on the lower side of the bottom surface of the above-described storage section, the above-described first photographing process and the above-described third photographing process can be performed using the transparent state of the above-described surface light emitting section, and the above-described second photographing process can be performed using the surface light emitting state of the above-described surface light emitting section and the lighting of the above-described lower side illuminating section.

[0019] The above-described photographing section has a light adjusting section capable of switching between a transparent state and a translucent state on the lower side of the bottom surface of the above-described storage section, the above-described first photographing process and the above-described third photographing process can be performed using the transparent state of the above-described light adjusting section, and the above-described second photographing process can be performed using the translucent state of the above-described light adjusting section and the lighting of the above-described lower side illuminating section.

[0020] The above-described photographing section performs each photographing process a plurality of times within a certain time (predetermined time) for the same photographing object. In this case, if the photographing is performed while waiting for the medicine in the vibration state or the rotation state in the storage section to be still, a long time is required for the photographing of the medicine. As described above, when the photographing is performed a plurality of times within a certain time for the same photographing object, a plurality of images can be obtained, and thus the image in which the engraved surface or the printed surface of the medicine faces the camera direction is easily obtained in terms of probability, and the recognition rate of the engraving or the like can be improved.

[0021] Further, the medicine dispensing apparatus of the present application can include: a medicine supply section that supplies various medicines; a medicine packaging section that packages the medicine supplied from the above-described medicine supply section using a packaging sheet; the above-described medicine photographing apparatus that has a plurality of storage sections that temporarily store the medicine supplied from the above-described medicine supply section on the upstream side of the above-described medicine packaging section; and an image output section that outputs the image photographed by the above-described medicine photographing apparatus.

[0022] According to the above-described structure, the examiner can recognize the medicine in the above-described storage section based on the image photographed by the above-described medicine photographing apparatus, and thus the medicine inspection in the medicine dispensing can be appropriately performed.

[0023] Further, the medicine dispensing apparatus of the present application can include: a medicine supply section that supplies various medicines; a medicine packaging section that packages the medicine supplied from the above-described medicine supply section using a packaging sheet; the above-described medicine photographing apparatus that has a plurality of storage sections that temporarily store the medicine supplied from the above-described medicine supply section on the upstream side of the above-described medicine packaging section; and a judgment section that judges the number of medicines and the medicine information in the storage section based on the photographed image by the above-described medicine photographing apparatus.

[0024] According to the above-described structure, the judgment of the number of medicines and the medicine information in the storage section at the time of the dispensing of the medicine can be automatically performed by the above-described judgment section.

[0025] The medicine dispensing device can further include a third camera configured to take an image of the storage portion. The third camera can be configured to take an image of the storage portion to detect a medicine adhered to the storage portion. In the case where the third camera detects a medicine adhered to the storage portion, the medicine dispensing device can be configured to notify a user of the possibility that the medicine to be packaged does not match a prescription.

[0026] The medicine dispensing device can further include:

[0027] a rotary disc portion that is rotationally driven about an axis and has a plurality of opening portions on a same circumference about the axis, and

[0028] a medicine receiving bottom portion having a portion that functions as a bottom of the opening portion and a packaging opening provided at a specific portion of an area that moves by rotation of the rotary disc portion in the opening portion,

[0029] the plurality of storage portions are formed by the opening portions and the portions that function as the bottoms of the opening portions,

[0030] a portion of the bottom surface of the rotary disc portion that does not form the opening portion has a cleaning member that cleans the medicine receiving bottom portion by rotation of the rotary disc portion.

[0031] Accordingly, the cleaning member can remove the powder on the medicine receiving bottom portion, and thus the user can be relieved of the trouble of cleaning the medicine receiving bottom portion. Further, the cleaning member can solve the problems of inappropriate illumination caused by the powder in the storage portion and mistaken recognition of a piece of powder as one medicine.

[0032] Effects of the Invention

[0033] According to the present invention, the imaging of the imprint of the medicine and the imaging for counting the number of the medicine are performed in the storage portion of the medicine, and thus the present invention can achieve a fast medicine imaging process and high accuracy in counting the number of the medicine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a packaging unit of the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating FIG. 1 ​Figure (B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the general structure of a pharmaceutical dispensing device. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a dimming component is used instead of a surface-emitting component.

[0037] FIG. 4 It means FIG. 1 A three-dimensional view of the drug storage unit and drug imaging device of the drug packaging device.

[0038] FIG. 5 It means FIG. 4 The stereoscopic view of the first camera, etc., is omitted.

[0039] FIG. 6 It means FIG. 5 The stereoscopic view of residual detection cameras, etc., is omitted from the image.

[0040] FIG. 7 It means FIG. 6 The perspective view of the upper plate of the drug receiving tray is omitted.

[0041] FIG. 8 It means to FIG. 7 A magnified three-dimensional view of the drug receiving tray.

[0042] FIG. 9 Figure (A) is a top view of the drug receiving tray without the upper plate, and Figure (B) is a cross-sectional view of the state with the upper plate in place, as shown by arrow AA.

[0043] FIG. 10 This is a three-dimensional view showing the bottom of the drug receiving tray located below the drug receiving plate.

[0044] FIG. 11 This is a three-dimensional view showing the bottom side of the medicine receiving tray.

[0045] FIG. 12 It means in FIG. 6 The perspective view of the drug receiving tray is omitted.

[0046] FIG. 13 It means FIG. 1 A schematic block diagram of a part of the control system of the pharmaceutical packaging device.

[0047] FIG. 14 It means FIG. 1 An illustrative diagram of an example of an auxiliary image for review in a pharmaceutical packaging device.

[0048] FIG. 15 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the central side of the drug receiving tray.

[0049] FIG. 16 This is an explanatory diagram showing the bottom side of the medicine receiving tray and the cleaning device.

[0050] FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a cleaning switching operation section, a motor, a cleaning device, and the like.

[0051] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the cleaning device is in a state of being raised up from FIG. 17 a state of the cleaning device.

[0052] FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a modification example of the medicine powder recovery.

[0053] FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing another modification example of the medicine powder recovery.

[0054] FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a modification example of the medicine powder recovery.

[0055] FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a configuration position of a second light emitting section and the like.

[0056] FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing a configuration position of a third light emitting section and the like.

[0057] FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a deployment guide and a third light emitting section configured in the deployment guide.

[0058] FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing a structure example in which two residual detection cameras detect residual medicine in a medicine package introduction member and a package paper.

[0059] FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing FIG. 25 a flowchart showing an outline of a photographing operation and a package operation in the structure example shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described based on the drawings.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1As shown, the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment includes a medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 as a medicine supply section that stores medicines by type and can dispense the medicines one at a time according to dispensing data created based on prescription information, a medicine guide section 12 that receives the medicines, a medicine storage unit 5 that temporarily stores the medicines, a medicine imaging device 6 of this embodiment that takes a still image of the medicines supplied to the medicine storage unit 5, and a packaging unit 4 that is provided with a dispensing paper roll 400 and an ink ribbon cassette 401, prints on dispensing paper S supplied from the dispensing paper roll 400, and uses the dispensing paper S to package the medicines one at a time via the medicine storage unit 5. The printing mechanism including the ink ribbon cassette is not essential. The medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 includes medicine cassettes that store various medicines and a general-purpose cassette that can store medicines that are not suitable for storage in the cassettes. Specifically, the medicine cassettes are special cassettes prepared for each medicine, in which the size of the passage through which the medicine is dispensed corresponds to the shape and size of each medicine, and the general-purpose cassette is a general-purpose cassette in which the size of the passage through which the medicine is dispensed and the driving conditions can be adjusted as needed, so that medicines of various shapes and sizes can be dispensed. In addition, the prescription information includes, for example, the types and number of usual medicines. However, information on the imprint of the medicine (information on the presence or absence of an imprint or the appearance shape of the imprint, etc.), the size, shape, color, etc. can be obtained based on the type of medicine by referring to a medicine master table described later.

[0062] In addition, the medicine dispensing device 1 includes a hand distribution section 13. The hand distribution section 13 is provided with hoppers (storage bodies) arranged in a lattice pattern, and can place medicines in each hopper. For example, in the case of a prescription for one day's supply of medicines for the morning, noon, and evening, the medicines are placed in three hoppers.

[0063] The medicines dispensed from the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 and the medicines distributed by hand via the hand distribution section 13 reach the medicine storage unit 5 via the medicine guide section 12, etc. The medicines temporarily stored in the medicine storage unit 5 are taken a still image by the medicine imaging device 6, and then packaged with dispensing paper in the packaging unit 4. That is, in this embodiment, one-pack medicines are discharged by the combined action of the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 and the hand distribution section 13. The passage of the medicines discharged from the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 and the hand distribution section 13 to the medicine storage unit 5 is described later using FIG. 4

[0064] FIG. 2 is a view of an example of the packaging unit 4 in a state in which the dispensing paper roll 400 and the ink ribbon cassette 401 are installed. In this FIG. 2 ​The image shows the pharmaceutical packaging section 45 of the packaging unit 4. This pharmaceutical packaging section 45, for example, introduces the pharmaceutical through the opening of the folded packaging paper S, and heat-melts the packaging paper S to seal the introduced pharmaceutical.

[0065] The aforementioned packaged paper S flows by, for example, being draped over three guide shafts 4a and passing between the support roller 4b and the print head 4e, and then draped over the guide shaft 4c. Meanwhile, the ink ribbon R housed in the ink ribbon cartridge 401 is guided by the tape guide of the packaging unit 4, passes between the support roller 4b and the print head 4e, and after printing, detaches from the packaged paper S and returns to the ink ribbon cartridge 401.

[0066] In addition, such as FIG. 2 As shown, for example, near the guide shaft 4c that guides the sub-packaged paper S (downstream of the conveying direction of the sub-packaged paper S), there are freely rotatable curved guide rollers 45b and 45c that bend the conveying direction of the sub-packaged paper S directly in front of the unfolding guide 45a of the medicine packaging section 45. The folded sub-packaged paper S is opened by passing over the guide surface (surface) of the unfolding guide 45a. On the non-guide surface (back side) side of the unfolding guide 45a, in other words above the opened portion of the sub-packaged paper S, there is a medicine packaging inlet component 7 (see reference) for introducing medicine into the sub-packaged paper S. FIG. 3 (A) etc.

[0067] The aforementioned medicine packaging inlet component 7 has a thinner shape on its lower side. As described above, the folded packaging paper S passes over the guide surface of the unfolding guide 45a, and the packaging paper S is opened. Thus, an opening, serving as the open portion of the packaging paper S, is formed near the lower end of the medicine packaging inlet component 7. This opening of the packaging paper S becomes the portion for receiving the medicine falling from the medicine packaging inlet component 7.

[0068] Furthermore, the aforementioned pharmaceutical packaging section 45 has a heat-sealing component (e.g., a pair of heating rollers 45d and 45e) downstream of the conveying direction of the packaged paper S of the unfolding guide 45a. Additionally, a feed roller (not shown) is provided downstream of the conveying direction of the packaged paper S of the heating rollers 45d and 45e. These heating rollers 45d and 45e are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (not shown) composed of an electric motor, linear gears, intermittent gears, etc. The heating rollers 45d and 45e enable the packaged paper S to travel at a predetermined speed. Furthermore, the heating rollers 45d and 45e close the opening of the packaged paper S, and seal the packaged paper S along its short side, thereby allowing a single package of pharmaceuticals entering the opening to be individually packaged.

[0069] FIG. 3 (A) shows the general structure of the drug dispensing device 1. The drug storage unit 5 and the drug imaging device 6 are located between the drug receiving and dispensing unit 11 and the packaging unit 4.

