Drug expiration date identification system and method based on color change
By combining electrochromic materials with a central control module, automatic monitoring and visual reminders of drug expiration dates are achieved, solving the problem of low efficiency in drug expiration date management and improving the automation and safety of drug management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHENZHEN HOSPITAL CANCER HOSPITAL CHINESE ACAD OF MEDICAL SCI
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Current drug expiration date management relies on manual inspection, which is inefficient, prone to missed inspections, and unable to achieve real-time dynamic monitoring, leading to drug waste and safety risks.
The storage basket is made of electrochromic material. The central control module calculates the remaining time in real time and drives the color change. Combined with wireless communication and sound and light alarms, it realizes automatic monitoring and visual reminder of the expiration date of medicines.
It improves the efficiency of drug expiration date management, reduces manual workload and error rate, realizes 24-hour uninterrupted automatic monitoring of drug expiration dates, and reduces hardware costs and operational complexity.
Smart Images
Figure CN122022682A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of drug management technology, and in particular to a drug expiration date identification system and method based on color change. Background Technology
[0002] In medical institutions, pharmacies, nursing homes, and homes, managing drug expiration dates is a crucial yet tedious task. Currently, common drug expiration date management relies primarily on manual inspection of expiration date labels on drug packaging, with regular inventory checks and organization. Manual inspection is inefficient and prone to omissions due to visual fatigue or oversight. Especially when there are large quantities of drugs or they are stored in scattered locations, real-time dynamic monitoring of expiration dates is impossible. The change in a drug's state from safe to near expiration cannot be visually and promptly perceived, easily leading to unknowingly expired drugs, resulting in drug waste or the safety risks of misusing expired medications. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of this, in order to solve the problems existing in the technical background, the present invention proposes a drug expiration date identification system and method based on color change. Specifically, it includes the following: A color-change-based drug expiration date identification system, comprising: A storage basket, the storage basket being made of a component containing an electrochromic material, capable of changing its display color under the control of an applied electric field; The expiration date setting module is fixedly installed on the storage basket or communicated with it, and is used for users to input or select the preset expiration date of the medicine stored in the storage basket; The central control module is electrically connected to the expiration date setting module and the electrochromic component of the storage basket, respectively. The central control module is preset with a first warning threshold and a second warning threshold. The central control module calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date in real time or periodically, and compares the remaining time with the first warning threshold and the second warning threshold. When the remaining time is greater than or equal to the first warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a first color. When the remaining time is less than the first warning threshold but greater than or equal to the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a second color different from the first color. When the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a third color different from both the first and second colors. Furthermore, the storage basket has a specific marking area made of electrochromic material, which can be the border, label slot, or bottom of the storage basket. Furthermore, the expiration date setting module is a combination of physical buttons. Furthermore, the first warning threshold is 6 months, the second warning threshold is 3 months; the first color is blue, the second color is yellow, and the third color is red. Furthermore, it also includes a wireless communication module, which is connected to the central control module and is used to send the identity information of the storage basket, the preset expiration time, and the current color status to the remote management server. The central control module is also connected to an audible and visual alarm, which is triggered to sound an alarm when the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold. A method for identifying the expiration date of a drug based on color change includes the following steps: The expiration date setting module inputs the preset expiration date of the target drug; the central control module obtains the current time and calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date; the remaining time is compared with a preset first warning threshold and a second warning threshold; based on the comparison result, a corresponding color control command is generated and sent to the electrochromic component of the storage basket; the electrochromic component responds to the color control command and changes the display color of the storage basket. The above technical solution has the following beneficial effects: This invention uses the color change of the storage basket itself to indicate the expiration status of medicines, eliminating the need for manual inspection of each medicine's packaging label. Users can easily identify which medicines are within their expiration period, which are about to expire, and which have already expired from a distance, significantly improving the efficiency of expiration date inventory and management, reducing manual workload and error rates. The central control module continuously calculates the remaining time and drives the color change, achieving 24 / 7 uninterrupted automatic monitoring of medicine expiration dates. When a medicine transitions from a sufficient expiration period to a warning or critical period, the basket color automatically and promptly changes, creating a