Medicine sorting device, and control method for medicine sorting device

Abstract

To recognize a medicine itself and automatically sort it.SOLUTION: A medicine sorting device (1) includes a turning mechanism (133b) for swinging a medicine mounting table (133a) with vibration magnitude and vibration numbers per unit time which are associated with the identified size and the shape of a medicine after identifying the size and the shape of the medicine from an image obtained by imaging the medicine mounted on the medicine mounting table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine sorting device that sorts medicines. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, multiple types of returned medicines were sorted by type by a pharmacist or doctor. The returned medicines are prescribed to various patients or are prescribed and dispensed medicines. Therefore, compared to the dispensing work of assembling (packaging) (one or multiple types) of medicines (tablets) for each dosing period from a group of medicines (medicine cassettes) that are previously grouped by medicine type in a dispensing device or the like based on prescription information for each patient, the types of medicines that are returned together as medicines prescribed for multiple patients are very large. Therefore, it is highly useful to automatically sort and reuse returned medicines. Note that the number of types of medicines dispensed for one dosing period is generally about 2 to 3, and at most about 10.

[0003] Some pharmacies or hospitals (or more accurately, their in-house pharmacy departments) simply dispose of returned medications to avoid the time and effort required for sorting, or the risk of misadministration due to incorrect sorting (putting medications back into the wrong medication cassette).

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine sorting device that automatically recognizes and stores returned ampoules or vials. This medicine sorting device recognizes the orientation and posture of the ampule or vial, and the properties of the ampule or vial (e.g., shape, size, type, and expiration date). Then, the device associates the storage area set for each ampule or vial when storing according to the recognized size of the ampule or vial with the identification information of each ampule or vial, and arranges the ampule or vial individually, thereby storing each ampule or vial so that it can be removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 170761 (Published on November 12, 2015) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the subject of return in Patent Document 1 is ampoules or vials, and not medicines such as tablets or capsules that are not contained in containers, or medicines themselves that are not packaged, etc. Therefore, Patent Document 1 does not anticipate identifying and automatically sorting such medicines (e.g., tablets or capsules) themselves.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not disclose details of the process for registering data in a drug database (drug master) that manages drug data on multiple types of drugs.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine sorting device capable of recognizing medicines themselves and automatically sorting them. Another object of the present invention is to provide a medicine sorting device capable of sorting medicines regardless of whether or not medicine data is registered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A drug sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first storage unit that stores multiple types of drugs, a second storage unit that stores the drugs sorted by type, a discrimination unit that discriminates the type of drug removed from the first storage unit, a sorting unit that stores the drugs in the second storage unit by type based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit, a sorting container that is detachably arranged in the second storage unit and stores the drugs sorted by the sorting unit, a storage determination unit that determines whether the drugs are stored in the sorting container before the sorting unit sorts the drugs, and an information storage control unit that, when the storage determination unit determines that the drugs are stored in the sorting container, stores storage information indicating that the drugs are stored in the sorting container in association with container identification information for identifying the sorting container.