[0070] The aforementioned medicine storage unit 5 has an upper side plate portion 51 and a lower side plate portion 52. Furthermore, the medicine storage unit 5 has a medicine receiving tray portion 501 in the space between the upper side plate portion 51 and the lower side plate portion 52. This medicine receiving tray portion 501 includes a disc-shaped rotating disk portion 5010; an upper plate 5011 fixed to the upper side of the rotating disk portion 5010; and a medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 located on the lower side of the rotating disk portion 5010 and not fixed to it.

[0071] like FIG. 4 As shown, a drug delivery unit 2 and a first camera 61 are mounted on the upper part of the upper side panel 51. FIG. 5 As shown, the rotating disk portion 5010 and the upper plate 5011 in the above-mentioned medicine receiving tray portion 501 can rotate in the horizontal plane about the axis 504 on the upper side of the lower side plate portion 52 (within the above-mentioned space portion). Furthermore, the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is mounted in a manner that it does not rotate on the lower side plate portion 52, and is mounted in a manner that allows it to be removed from the lower side plate portion 52. For example, a protrusion protruding upward is provided on the lower side plate portion 52, such that the protrusion engages with a recess 5012d on the outer periphery of the above-mentioned medicine receiving bottom 5012 (see reference). FIG. 10 Therefore, it cannot rotate. An electric motor 503 and the like are mounted on the upper part of the lower side panel 52. Furthermore, a medicine packaging inlet component 7, a second camera 62, and the like are mounted on the lower side of the lower side panel 52.

[0072] like FIG. 6 As shown, a gear portion 501a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating disk portion 5010 in the aforementioned medicine receiving tray portion 501, and a gear 503a meshes with this gear portion 501a. The rotating disk portion 5010 is rotated by driving the gear 503a via the aforementioned electric motor 503. Furthermore, the rotating disk portion 5010 can be rotated intermittently in the positive direction at a predetermined angle each time by the drive control of the aforementioned electric motor 503. Moreover, the rotating disk portion 5010 can be rotated in both directions by the drive control of the aforementioned electric motor 503. The overlapping of medicines occurring in the storage section 50 can be eliminated by the forward and reverse rotation of the rotating disk portion 5010.

[0073] The drug receiving tray 501, which includes the aforementioned rotating disk portion 5010 and the aforementioned drug receiving bottom 5012, has, for example, eight storage sections 50. Each storage section 50 temporarily stores the drug before it is packaged. The eight storage sections 50 are located at predetermined intervals on the same circumference centered on the aforementioned axis 504. The drug supplied to each storage section 50 is supported by the drug receiving bottom 5012. The rotating disk portion 5010 is detachable from the aforementioned drug receiving bottom 5012.

[0074] like FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 As shown, each storage section 50 is composed of a cylindrical section (opening) 50a formed of a light-transmitting transparent material (resin, etc.) and a portion that functions as the bottom of the cylindrical section 50a, wherein the medicine is stored inside the cylindrical section 50a. The medicine receiving bottom 5012 is arranged horizontally, and the direction orthogonal to it is the vertical direction. The camera optical axes of the cameras 61, 62, and 66, described later, are vertically oriented towards the portion that functions as the bottom of the cylindrical section (opening) 50a, namely the medicine receiving bottom 5012. In addition, an inclined mirror section 6a is arranged around the cylindrical section 50a, which is formed as a frustum-shaped mirror surface that moves further upward relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical section 50a.

[0075] The aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a is located at the center of the aforementioned tilting mirror portion 6a. The lower end of the aforementioned tilting mirror portion 6a is connected to the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 50a. Furthermore, the upper end surface of the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a is processed into a frosted glass surface (micro-irregular surface) or an opaque surface. In addition, a polygonal opening, consistent with the top view shape of the cylindrical portion 50a, is formed in the aforementioned upper plate 5011 at the location where the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a is located, allowing the medicine to reach the interior of the cylindrical portion 50a through the polygonal opening. Furthermore, the upper plate 5011 is formed to be entirely transparent or at least transparent in the portion above the aforementioned tilting mirror portion 6a.

[0076] The internal shape of the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a is formed as a polygonal cylinder composed of multiple planes, and when viewed from above, it appears as a hexagonal shape. The external shape of the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a is circular. Furthermore, because the aforementioned tilting mirror portion 6a reflects light from above towards the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a, it is possible to illuminate the agent inside the cylindrical portion 50a using side light (light in the direction intersecting the shooting optical axis of the camera 61). If more of this side light can be obtained, the imaging of the agent's markings can be performed effectively. Alternatively, a light-emitting element that emits light to the side of the aforementioned cylindrical portion 50a can be provided on its outer periphery instead of the aforementioned tilting mirror portion 6a.

[0077] In addition, such as FIG. 9 (A) andFIG. 9 As shown in (B), the connection portion R1 of adjacent faces among the six sides of the cylindrical portion 50a of the storage section 50 is formed into a curved shape (R: radius). The lower end of the internal shape of the cylindrical portion 50a is formed into an opening that is, for example, hexagonal when viewed from above.

[0078] The aforementioned drug receiving bottom 5012 is made of a light-transmitting transparent material (resin, etc.). Furthermore, at a predetermined location on the drug receiving bottom 5012, such as... FIG. 10 A packaging opening 5012a is formed as shown. The aforementioned medicine packaging inlet 7 is located below the packaging opening 5012a. When the cylindrical portion 50a of the storage section 50 is located above the packaging opening 5012a, the medicine in the storage section 50 falls into the medicine packaging inlet 7 and reaches the packaging paper S. That is, the packaging opening 5012a is located at a specific part of the area where the cylindrical portion (opening) 50a moves due to the rotation of the rotating disk portion 5010. Furthermore, similar to the lower side plate portion 52, an opening is formed at a position corresponding to the packaging opening 5012a.

[0079] When the rotating disk portion 5010 of the aforementioned medicine receiving tray portion 501 rotates on the aforementioned medicine receiving bottom 5012, each storage portion 50, as FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 As shown, it moves sequentially to the first drug receiving position P1, the second drug receiving position P2, the third drug receiving position P3, the untreated position P4, the fourth drug receiving position P5, the drug imaging position P6, the drug discharge position P7 (packaging position) with the aforementioned packaging opening 5012a, and the remaining drug confirmation position P8. Furthermore, multiple wheels 56 are mounted below the aforementioned rotating disc 5010 (see reference). FIG. 11 The load on the rotating disk 5010 is borne by the drug receiving bottom 5012, and a certain gap is maintained between the top surface of the drug receiving bottom 5012 and the bottom surface of the rotating disk 5010 in a way that prevents slippage. This gap reduces the adverse effects on the rotation of the rotating disk 5010 caused by drug powder (drug debris), and reduces the frequency of cleaning. Furthermore, a drug powder recovery trough 5012c is formed on the drug receiving bottom 5012, located slightly inward from its outer periphery (see reference). FIG. 10 ).

[0080] In the above-mentioned first medicine receiving position P1, the medicine carried by the above-mentioned medicine carrying section 2 falls into the storage section 50 located at this position P1. The above-mentioned medicine carrying section 2 has a hopper 21 located below the above-mentioned medicine guide section 12 and above the above-mentioned remaining medicine confirming position P8. Also, the above-mentioned medicine carrying section 2 has a carrying section 22 with a drive. This carrying section 22 is located between the lower part of the above-mentioned hopper 21 and the above-mentioned first medicine receiving position P1, and carries the medicine received from the above-mentioned hopper 21 into the storage section 50 of the above-mentioned first medicine receiving position P1. Further, by providing an ionizer (Ionizer) that emits ions into the hopper 21, it is possible to suppress the case where the medicine adheres to the inside of the hopper 21 due to static electricity.

[0081] The medicine is supplied to the above-mentioned second medicine receiving position P2 from other medicine supplying sections.

[0082] In the above-mentioned third medicine receiving position P3, the medicine supplied from a general-purpose cartridge, which is not shown, is supplied into the storage section 50 located at this position P3 via the guide cylinder 201 and the supply opening section 201a. The above-mentioned general-purpose cartridge can supply the medicine without having to specially select the shape of the medicine, and the medicine discharge is automatically performed instead of the hand distribution process of the medicine. Further, as mentioned above, the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 has a plurality of cartridges, some of which are general-purpose cartridges. Further, by providing an ionizer that emits ions into the guide cylinder 201, it is possible to suppress the case where the medicine adheres to the inside of the guide cylinder 201 and the storage section 50 due to static electricity.

[0083] In the above-mentioned fourth medicine receiving position P5, the medicine supplied from the above-mentioned hand distribution section 13 is supplied into the storage section 50 located at this position P5 via a hopper, which is not shown, and the supply opening section 202.

[0084] In the above-mentioned medicine photographing position P6, the medicine (for example, a plurality of medicines in one package) becomes a state of being temporarily stored in the storage section 50 located at this position P6. The above-mentioned medicine photographing device 6 is located in the vicinity of the above-mentioned medicine photographing position P6.

[0085] The above-mentioned medicine photographing device 6 has a photographing section 60 that performs still photographing of the photographing object. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned photographing section 60 includes a first camera 61 that performs video camera photographing of the medicine in the above-mentioned storage section 50 from the upper side at the above-mentioned medicine photographing position P6, a second camera 62 that performs video camera photographing of the medicine in the above-mentioned storage section 50 from the lower side, an upper side illumination section 63 that performs irradiation of the medicine in the above-mentioned storage section 50 from the upper side, the above-mentioned inclined mirror section 6a that performs irradiation of the medicine in the above-mentioned storage section 50 from the side (instead of the inclined mirror section 6a, a light emitting element can be used), and a lower side illumination section 64 that performs irradiation of the medicine in the above-mentioned storage section 50 from the lower side.

[0086] The periphery of the light inlet of the first camera 61 contacts the outer surface of the housing 6001 of the upper side illuminating section 63. Also, a sealing member (O-ring or the like) is provided at the contact portion. Dust and the like are prevented from entering the housing 6001 from the first camera 61 side by the sealing member.

[0087] In addition, the photographing section 60 of the medicine photographing apparatus 6 has a surface light emitting section 65 on the lower side of the lower side illuminating section 64. Also, the portion of the lower side plate section 52 corresponding to the medicine photographing position P6 is transparent or open. The surface light emitting section 65 has, for example, a square shape and can switch between a surface light emitting state and a transparent state. In the surface light emitting state, the photographing of the medicine by the first camera 61 becomes photographing with backlight. The surface light emitting section 65 is constructed, for example, of a square transparent light guide plate and a light emitting element (LED or the like) that emits light to the edge portion of the transparent light guide plate. The surface light emitting section 65 becomes transparent when the light emitting element is not lit. Also, the surface light emitting section 65 can be located on the upper side of the lower side illuminating section 64.

[0088] The lower side illuminating section 64 and the surface light emitting section 65 are provided in the housing 6002. Also, the periphery of the light inlet of the second camera 62 contacts the outer surface of the housing 6002. Also, a sealing member (O-ring or the like) is provided at the contact portion. Dust and the like are prevented from entering the housing 6002 from the second camera 62 side by the sealing member.

[0089] Also, the photographing section 60 performs the following processes under the control of the controller 8 shown in FIG. 8: FIG. 13 the first photographing process of lighting (ON) the upper side illuminating section 63 and photographing the medicine in the storage section 50 from the upper side in a non-backlight state (front light, side light, or either of a mixed state of front light and side light) by the first camera 61;

[0090] the second photographing process of lighting the surface light emitting section 65 and photographing the medicine in the storage section 50 from the upper side in a backlight state by the first camera 61; and

[0091] the third photographing process of lighting the lower side illuminating section 64 and photographing the medicine in the storage section 50 from the lower side in a non-backlight state (front light, side light, or either of a mixed state of front light and side light) by the second camera 62.

[0092] The combination of the photographing processes and the lighting processes is shown in Table 1 below.

