A system and method for automatic counting of the number of pharmaceutical products based on weight change

Abstract

The application provides a medicine quantity automatic counting system and method based on weight change, which comprises at least one intelligent medicine frame and a central processing unit; the intelligent medicine frame comprises a frame body, a weight sensing module, a local processing module, an input module and a display module; the weight sensing module is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the frame body and is used for sensing the total weight of medicines in the frame body in real time and generating a weight signal; the input module is arranged on the surface of the frame body and is used for receiving initial quantity information of medicines input by a user; and the local processing module is electrically connected with the weight sensing module, the input module and the display module, so that the automatic and real-time counting of the quantity of medicines is realized, manual repeated counting is not needed, and the management efficiency and accuracy are greatly improved; the quantity is automatically calculated through the weight change, the system is suitable for medicines which are unpacked, have no package or have unified specifications, and has high applicability; the system is easy to implement and can be flexibly expanded to centralized management of multiple medicine frames.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical inventory management technology, and in particular to an automatic pharmaceutical quantity counting system and method based on weight changes. Background Technology

[0002] In pharmaceutical inventory management, especially for standardized medications such as tablets, capsules, ampoules, and injections, quantity counting often relies on manual counting or barcode scanning. Manual counting is inefficient, error-prone, and cannot reflect real-time inventory changes; while barcode scanning requires individual operation each time medication is retrieved or placed, a cumbersome process that cannot handle the counting needs of unpackaged or loose medications. Existing medicine cabinets or shelves typically lack automatic counting functions, making it difficult for managers to promptly grasp inventory levels, easily leading to drug shortages or stockpiles, affecting medication safety and inventory efficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a system that can automatically, accurately, and in real-time count the quantity of medications to improve the level of intelligent pharmaceutical management. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, in order to solve the problems existing in the technical background, the present invention proposes an automatic drug quantity counting system and method based on weight changes. Specifically, it includes the following: An automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change includes at least one smart drug box and a central processing unit; The smart medicine box includes a frame, a weight sensing module, a local processing module, an input module, and a display module. The weight sensing module is fixedly installed at the bottom of the frame and is used to sense the total weight of the medicines inside the frame in real time and generate a weight signal. The input module is installed on the surface of the frame and is used to receive the initial quantity information of the medicines input by the user. The local processing module is electrically connected to the weight sensing module, the input module, and the display module. The local processing module receives the initial quantity N0 input by the user through the input module and the initial total weight W0 detected by the weight sensing module at this time. The central processing unit is communicatively connected to at least one of the smart medicine boxes and is used to summarize, monitor, and store the quantity information of the medicines in each smart medicine box.

[0004] Furthermore, the local processing module calculates the reference weight w of a single medicine based on the initial quantity N0 and the initial total weight W0; and each time the weight sensing module detects a change in the total weight to W, it automatically calculates the current quantity of medicine n = W / w, and sends the calculation result to the display module for real-time display.

[0005] Furthermore, the smart medicine box also includes a communication module, which is electrically connected to the local processing module; the central processing unit establishes a communication connection with the smart medicine box through the communication module to receive information on the quantity, weight, and status of medicines from the smart medicine box.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes an early warning module, which is electrically connected to or integrated into the central processing unit; the early warning module is configured to generate and send an early warning signal when the current quantity of medicines in any of the smart medicine boxes is lower than a preset inventory threshold; the central processing unit is a server, computer or cloud processing platform, used to store historical retrieval and placement records, inventory change curves and user operation logs.

[0007] Furthermore, the input module is a physical button or a touch screen, and the display module is a digital display screen or liquid crystal display screen integrated on the surface of the frame, used to display one or more of the following: current drug quantity, drug name, and status prompt information.

[0008] Furthermore, the communication module is a wired communication interface or a wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, or a cellular mobile communication module.

[0009] An automatic method for counting the quantity of medicines based on weight changes includes the following steps: S1, the user puts medicine into the smart medicine box and inputs the initial quantity N0 of medicine in the box through the input module; S2, the local processing module simultaneously records the initial total weight W0 detected by the weight sensing module at this time, and calculates the reference weight w = W0 / N0 for a single medicine. S3, when the weight sensing module detects a change in the total weight of the medicines in the frame, the local processing module automatically calculates and updates the current quantity of medicines n = W / w based on the current total weight W and the reference weight w; S4, the display module displays the updated current quantity of medicine n in real time; S5, the smart medicine box sends the updated medicine quantity information to the central processing unit for aggregation and storage.