[0010] A control method for a drug sorting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for a drug sorting device having a first storage unit that stores multiple types of drugs and a second storage unit that stores the drugs sorted by type, wherein sorting containers for storing sorted drugs are removably arranged in the second storage unit, and the control method includes a determination step of determining the type of drug removed from the first storage unit, a sorting step of storing the drugs in the second storage unit by type based on the determination result of the determination step, a storage determination step of determining whether the drugs are stored in the sorting container before the drugs are sorted by the sorting step, and an information storage control step of, if it is determined by the storage determination step that the drugs are stored in the sorting container, storing storage information indicating that the drugs are stored in the sorting container in association with container identification information for identifying the sorting container. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, the medicine sorting device can recognize the medicines themselves and sort them automatically. Also, the medicines can be sorted regardless of whether or not the medicine data is registered. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine sorting device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medicine sorting device, where (a) is a perspective view of the medicine sorting device, and (b) is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of a medicine sorting area. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing the overall configuration of an imaging unit, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing an example of a medicine placing table. [Figure 4] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams for explaining the rotation of the imaging unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a medicine sorting process. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an assortment image. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an inspection image. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a confirmation image. [Figure 9] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a display example of a search image, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by the first camera. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a registered image, and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining an example of an image adjustment process. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a registration image when registering a capsule. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a registration image when registering another capsule. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a data management system. [Figure 14] FIG. 13A is a plan view showing an example of the medicine mounting table that has been moved to the placement area, and FIGS. 13B and 13C are plan views showing an example of the medicine mounting table after the position of the medicine has been adjusted. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the first container section captured by the second camera. FIG. [Figure 16]1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an example of a packaging machine, in which (a) is a front view of the packaging machine, (b) is a diagram showing an example of a cassette storage mechanism, and (c) and (d) are diagrams for explaining an example of use of a replenishment table. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a packaging machine. [Figure 18] 1(a) to 1(d) are diagrams showing an example of a non-rotating cassette storage mechanism. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user setting image. [Figure 20] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a medicine dispensing machine, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a manual dispensing unit. [Figure 21] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of packaging processing in a packaging machine. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of packaging processing in the packaging machine. [Figure 23] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the suction mechanism. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 shows an example of an elongated drug, (a) being a plan view and (b) being a side view. [Diagram 25] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a modified medicine sorting device, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are diagrams for explaining the shape and operation of a tip portion of a sorting cup transport mechanism. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit. [Figure 27] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing another example of a medicine sorting device, and FIG. 2B is a schematic plan view showing the other example. [Figure 28] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the upper space. [Figure 29] 13(a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating the positioning operation of the medicine delivery section. FIG. [Diagram 30] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining object detection using a press-in detection unit. [Diagram 31] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a determination as to whether or not a suction pad is present; [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement positions of an illuminator and a backlight. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of arrangement of medicines on a waiting tray. [Diagram 34] These figures show an example of the configuration of a packaging mechanism, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of part of the packaging mechanism, (b) and (c) are figures for explaining the opening and closing operations of the upper shutter mechanism, and (d) and (e) are figures for explaining the opening and closing operations of the lower shutter mechanism. [Diagram 35] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for dropping medicines one by one from a medicine insertion port during packaging processing. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining medicine confirmation image. [Figure 37] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a similar drug registration image, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a similar drug selection image. [Figure 38] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of an assortment image before a return source is selected, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a return source registration image. [Figure 39] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a return source selection image, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a sorting image after a return source is selected. [Diagram 40] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of printing on a packaging paper, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of printing on a journal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [Embodiment 1] [Overview of the medicine sorting device 1] First, an overview of the medicine sorting device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the medicine sorting device 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the medicine sorting device 1, where (a) is a perspective view of the medicine sorting device 1 and (b) is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of the medicine sorting area 2. As shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 2(a) and (b), the medicine sorting device 1 includes a medicine sorting area 2, a touch panel 3, a print output unit 4, and a packaging mechanism 6.

[0014] The medicine sorting device 1 takes an image of each of a plurality of types of medicine, determines the type of medicine based on the image obtained as a result of the imaging, and sorts the medicines by type. Specifically, this process is performed in the medicine sorting area 2. The medicine sorting area 2 (the internal configuration of the medicine sorting device 1) will be described later. After the medicines sorted by type are visually inspected by the user, they are packaged or returned to the medicine shelf or packaging machine.

[0015] In this embodiment, the multiple types of medicines are medicines that are not contained in a container or the like, or medicines that are not packaged, and an example of such medicines is a tablet or capsule. In addition, the multiple types of medicines are returned medicines. Examples of returned medicines include a case where a medicine adopted by a pharmacy or hospital is returned as a "returned medicine" at the pharmacy or hospital, and a case where a "brought-in medicine" that may include medicines issued by other pharmacies or hospitals in addition to the adopted medicine is returned at the pharmacy or hospital. In other words, the concept of a returned medicine includes at least one of the above-mentioned "returned medicine" and "brought-in medicine". After the medicine is returned, the medicine sorting device 1 can automatically perform processes from imaging to sorting.

[0016] The touch panel 3 accepts various user inputs at the operation unit 31, and displays various images on the display unit 32 (for example, an image showing the progress of drug sorting, an image for visual inspection).

[0017] The print output unit 4 prints out a journal representing drug data (e.g., data indicating the drug name, manufacturer, or ingredients) related to the drug after visual inspection according to user input after visual inspection. The drug data may include image data indicating an image specific to the drug.

[0018] The packaging mechanism 6 packages the sorted medicines. The packaging mechanism 6 is an optional mechanism. When the packaging mechanism 6 is provided in the medicine sorting device 1, the medicine sorting device 1 can perform all processes from sorting returned medicines to packaging after visual inspection all at once. In particular, when medicines are fed into the packaging mechanism 6 by the transporting / sorting unit 12, the above processes from sorting to packaging can be performed automatically, except for visual inspection.

[0019] A conventional tablet packing machine or powder packing machine may be used as the packing mechanism 6. In this case, for example, drugs in a sorting cup 141 that have been sorted for each drug type can be packed into one or more packages.

[0020] Moreover, the medicine sorting device 1 includes a first RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​reader / writer unit 5. The first RFID reader / writer unit 5 is provided on the medicine removal side of the base 19, as shown in (b) of FIG.

[0021] The first RFID reader / writer unit 5 reads data on the medicines stored in each sorting cup 141, which is stored in an RFID tag (not shown) provided at the bottom of each sorting cup 141 in the second storage section 14. Examples of the data include the number of medicines stored, medicine data, and image data acquired by the imaging unit 13. The data may include medicine data determined by visual inspection (medicine data after visual inspection). The medicine data after visual inspection may also be written to the RFID tag. The medicine data after visual inspection is used when the medicine stored in the corresponding sorting cup 141 is (1) packaged by the packaging mechanism 6 or a packaging machine other than the medicine sorting device 1, or (2) returned to the medicine shelf.