strong visual reminder and effectively preventing expired medicines and usage risks due to negligence. Electrochromic materials are directly applied to the storage basket or specific areas, integrated with the expiration date setting and control module, forming an independent intelligent management unit. Compared to solutions based on RFID or barcode scanning that require additional terminal equipment, this solution has a simpler hardware structure. In particular, the use of physical buttons as the expiration date setting module further reduces costs and operational complexity. Attached Figure Description Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a drug expiration date identification system based on color change according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation 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. Example 1, see Figure 1 As shown, a color-changing drug expiration date identification system includes: a storage basket made of a component containing an electrochromic material, capable of changing its display color under the control of an applied electric field; an expiration date setting module, fixedly mounted on or communicatively connected to the storage basket, for allowing users to input or select a preset expiration date for drugs stored in the storage basket; and a central control module electrically connected to both the expiration date setting module and the electrochromic component of the storage basket, wherein the central control module is preset with a first warning threshold and a second warning threshold. The central control module calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date in real time or periodically, and compares the remaining time with the first warning threshold and the second warning threshold. When the remaining time is greater than or equal to the first warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a first color. When the remaining time is less than the first warning threshold but greater than or equal to the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a second color different from the first color. When the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a third color different from both the first and second colors. Example 2, based on Example 1, in this example, a specific marking area is provided on the storage basket, the specific marking area is made of electrochromic material, and the specific marking area is the border, label slot or bottom of the storage basket. According to the color change-based drug expiration date identification system according to claim 1, the expiration date setting module is a combination of physical buttons, the first warning threshold is 6 months, the second warning threshold is 3 months; the first color is blue, the second color is yellow, and the third color is red. It also includes a wireless communication module, which is connected to the central control module and is used to send the identity information of the storage basket, the preset expiration date time and the current color status to the remote management server. The central control module is also connected to an audible and visual alarm, which is triggered when the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold. A method for identifying the expiration date of a drug based on color change includes the following steps: A preset expiration date time for the target drug is entered through an expiration date setting module; a central control module obtains the current time and calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date time; the remaining time is compared with a preset first warning threshold and a second warning threshold; based on the comparison result, a corresponding color control command is generated and sent to the electrochromic component of the storage basket; the electrochromic component responds to the color control command and changes the display color of the storage basket. Example 3, based on Example 1, describes a storage basket as a physical container for pharmaceuticals. A specific marking area on the basket is made of an electrochromic material. Electrochromic material is a material that undergoes a reversible color change under an applied voltage. In this example, the material layer is electrically connected to a central control module. The central control module outputs different voltage signals to the electrochromic material based on the expiration date determination logic. Ions within the material migrate under the influence of the electric field, causing changes in its optical properties and resulting in different colors. This color change is stable and low-power, consuming only a small amount of electrical energy when a change in state is required. The expiration date setting module is used to set a preset expiration date for the medicines currently stored in the storage basket. In this embodiment, it uses a set of physical buttons integrated into the side wall of the basket. The user inputs the expiration date of the medicine via the buttons, and after input, the time point data is sent to the central control module for storage. This physical button method has high reliability and strong anti-interference ability, making it suitable for use in complex environments such as pharmacies and wards. In other embodiments, this module can also be a touch screen, or it can receive expiration date instructions from a handheld terminal or server via wireless communication. The central control module is an embedded microcontroller unit. It integrates a real-time clock, memory, and a logic control unit. Its operation is as follows: the internal real-time clock continuously provides accurate current time. The control program periodically performs the following operations: it reads a preset expiration date from memory, compares it with the current time, and calculates the remaining expiration days or months. Then, it compares the calculated remaining time with two pre-stored thresholds. Based on the comparison results, the logic control unit generates corresponding control commands, driving the electrochromic component to change color via circuitry. For example, the first warning threshold is set to 6 months, and the second warning threshold is 3 months. When the remaining time is ≥ 6 months, a corresponding blue voltage signal is output; when 3 months ≤ remaining time < 6 months, a corresponding