[0010] The above technical solution has the following beneficial effects: This invention enables automatic, real-time counting of drug quantities, eliminating the need for repeated manual counting and significantly improving management efficiency and accuracy. It automatically calculates quantities based on weight changes, making it suitable for drugs that are sold in smaller quantities, without packaging, or with uniform specifications, thus having strong applicability. This invention is easy to implement and can be flexibly expanded to centralized management of multiple drug racks, making it suitable for various medication scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight changes according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] 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.

[0013] Example 1, see Figure 1 As shown, an automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight changes monitors the changes in the total weight of drugs in real time using high-precision weight sensing technology. Combined with an initially calibrated reference weight for each drug, it automatically and in real-time calculates the current quantity of drugs within a container, thereby achieving intelligent management of drug inventory. The system includes at least one intelligent drug container and a central processing unit. The intelligent drug container includes a frame, a weight sensing module, a local processing module, an input module, and a display module. The weight sensing module is fixedly installed at the bottom of the frame to sense the total weight of the drugs within the container in real time and generate a weight signal. The input module is located on the surface of the frame to receive the initial drug quantity information input by the user. The local processing module is electrically connected to the weight sensing module, the input module, and the display module, and receives the initial quantity N0 input by the user through the input module and the initial total weight W0 detected by the weight sensing module at that time. The central processing unit is communicatively connected to at least one of the intelligent drug containers to summarize, monitor, and store the drug quantity information of each intelligent drug container.

[0014] The hardware configuration in this embodiment comprises two main parts: a smart medicine box and a central processing unit. The smart medicine box directly holds the medicines and performs a local counting function. The box is made of a lightweight yet sturdy material; in this embodiment, the box is made of medical-grade plastic or metal. The internal space is designed according to the common specifications of the stored medicines and can be configured as either partitioned or integral. A weight sensing module, which is a weight sensor, is securely mounted at the bottom of the box. The signal output terminal of the weight sensor is connected to the local processing unit.

[0015] The local processing module is an embedded microcontroller; in this embodiment, it is an ARM Cortex-M series chip. This module is responsible for receiving analog or digital weight signals from the weight sensor and performing preprocessing such as analog-to-digital conversion and filtering / noise reduction. The local processing module is also directly connected to the input module and display module mounted on the surface of the housing. The input module can be a separate physical button array or a touchscreen integrated into the display module. When the user first puts a batch of medicine into the medicine box, they need to manually input the exact quantity of medicine in the box at that moment, i.e., the initial quantity N0, through this input module. Upon receiving the N0 input command, the local processing module simultaneously acquires and records the initial total weight W0 measured by the weight sensor module. Subsequently, the module performs a simple division operation to calculate the reference weight w = W0 / N0 for a single medicine in this state, and stores this reference value in its non-volatile memory. All subsequent automatic counting is based on this reference weight w.

[0016] Example 2, based on Example 1, in this example, the display module is responsible for providing intuitive feedback to the user, typically using a low-power digital tube display or a more feature-rich LCD display. It displays the current quantity n of medicine calculated by the local processing module in real time. In addition, it can display information such as medicine name, inventory status, or communication status with the central processing unit as needed.

[0017] Each smart medicine box is also equipped with a communication module. This module can be a wired interface based on RS-485 or CAN bus, or a wireless module such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or 4G / 5G, depending on the network conditions of the deployment environment and the real-time requirements. Through the communication module, the smart medicine box can upload key local data, such as the current quantity n, the current total weight W, battery level, and possible fault alarm information, to the central processing unit.

[0018] Example 3, based on Example 1, describes a central processing unit (CPU) that is a local server. The CPU maintains communication with all connected smart medicine boxes via wired or wireless networks, receiving data reported periodically or triggered by these boxes. Internally, the CPU runs inventory management software responsible for aggregating, organizing, and persistently storing data from all medicine boxes, forming a complete drug inventory database. The database stores information such as each weight change record, corresponding quantity change, occurrence time, and associated medicine box number, thereby generating inventory change curves, medication frequency analysis reports, and user operation logs, providing data support for refined management.