[0022] As shown in (a) of FIG. 2, the medicine sorting device 1 includes an opening / closing shutter 51 and an opening / closing door 52 that allow the medicine take-out side to be opened and closed. In order to move the medicines stored in the second storage unit 14 to the packaging mechanism 6, the medicine sorting device 1 includes, for example, a packaging hopper (not shown) that temporarily holds the medicines, and a moving path (not shown) that moves the medicines held in the packaging hopper to the packaging mechanism 6. At least the moving path is removable. By opening the opening / closing door 52, the moving path can be taken out of the medicine sorting device 1.

[0023] [Basic configuration of drug sorting area 2] Next, the basic configuration of the medicine sorting area 2 (the internal configuration of the medicine sorting device 1) will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2(b).

[0024] 1 and 2(b), the medicine sorting area 2 mainly comprises, as hardware, a first storage section 11, a transporting and sorting unit 12 (sorting section), an imaging unit 13, a second storage section 14, a waiting tray 15, a collection tray 16, a medicine insertion port 17, and a second RFID reader / writer unit 18. Each member except for the transporting and sorting unit 12 is mounted on a base 19. The main functions of the transporting and sorting unit 12, the imaging unit 13, and the second RFID reader / writer unit 18 will be described in detail in the description of each process below.

[0025] The first storage section 11 stores a mixture of multiple types of medicines returned by users. In this embodiment, the first storage section 11 is divided into multiple storage sections. In this case, for example, when all of the medicines stored in one storage section are transported by the transport / sorting unit 12, the medicines stored in the storage section adjacent to the storage section are transported. The first storage section 11 may be provided rotatable about the Z axis (center of the cylindrical shape). In this case, the control section 60a of the computer 60 may rotate the first storage section 11 so that the transport / sorting unit 12 can easily obtain the medicines when, for example, one storage section becomes empty.

[0026] The second storage section 14 includes a plurality of sorting cups 141 that store medicines sorted by type. The control section 60a determines the type of medicine based on an image of the medicine captured by the imaging unit 13, and determines the sorting cup 141 in which to store the medicine based on the determination result. The medicine is transported to the determined sorting cup 141 by the transporting / sorting unit 12 and stored therein.

[0027] The standby tray 15 is a storage unit where medicines are temporarily placed. For example, when all of the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, medicines determined by the control unit 60a to be of a type other than those are temporarily placed on the standby tray 15. In this case, after the medicines are removed from the sorting cups 141, they may be transported from the standby tray 15 to the sorting cups 141.

[0028] In this embodiment, a suspected medicine (described later) that is suspected to be a medicine may be temporarily placed on the waiting tray 15. When the suspected medicine is temporarily placed, it is transported to a predetermined area of ​​the second container 14 according to the determination result of the control unit 60a.

[0029] The collection tray 16 is a storage unit that stores objects whose types cannot be determined by the control unit 60a (e.g., foreign objects other than medicines). Examples of foreign objects other than medicines include pieces of PTP (Press Through Pack) sheets. The pieces of PTP sheets may be mixed into the first storage unit 11 when medicines are returned. The control unit 60a also stores in the collection tray 16 medicines that are registered in the medicine database as medicines to be discarded or medicines that the user wishes to discard (e.g., medicines with old manufacturing dates).

[0030] When the medicine sorting device 1 is provided with a packaging mechanism 6, the medicine input port 17 is provided for transporting medicines stored in the second storage section 14 to the packaging mechanism 6 by the transport / sorting unit 12. Naturally, when the medicine sorting device 1 is not provided with a packaging mechanism 6, the medicine input port 17 is not necessary.

[0031] 1, the medicine sorting device 1 includes a computer 60 that controls the above-mentioned components (hardware) of the medicine sorting device 1. The computer 60 mainly includes, as a control unit 60a (software), a transport control unit 61, a sorting control unit 62, an imaging control unit 63, a discrimination unit 64, an operation input unit 66, a display control unit 67, an RFID control unit 68, a print output control unit 69, and a registration unit 70. The transport control unit 61, the sorting control unit 62, the imaging control unit 63, the discrimination unit 64, and the registration unit 70 will be described in detail in the description of each process below.

[0032] The operation input unit 66 and the display control unit 67 respectively control the operation unit 31 and the display unit 32 of the touch panel 3. The RFID control unit 68 controls the first RFID reader / writer unit 5 and the second RFID reader / writer unit 18. The print output control unit 69 controls the print output unit 4 in accordance with a user input received by the operation input unit 66. In addition, in the case where the medicine sorting device 1 is equipped with a packaging mechanism 6, the control unit 60a will be equipped with a packaging control unit that controls the packaging mechanism 6.