[0093] [Table 1]

[0094] Shooting processing First shooting processing Second shooting processing Third shooting processing Shooting direction Shooting from above Shooting from above with backlight Shooting from below Upper side illuminating section ON OFF OFF Light adjusting section Transparent Semi-transparent Transparent Lower side illuminating section OFF OFF ON

[0095] By performing the above-described second photographing process, the medicaments in the storage section 50 are photographed in a backlight state, and an image in which the bottom side of the storage section 50 is brighter and the image of the medicaments is darker can be obtained. That is, by counting the number of medicament shadows (dark color regions) in the photographed image, the number of medicaments can be determined.

[0096] The upper first camera 61 is positioned above the above-described medicament photographing position P6. In addition, the upper first camera 61 has a mirror 61a that reflects an image in the storage section 50 to the horizontal direction, a camera element (CCD, CMOS, or the like) 61b that receives light from the image reflected by the mirror 61a, and various sensors or the like that cause the image to be imaged on the camera element 61b.

[0097] The lower second camera 62 is positioned below the above-described medicament photographing position P6. The lower second camera 62 has a mirror 62a that reflects an image in the storage section 50 to the horizontal direction, a camera element (CCD, CMOS, or the like) 62b that receives light from the image reflected by the mirror 62a, and various sensors or the like that cause the image to be imaged on the camera element 62b.

[0098] The upper illumination section 63 is composed of a large number of light emitting elements (LEDs or the like) arranged in a ring shape, and has a configuration in which the center is transparent or has a hole through which light can pass. The ring-shaped light emitting elements are positioned outside the cylindrical section 50a of the storage section 50 and above the inclined mirror section 6a. The light emitted from the upper illumination section 63 is reflected to the horizontal direction by the inclined mirror section 6a and guided into the storage section 50 (cylindrical section 50a) in an edge light state, and a portion of the light emitted from the upper illumination section 63 reaches the inside of the cylindrical section 50a of the storage section 50 in a direct light state via the first camera 61.

[0099] When light enters the cylindrical section 50a from the upper end surface of the cylindrical section 50a, the light is emitted from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical section 50a, and the bottom of the cylindrical section 50a (the position of the medicament receiving bottom section 5012) can become a bright pattern. If the upper end surface of the cylindrical section 50a is processed to have a frosted glass surface (a micro-uneven surface) or a light-blocking surface, the generation of the bright pattern can be suppressed. Thus, the adverse effects on the recognition of the medicaments due to the bright pattern being reflected in the photographed image can be suppressed. In addition, the lower end surface of the cylindrical section 50a can also be processed to suppress the passage of illumination light from below into the cylindrical section 50a.

[0100] A gap of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less can be formed between the lower end surface of the cylindrical section 50a and the medicament receiving bottom section 5012. When such a gap is formed, the shadow formed in the photographed image of the medicaments near the inner surface of the cylindrical section 50a can be reduced.

[0101] The connecting portion Rl of the hexagonal surface portion of the cylindrical portion 50a forming the storage portion 50 has a curved surface (R) shape as described above. In this case, in a configuration in which the connecting portion Rl of the surface portion does not have the curved surface shape, light from the outside is refracted at the connecting portion Rl of the surface portion, and thus uneven illumination occurs on the bottom surface of the storage portion 50. When the cylindrical portion 50a has the curved surface shape at the connecting portion Rl, light is diffused to the cylindrical portion 50a by the curved surface shape, and thus the uneven illumination described above is less likely to occur. The wall thickness of the curved surface shape portion and other portions can be the same. Further, when the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 50a is polygonal, overlapping of the medicine in the storage portion 50 is easily eliminated.

[0102] The lower side illumination portion 64 is configured in a ring shape by a large number of light emitting elements (LEDs, etc.) arranged at a position outside the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 50a with respect to the inside of the cylindrical portion 50a at the medicine photographing position P6 in a manner that does not cause an obstacle when back lighting is performed, and has a configuration in which the center portion is transparent or has a hole through which light is transmitted. The emission axis of the light emitting elements is not limited to the upward direction. The emission axis of the light emitting elements can be directed, for example, toward the center of the bottom of the storage portion 50.

[0103] In addition, the first, second, and third photographing processes described above can be performed a plurality of times (for example, 5 times) within a certain time (predetermined time). In particular, the time interval between the first photographing process and the third photographing process can be set to, for example, a certain time (predetermined time). In addition, the shutter speed at the time of the first and third photographing is set to be high, and blurring of the photographed image of the medicine is suppressed. In this case, the rotating disk portion 5010 of the medicine receiving disk portion 501 rotates intermittently, and immediately after the storage portion 50 is stopped at the medicine photographing position P6, the medicine in the storage portion 50 is in a state of vibration or rotation. In a case in which the vibration or rotation is waited to subside, the time required for photographing of the medicine becomes long.

[0104] As described above, if the same photographing object is photographed a plurality of times within a certain time, a plurality of images are obtained, and an image in which the engraved surface or the printed surface of the medicine is directed toward the camera direction is easily obtained with a high probability, and the recognition rate of the engraving or the like is improved. In addition, if the time interval between the first photographing process and the third photographing process is a certain time, the position of the medicine based on the first photographing process and the position of the same medicine based on the third photographing process are less likely to be shifted, and whether the same medicine is present in the two photographed images can be inferred from the correspondence of the positions of the medicine in the photographed image from the upper side based on the first photographing process and the photographed image from the lower side based on the third photographing process within the certain time.

[0105] Further, the medicine inspection section (judging section) 82 adopts, for example, an image in which the number of medicine shadows (dark color regions) is the largest among the plurality of images obtained through the above-described second photographing process, judges the number of medicines based on the adopted image, and compares the judged number with the number of medicines shown in the prescription information (dispensing data), whereby it is possible to judge whether the necessary number of medicines exists in the storage section 50. Alternatively, it is also possible to adopt an image in which the total area of medicine shadows (dark color regions) is the largest. In addition, the medicine inspection section 82 can select, as an image for judging the kind of medicine, an image obtained through the above-described first and third photographing processes at a time point closest to the photographing time point of the above-described adopted image. Further, with respect to the second photographing process, it is preferable to perform after the rotating disk section 5010 of the above-described medicine receiving disk section 501 is intermittently rotated until the storage section 50 is stopped at the above-described medicine photographing position P6. Since there are cases in which medicines overlap with each other after the stop, it is preferable to perform as described above.

[0106] In the medicine inspection section 82, with respect to the medicines in the above-described storage section 50 located at the above-described medicine photographing position P6, the controller 8 can make the rotating disk section 5010 of the above-described medicine receiving disk section 501 rotate in both directions to rotate the medicines in the above-described storage section 50, and perform the above-described first, second, and third photographing processes thereon, in a case where the number of medicines and the medicine information described later are not judged to be correct with reference to the dispensing data (characteristic data described later).

[0107] On the other hand, in the medicine inspection section 82, in a case where the number of medicines and the medicine information described later in the above-described storage section 50 located at the above-described medicine photographing position P6 are judged to be correct with reference to the dispensing data (characteristic data described later), the controller 8 makes the rotating disk section 5010 of the above-described medicine receiving disk section 501 rotate in the forward direction by 45 degrees to move the storage section 50 at the above-described medicine photographing position P6 to a medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position) in which the above-described packaging opening 5012a is formed. Thereby, the medicines in the storage section 50 reach the dispensing paper S via the medicine packaging guide member 7 from the above-described packaging opening 5012a.

[0108] The first residual detection camera 601, the second residual detection camera 602, and the third residual detection camera 603 are located above the above-described medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position). In addition, an illumination section composed of LEDs or the like that performs illumination of the photographing ranges of the respective residual detection cameras is provided. Further, it is also possible to use sensors instead of the residual detection cameras 601, 602, and 603.

[0109] The first residual detection camera 601 photographs the inside of the opening of the divided package paper S from the opening 5012a of the package. Based on the result of the photographing, it is possible to automatically or by the examiner's recognition to confirm whether or not a medicine (a medicine that should have been divided in advance) or a foreign matter is present in the opening of the divided package paper S.

[0110] In addition, the second residual detection camera 602 photographs the transfer section 71 in the medicine package introduction member 7. Based on the result of the photographing, it is possible to automatically or by the examiner's recognition to confirm whether or not a medicine is attached to the transfer section 71 in the medicine package introduction member 7.

[0111] In addition, the third residual detection camera 603 photographs the final section (a lower section of the chute section 72 located on the lower side than the transfer section 71) of the medicine package introduction member 7. Based on the result of the photographing, it is possible to automatically or by the examiner's recognition to confirm whether or not a medicine is attached to the final section of the medicine package introduction member 7.

[0112] The illumination section, as shown in FIG. 2 , includes a first light emitting section 451, a second light emitting section 452, and a third light emitting section 453.

[0113] The first light emitting section 451 illuminates the inside of the medicine package introduction member 7 from a position above the medicine discharge position P7. In addition, a part of the emitted light of the first light emitting section 451 is not blocked by the medicine package introduction member 7 and is emitted from the opening of the lower section of the medicine package introduction member 7 and reaches a position near the heating roller 45d and the heating roller 45e.

[0114] The second light emitting section 452, as shown in FIG. 22 , illuminates a position near the heating roller 45d and the heating roller 45e from a position that becomes the lateral side of the medicine package introduction member 7. The light emitted from the second light emitting section 452 reaches the inside of the opening of the divided package paper S through the divided package paper S and is separated by the guide surface (surface) of the spread guide 45a.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 23 , FIG. 24As shown, the third light emitting portion 453 is installed in the recess of the non-guiding surface (back surface) of the expansion guide 45a, and illuminates the vicinity of the position between the heating roller 45d and the heating roller 45e, as with the second light emitting portion 452. The emission light of the third light emitting portion 453 reaches the above opening of the divided package paper S without passing through the divided package paper S. A transparent cover 45aa covering the third light emitting portion 453 is installed on the opening side of the above recess of the expansion guide 45a, and the third light emitting portion 453 is not exposed to the powder or the like. The third light emitting portion 453 can be located in the vicinity of the above opening of the folded divided package paper S, and thus can brightly illuminate the inside of the above opening of the divided package paper S. Further, the electric wire connected to the third light emitting portion 453 is extended, for example, between the expansion guide 45a and the cover 45aa and outside the above recess.

[0116] The first light emitting portion 451, the second light emitting portion 452, and the third light emitting portion 453 can adjust the brightness (light amount) by a dimmer. In addition, the third light emitting portion 453 is not limited to being located in the recess of the non-guiding surface (back surface) of the expansion guide 45a. The third light emitting portion 453 itself can be located in the above opening of the divided package paper S and illuminate the inside of the opening. Such a third light emitting portion 453 is supported by a support member such as a thin rod or a wire, and is located in the above opening of the divided package paper S. The support base can be located on the non-guiding surface (back surface) of the expansion guide 45a, the front end of the chute portion 72, or the like.

[0117] Further, in the above example, three residual detection cameras 601, 602, and 603 are arranged above the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position), but the structure is not limited to this. The entire or a part of the medicine packaging guide member 7 can be made movable in the horizontal direction or the like, and the residual detection cameras arranged at the movable position can capture the inside of the medicine packaging guide member 7 after the movement. Thus, the number of residual detection cameras arranged on the above storage portion 50 can be reduced, and the complex structure caused by the dense arrangement of the cameras on the above storage portion 50 can be avoided.

[0118] Alternatively, a structure in which two residual detection cameras (A) and (B) are arranged above the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position) can be formed. In this structure, as shown in FIG. 6, the residual detection camera (A) has a deep depth of field, and captures the area (hereinafter referred to as an upper area) of the medicine packaging guide member 7 from the transfer portion 71 to the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72. The residual detection camera (B) has a deep depth of field, and captures the area (hereinafter referred to as a lower area) of the medicine packaging guide member 7 from the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72 to the above opening of the divided package paper S. Further, the capturing ranges of the two residual detection cameras (A) and (B) overlap at the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72. FIG. 25 As shown, the residual detection camera (A) has a deep depth of field, and captures the area (hereinafter referred to as an upper area) of the medicine packaging guide member 7 from the transfer portion 71 to the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72. The residual detection camera (B) has a deep depth of field, and captures the area (hereinafter referred to as a lower area) of the medicine packaging guide member 7 from the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72 to the above opening of the divided package paper S. Further, the capturing ranges of the two residual detection cameras (A) and (B) overlap at the approximately middle position of the chute portion 72.

