A method and system for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a dynamic dispensing tank.

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and system for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing trough. The method includes: conveying medicine boxes on a powered dispensing trough and separating multiple medicine boxes one by one using small partitions in the trough; detecting current signals emitted by side sensors of the powered dispensing trough at a preset frequency, and setting the operating state of a rotating resistance brush and a conveyor belt according to the current signals to control the falling of the medicine boxes; after the medicine boxes fall, confirming that the dispensing is complete based on current signals emitted by side and bottom sensors of the powered dispensing trough. This invention achieves accurate dispensing by monitoring the falling position of the medicine boxes and controlling the dispensing, thus avoiding the under-dispensing or over-dispensing of medicine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical information automation, specifically relating to a method and system for controlling the dispensing of medication in a dispensing machine based on a powered medication dispenser. Background Technology

[0002] Modern automated dispensing machines typically use a conveyor belt with a power-driven dispensing tank to propel the medicine forward until it successfully falls, reducing the corresponding inventory. In this process, counting the amount of medicine dispensed becomes crucial, directly impacting dispensing accuracy. The power-driven dispensing tank requires precise speed control, making the accuracy of the dispensing counter paramount.

[0003] Traditional automatic dispensing machines have three types of dispensing troughs: gravity-tilted troughs, horizontally fixed troughs, and horizontally powered troughs. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages: gravity-tilted troughs rely solely on the weight of the dispensing box to slide down, which can easily lead to over- or under-dispensing if the timing is not precise; horizontally fixed troughs require a robotic arm for dispensing, which is complex, costly, and inefficient; and horizontally powered troughs rely on electricity and move according to the thickness of the dispensing box, requiring external monitoring of the dispensing results, which can also lead to over- or under-dispensing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention proposes a method and system for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a powered medicine dispenser. By monitoring the dispensing position of the medicine box and controlling the dispensing, the accuracy of dispensing can be achieved, avoiding the under-dispensing or over-dispensing of medicine.

[0005] The first aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling the dispensing of a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing tank, the method comprising:

[0006] The medicine boxes are conveyed on the power medicine tank, and multiple medicine boxes are separated one by one by the dividing blocks of the power medicine tank;

[0007] The current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank is detected at a preset frequency. The operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt is set according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal.

[0008] After the medicine box falls, the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the power medicine tank confirm that the medicine has been dispensed.

[0009] The above solution first separates the medicine boxes on the conveyor belt using small dividing blocks on the power medicine tank. Then, it detects signals from side sensors to control the operation of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt, ensuring that the medicine boxes fall smoothly in the prescribed quantity. The system then confirms the completion of the dispensing process based on signals from the bottom sensor. The entire process uses dual sensors to control the operation of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt, recording the number of medicine boxes dispensed in real time and promptly preventing under- or over-dispensing, thus ensuring dispensing accuracy. Furthermore, the dividing blocks separate medicine boxes that are stuck together, further improving dispensing accuracy.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the dividing blocks of the kinetic tank are specifically:

[0011] The dividing blocks are multiple protrusions at the bottom of the power medicine tank at different heights, with the height of the dividing blocks gradually increasing from the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank to the side sensor of the power medicine tank.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, a current signal emitted by a side sensor of the power medicine tank is detected at a preset frequency, and the operating state of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt is set according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box, specifically:

[0013] When the first signal is detected by the side sensor of the power medicine tank, the rotating resistance brush is controlled to rotate and the conveyor belt is controlled to stop running.

[0014] When the second signal is detected from the side sensor of the power medicine tank, the rotating resistance brush is stopped and the conveyor belt starts running.

[0015] The above solution uses signals from a side sensor to determine if a medicine box has arrived. When the medicine box reaches the dispensing port, it controls the rotating resistance brush to rotate and make the medicine box fall. When the medicine box has not reached the dispensing port, it controls the rotating resistance brush to stop running to prevent the medicine box from falling, thus achieving precise medicine dispensing.

[0016] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the completion of drug dispensing is confirmed based on the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the kinetic drug tank, specifically as follows:

[0017] When the side sensor emits a second signal and the bottom sensor emits a first signal, the detonation is confirmed to be complete. This scheme, through simultaneous sensing by two sensors, can confirm in real time whether the detonation was effective, thus preventing instances of under- or over-detonation.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the time for the medicine box to fall is calculated based on the changes in signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor; the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank is adjusted according to the time for the medicine box to fall, so as to control the speed of the medicine falling.

[0019] The above solution controls the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank by adjusting the timing of the medicine drop, thereby controlling the time when the medicine box arrives at the medicine outlet and the speed of the medicine drop, ensuring that the medicine drop is carried out in an orderly manner, improving the efficiency of the medicine drop, and preventing the medicine from falling too fast or too slow.