[0033] The computer 60 also includes a storage unit 80. The storage unit 80 stores a drug database (drug master) that manages drug data related to a plurality of types of drugs, image data showing an image captured by the first camera 131, and the like. The various data stored in the storage unit 80 may not be managed by the storage unit 80, and may be managed, for example, by an external device. In this case, the control unit 60a may acquire the various data from the external device through a communication line such as the Internet, as necessary. The drug database may also be updated by adding new drug data.

[0034] [Overview of processing in medicine sorting device 1] In the medicine sorting device 1, the conveying / sorting unit 12 conveys each medicine returned to the first storage section 11 to the imaging unit 13. The imaging unit 13 sequentially captures an image of each conveyed medicine. The control unit 60a determines the type of each medicine based on the captured image and determines a sorting position in the second storage section 14 for each of the determined medicines. The conveying / sorting unit 12 conveys each medicine to the determined sorting position. Then, information about the medicine stored in the second storage section 14 is written to the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141, stored in the storage section 80, or displayed on the touch panel 3. After or during the sorting of the medicines, the user operates the touch panel 3 to perform visual inspection, packaging, and other processes. Each process will be described in detail below.

[0035] [Drug Delivery Processing to Imaging Unit 13] First, the process of transporting the medicine from the first container 11 to the imaging unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2(a).

[0036] Specifically, the transport / sorting unit 12 transports the medicines stored in the first storage section 11 to a receiving area Ar1 (see FIG. 3(b)) where the imaging unit 13 receives the medicines. The transport control section 61 controls the transport process by the transport / sorting unit 12.

[0037] The transport / sorting unit 12 includes a second camera 121 , a suction / shutter mechanism 122 , and a transport mechanism 123 .

[0038] The second camera 121 sequentially captures images of the first storage unit 11 in order to identify the medicine to be transported. The imaging control unit 63 controls the imaging process of the second camera 121. The second camera 121 is provided at an end of the transport / sorting unit 12 (specifically, of a housing including at least the suction / shutter mechanism 122) facing the base 19. The second camera 121 may be provided at a tip of the suction mechanism described below. The imaging control unit 63 analyzes the captured image and determines whether or not the image contains medicine. If it is determined that the image contains medicine, the transport control unit 61, for example, brings the tip close to the first storage unit 11 and identifies the medicine included in the image captured at that time as the medicine to be transported.

[0039] The suction / shutter mechanism 122 includes a suction mechanism that suctions the medicine identified as the transport target, and a shutter mechanism that prevents the medicine suctioned by the suction mechanism from dropping. The suction mechanism is provided so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. The shutter mechanism is provided in front of the end so as to be movable approximately parallel to the XY plane.

[0040] When acquiring a medicine, the suction mechanism extends from the end, and after suctioning the specified medicine at its tip, returns to the position of the end. In this state, the transport control unit 61 moves the shutter mechanism to a position facing the end, and maintains the position of the shutter mechanism during the medicine transport (closed state). When the transport control unit 61 moves the suction / shutter mechanism 122 to a position facing the medicine mounting stage 133a (see FIG. 3(b)) of the medicine holding mechanism 133 arranged in the receiving area Ar1, the transport control unit 61 moves the shutter mechanism to a position not facing the end (open state). Then, after the suction mechanism extends from the end, the suction state is released, and the medicine is mounted on the medicine mounting stage 133a.

[0041] The transport mechanism 123 moves the suction / shutter mechanism 122 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions under the control of the transport control unit 61. This transport mechanism 123 enables the movement of the suction / shutter mechanism 122 when searching for a drug to be transported on the first container 11, or transport of a drug from the first container 11 to the drug placement stand 133a. Also, in the drug sorting process described below, it enables transport of a drug from the drug placement stand 133a to the second container 14, the waiting tray 15, or the collection tray 16.

[0042] [Drug Imaging Processing] Next, the medicine imaging process by the imaging unit 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2(b), Fig. 3, and Fig. 4. Fig. 3(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the overall configuration of the imaging unit 13, and Fig. 3(c) is a perspective view showing an example of the medicine placement table 133a. Fig. 4(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the rotation of the imaging unit 13. The medicine imaging process is mainly performed by the imaging unit 13 and the imaging control unit 63.

[0043] Specifically, the imaging unit 13 is placed on the medicine placement table 133a, and images the medicine placed in the placement area Ar2 (imaging area) in which the medicine to be imaged is placed as shown in (b) of Fig. 3. The imaging control unit 63 controls the imaging process by the imaging unit 13, the pivoting movement of the first camera 131 and the illuminator 134, and the movement of the medicine holding mechanism 133. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the imaging unit 13 includes the first camera 131 (imaging section), the rotation mechanism 132 (rotating section), the medicine holding mechanism 133 (medicine placement table, moving mechanism), and the illuminator 134 (ultraviolet light irradiation section, visible light irradiation section).