[0119] In the configuration of the two residue detection cameras (A) and (B) described above, the illumination unit preferably has three light-emitting parts (a), (b), and (c). For example, the light-emitting part (a) is located near the location of the residue detection camera, the light-emitting part (b) is located in the packaging unit 4 (preferably the pharmaceutical packaging unit 45), and the light-emitting part (c) is located on the non-guided surface (back side) of the unfolding guide 45a.

[0120] In one example of control using the aforementioned two residue detection cameras (A) and (B), the residue detection camera (A) takes a picture of the upper area with only the light-emitting part (a) lit (first shooting action). That is, in the first shooting action, the upper area of ​​the inner wall surface of the medicine packaging introduction component 7 is used as the shooting range, and this first shooting action is used to determine whether there is medicine adhering to the inner wall surface.

[0121] On the other hand, with all light-emitting parts (a), (b), and (c) illuminated, the upper and lower areas are photographed using residue detection cameras (A) and (B) (second photographing action). That is, in the second photographing action, the entire inner wall surface of the medicine packaging insertion component 7 and the opening of the packaging paper S are used as the photographing range. Before the medicine is dispensed into the opening of the packaging paper S, if it is determined that even if only one medicine pellet exists in the entire inner wall surface of the medicine packaging insertion component 7 and the opening of the packaging paper S, then medicine residue is determined to exist. In the second photographing action, not only light-emitting part (a) but also light-emitting parts (b) and (c) are illuminated, thereby increasing the overall light intensity and enabling illumination of the opening of the packaging paper S from multiple directions. Therefore, even if only one medicine pellet is present in the opening of the packaging paper S, its detection can be reliably performed. Furthermore, in the second photographing action, it is also possible to set the light-emitting part (a) to a state where it is not illuminated.

[0122] like FIG. 26 As shown in the flowchart, the second shooting action (S1) is performed on the Kth package (K is a natural number, and its maximum value is the number of packages N) of medicine when it is located at the medicine shooting position P6. When K=1, it is possible to obtain information on whether there is any residual medicine in the medicine package based on other prescriptions executed earlier at the medicine discharge position P7 in the opening of the package paper S of the current prescription. When K=2 or later, it is possible to obtain information on whether there is any residual medicine in the opening of the package paper S in subsequent packages of medicine that was executed earlier in the current prescription. In addition, if several empty packages are generated between different prescriptions, the second shooting action when K=1 can be omitted.

[0123] Following the second shooting action described above, when the rotating disk 5010 rotates 45 degrees, the medicine in the Kth package based on this prescription is dispensed from the medicine discharge position P7 through the medicine packaging inlet 7 into the opening of the packaging paper S (S2). This dispensing is captured by the first shooting action described above (S3). That is, the upper area is captured by the residue detection camera (A) with only the light-emitting part (a) lit.

[0124] Furthermore, the residual detection imaging for the Kth package of medicine in this prescription begins with the first imaging action (S3) described above. Additionally, regarding the result of the first imaging action, if it is determined that no medicine adheres to the inner wall of the medicine packaging inlet 7, and the Kth package was packaged while a portion of the medicine being packaged had moved to the position of the subsequent K+1th package, then in the subsequent second imaging action, medicine residue will be detected within the opening of the packaging paper S.

[0125] After the first shooting action mentioned above, the packaging action of 1 package is performed (S4). Next, K is incremented (S5), and it is determined whether K exceeds N (S6). If K does not exceed N, the second shooting action in the subsequent dispensing of medicine is performed (S1). If K exceeds N, K is reset (S7), and the shooting process for dispensing the next prescription is performed.

[0126] like FIG. 12 As shown, the third camera 66 is located below the remaining medicine confirmation position P8. After the medicine stored in the storage section 50 is transferred to the medicine packaging section 45, the third camera 66 takes pictures of the storage section 50 as it moves to the remaining medicine confirmation position P8. For example, the third camera 66 includes a mirror 66a that reflects the image of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section 50a of the storage section 50 at the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 laterally, an imaging element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 66b that receives light from the image reflected by the mirror 66a, and various lenses that image the image onto the imaging element 66b. Furthermore, a lower illumination section 67 is provided above the mirror 66a. Based on the images captured by the third camera 66, it is possible to automatically or through image recognition by an examiner to confirm whether there is any medicine residue on the inner wall and in the inner space of the cylindrical section 50a.

[0127] Further, the above-described printing structure with the ink ribbon cassette 401 prints the characters of the patient's name, morning, noon, and evening, etc. before the dispensing of the medicine, and even if an error is determined in the medicine recognition process or the automatic review, the error information cannot be printed on the dispensing paper portion where the medicine packaging is completed. Therefore, a post-printing section can be provided which prints the error information, such as a mark indicating a defect or a number indicating the insufficient number of medicines, etc. on the dispensing paper portion where the medicine packaging is completed by the heating rollers 45d, 45e.

[0128] Further, when the layout of the printing on the dispensing paper is presented to the user, a method of confirming the layout of the printing via a monitor or the like of the medicine dispensing device 1 or a method of confirming the layout of the printing based on the actual printed dispensing paper is considered. With regard to the latter method of confirmation, it is preferable that the operation of supplying the medicine is not accompanied.

[0129] FIG. 13 is a module diagram showing an outline of the control system of the above-described medicine dispensing device 1. The storage section 80 connected to the controller 8 of the medicine dispensing device 1 stores a so-called master table (a database of medicines, etc.), prescription information of each patient, image data captured by the above-described first, second, and third cameras 61, 62, 66 and the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603, etc. In addition, the above-described first, second, and third cameras 61, 62, 66 and the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603 are controlled by the above-described controller 8 to control the operation time of the illumination and the capturing, etc.

[0130] The image output section 81 of the above-described controller 8 performs a process of saving the images captured by the above-described first to third cameras 61, 62, 66, etc. in the above-described storage section 80. In addition, the image output section 81 can read out the above-described captured images, etc. from the above-described storage section 80 and display them as review assistance images in the above-described monitor. The reviewer can review the medicines in the storage section 50 while watching the review assistance images displayed in the above-described monitor.

[0131] The above-described review assistance images are displayed in the above-described monitor in association with each medicine as a front and back image for the same medicine by the process of the controller 8, based on the upper side image of the medicine by the above-described first camera 61 and the lower side image of the medicine by the second camera 62. The association of the front and back images can be performed by the horizontal or vertical arrangement of the images. In addition, whether it is the same medicine can be presumed by the correspondence of the positions of the medicines in the upper side captured image and the lower side captured image based on the first and third cameras within the above-described certain time. Furthermore, the association of the front and back images can be performed for all of the plurality of images or for specific captured images among the plurality of images. The specific captured images can also be images in which the imprinting, etc. can be recognized in the medicine inspection section 82. FIG. 14An example of the examination support image is shown in this figure. In this image, patient information, information of the medicine to be administered to the patient (medicine name and medicine image), and front and back images of each medicine are shown, which are extracted from the overall image of the storage section taken for each package.

[0132] In addition, the above-mentioned examination support image, based on the taken image of the medicine in the storage section 50, further includes an image in which the reference images of the medicines, which are stored in advance in the storage section 80, are arranged as the reference images of the medicines as the package objects. The above-mentioned reference images can be images taken in the photographing environment of the medicine package device 1, images taken in the medicine room where the medicine package device 1 is installed, or images provided from the medicine manufacturer.

[0133] The medicine inspection section 82 of the controller 8 judges the number of medicines present in the storage section 50 located at the medicine photographing position P6 based on the image taken by the above-mentioned first camera 61. The above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82, for example, counts the number of dark color regions of a prescribed size (area) or more in the above-mentioned taken image, and outputs the number of regions as the number of medicines, because the above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82 counts the number of dark color regions of a prescribed size (area) or more in the above-mentioned taken image, because the above-mentioned medicine is photographed by backlighting. The above-mentioned dark color regions include not only circular regions, but also annular regions. In addition, the above-mentioned prescribed size can be different for each medicine based on the data of the size of each medicine stored in the storage section 80.

[0134] In addition, the above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82, as a judging section, can judge the medicine by recognizing the imprint of the medicine information, i.e., the imprint of the medicine, in the taken image taken by the above-mentioned first photographing process and the above-mentioned third photographing process. Also, the above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82 can automatically judge whether the medicine specified by the prescription information (package data) is present in the storage section 50 by judging whether the specified medicine matches the imprint of the medicine shown in the prescription information (package data) in the storage section 80 (medicine master table).

[0135] In addition, the above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82, as a judging section, judges other medicine information (all or a part of the area (size) of the medicine when viewed from above, the shape of the medicine when viewed from above, and the surface color of the medicine) that is a feature of each medicine obtained by the above-mentioned photographing. In addition, the above-mentioned medicine inspection section 82 can automatically judge whether the medicine specified by the prescription information (package data) is present in the storage section 50 by judging the degree of coincidence of the above-mentioned medicine information with the feature data (all or a part of the area (size) of the medicine when viewed from above, the shape of the medicine when viewed from above, and the surface color of the medicine) of each medicine shown in the prescription information (package data) in the storage section 80 (medicine master table).

[0136] In addition, the medicine inspection section 82 compares the photographed image of the medicine (medicine information) with the reference image (characteristic data of each medicine) of each medicine stored in the storage section 80 in advance, and automatically determines whether the medicine specified by the prescription information (dispensing data) is present in the storage section 50 by image matching that judges the degree of coincidence. The reference image (image matching) used by the medicine inspection section 82 can be different from the reference image (recognition) in the above-described examination assistance image.

[0137] The attachment judging section 83 of the controller 8 judges the attachment of the medicine to the inner wall of the medicine package guide member 7 and the attachment of the medicine to the inner wall of the cylinder section 50a of the storage section 50 based on the images photographed by the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, and 603 and the image photographed by the third camera 66. For example, the attachment judging section 83 compares the image photographed by the third camera 66 of the cylinder section 50a of the storage section 50 located at the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 and the basic image photographed in a state in which the medicine is not attached to the inner wall surface, and thereby judges the attachment of the medicine to the inner wall surface of the cylinder section 50a.

[0138] The basic image is, for example, an image photographed immediately before the initial dispensing process for one day, which is stored in the storage section 80. In addition, as an example of the judgment of the attachment of the medicine, for example, in a case in which the pixels in which the luminance values of each pixel of the image pickup element coincide with each other or the pixels in a prescribed range do not satisfy a prescribed proportion with respect to the total number of pixels, it is judged that the medicine is attached to the inner wall of the cylinder section 50a of the storage section 50. The controller 8 can output a warning in a case in which it is judged that the medicine is attached to the inner wall of the cylinder section 50a of the storage section 50. At this time, the medicine package process can be continued or can be interrupted. In addition, the controller 8 can store the photographed image in a case in which it is judged that the medicine is attached to the inner wall of the cylinder section 50a of the storage section 50 in the storage section 80.

[0139] The time control section 84 of the controller 8 controls the photographing times of the first, second, and third cameras 61, 62, 66, the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603, the lighting times of the upper illuminating section 63, the lower illuminating section 64, and the surface light emitting member 65, and the like in correspondence with the rotating operation of the rotating disk section 5010 of the medicine receiving disk section 501. In this embodiment, when the rotating disk section 5010 of the medicine receiving disk section 501 intermittently rotates every 45 degrees, still photographing is simultaneously performed in the medicine photographing position P6 (the first and second cameras 61, 62), the medicine discharge position P7 (the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603), and the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 (the third camera 66). The time control section 84 performs photographing in the order of the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process, for example. Of course, photographing can be performed in another order. The time control section 84 can also control the lighting times of the upper illuminating section 63 and the lower illuminating section 64, the times of light amount switching, and the like in the photographing.