[0019] In Example 4, in other embodiments, the system integrates an early warning module. This module can be integrated as a software function within the management software of the central processing unit. Managers can preset a minimum inventory threshold for each type of medicine in the system. The early warning module continuously monitors the current quantity n reported by all medicine racks. Once it detects that the n value of a medicine rack is lower than its corresponding preset threshold, it immediately triggers the early warning process. Early warning signals can be issued in various ways, such as displaying a prominent prompt on the monitoring interface of the central processing unit, sending SMS messages or push notifications to the relevant managers' mobile phones, or even activating on-site audible and visual alarms. This ensures that managers are informed of replenishment needs immediately, avoiding medicine shortages.

[0020] In practical use, the system starts running from initialization. The user places a batch of identical medicines into a smart medicine box and then enters the quantity N0 through the input module. The local processing module records the weight W0 at this moment and calculates the reference weight w. After initialization, the system enters automatic monitoring mode. Whenever a medicine is removed or placed in, the total weight W in the box changes, and the weight sensor module quickly detects this and transmits the new weight signal to the local processing module. The local processing module immediately recalculates the current quantity according to the formula n = W / w, rounds the result, and refreshes it on the display module. At the same time, this weight change event and the new quantity n are reported to the central processing unit through the communication module, updating the background inventory record. The entire process requires no manual intervention, achieving fully automatic counting.

[0021] To address factors that may affect measurement accuracy, such as sensor drift caused by changes in ambient temperature and humidity, or minute weight variations due to substances adhering to the drug surface, the system can also be designed with periodic calibration or adaptive calibration functions. For example, when the quantity of drugs in the confirmation box reaches a known value, the administrator can trigger a recalibration process via the input module, allowing the system to update the reference weight w.

[0022] The medicine box has a counting display screen showing the quantity of medicines inside. Inside the medicine box is a weighing scale. After the person puts the medicines in, they enter the quantity. There is a device inside the medicine box that automatically calculates the weight of each medicine based on the total weight of the scale and the number of medicines entered by the person. After each medicine is put in or taken out, the system will automatically calculate the current quantity and display it.

[0023] 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. An automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight changes, characterized in that, Includes at least one smart medicine box and a central processing unit; The smart medicine box includes a frame, a weight sensing module, a local processing module, an input module, and a display module. The weight sensing module is fixedly installed at the bottom of the frame and is used to sense the total weight of the medicines inside the frame in real time and generate a weight signal. The input module is installed on the surface of the frame and is used to receive the initial quantity information of the medicines input by the user. The local processing module is electrically connected to the weight sensing module, the input module, and the display module. The local processing module receives the initial quantity N0 input by the user through the input module and the initial total weight W0 detected by the weight sensing module at this time. The central processing unit is communicatively connected to at least one of the smart medicine boxes and is used to summarize, monitor, and store the quantity information of the medicines in each smart medicine box.

2. The automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The local processing module calculates the reference weight w of a single medicine based on the initial quantity N0 and the initial total weight W0; and each time the weight sensing module detects a change in the total weight to W, it automatically calculates the current quantity of medicine n = W / w, and sends the calculation result to the display module for real-time display.

3. The automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smart medicine box also includes a communication module, which is electrically connected to the local processing module. The central processing unit establishes a communication connection with the smart medicine box through the communication module to receive information on the quantity, weight, and status of medicines from the smart medicine box.

4. The automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an early warning module, which is electrically connected to or integrated into the central processing unit. The early warning module is configured to generate and send an early warning signal when the current quantity of medicines in any of the smart medicine boxes is lower than a preset inventory threshold. The central processing unit is a server, computer, or cloud processing platform used to store historical retrieval and placement records, inventory change curves, and user operation logs.

5. The automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input module is a physical button or a touch screen, and the display module is a digital display screen or liquid crystal display screen integrated on the surface of the frame, used to display one or more of the following: current drug quantity, drug name, and status prompt information.

6. The automatic drug quantity counting system based on weight change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication module is a wired communication interface or a wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, or a cellular mobile communication module.

7. An automatic method for counting the quantity of medicines based on weight changes, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, the user puts medicine into the smart medicine box and inputs the initial quantity N0 of medicine in the box through the input module; S2, the local processing module simultaneously records the initial total weight W0 detected by the weight sensing module at this time, and calculates the reference weight w = W0 / N0 for a single medicine. S3, when the weight sensing module detects a change in the total weight of the medicines in the frame, the local processing module automatically calculates and updates the current quantity of medicines n = W / w based on the current total weight W and the reference weight w; S4, the display module displays the updated current quantity of medicine n in real time; S5, the smart medicine box sends the updated medicine quantity information to the central processing unit for aggregation and storage.

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