[0044] The first camera 131 captures an image of a medicine placed in a placement area Ar2 facing the first camera 131 in order to identify the type of medicine in the discrimination unit 64 described later. The medicine holding mechanism 133 is a mechanism for holding a medicine, and includes a medicine placement table (petri dish) 133a, a rotation mechanism 133b (movement mechanism), and an axis portion 133c connecting the medicine placement table 133a and the rotation mechanism 133b, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3. The medicine placement table 133a is for placing a medicine to be imaged. The rotation mechanism 133b is for moving the medicine placement table 133a, and more specifically, rotates the medicine placement table 133a with respect to the XY plane and rotates the axis portion 133c in the circumferential direction of the axis portion 133c.

[0045] When the medicine transported from the first container 11 is placed on the medicine placement table 133a, the imaging control unit 63 drives the turning mechanism 133b to move the medicine placement table 133a from the receiving area Ar1 to the placement area Ar2. Thereafter, the imaging control unit 63 controls at least the first camera 131 and the illuminator 134 to capture an image of the medicine placed in the placement area Ar2. The captured image is stored as image data in the storage unit 80. For example, after the imaging is completed, the imaging control unit 63 drives the turning mechanism 133b to move the medicine placement table 133a on which the imaged medicine is placed from the placement area Ar2 to the receiving area Ar1.

[0046] In this embodiment, two medicine placement tables 133a are provided at the tip (end) of the shaft 133c. The turning mechanism 133b turns the shaft 133c, and when one medicine placement table 133a is placed in the placement area Ar2, the other medicine placement table 133a is placed in the receiving area Ar1. When imaging medicines in the placement area Ar2, the transport / sorting unit 12 transports medicines from the first container 11 to the medicine placement table 133a present in the receiving area Ar1, thereby enabling continuous imaging of medicines. Note that it is assumed that the medicine placement table 133a is in a state where no medicine is placed thereon, such as after the medicine is sorted into the second container 14.

[0047] In this embodiment, the medicine placing stand 133a has transparency, so that the first camera 131 can capture images of the medicine placed on the medicine placing stand 133a from multiple directions through the medicine placing stand 133a.

[0048] Also, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the medicine placing stand 133a may have a substantially V-shaped cross section with a recessed bottom. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 4, when the medicine placing stand 133a is placed in the receiving area Ar1 and the placement area Ar2, the groove direction of the substantially V-shaped cross section (extension direction of the shaft portion 133c) is substantially parallel to the rotation axis Ay of the imaging mechanism (described later) by the rotation mechanism 132. Also, the bottom of the medicine placing stand 133a may not have an acute V-shape. As shown in FIG. 3(c), the bottom may have a bottom surface portion 133aa and an inclined surface portion 133ab inclined from two opposing points of the bottom surface portion 133aa. The shape of the bottom may be such that the information (engraved information or printed information) indicated by the imprint or print of the medicine can be recognized even when viewed (imaged) from the back side of the medicine placing stand 133a, and the medicine can be fixed.

[0049] In the case where the medicine is a capsule or a deformed tablet (e.g., rugby ball-shaped), if the bottom of the medicine placement table 133a is flat, the orientation of the medicine may not be uniform on the XY plane, making it difficult to obtain a clear image of the medicine (engraved information or printed information). If the cross section is approximately V-shaped, the capsule or deformed tablet is fitted into the lowest end, and the medicine can be fixed. This makes it easier to obtain a clear image of the medicine. In the case of a tablet, for example, the axis portion 133c may be rotated in the circumferential direction of the axis portion 133c to make the flat portion (inclined surface portion 133ab) of the medicine placement table 133a face the first camera 131, thereby ensuring that the medicine does not move.

[0050] In addition, the turning mechanism 133b can also vibrate (slightly move or shake) the medicine placement table 133a. In this case, for example, by vibrating and rolling the capsule placed on the medicine placement table 133a, the part of the capsule on which the print is attached can be oriented in a predetermined direction (for example, the part can be made to face the first camera 131 placed in the initial position described below). In addition, by the vibration, even if a cylindrical tablet (with a circular bottom) is placed upright on the flat surface, the tablet can be turned sideways (placed so that the bottom of the tablet faces the flat surface).

[0051] The illuminator 134 emits light to be irradiated onto the medicine when imaging the medicine under the control of the imaging control unit 63. As shown in (a) of FIG. 3, the illuminator 134 includes a visible light irradiating unit (first irradiating unit 134a and second irradiating unit 134b) that irradiates the medicine with visible light, and an ultraviolet light irradiating unit 134c that irradiates the medicine with ultraviolet light.