[0140] The following illustrates the time at which the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 is photographed by the third camera 66.

[0141] 1. The remaining medicine confirmation position P8 is photographed at the time when the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharge position P7.

[0142] 2. The remaining medicine confirmation position P8 is photographed at the time after the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharge position P7 (after a predetermined time (1 second) from the movement, and the like).

[0143] The third camera 66 can also be arranged at the medicine discharge position P7 to confirm the remaining medicine. In this case, photographing is performed at the time after the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharge position P7 (after a predetermined time (1 second) from the movement, and the like).

[0144] The drive control section 85 of the controller 8 controls the motor 503. In this control, the control to eliminate the overlapping of the medicines in the storage section 50 by rotating the rotating disk section 5010 in the forward and reverse directions at a higher speed than the 45-degree intermittent rotating operation of the rotating disk section 5010 is included.

[0145] According to the above configuration, the imprint and the like of the medicine located in the upward-facing position with the imprint and the like can be imaged by the first imaging process. Also, the imprint and the like of the medicine located in the downward-facing position with the imprint and the like can be imaged by the third imaging process. Thus, for the medicine with the imprint and the like on only one side, the medicine in the storage section can be identified based on the images obtained by the first and third imaging processes. Also, the number of medicines can be determined based on the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the second imaging process. That is, the imaging site for imaging the imprint and the like of the medicine and the imaging site for determining the number of medicines can be the same, and the medicine imaging process can be performed quickly. Further, the embodiment can be configured to perform only either of the first and third imaging processes.

[0146] Also, in this embodiment, the time control section 84 performs each imaging process a plurality of times with respect to the medicine (the same imaging target) in the specific storage section 50. The imaging process does not mean that the first and third imaging processes are each performed once (a total of twice), but means that the first and third imaging processes are each performed a plurality of times. In this case, when the medicine in the vibration state or the rotation state is left to stand and imaged, the time required for imaging the medicine becomes longer. As described above, when the same imaging target is imaged a plurality of times within a certain time, a plurality of images can be obtained, and thus the image of the medicine with the imprint surface or the lettering surface facing the camera direction can be easily obtained in outline, and the recognition rate of the imprint and the like can be improved.

[0147] Also, in this embodiment, the first, second, and third imaging processes are performed at one position (the medicine imaging position P6), and thus the storage section 50 does not need to be moved each time imaging is performed, and the medicine does not need to be vibrated or rotated, and thus the advantage that blurring of the imaged medicine image can be reduced can be obtained. Also, when the first, second, and third imaging processes are performed at one position as described above, the vibration and rotation of the medicine are left to stand only once, and thus even when the medicine is left to stand until the rotation is stabilized and then imaged, the time of the imaging process can be shortened.

[0148] By having the third camera 66, the medicine adhering to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical section 50a can be found, and the user can be notified of the possibility that the packaged medicine does not match the prescription information (dispensing data).

[0149] As described above, the medicine imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be configured to perform the first, second, and third imaging processes at one position (the medicine imaging position P6), and thus the medicine does not need to be vibrated or rotated each time imaging is performed, and thus the advantage that blurring of the imaged medicine image can be reduced can be obtained. Also, when the first, second, and third imaging processes are performed at one position as described above, the vibration and rotation of the medicine are left to stand only once, and thus even when the medicine is left to stand until the rotation is stabilized and then imaged, the time of the imaging process can be shortened. FIG. 11As shown, on the bottom surface side of the rotary disc section 5010 and at a portion where the storage section 50 is not formed, a cleaning member 55 that cleans the medicament receiving bottom section 5012 is provided. By the cleaning member 55, the powder (medicament chips) on the medicament receiving bottom section 5012 can be prevented from being packed together with the medicament. The cleaning member 55 has, for example, a scraper 55a and a support section 55b that supports the scraper 55a. The support section 55b is movably supported in the rotary disc section 5010 in a manner that enables contact with and separation from the medicament receiving bottom section 5012. Also, when the medicament receiving bottom section 5012 is rotated about the shaft 504 in a state where the scraper 55a is in contact with the medicament receiving bottom section 5012, the powder on the medicament receiving bottom section 5012 is pressed toward the accommodation recess 5012b and the powder recovery groove 5012c by the scraper 55a.

[0150] Further, the shaft 504 has a flange section at a lower portion thereof, and the flange section is fixed to the lower side plate section 52. In addition, a four-cornered (quadrangular) protrusion 504a is fitted to an outer peripheral section of the shaft 504, and the shaft 504 is freely rotatable about the outer peripheral side of the four-cornered protrusion 504a (see FIG. 6). FIG. 5 Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a substantially cylindrical central four-cornered opening section 501b is formed in the center of the medicament receiving disc section 501, and the medicament receiving disc section 501 is mounted in a manner that enables attachment and detachment with respect to the four-cornered protrusion 504a. FIG. 7

[0151] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the central four-cornered opening section 501b is connected and fixed to a cylindrical standing section 501c at a position that is apart from the outer peripheral side of the central four-cornered opening section 501b by a plurality of connecting rib sections 501f. The cylindrical standing section 501c is a section that is positioned on the central side of the rotary disc section 5010 and is fixed to the rotary disc section 5010. Also, in the rotary disc section 5010, a plurality of guide posts 501g that protrude in the axial direction of the shaft 504 are formed in a clearance section that is formed in a circular ring shape between the outer peripheral side of the central four-cornered opening section 501b and the cylindrical standing section 501c. FIG. 15 The cleaning switch action section 501d is inserted into the clearance section that is formed in a circular ring shape (see FIG. 6). The cleaning switch action section 501d has a plurality of hole sections into which the guide posts 501g are inserted, and by these hole sections, the cleaning switch action section 501d is able to move linearly in the axial direction of the shaft 504 and is able to rotate about the shaft 504 in conjunction with the rotary disc section 5010. Further, in the cleaning switch action section 501d, a notch section 501k that is connected to the connecting rib section 501f is formed (see FIG. 6).

[0152] FIG. 17 FIG. 17 ​​​Additionally, the support plate portion 501h of the rotary disk portion 5010 is located below the cleaning switching action portion 501d. The support plate portion 501h is located at the center of the rotary disk portion 5010 and is a component fixed to the rotary disk portion 5010. The support plate portion 501h... FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 The middle part is represented by an imaginary line.

[0153] like FIG. 17 As shown, a helical spring 501j is disposed between the cleaning switching action unit 501d and the support plate 501h, through which the cleaning switching action unit 501d is subjected to an upward force. During the cleaning of the powder, the cleaning switching action unit 501d moves downward. The downward movement of the cleaning switching action unit 501d is performed by a motor 5060. The motor 5060 and the support structure 5061 supporting it are mounted on the upper side plate 51.

[0154] In the support structure 5061, a plurality of guide pillars 5061a are erected vertically in the axial direction of the shaft 504. A pressing member 5061b engages with the guide pillar 5061a and is guided vertically through the guide pillar 5061a. A feed thread 5061c is screwed into a threaded hole formed in the center of the pressing member 5061b. When the feed thread 5061c is driven by the motor 5060, the pressing member 5061b moves vertically. A plurality of wheel portions 5061d are mounted on the lower side of the pressing member 5061b, which contact the upper surface of the cleaning switching action unit 501d. That is, even when the cleaning switching action unit 501d is pressed down by the pressing member 5061b, the cleaning switching action unit 501d (rotary disk portion 5010) contacts the pressing member 5061b through the wheel portions 5061d, and can therefore rotate smoothly around the shaft 504. Alternatively, the motor 5060 can be positioned outside the central position of the support structure 5061.

[0155] A support portion 551 with teeth formed axially on the shaft 504 is fixed to the side of the cleaning switching action unit 501d. Furthermore, as... FIG. 16 As shown, a notch is formed in the cylindrical upright portion 501c to expose the support portion 551.

[0156] The cleaning component 55 has a shaft 553. This shaft 553 is rotatably supported by a bearing 554 provided on the support portion 55b. Furthermore, a gear 552 that meshes with the bracket portion 551 is fixed to one end of the shaft 553. During cleaning, when the cleaning switching action unit 501d descends driven by the motor 5060, as... FIG. 18As shown, the support portion 551 is lowered, the gear portion 552 is rotated, and the shaft portion 553 is rotated. The squeegee 55a fixed to the shaft portion 553 is raised by the rotation of the shaft portion 553, and the edge portion of the squeegee 55a comes into contact with the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012. After the cleaning is completed, the reverse rotation of the motor 5060 is performed, and the reverse operation to the above-described operation is performed.

[0157] That is, in this embodiment, the medicine dispensing device 1 includes: a medicine supply portion (medicine storage and dispensing unit 11) that supplies various medicines; a medicine packaging portion 45 that dispenses the medicine supplied from the medicine supply portion with a dispensing paper S; a storage portion 50 that temporarily stores the medicine supplied from the medicine supply portion on the upstream side of the medicine packaging portion 45; and a cleaning member 55 provided at the medicine receiving disc portion 501 as a cleaning device that cleans the medicine powder on the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012. The medicine dispensing device 1 can also have the above-described cleaning device without the photographing portion 60.

[0158] Also, in the above-described cleaning device, the edge portion of the cleaning member 55 (squeegee 55a) can be switched between the raised state and the state in contact with the medicine receiving bottom portion (5012).

[0159] As an example of the above-described switching, the medicine dispensing device 1 includes: a cleaning switching operation portion 501d that rotates together with the rotating disc portion 5010 and is capable of linearly moving in the shaft direction of the shaft 504 that rotatably supports the rotating disc portion 5010, and switches the state in contact with the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 and the state not in contact with the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 of the cleaning member 55 by the linear movement in the shaft direction of the shaft 504; and a driving portion (motor 5060 and support structure 5061, etc.) that moves the cleaning switching operation portion 501d in the shaft direction of the shaft 504.

[0160] Also, in the above-described cleaning device, as described later, the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 can also be provided so as to be rotatable.

[0161] If the cleaning member 55 (squeegee 55a) is integrated with the rotating disc portion 5010, the cleaning member 55 (squeegee 55a) is also removed when the rotating disc portion 5010 is removed from the medicine dispensing device 1, so that the cleaning work of the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 and the lower side plate portion 52 becomes easy.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, the cleaning switching operation section 501d that switches the cleaning operation of the cleaning member 55 is installed on the side of the rotating disk section 5010, and the motor 5060 and the support structure 5061 that operate the cleaning switching operation section 501d are installed on the upper side plate section 51. That is, since the medicine receiving disk section 501 of the medicine storage unit 5 is a configuration that does not have a driving system itself, it is easy to remove the medicine receiving disk section 501 from the medicine dispensing device 1. In addition, the removal of the medicine receiving disk section 501 can be performed integrally including the medicine receiving bottom section 5012, or can be performed without the constituent part of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012.

[0163] In addition, by providing the medicine receiving bottom section 5012, the powder medicine is not easily attached to the lower side plate section 52. In addition, the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 can be removed from the lower side plate section 52 to be cleaned. In addition, in the configuration section shown in FIG. 6, the user lifts the upper side plate section 51 (including the motor 5060, the support structure 5061, and the like) by holding the handle 505, and can expose the upper side of the medicine receiving disk section 501, and in this state, the medicine receiving disk section 501 can be detached from the shaft 504 (the four-cornered protrusion 504a). FIG. 4 In the configuration section shown in FIG. 6, the user lifts the upper side plate section 51 (including the motor 5060, the support structure 5061, and the like) by holding the handle 505, and can expose the upper side of the medicine receiving disk section 501, and in this state, the medicine receiving disk section 501 can be detached from the shaft 504 (the four-cornered protrusion 504a).