[0020] The second aspect of the present invention provides a dispensing control system for a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing tank, the system comprising: a medicine box conveying module, a dispensing activation module, and a dispensing confirmation module;

[0021] The medicine box conveying module is used to convey medicine boxes on the powered medicine tank and to separate multiple medicine boxes one by one through the dividing blocks of the powered medicine tank.

[0022] The medicine dispensing activation module is used to detect the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank at a preset frequency, and set the operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal.

[0023] The medicine dispensing confirmation module is used to confirm that the medicine dispensing is complete after the medicine box falls, based on the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the power medicine tank.

[0024] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the medicine box delivery module includes: a medicine box separating unit;

[0025] The medicine box separating unit is used to separate the medicine boxes one by one using small separating blocks; wherein, the small separating blocks are multiple protrusions at the bottom of the power medicine tank of different heights, and the height of the small separating blocks gradually increases from the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank to the side sensor of the power medicine tank.

[0026] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the drug-dispensing activation module includes: a signal detection unit;

[0027] The signal detection unit is used to control the rotating resistance brush to rotate and the conveyor belt to stop running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a first signal; and to control the rotating resistance brush to stop rotating and the conveyor belt to start running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a second signal.

[0028] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the dropping confirmation module includes: a dropping confirmation unit; the dropping confirmation unit is used to confirm that dropping is complete when the side sensor emits a second signal and the bottom sensor emits a first signal.

[0029] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the drug-drop confirmation module includes: a drug-drop time calculation unit;

[0030] The medicine dropping time calculation unit is used to calculate the time when the medicine box falls based on the changes in signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor; and to adjust the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank according to the time when the medicine box falls, so as to control the speed of medicine dropping. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a dynamic medicine tank, according to a certain embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a system architecture diagram of a self-service dispensing machine based on a method for controlling the dispensing of medicine using a power-driven medicine dispenser, according to a certain embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the system interface of a drug dispensing machine control method based on a dynamic drug tank, according to a certain embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a specific structural diagram of a drug dispensing control system based on a dynamic drug tank provided in a certain embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be understood that the step numbers used in the text are for ease of description only and are not intended to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This invention provides a schematic flowchart of a method for controlling the dispensing of a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing tank, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. The method includes steps S1 to S3, detailed below:

[0039] Step S1: The medicine boxes are conveyed on the power medicine tank, and the multiple medicine boxes are separated one by one by the dividing blocks of the power medicine tank.

[0040] In this step, multiple small dividing blocks are added to the bottom of the medicine outlet of the powered medicine tank. These dividing blocks are cylindrical, sloping protrusions arranged one by one from the conveyor belt of the powered medicine tank to the side sensor. The height of the dividing blocks gradually increases. In this embodiment, there are four dividing blocks on each side. The dividing blocks facing the medicine box have a height of 0mm, and the highest height of the dividing blocks facing the medicine outlet is 3mm. The dividing blocks are arranged in a square pattern on each side.

[0041] When the medicine boxes are conveyed to the medicine outlet, the first medicine box is squeezed onto the small dividing block on the inclined plane as it passes through the inclined plane, so that the medicine box is staggered from the medicine boxes behind it. This solves the problem of multiple medicine boxes being piled up and stuck together during the conveyor belt transportation, making it impossible for them to be dispensed one by one, which affects the accurate counting of the dispensed medicine.

[0042] Step S2: Use a preset frequency to detect the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank, and set the operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box.

[0043] In this step, a side sensor is added to the side of the drug outlet, and a bottom sensor is added to the bottom of the drug outlet.

[0044] The side sensor is used to monitor whether the medicine box reaches the dispensing port and to monitor the time when the medicine box falls; the bottom sensor is used to monitor the time from when the medicine box falls to when it is taken away.

[0045] In addition, a controllable rotating resistance brush is installed at the top of the medicine outlet. The rotating resistance brush is used to rotate when the medicine box reaches the medicine outlet, so that the medicine box falls into the medicine trough and completes the medicine dispensing.

[0046] First, the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank is detected using a preset frequency. When the medicine box is conveyed to the medicine outlet, if the side sensor is blocked by the medicine box, a strong signal will be detected from the side sensor; if the side sensor is not blocked by the medicine box, a weak signal will be detected from the side sensor.

[0047] When a strong signal is detected from the side sensor, the rotating resistance brush is controlled to rotate, while the medicine box continues to move forward. The moving medicine box, which receives the rotation resistance brush, will rotate freely and fall, and then the conveyor belt is controlled to stop running.

[0048] When a weak signal is detected from the lateral sensor, the rotating resistance brush is stopped, and then the conveyor belt is started to move so that the subsequent medicine boxes can continue to move.