[0052] The first irradiating section 134a and the second irradiating section 134b irradiate the medicine with white light as visible light. The first irradiating section 134a is a bar-shaped visible light source (bar illumination), and the second irradiating section 134b is a ring-shaped visible light source (ring illumination). The first camera 131 receives the visible light emitted from the first irradiating section 134a or the second irradiating section 134b and reflected by the medicine, thereby acquiring an image based on the visible light (visible light image). The imaging control section 63 outputs image data indicating the visible light image acquired by the first camera 131 to the discrimination section 64.

[0053] The ultraviolet light irradiating unit 134c irradiates the drug with ultraviolet light (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of 365 nm or more and 410 nm or less) to excite the components contained in the drug. This causes fluorescence (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of 410 nm or more and 800 nm or less) to be extracted from the drug. The first camera 131 receives the fluorescence emitted from the drug to obtain an image based on the ultraviolet light (ultraviolet light image). The imaging control unit 63 outputs image data indicating the ultraviolet light image obtained by the first camera 131 to the discrimination unit 64.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the rotation mechanism 132 rotates the first camera 131 so as to revolve around the arrangement area Ar2 (the medicine placement table 133a arranged at that position) where the medicine to be imaged is arranged. The first camera 131 images the medicine arranged in the arrangement area Ar2 from multiple positions to which the rotation mechanism 132 has rotated it. Specifically, the imaging mechanism including the first camera 131 and the illuminator 134 is rotated so as to revolve around the arrangement area Ar2. Therefore, the first camera 131 can image the medicine from multiple directions while maintaining the positional relationship of the first camera 131 and the illuminator 134 with respect to the arrangement area Ar2.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the rotation mechanism 132 includes an imaging mechanism driving unit 132a and a power transmission mechanism 132b. The imaging mechanism driving unit 132a generates power for rotating the imaging mechanism around the arrangement area Ar2. The power transmission mechanism 132b transmits the power generated by the imaging mechanism driving unit 132a to the imaging mechanism. The imaging mechanism driving unit 132a is driven under the control of the imaging control unit 63 to change the position of the imaging mechanism around the arrangement area Ar2.

[0056] The rotation mechanism 132 rotates the imaging mechanism between an initial position and a position opposite to the initial position. The initial position is a position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement area Ar2 and above the arrangement area Ar2. The position opposite to the initial position is a position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement area Ar2 and below the arrangement area Ar2. This position can also be said to be a position where the first camera 131 faces the bottom of the medicine placement table 133a present in the arrangement area Ar2.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, an axis passing through the center of the arrangement area Ar2 and parallel to the Z axis is defined as axis Ax0, and an axis passing through the center of the arrangement area Ar2 and the center of the imaging mechanism is defined as axis Ax1. The angle between axis Ax0 and axis Ax1 is defined as θ. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism 132 places the imaging mechanism at any one of the positions θ=0° (initial position), 45°, 135°, and 180°. Note that (a) of Fig. 4 shows a case where the imaging mechanism is at a position of θ=0°, and (b) of Fig. 4 shows a case where the imaging mechanism has rotated from the initial position to a position of θ=45°.

[0058] In this way, by rotating the imaging mechanism around the arrangement area Ar2, the medicine can be imaged from multiple directions while the medicine is fixed in the arrangement area Ar2. Even if the medicine (tablet) stands upright after shaking the medicine placement table 133a, information indicated by the markings or the like affixed to the medicine can be obtained by imaging from an oblique direction (θ=45° or 135°).

[0059] It should be noted that the imaging mechanism may be fixed and the drug may be rotated to capture images of the drug from multiple directions.

[0060] (Imaging position control) Next, an example of position control of the imaging mechanism will be described. The imaging control unit 63 first sets the imaging mechanism to an initial position, and causes the first camera 131 to capture an image of the medicine placed in the placement area Ar2 at the initial position. At this time, the first camera 131 acquires a visible light image (two visible light images) based on visible light from the first irradiation unit 134a and the second irradiation unit 134b, and also acquires an ultraviolet light image based on ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 134c.

[0061] Next, the imaging control unit 63 sets the imaging mechanism at a position opposite to the initial position, and causes the first camera 131 to capture an image of the medicine placed in the placement area Ar2 at that position, thereby acquiring two visible light images and an ultraviolet light image. The discrimination unit 64 analyzes these six images to discriminate the type of medicine. If the type of medicine cannot be identified as one, the imaging control unit 63 causes the first irradiating unit 134a and the second irradiating unit 134b to emit visible light at positions θ=45° and 135°, and causes the first camera 131 to capture an image of the medicine. The discrimination unit 64 analyzes the visible light image at this time to discriminate the type of medicine.

[0062] The position control of the imaging mechanism is not limited to the above, and various methods can be used. For example, imaging may be performed from the initial position after imaging from a position opposite to the initial position. Also, a drug discrimination process based on a visible light image when imaging from a position of θ=45° may be performed, and only if the type of drug cannot be identified as one, a visible light image when imaging from a position of θ=135° may be acquired. Also, only ultraviolet light images may be acquired at the initial position and a position opposite to the initial position, and after a drug discrimination process based on the ultraviolet light image, a visible light image at the position may be acquired. Also, visible light images and ultraviolet light images may be acquired at all positions.