[0164] In addition, the above-described scraper 55a (the shaft section 553) is provided so as to extend from the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk section 5010 to the center side of the rotating disk section 5010. The end portion side of the above-described scraper 55a located on the above-described center side is located at a position that is eccentric to the center of the above-described rotating disk section 5010 to the side that lags behind the normal rotation direction of the rotating disk section 5010. Thus, by the rotation of the rotating disk section 5010, the powder medicine scraped on the above-described medicine receiving bottom section 5012 can be moved to the center side of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012.

[0165] If it is a configuration having the above-described cleaning member 55, the powder medicine can be removed from the above-described medicine receiving bottom section 5012 at the time of the rotation of the rotating disk section 5010. Thus, the user's trouble of performing the cleaning on the above-described medicine receiving bottom section 5012 can be omitted. Also, without such a trouble, the problem of not being able to properly illuminate due to the powder medicine in the storage section 50 at the medicine photographing position P6, the problem of mistaking a lump of powder medicine for one medicine, and the like can be solved.

[0166] Further, the medicine powder cleaning based on the cleaning member 55 can be automatically performed every time the prescription subject is changed. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, the above-described medicine powder cleaning can be automatically performed every time the number of packages (for example, 10 packages) is set in the sub-packaging process. In addition, the above-described medicine powder cleaning can be performed when the contamination of the bottom of the storage section 50 located at the medicine photographing position P6 is detected from the image captured by the sensor or the camera, or when the user presses the cleaning switch. Further, in the case where it is determined that cleaning is necessary, the medicine supply to the storage section 50 can be stopped, and all the medicines present in the storage section 50 at that point in time can be sub-packaged. However, in the case where the prescription medicines are only a single kind (determined from the prescription information), the medicines and the medicine powder thereof are sub-packaged together, and thus it is also possible not to perform the determination of whether or not cleaning is necessary.

[0167] In addition, the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 can be housed in the housing recess 5012b (refer to FIG. 12) of the above-described medicine receiving bottom 5012. FIG. 10 ) of the medicine receiving bottom 5012. Alternatively, the cleaning member 55 can be provided so as to fall from the package opening 5012a. The medicine powder falling from the package opening 5012a can be packaged by the sub-packaging paper S located below the package opening 5012a. That is, the medicine powder of the above-described medicine receiving bottom 5012 can be collected by the cleaning member 55 and packaged by the sub-packaging paper S. For example, after the medicine falls from the package opening 5012a, the sub-packaging paper is sealed to complete the medicine sub-packaging, and the un-packaged portion of the sub-packaging paper is moved to below the package opening 5012a. Further, the cleaning member 55 is moved in the direction of the package opening 5012a, and the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 falls from the package opening 5012a. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the medicine and the medicine powder from being sub-packaged together. In addition, in the case where the sub-packaging paper section packaging the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 exists in the continuous packaging tape, an unillustrated sub-packaging paper cutter is caused to act, and a process of separating the sub-packaging paper section of the medicine powder from the continuous packaging tape is performed. At this time, it is preferable that the sub-packaging paper section at the front of the subsequent continuous packaging tape be printed with information capable of specifying the prescription.

[0168] Further, the time at which the cleaning of the cleaning member 55 is started can be a time other than the time at which the medicine falls from the package opening 5012a and the time at which the medicine powder falls by the cleaning member 55. For example, the time at which the cleaning of the cleaning member 55 is started can be set to a time after the medicine is discharged from the entire storage section 50 storing the medicine, in other words, after the entire storage section 50 storing the medicine is moved to the medicine discharge position P7.

[0169] In addition, instead of the above-described surface light emitting member 65, a light emitting diode (LED) can be used. FIG. 3(B) The lower side of the bottom surface of the storage section 50 and the upper side of the lower side illumination section 64 have a light adjusting section 68. The light adjusting section 68 can switch between a transparent state and a translucent state. The first photographing process and the third photographing process are performed using the transparent state of the light adjusting section 68, and the second photographing process is performed using the translucent state of the light adjusting section 68 and the illumination of the lower side illumination section 64. In addition, as the light adjusting section 68, a liquid crystal film that becomes transparent by energizing a milky white film can be used.

[0170] The combination of the photographing process and the illumination process is shown in Table 2 below.

[0171] [Table 2]

[0172] Shooting processing First shooting processing Second shooting processing Third shooting processing Shooting direction Shooting from above Shooting from above with backlight Shooting from below Upper side illuminating section ON OFF OFF Light adjusting section Transparent Semi-transparent Transparent Lower side illuminating section OFF ON ON

[0173] In addition, in the first photographing process, the light adjusting section can also be translucent.

[0174] In addition, the upper side illumination section 63 and the lower side illumination section 64 preferably can adjust the light amount. Also, in a case where it is possible to know whether or not the current stored medicine indicated by the prescription information (dispensing data) is engraved, the light amount at the time of photographing of the engraved medicine can also be made less than the light amount with respect to the non-engraved medicine. By reducing the light amount at the time of photographing of the engraved medicine, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon that the shadow of the engraving disappears and cannot be recognized due to too much light amount. Here, the light amount refers to the total amount of light beams passing through a certain surface in a certain time. The light amount adjustment is the increase or decrease of the light beams reaching the storage section 50 from the illumination sections 63, 64, and can be performed by the increase or decrease of the light beams of each LED caused by the pulse width modulation process of the applied voltage to the LEDs constituting the illumination sections 63, 64, the increase or decrease of the total amount of light beams to the storage section 50 caused by the number of LEDs being illuminated, and the like.

[0175] In addition, in the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process, with respect to the photographing that can be performed simultaneously in combination, simultaneous photographing using the combination can be performed. In addition, the light amount of the illumination is adjusted to two stages of a first light amount and a second light amount that is less than the first light amount, and the medicine photographing is performed sequentially, for example, in the order of the first photographing process using the first light amount → the first photographing process using the second light amount → the second photographing process → the third photographing process using the first light amount → the third photographing process using the second light amount. In addition, the shutter speed of the first and second cameras at the time of photographing of the engraved medicine can be made faster than the shutter speed with respect to the non-engraved medicine. By adjusting the shutter speed like this, the same effect as the light amount adjustment can be obtained, which suppresses the phenomenon that the shadow of the engraving disappears and cannot be recognized.

[0176] In the above embodiment, the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process are performed at one site of the medicine photographing position P6, but are not limited thereto, and can be performed at a plurality of medicine photographing positions.

[0177] In addition, in the above embodiment, all of the plurality of medicines of one package (the same package) are stored together in one storage section 50 by the process of the controller 8, and the photographing is performed, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of medicines of one package can be stored by the process of the controller 8 by being divided in space or time in different storage sections 50, and the dividedly stored medicines (less medicines) can be subjected to the dividedly stored photographing in which the photographing is performed. A dividedly stored condition indicating whether or not the plurality of medicines of the same package are to be dividedly stored is stored in the sorting information section 88 of the controller 8. The controller 8 determines, based on the dividedly stored condition stored in the sorting information section 88, whether or not the plurality of medicines of the same package are to be stored by being divided, and in the case where the controller 8 determines that the plurality of medicines of the same package are to be stored by being divided (the controller 8 functions as a sorting determination section), the plurality of medicines of the same package are stored by being divided in the plurality of storage sections 50, and the medicine photographing process and the medicine dispensing process are performed.

[0178] For example, as a method of dividing the plurality of medicines of one package in different storage sections 50 in space, the controller 8 stores the plurality of medicines of one package in a plurality of (for example, two) storage sections 50, and performs the photographing at one site or a plurality of sites of the medicine photographing position. After the plurality of storage sections 50 pass the medicine dispensing position P7 (the packaging position), the medicines are packaged with a divided package paper, and the plurality of medicines of the same package are finally packaged by being gathered.

[0179] For example, the controller 8 stores the medicines A and B in one storage section 50 by causing the box a storing the medicine A and the box b storing the medicine B to operate, and then stores the medicines C and D in the next storage section 50 by causing the box c storing the medicine C and the box d storing the medicine D to operate, in the case where the plurality of medicines of the same package are composed of A, B, C, and D. Further, the controller 8 performs the photographing of the one storage section 50 and the photographing of the next storage section 50 in order at the medicine photographing position P6.

[0180] As a manner of dividing the plurality of medicaments of one package in different storage sections 50 in time, the controller 8 stores the plurality of medicaments of one package in one storage section 50 at different times, and performs the above-described photographing at different times at the medicament photographing position P6. In this case, by a plurality of rotations of the rotating disk section 5010, the above-described one storage section 50 passes through the medicament discharge position P7 (the packaging position) a plurality of times, and thus all of the plurality of medicaments of one package are discharged into the moving stopper sheet.

[0181] In this way, when the photographing of the medicaments in the storage sections 50 is performed while the plurality of medicaments of one package are stored in the storage sections 50 which are different in space or time, good photographing of the medicaments can be achieved. That is, if there are a large number of medicaments in one storage section 50, the medicaments are stacked on each other, and the medicaments are overlapped with each other, and the like, and the number of cases in which the photographing image is poor increases. In contrast to this, if the above-described divided storage photographing of the medicaments is performed, the medicaments are stacked on each other, and the medicaments are overlapped with each other, and the like, and the probability of the occurrence of these decreases, and the medicaments can be properly photographed. In addition, when the examiner performs the identification examination based on the medicament photographing image, the examination becomes easy because the number of the medicaments in the image decreases.

[0182] Further, in the manner in which the plurality of medicaments for one administration period are packaged and dispensed in two or more parts, in the case where there are a plurality of medicaments in one package, the plurality of medicaments of each package can be dividedly stored and photographed in the above-described manner. That is, regardless of whether one package is for one administration period, the plurality of medicaments of one package are dividedly stored and photographed in the above-described manner.

[0183] Here, the medicament photographing apparatus 6 can also be defined as an apparatus having a medicament photographing section and a medicament sorting section for the above-described divided storage. The above-described medicament photographing section is, for example, the photographing section 60 which photographs the medicaments in the storage section 50. In addition, the above-described medicament sorting section is, for example, constituted by the medicament storage unit 5 which divides the plurality of medicaments of one package and stores them in the storage section 50, and the controller 8.

[0184] The divided storage of the medicaments in the above-described divided storage photographing can also be performed in the following manner.

[0185] (1) The divided storage of the medicaments is performed in such a manner that the number of the medicaments stored in the same storage section 50 does not exceed a predetermined number (for example, two).

[0186] (2) In a manner that medicines registered as similar medicines to each other in the medicine master table are not stored in the same storage section 50, the medicines are stored in a shared manner (the similar medicines are photographed separately). For example, one medicine A is stored in one storage section 50, and one similar medicine A' (A≈A') is stored in another storage section 50. Further, in a case where a medicine B (B≠A, B≠A') is included, this medicine B can be stored together with the medicine A or the medicine A' (the medicine A and the medicine A' are photographed separately). Further, information that medicines registered as similar medicines to each other in the medicine master table is not necessarily required. The reference image or the feature data (any of size, shape, color, or a combination thereof) stored in the medicine master table can be used as a reference, and it can be determined whether similar medicines exist among medicines corresponding to the prescription information for each prescription information, and the medicines can be stored in a shared manner.

[0187] (3) In a manner that the same kind of medicine is separated from medicines of other kinds and stored in the same storage section 50, the medicines are stored in a shared manner. For example, two medicines A are stored in one storage section 50, and a medicine B (A≠B) is stored in another storage section 50.

[0188] (4) In a manner that the storage sections 50 are divided according to the different supply sources of the medicines, the medicines are stored in a shared manner. For example, medicines supplied by hand are stored in different storage sections 50 from medicines supplied by a cartridge. Further, for example, medicines supplied by a cartridge are stored in different storage sections 50 from medicines supplied by a general cartridge.