yellow voltage signal is output; and when the remaining time < 3 months, a corresponding red voltage signal is output. This tiered color warning provides clear information on the expiration status gradient. In this example, the central control module uses the remaining time: , to perform calculations, where The preset expiration date is the time point. The current time. With the first threshold (e.g., 6 months) and the second threshold (e.g., 3 months) for comparison, based on , , Three zones are used to generate control commands that drive the electrochromic material to display different colors. Example 4: In this example, the wireless communication module is connected to the central control module. Its working principle is as follows: After each expiration date calculation or status change, the central control module packages the unique ID code of the storage basket, the currently stored preset expiration date, the calculated remaining time, and the currently displayed color status information, and sends this information to the hospital or pharmacy's central management server via the wireless communication module. This allows management personnel to have a comprehensive view of the expiration status of all medicines from their office. The audible and visual alarm is also driven by the central control module. When the central control module determines that the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold, in addition to controlling the basket to turn infrared, it will also trigger the audible and visual alarm, emitting a "beep" sound and flashing a light to attract the urgent attention of nearby personnel and ensure that medicines nearing their expiration date are handled immediately. Workflow and Initial Setup: Staff place a batch of medicines with the same expiration date into a smart storage basket and input the expiration date of the batch via physical buttons on the basket. Continuous Monitoring and Calculation: After the central control module is powered on, its internal clock starts running. It periodically reads preset expiration dates from memory and subtracts the current time to obtain the remaining time. Logical Judgment: The remaining time is logically compared with two preset thresholds to determine the current expiration warning level. Color-Driven Display: Based on the determined warning level, the central control module applies a corresponding voltage to the electrochromic component. The electrochromic material responds, causing the storage basket to display the color representing that level. Information Reporting and Alarm: Simultaneously with the color change, the expiration status information is uploaded via wireless network. If the red alarm period is entered, a local audible and visual alarm is activated. The basic principles and main features of the present invention have been described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A drug expiration date identification system based on color change, characterized in that, include: A storage basket, the storage basket being made of a component containing an electrochromic material, capable of changing its display color under the control of an applied electric field; The expiration date setting module is fixedly installed on the storage basket or communicated with it, and is used for users to input or select the preset expiration date of the medicine stored in the storage basket; The central control module is electrically connected to the expiration date setting module and the electrochromic component of the storage basket, respectively. The central control module is preset with a first warning threshold and a second warning threshold. The central control module calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date in real time or periodically, and compares the remaining time with the first warning threshold and the second warning threshold. When the remaining time is greater than or equal to the first warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a first color. When the remaining time is less than the first warning threshold but greater than or equal to the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a second color different from the first color. When the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold, the storage basket is controlled to display a third color different from both the first and second colors.
2. The drug expiration date identification system based on color change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage basket has a specific marking area made of electrochromic material, which can be the border, label slot, or bottom of the storage basket.
3. The drug expiration date identification system based on color change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expiration date setting module is a combination of physical buttons.
4. The drug expiration date identification system based on color change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first warning threshold is 6 months, the second warning threshold is 3 months; the first color is blue, the second color is yellow, and the third color is red.
5. A drug expiration date identification system based on color change according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a wireless communication module, which is connected to the central control module and is used to send the identity information of the storage basket, the preset expiration time, and the current color status to the remote management server. The central control module is also connected to an audible and visual alarm, which is triggered to sound an alarm when the remaining time is less than the second warning threshold.
6. A method for identifying the expiration date of a drug based on color change, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The expiration date setting module inputs the preset expiration date of the target drug; the central control module obtains the current time and calculates the remaining time between the current time and the preset expiration date; the remaining time is compared with a preset first warning threshold and a second warning threshold; based on the comparison result, a corresponding color control command is generated and sent to the electrochromic component of the storage basket; the electrochromic component responds to the color control command and changes the display color of the storage basket.