[0063] [Image processing / discrimination processing] Next, image processing of the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and drug discrimination processing based on the result of the image processing will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The image processing is mainly performed by the imaging control unit 63, and the discrimination processing is mainly performed by the discrimination unit 64.

[0064] The discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of drug based on the image of the drug captured by the first camera 131. Specifically, the discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of drug based on the imaging result (visible light image) of the drug captured in a state where visible light is irradiated from the first irradiating unit 134a or the second irradiating unit 134b. The discrimination unit 64 also discriminates the type of drug based on the imaging result (ultraviolet light image) of the drug captured in a state where ultraviolet light is irradiated.

[0065] The discrimination unit 64 extracts the characteristics of the medicine contained in the image by performing image analysis on each of the visible light image and / or the ultraviolet light image. In other words, the discrimination unit 64 has a characteristic extraction unit 64a (identification information extraction unit) that extracts the characteristics of the medicine. Examples of the characteristics of the medicine include size, shape, marking, print, dividing line, and representative color (color of the area with marking or print). When OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or the like is performed, other information such as the name of the medicine represented by the marking or print (e.g., identification code) or identification information indicating the manufacturer (identification information for identifying the medicine), and expiration date are extracted as the characteristics of the medicine. In addition, in the case of the ultraviolet light image, the representative color of the medicine in the image is cited as the characteristics of the medicine. The discrimination unit 64 links the extracted characteristics of each medicine to the image data of the medicine and stores them in the storage unit 80. The extraction of the characteristics of the medicine may be performed by a known technique.

[0066] The discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of drug by comparing the characteristics of each drug with the drug database. In other words, the discrimination unit 64 has a drug data extraction unit 64b that narrows down candidates of drug data related to the captured drug from the drug database using pattern matching or the like based on the extracted drug characteristics. In this case, for example, the drug data candidates are narrowed down using at least one of the above-mentioned size, shape, marking, print, dividing line, and representative color. Thereafter, the discrimination unit 64 performs OCR or the like to read the identification information or the like shown on the marking or print, and further narrows down the types of drugs from the above candidates using pattern matching or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, even if the drug features (target features) extracted using pattern matching or the like are not in the drug database, when the drug is estimated to be a drug (tablet or capsule) based on at least a part of the target features, the discrimination unit 64 determines the type of drug as a suspected drug. In this case, the suspected drug can also be sorted into the second container 14 or the waiting tray 15. In this embodiment, the suspected drug may first be temporarily placed on the waiting tray 15.

[0068] In this way, the discrimination unit 64 (judgment unit) judges whether or not there is drug data corresponding to the image (image data) captured by the first camera 131 in the drug data (drug database) regarding multiple types of drugs registered in advance.

[0069] The discrimination unit 64 outputs the discrimination result of the type of medicine to the sorting control unit 62. For example, when the type of medicine can be identified as one, or when the number of candidates is narrowed down to a predetermined number or less, the discrimination unit 64 outputs the medicine data related to the medicine as the discrimination result. In this case, the discrimination unit 64 stores the medicine data related to the medicine in the storage unit 80 in association with the image data of the medicine.

[0070] When the discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of medicine as a suspected medicine, it outputs the characteristics of the medicine (the characteristics of the object presumed to be a suspected medicine) as the discrimination result. On the other hand, when the discrimination unit 64 discriminates that the medicine is registered in the medicine database as a medicine to be discarded, or when the object contained in the first container 11 is a foreign object other than a medicine, it outputs the fact that the medicine is not to be sorted as the discrimination result.

[0071] [Medicine sorting process] Next, the medicine sorting process based on the result of the above discrimination process will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the medicine sorting process. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a sorting image Im1 (sorting screen). Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an inspection image Im2 (inspection screen). Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a confirmation image (confirmation screen) Im3. The above medicine sorting process is mainly performed by the transport / sorting unit 12 and the sorting control unit 62.

[0072] 5, for the sake of convenience, reference characters A to F and 1 to 7 are used to identify the positions of the sorting cups 141 that can be placed in the second storage unit 14. The sorting cups 141 are sorting containers that contain sorted medicines, and can be removably placed in the second storage unit 14.

[0073] As described above, the medicine contained in the first container 11 is transported from the first container 11 to the receiving area Ar1 (see (i) of FIG. 5), and then moved to the placement area Ar2. After being imaged by the first camera 131, the medicine is moved from the placement area Ar2 back to the receiving area Ar1. Thereafter, in this embodiment, the medicine is transported via the route shown in (ii), (iii) to (v), or (vi) of FIG. 5, based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 64.