[0189] (5) In a manner that medicines exceeding the number of medicines that can be examined by one examination are not stored in the same storage section 50, the medicines are stored in a shared manner. For this number, the larger the area of the bottom of the storage section 50, the more the number, and the smaller the area, the less the number. Further, instead of the number of medicines, in a case where the ratio of the value of the cumulative area (projected area) of each medicine to the area of the bottom of the storage section 50 is greater than a threshold value, the medicines can be stored in a shared manner.

[0190] (6) In a case where medicines including medicines for which feature data (including reference images) are registered in the storage section 80 (medicine master table) are packed, medicines for which registration is not performed are stored in a shared manner in a storage section 50 different from the storage section 50 in which other medicines are stored. Further, the stored medicines for which registration is not performed can be photographed, and the images thereof can be registered as reference images in the medicine master table. Further, after the medicines are registered in the medicine master table, the medicines can be handled as registered medicines without performing shared storage of medicines for which registration is not performed.

[0191] (7) In the case where a medicine included in the storage section 80 (medicine master table) as a high-risk grade to be registered as a medicine for which shared storage is to be performed is packaged, the high-risk medicine is stored in a storage section 50 different from the storage section 50 in which the other medicines are stored.

[0192] The number of settings and the presence or absence of similar medicines, which indicate whether the shared storage conditions (2) to (7) described above should be implemented for the medicine, and the number of settings (1) described above are stored in the sorting information section 88 of the storage section 80. In addition, information on the presence or absence of similar medicines or the kind of the similar medicines used as the implementation condition is preliminarily stored in the storage section 80 (medicine master table). In the medicine master table, information on the imprint, and either one or both of the reference image and the characteristic data (size, shape, color) are registered for each medicine, and the presence or absence of similar medicines or the kind of the similar medicines is registered as described above. Furthermore, as the similar medicines registered as the reference, the area (size) of the medicine when viewed from above, the shape of the medicine when viewed from above, the surface color of the medicine, or the like can be used. The similar medicines include not only medicines determined as similar medicines by human judgment but also medicines selected mechanically based on a predetermined similar reference by a similar judgment algorithm. In addition, the presence or absence of the same medicine in one package can be determined based on the prescription information (packaging data). In addition, the distinction between the medicine supplied by hand and the medicine supplied from the cartridge can be grasped in the controller 8 based on the storage information of the medicine for each cartridge and the use setting information of the hand distribution section 13.

[0193] An example of the shared storage processing based on the shared storage conditions described above will be described. The controller 8 functions as a sorting judgment section using the information in the sorting information section 88. The controller 8 (medicine packaging device) implements shared storage when it is determined that the packaging processing based on the prescription corresponds to at least any one of the following or a combination of a plurality of conditions:

[0194] There is a relationship in which the characteristic points of at least two kinds of medicines in the medicines packaged in the same package are similar (see (2) described above);

[0195] The medicines packaged in the same package include different kinds of medicines (see (3) described above);

[0196] The medicines packaged in the same package include a medicine supplied to the storage section 50 through a manual medicine loading operation by a person and a medicine supplied through a medicine cartridge (see (4) described above);

[0197] The medicines packaged in the same package include a medicine for which characteristic data (including a reference image) is not registered in the storage section 80 (see (6) described above).

[0198] Also, for example, the controller 8 (medicament packaging device) photographs the unregistered medicaments stored in the storage section 50, and registers the images thereof as reference images in the medicament master table (see (6) above). Also, after the medicaments are registered in the medicament master table, the medicaments are treated as registered medicaments, and the unregistered medicaments are not stored in the shared storage (see (6) above).

[0199] Also, for example, the medicament dispensing device 1 includes: a medicament supply section (medicament storage and dispensing unit 11) that supplies various medicaments; a medicament packaging section 45 that packages the medicaments supplied from the medicament supply section with a packaging paper S; a storage section 50 that temporarily stores the medicaments supplied from the medicament supply section on the upstream side of the medicament packaging section 45; a photographing section 60 (the number of cameras is not limited) that photographs the inside of the storage section 50; and a controller 8 that, in the case where the characteristic data (including the reference image) of the medicament specified based on the prescription information is not stored in the storage section 80, creates the characteristic data of the medicament based on the photographed image by the photographing section 60 with respect to the medicament supplied from the first package, and counts the number of the medicament from the second package onward with reference to the characteristic data.

[0200] Also, in this embodiment, the medicaments are dispensed in the following manner.

[0201] (α) In the case where the medicaments are stored in the cartridges according to the prescription, the medicaments are dispensed from the cartridges.

[0202] (β) In the case where the medicaments that should be dispensed according to the prescription are not stored in the cartridges, and the medicaments can be dispensed from the general-purpose cartridges, the medicaments are dispensed from the general-purpose cartridges. The case where the medicaments can be dispensed from the general-purpose cartridges means that the medicaments are general-purpose cartridge corresponding products, and the mode in which the other medicaments are dispensed from the general-purpose cartridges is not set.

[0203] (γ) In the case where the medicaments cannot be dispensed from the general-purpose cartridges, the medicaments are dispensed from the hand dispensing section 13.

[0204] Here, with respect to the five medicaments A, B, C, D, E shown by the package data, assume that they are stored in shares as (A, B, C) and (D, E), with respect to the automatic medicament recognition processing based on the captured image for the three medicaments A, B, C in one storage section 50, it can be considered to be performed in the following manner. That is, perform three comparison processes with respect to the medicament image portion of any one of the three medicament image portions in the image captured for one storage section 50, and the characteristics of each of the medicaments A, B, C (medicament size, medicament image for matching, etc.); two comparison processes with respect to the next any one of the medicament image portions, and the characteristics of the remaining medicaments; and one comparison process with respect to the last medicament image portion, and the last medicament characteristics (six comparisons are provided). Similarly, with respect to the five medicaments A, B, C, D, E shown by the package data, in the case where the three medicaments A, B, C are each stored in one of the three storage sections 50 in shares, it can be considered that the total of six comparison processes are performed as described above without reducing the matching targets. This can be said to be comparison processes (automatic medicament recognition processing) performed without reducing the matching targets with respect to the medicaments in the storage section 50 in which they are stored in shares. Further, in the above case, it is not necessarily the case that the medicaments A, B, C shown by the package data are stored, and it is also possible that a medicament CC is stored instead of medicament C due to a malfunction.

[0205] In the above shared storage capturing, by using the medicament sorting information showing the correspondence relationship of each storage section 50 and the supply source (i.e., the medicament name) of the medicaments to each storage section 50, the matching targets with respect to the medicaments in the storage section 50 are reduced, and the automatic medicament recognition processing can be made highly efficient. For example, the contents of the sorting information for four medicaments are; "store one medicament of the No. 15 medicament cassette and one medicament of the No. 18 medicament cassette in the storage section at the first medicament receiving position PI, after rotating the rotary disc section 5010 by 45 degrees, store one medicament of the No. 19 medicament cassette and one medicament of the No. 20 medicament cassette in the storage section at the first medicament receiving position PI". In this case, since the position of the above storage section 50 can be specified by the amount of rotation of the rotary disc section 5010, it is possible to associate this specified storage section 50 with the medicament name of the No. 15 medicament cassette and the medicament name of the No. 18 medicament cassette. Also, the above storage section 50 reaches the medicament capturing position P6, so in the captured medicament image (medicament information), the characteristics data of the medicaments derived from the medicament name of the No. 15 medicament cassette and the medicament name of the No. 18 medicament cassette (including the reference image) are associated, and thus the reduction of the matching targets is performed.

[0206] In this case, for example, in the case where 6 medicines are each stored 3 in 2 storage sections 50, when the medicine sorting information is not stored, the matching targets of the medicines in the respective storage sections 50 cannot be reduced, and, as described above, in the automatic medicine recognition, 6 times of comparison processing → 5 times → 4 times → 3 times → 2 times → 1 time of comparison processing is performed, and thus 21 times of comparison processing is required. In contrast, in the case where 6 medicines are each stored 3 in 2 storage sections 50 and the medicine sorting information is stored, the matching targets of the medicines in the respective storage sections 50 are reduced, and 6 times of comparison processing is performed for the 3 medicines of each storage section 50, and thus the processing can be completed by a total of 12 times of comparison processing.

[0207] That is, in the structure in which the automatic medicine recognition processing of the medicines is performed based on the medicine images obtained by photographing the medicines in the storage section 50, the photographing of the medicines is performed based on the medicine sorting information, and in the automatic medicine recognition processing, if the structure in which the candidates of the feature data (reference images) of the medicines to be compared with the photographed medicine images (medicine information) are selected using the medicine sorting information, the matching targets of the medicines in the storage section 50 can be reduced, and the automatic medicine recognition processing can be made efficient. According to such a structure, the advantages of the reduction of the medicines in the storage section 50 and the reduction of the overlap of the medicines and the efficiency of the automatic medicine recognition processing can be obtained.

[0208] In addition, in the case where the 6 medicines are each stored 1 in 6 storage sections 50 and the medicine sorting information is stored and used, for one medicine image portion in the photographed images in each storage section 50, the comparison processing of 6 times of one-to-one comparison with the features of the medicines based on the medicine sorting information can be completed.

[0209] Further, in the embodiment in which the 6 medicines are each stored one at a time, the confirmation of the number of medicines in the storage section 50 is performed based on the photographing processing in the backlight, and thus the error of the supply of a plurality of medicines into the storage section 50 can be detected.

[0210] On the other hand, in the case where the medicines are each stored one at a time, the number of times of photographing of the storage section 50 increases, and the processing time required for the storage increases. For example, in the case of (1) above, if the number of medicines to be stored at the same time is set to 2, for example, the number of times of photographing of the 3 medicines of A, B, and C is reduced to 2. In the case where the number of medicines to be stored at the same time is 4, the number of times of photographing of the medicines is also 2. In the case where the number of medicines to be stored at the same time is 5, the number of times of photographing of the medicines becomes 3. In this way, the number of times of photographing of the medicines increases, but by using the medicine sorting information, the number of times of comparison processing in the automatic recognition processing of the medicines can be reduced.

[0211] In addition, in the cases of (2) to (4) above, the photographed image of the medicine to be stored is associated in advance with the medicine sorting information.

[0212] Further, the controller 8 divides the medicine corresponding to one administration period according to a specific criterion such as shown below and dispenses it to the plurality of storage sections 50.

[0213] The specific criterion is:

[0214] (α) In the case where two of the medicines corresponding to one administration period are similar medicines

[0215] (β) In the case where medicines of different kinds are included (each kind of medicine is dispensed to the same storage section)

[0216] (γ) In the case where the supply source of the medicine to be dispensed includes the hand dispensing section 13 and the medicine cassette

[0217] These three points.

[0218] In addition, the controller 8 narrows down the reference image candidates (narrow down the matching targets of the medicines) to be used in the comparison of the medicines included in the photographed image on the basis of the sorting information.

[0219] In the case of (2) above, the medicines present in the storage section 50 are specific medicines supplied from a specific cassette of the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 or the like, and since the information of the medicines in the photographed image is compared with the information of the specific medicines, the information of the medicines to be compared is narrowed down. In particular, in similar medicines which are difficult to distinguish with only the photographed image, the matching targets to be compared can be narrowed down to one, and thus the advantages of enabling quick recognition of the medicines and reducing the likelihood of misrecognition can be obtained. That is, according to this structure, the advantages of reducing the overlap of the medicines due to the reduction in the number of medicines in the storage section 50, increasing the efficiency of the automatic recognition process, and suppressing misrecognition of similar medicines can be obtained.

[0220] In the cases of (3) and (4) above, with respect to the medicines supplied to the storage section 50, the matching targets of the medicines can be narrowed down from the viewpoint of whether the medicine types are the same and the viewpoint of the supply source of the medicines. Since the information of the medicines in the photographed image is compared with the information of the medicines narrowed down in the manner described above, the advantages of enabling quick recognition of the medicines and reducing the likelihood of misrecognition can be obtained. That is, this structure also enables the same advantages as in the case of (2) above.