[0049] The photosensor is based on the principle of reflective optocouplers, and its working principle utilizes the reflection and scattering effects of light. When an input current passes through a light-emitting diode (LED), the light emitted by the LED is received by a photodiode. When the photosensor is blocked, the input signal is strong; when the photosensor is not blocked, the input signal is weak. The resulting alternating strong and weak signals can identify the entire process of an object passing through the photosensor, thereby determining whether the detonation was successful.

[0050] During the dispensing process, the side sensor records the process from the presence of the medicine box to the absence of the medicine box, while the bottom sensor records the process from the absence of the medicine box to the presence of the medicine box and back to the absence of the medicine box.

[0051] Step S3: After the medicine box falls, the medicine is confirmed to have finished falling based on the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the power medicine tank.

[0052] When the rotating resistance brush rotates and causes the medicine box to fall, the bottom sensor will emit a strong signal because the medicine box blocks the bottom sensor. At the same time, since the medicine box has fallen and is no longer blocking the view, the side sensor will emit a weak signal. At this point, it is confirmed that the medicine dispensing is complete, the number of medicines dispensed is incremented by one, and one dispensing cycle is completed.

[0053] Then, based on the changes in signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors, the time it takes for the medicine box to fall is calculated; based on the time it takes for the medicine box to fall, the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank is adjusted to control the speed at which the medicine falls.

[0054] To better explain how the automatic medicine dispensing machine dispenses and counts medicines, Figure 2 A system architecture diagram for a self-service dispensing machine based on a power-driven dispensing hopper is provided. As shown in the diagram, the self-service dispensing machine system mainly includes five modules: basic data synchronization, a business server, a dispensing machine PC client, dispensing machine middleware, and a hospital HIS platform. Based on these five modules, dispensing information is obtained, and then the automatic dispensing machine is controlled to dispense medication at the dispensing port and count the medication to meet the dispensing requirements. The firmware of the dispensing hopper is used to report the hopper status and respond to commands from the driver software to realize functions such as hopper movement, medication dispensing, and counting.

[0055] Figure 3 A system interface diagram of a dispensing machine based on a powered medicine dispenser is provided. The diagram shows the system interface architecture of the self-service dispensing machine system, which mainly includes: middleware interface, business interface, alarm interface, and synchronization interface.

[0056] The middleware interface is used to initialize hardware modules, including uplink commands, downlink commands, system OTA interface, firmware OTA interface, medicine tank initialization, medicine tank movement, and medicine tank dispensing, etc.

[0057] Business interfaces are used to provide the system with various basic and business data, such as operation records, inventory records, inspection records, replenishment records, and drug dispensing records.

[0058] The alarm interface is used to push alarm information to various terminals to remind users when the inventory of medicines and consumables is low, or when the expiration date of medicines is about to expire or has already expired.

[0059] The synchronization interface is used to synchronize external basic data to the ambulance system, enabling operations such as drug binding, personnel permission settings, and emergency medication record cancellation for ambulances. At the same time, when the inventory of drugs and consumables on the ambulance side changes, the inventory information is synchronized to the third-party drug platform to perform allocation and replenishment.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to implement the drug dispensing control system based on the power-driven drug tank corresponding to the above method embodiments, and to achieve the corresponding functional and technical effects, Figure 4 A detailed structural diagram of a drug dispensing control system based on a powered drug tank is provided. For ease of explanation, only the parts relevant to this embodiment are shown. The drug dispensing control system based on a powered drug tank provided in this embodiment of the invention includes:

[0061] The medicine box conveying module 201 is used to convey medicine boxes on the powered medicine tank and to separate multiple medicine boxes one by one through the dividing blocks of the powered medicine tank.

[0062] The medicine dispensing activation module 202 is used to detect the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank at a preset frequency, and set the operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal.

[0063] The medicine dispensing confirmation module 203 is used to confirm that the medicine dispensing is complete after the medicine box is dropped, based on the current signals emitted by the side sensor and bottom sensor of the power medicine tank.

[0064] In some embodiments, the medicine box delivery module 201 further includes:

[0065] A medicine box separating unit is used to separate medicine boxes one by one using small dividing blocks; wherein, the small dividing blocks are multiple protrusions at the bottom of the power medicine tank of different heights, and the height of the small dividing blocks gradually increases from the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank to the side sensor of the power medicine tank.

[0066] In some embodiments, the drug dispensing activation module 202 further includes:

[0067] The signal detection unit is used to control the rotating resistance brush to rotate and the conveyor belt to stop running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a first signal; and to control the rotating resistance brush to stop rotating and the conveyor belt to start running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a second signal.

[0068] In some embodiments, the drug discharge confirmation module 203 further includes:

[0069] The drug-drop confirmation unit is used to confirm that the drug drop is complete when the side sensor emits a second signal and the bottom sensor emits a first signal.

[0070] The medicine dropping time calculation unit is used to calculate the time when the medicine box falls based on the changes in signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor; and to adjust the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank according to the time when the medicine box falls, so as to control the speed of medicine dropping.

[0071] This embodiment proposes a method and system for controlling the dispensing of medicine using a powered dispensing trough: Medicine boxes are conveyed on a powered dispensing trough, and multiple medicine boxes are separated by small partitions within the trough; a preset frequency is used to detect the current signal emitted by a side sensor of the powered dispensing trough, and the operating state of the rotating resistance brush and conveyor belt is set according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine boxes; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal; after the medicine box falls, the dispensing is confirmed to be complete based on the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the powered dispensing trough. Its beneficial effects are: by monitoring the falling position of the medicine boxes and controlling the dispensing, the accuracy of dispensing is achieved, avoiding the dispensing of too much or too little medicine.

[0072] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In particular, it should be noted that any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention for those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a dynamic dispensing tank, characterized in that, include: The medicine boxes are conveyed on the power medicine tank, and multiple medicine boxes are separated one by one by the dividing blocks of the power medicine tank; The current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank is detected at a preset frequency. The operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt is set according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal. After the medicine box falls, the dispensing is confirmed to be complete based on the current signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor of the power medicine tank. Specifically, the dispensing is confirmed to be complete when the side sensor emits a second signal and the bottom sensor emits a first signal. The time it takes for the medicine box to fall is calculated based on the changes in signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor; the speed of the conveyor belt of the powered medicine tank is adjusted according to the time it falls, so as to control the speed at which the medicine falls; wherein, the side sensor is located on the side of the medicine outlet of the powered medicine tank, and the bottom sensor is located at the bottom of the medicine outlet of the powered medicine tank.

2. The method for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a dynamic dispensing tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dividing blocks of the kinetic medicine tank are specifically: The dividing blocks are multiple protrusions at the bottom of the power medicine tank at different heights, with the height of the dividing blocks gradually increasing from the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank to the side sensor of the power medicine tank.

3. The method for controlling the dispensing of medicine in a dispensing machine based on a dynamic dispensing tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method involves using a preset frequency to detect the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank, and setting the operating state of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box. Specifically: When the first signal is detected by the side sensor of the power medicine tank, the rotating resistance brush is controlled to rotate and the conveyor belt is controlled to stop running. When the second signal is detected from the side sensor of the power medicine tank, the rotating resistance brush is stopped and the conveyor belt starts running.

4. A dispensing control system for a dispensing machine based on a dynamic dispensing tank, characterized in that, include: Medicine box delivery module, medicine dispensing activation module, and medicine dispensing confirmation module; The medicine box conveying module is used to convey medicine boxes on the powered medicine tank and to separate multiple medicine boxes one by one through the dividing blocks of the powered medicine tank. The medicine dispensing activation module is used to detect the current signal emitted by the side sensor of the power medicine tank at a preset frequency, and set the operating status of the rotating resistance brush and the conveyor belt according to the current signal to control the falling of the medicine box; wherein, the current signal includes a first signal and a second signal. The medicine dispensing confirmation module is used to confirm that the medicine dispensing is complete after the medicine box falls, based on the current signals emitted by the side and bottom sensors of the power medicine tank. The drug-drop confirmation module includes: a drug-drop confirmation unit, used to confirm that the drug-dropping is complete when the side sensor emits a second signal and the bottom sensor emits a first signal; The medicine dispensing confirmation module includes: a medicine dispensing time calculation unit, used to calculate the time when the medicine box falls based on the changes in signals emitted by the side sensor and the bottom sensor; and to adjust the speed of the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank according to the time when the medicine box falls, so as to control the speed of medicine dispensing; wherein, the side sensor is located on the side of the medicine outlet of the power medicine tank, and the bottom sensor is located at the bottom of the medicine outlet of the power medicine tank.

5. The dispensing control system for a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, The medicine box delivery module includes: a medicine box separating unit; The medicine box separating unit is used to separate the medicine boxes one by one using small separating blocks; wherein, the small separating blocks are multiple protrusions at the bottom of the power medicine tank of different heights, and the height of the small separating blocks gradually increases from the conveyor belt of the power medicine tank to the side sensor of the power medicine tank.

6. The dispensing control system for a dispensing machine based on a powered dispensing tank according to claim 4, characterized in that, The drug dispensing activation module includes: a signal detection unit; The signal detection unit is used to control the rotating resistance brush to rotate and the conveyor belt to stop running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a first signal; and to control the rotating resistance brush to stop rotating and the conveyor belt to start running when the side sensor of the power medicine tank emits a second signal.

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