[0221] Furthermore, in the case described in (4) above, when hand-dispensed and box-dispensed medications are stored in different storage units 50, the criteria for automatic review of hand-dispensed medications and box-dispensed medications can be made different from each other. For example, the threshold for the consistency of the above-mentioned determination when making a positive judgment on hand-dispensed medications can be higher than the threshold for box-dispensed medications. In addition, the review method can be switched for hand-dispensed and box-dispensed medications. For example, for hand-dispensed medications, the reviewer performs recognition review on the captured image, while for box-dispensed medications, automatic review is performed based on recognition processing using the captured image, based on experience with fewer errors. Furthermore, the information used in the automatic review of medications can be different for hand-dispensed and box-dispensed medications. For example, for box-dispensed medications, the information used in the automatic review of medications can be set as the color and shape of the medication, while for hand-dispensed medications, the information used in the automatic review of medications can be set as not only color and shape but also markings (printing).

[0222] In the above embodiment, the powder falling from the packaging opening 5012a is packaged with a repackager paper S located below the packaging opening 5012a, but this cleaning method is not limited to this. If the cleaning method shown below is used, the consumption of repackager paper S generated during powder cleaning can also be reduced. Furthermore, when powder cleaning is performed during the repackaging of long-term prescriptions, it is possible to avoid the formation of repackages containing powder entering along the continuous repackaging route. Moreover, in long-term prescriptions where the morning, noon, and evening prescriptions contain only the same medication, it is considered acceptable if powder generated during the repackaging process enters along with the medication; therefore, powder cleaning can be omitted in such cases. Whether the morning, noon, and evening prescriptions contain only the same medication can be determined based on the prescription information.

[0223] As an example of powder cleaning without using the packaging paper S, the following structure can be considered: such as FIG. 19 As shown, the transfer section 71 of the medicine packaging guide component 7 moves laterally relative to the chute section 72 located below the transfer section 71, and the powder collection box 74 is positioned where the transfer section 71 is not present. For example, once the medicine packaging process is completed, when cleaning the powder based on the cleaning component 55 is performed, the transfer section 71 is moved laterally, and the powder collection box 74 is positioned in place of the transfer section 71 to collect the powder falling from the packaging opening 5012a. After the powder is collected, the powder collection box 74 is moved laterally to allow the transfer section 71 to rest on the chute section 72.

[0224] The transfer unit 71 and the powder collection box 74 can be moved manually or by an actuator such as an electric motor. Alternatively, as an example, a structure can be adopted in which a support member supporting the transfer unit 71 and the powder collection box 74 is supported by a vertical shaft so that it can rotate freely in a horizontal plane, allowing the positions of the transfer unit 71 and the powder collection box 74 to be switched. Furthermore, for example, a gear (support) can be provided in the support member, and the support member can be rotated by driving a drive gear meshing with the gear. Additionally, the powder collection box 74 can be removed from the support member, and the accumulated powder can be disposed of in a designated location.

[0225] Furthermore, in the case where the transfer section 71 is configured for manual removal, during the reinstallation of the transfer section 71 onto the aforementioned slide section 72, to avoid errors in the configuration orientation, for example, the N pole of the magnet is positioned at a predetermined location on the transfer section 71, and the S pole is positioned at a location offset by, for example, 180 degrees from the N pole. Alternatively, the S pole of the magnet can be positioned at the appropriate mounting position of the transfer section 71 of the pharmaceutical packaging inlet component 7, and the S pole is similarly positioned at a location offset by 180 degrees from the N pole. Thus, when the transfer section 71 is installed in the correct orientation, the magnet on the receiving side and the magnet on the transfer section 71 side attract each other and are positioned accordingly. On the other hand, when the transfer section 71 is not installed in the correct orientation, the magnet on the receiving side and the magnet on the transfer section 71 side repel each other, indicating that the installation orientation of the transfer section 71 is incorrect.

[0226] For example, a slot is formed on a portion of the side of the transfer section 71, through which ions emitted from the ionizer are introduced into the transfer section 71. This allows electrostatic discharge to prevent the reagent from adhering to the transfer section 71. In such a structure, it is useful to ensure that the position of the slot is not reversed from the correct position, and to determine whether the installation orientation of the transfer section 71 is appropriate. Furthermore, not limited to magnets, a structure can also be used where a recess or protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the transfer section 71, and a protrusion or recess is provided at the mounting location of the transfer section 71. This allows for a proper fit between the recess and protrusion when the installation orientation of the transfer section 71 is incorrect, but only when the installation orientation is correct.

[0227] Another example of cleaning powder without using repackaged paper is, for example... FIG. 20As shown, the transfer section 71 of the medicine package introduction section 7 is moved in the lateral direction with respect to the chute section 72 on the lower side than the transfer section 71, and a bottom section 71a that can be opened and closed is provided in the transfer section 71. The bottom section 71a is composed of, for example, a disc-shaped section having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical shape in the transfer section 71, and can be opened and closed by a vertical shaft section 71b that is rotated. The opening and closing can be performed manually, or can be performed using an actuator such as a motor.

[0228] For example, when the medicine powder cleaning is performed using the cleaning section 55 after the medicine package processing is completed, the bottom section 71a is closed in the transfer section 71. After the cleaning, the transfer section 71 is moved in the lateral direction. The medicine powder recovery box 74 is disposed below the transfer section 71 that is moved in the lateral direction. The bottom section 71a of the transfer section 71 that is moved in the lateral direction is opened, and thus the recovered medicine powder can fall into the medicine powder recovery box 74. After the medicine powder is discarded, the transfer section 71 is returned to the position on the chute section 72.

[0229] In the above-described embodiment, the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 is fixed, and for example, a gear section can be partially formed in the side surface section of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012, the gear section can be engaged with a driving gear that is driven by a motor or the like, and a structure can be formed in which the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 can be rotated by a predetermined angle. By allowing the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 to be rotated as described above, it is also possible to reduce the consumption of the package paper S due to the medicine powder cleaning.

[0230] For example, the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 can not be used as the remaining medicine confirmation position, and FIG. 21 As shown, a structure is used in which the medicine powder recovery box 74 is disposed below the medicine powder recovery position P8A that is used as the medicine powder recovery position. When the medicine powder cleaning is performed using the cleaning section 55, the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 is rotated by 45 degrees, and the package opening 5012a is disposed at the medicine powder recovery position P8A. In this state, the rotary disc section 5010 is rotated, and thus the medicine powder that is collected by the cleaning section 55 can fall from the package opening 5012a to the medicine powder recovery box 74. The medicine powder recovery position can be disposed at a position other than the medicine powder recovery position P8A. The medicine powder recovery box 74 is detachably attached to the bottom surface side of the lower side plate section 52.

[0231] In addition, as described above, if the structure is formed such that the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is able to rotate, it is advantageous for eliminating the overlap of the medicines in the storage section 50. In the example of eliminating the overlap of the medicines shown previously, the disc section 5010 rotates based on the driving of the motor 503 to positively and negatively rotate within a prescribed range, whereby the overlap of the medicines in the storage section 50 can be eliminated, but when the range of rotation of the disc section 5010 is small, the medicines located in the center of the storage section 50 do not collide with the wall surface of the cylindrical section 50a, and there is a case where the overlap of the medicines cannot be eliminated. Therefore, the medicine receiving bottom 5012 can also be rotated to the opposite side from the direction of rotation of the disc section 5010 at the time of the process of eliminating the overlap of the medicines. Thus, even in the case where the range of rotation for eliminating the overlap of the disc section 5010 itself is small, the amount of relative displacement of the disc section 5010 and the cylindrical section 50a increases, the medicines located in the center of the storage section 50 collide with the wall surface of the cylindrical section 50a, and thus the overlap of the medicines can be eliminated.

[0232] The embodiments of the present application have been described above with reference to the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the structures of the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and alterations can be added to the illustrated embodiments within the same range or an equivalent range as the present application.

Claims

1. A medicine photographing apparatus having a photographing section that photographs medicine, the medicine photographing apparatus characterized by: the photographing section performing: a photographing process of photographing medicine in a non-backlight state in a storage section that temporarily stores the medicine before the medicine is packed; and a photographing process of photographing the same medicine in the same position in the storage section in a backlight state.

2. The medicine photographing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: the photographing section performs: a first photographing process of photographing the medicine in the storage section from one side in the non-backlight state; a second photographing process of photographing in the backlight state; and a third photographing process of photographing the medicine in the storage section from the other side in the non-backlight state.

3. The medicine photographing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: the photographing section has: a first camera that photographs the medicine in the storage section from above; an upper side illuminating section that illuminates the medicine in the storage section from above; a second camera that photographs the medicine in the storage section from below; and a lower side illuminating section that illuminates the medicine in the storage section from below.

4. The medicine photographing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: the photographing section has a surface light emitting member that can switch between a surface light emitting state and a transparent state on the lower side of the bottom surface of the storage section, the first photographing process and the third photographing process are performed using the transparent state of the surface light emitting member, and the second photographing process is performed using the surface light emitting state of the surface light emitting member.

5. The medicine photographing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: the photographing section has a light adjusting member that can switch between a transparent state and a translucent state on the lower side of the bottom surface of the storage section, the first photographing process and the third photographing process are performed using the transparent state of the light adjusting member, and the second photographing process is performed using the translucent state of the light adjusting member and the lighting of the lower side illuminating section.

6. The medicine photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: the photographing section causes each photographing process to be performed a plurality of times within a certain time period on the same photographing object.

7. A medicament dispensing device, characterized by including: a medicine supplying section that supplies various medicines; a medicine packing section that packs the medicine supplied from the medicine supplying section using a packing paper; the medicine photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, having a plurality of storage sections that temporarily store the medicine supplied from the medicine supplying section on the upstream side of the medicine packing section; and an image output section that outputs an image photographed by the medicine photographing apparatus. including:

8. A medicament dispensing device, characterized by a medicine supplying section that supplies various medicines; a medicine packing section that packs the medicine supplied from the medicine supplying section using a packing paper; the medicine photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, having a plurality of storage sections that temporarily store the medicine supplied from the medicine supplying section on the upstream side of the medicine packing section; and a judging section that judges the number of medicines and medicine information in the storage section based on a photographed image photographed by the medicine photographing apparatus.

9. The medicine packing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: ​ ​ A third camera that photographs the inside of the storage portion is further provided at a position where the medicine stored in the storage portion is delivered to the medicine packaging portion.

10. The medicine dispensing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: the medicine receiving disc portion has: a rotating disc portion that is rotationally driven about an axis and has a plurality of opening portions on the same circumference about the axis; and a medicine receiving bottom portion that has portions functioning as bottoms of the opening portions and a package opening provided at a specific portion of a region that moves through the opening portions by rotation of the rotating disc portion, the plurality of storage portions are constituted by the opening portions and the portions functioning as the bottoms of the opening portions, a cleaning member that cleans the medicine receiving bottom portion by rotation of the rotating disc portion is provided at a portion of the bottom surface side of the rotating disc portion where the opening portions are not formed.

11. The medicine dispensing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the medicine receiving disc portion has: a rotating disc portion that is rotationally driven about an axis and has a plurality of opening portions on the same circumference about the axis; and a medicine receiving bottom portion that has portions functioning as bottoms of the opening portions and a package opening provided at a specific portion of a region that moves through the opening portions by rotation of the rotating disc portion, the plurality of storage portions are constituted by the opening portions and the portions functioning as the bottoms of the opening portions, a cleaning member that cleans the medicine receiving bottom portion by rotation of the rotating disc portion is provided at a portion of the bottom surface side of the rotating disc portion where the opening portions are not formed. ​ ​

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