[0074] Specifically, the transporting and sorting unit 12 stores the medicines by type in the second storage section 14 or in the waiting tray 15 based on the discrimination result by the discrimination section 64 (see (ii) and (iii) in FIG. 5). The sorting control section 62 controls the transporting and sorting unit 12 to transport the medicines placed in the receiving area Ar1 after the imaging and discrimination process to a predetermined sorting cup 141 in the second storage section 14 or to the waiting tray 15 based on the discrimination result.

[0075] 1 and 5, in this embodiment, a determined area Ar11 (first area) and a provisional determination area Ar12 (second area) are set in the second storage section 14. The determined area Ar11 is an area that contains a medicine for which the discrimination unit 64 has determined that there is medicine data corresponding to the image data. On the other hand, the provisional determination area Ar12 is an area set at a position different from the determined area Ar11, that contains a medicine for which the discrimination unit 64 has determined that there is no medicine data corresponding to the image data.

[0076] 5, a determined area Ar11 is set at A-1 to F-5 on the medicine take-out side, and a provisional determination area Ar12 is set at B-6 to F-7, which is a position away from the medicine take-out side. However, the set positions and ranges of the determined area Ar11 and the provisional determination area Ar12 are not limited to this and can be changed according to the convenience of the user.

[0077] Furthermore, as in the example of Figure 5, when the determined area Ar11 is set to be larger than the provisional judgment area Ar12, the drug sorting device 1 can be said to be set to a "determined area effective utilization mode" in which the determined area Ar11 is effectively utilized in the second storage section 14.

[0078] The transporting and sorting unit 12 stores medicines for which it has been determined that there is medicine data corresponding to the image data in a determination area Ar11 by type (see (ii) or (v) of FIG. 5). On the other hand, the transporting and sorting unit 12 stores medicines for which it has been determined that there is no medicine data corresponding to the image data in a provisional determination area Ar12 (see (iv) of FIG. 5).

[0079] (In the case of (ii) in Figure 5) When the assortment control unit 62 receives drug data related to a drug as a discrimination result, it determines that the discrimination unit 64 has determined that drug data corresponding to the image data exists, and determines a sorting position (sorting cup 141) for storing the drug in the defined area Ar11. In addition, the assortment control unit 62 stores the discrimination result (drug data) and the determined sorting position in the memory unit 80.

[0080] When the sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position, it controls the transport mechanism 123 in the same way as the transport control unit 61 to move the transport / sorting unit 12 above the receiving area Ar1. Similarly to the transport control unit 61, the sorting control unit 62 controls the second camera 121 and the suction / shutter mechanism 122 to adsorb the medicines placed in the receiving area Ar1. Thereafter, the transport mechanism 123 transports the medicines to the determined sorting cup 141. After transport, the suction is released to store the medicines in the sorting cup 141. In addition, the sorting control unit 62 counts the number of medicines stored in the sorting cup 141, and stores the number in the memory unit 80 in association with the sorting position.

[0081] (Case (iii) in Figure 5) When the sorting control unit 62 receives a discrimination result indicating that the type of the medicine is a suspected medicine, it determines that the discrimination unit 64 has determined that there is no medicine data corresponding to the image data, and determines the standby tray 15 as the sorting position. Then, the sorting control unit 62 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the medicine from the receiving area Ar1 to the standby tray 15.

[0082] For example, in the above-mentioned "determined area effective utilization mode", after the sorting of the medicines stored in the first storage unit 11 (sorting to the determined area Ar11, the waiting tray 15, or the collection tray 16) is completed, the discrimination process is performed again by the discrimination unit 64 for the medicines stored in the waiting tray 15. That is, in the above-mentioned "determined area effective utilization mode", the medicines whose type has been determined are sorted into the determined area Ar11, and the suspected medicines are temporarily placed in the waiting tray 15. Then, after the medicines whose type has been determined are sorted into the determined area Ar11, re-sorting is performed for the suspected medicines stored in the waiting tray 15. Specifically, the sorting control unit 62 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the medicines from the waiting tray 15 to the receiving area Ar1. After that, the medicines are moved from the receiving area Ar1 to the arrangement area Ar2, and the above-mentioned medicine imaging process and image processing / discrimination process are performed on the medicines.

[0083] As a result, when the discrimination unit 64 determines that there is medicine data corresponding to the image data, the assortment control unit 62 determines a sorting cup 141 in the determined area Ar11 in which no medicine is stored (a sorting cup 141 not yet determined as a sorting position) as a sorting position. Thereafter, as described above, the assortment control unit 62 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the medicine from the receiving area Ar1 to the sorting cup 141 in the determined area Ar11 determined as the sorting position (see (v) of FIG. 5). Furthermore, the assortment control unit 62 associates the medicine data identified in the medicine database with the determined sorting position and stores them in the memory unit 80.

[0084] On the other hand, if the discrimination unit 64 again determines that there is no medicine data corresponding to the image data, the assortment control unit 62 determines the sorting position to be the sorting cup 141 in the provisional determination area Ar12 that does not contain any medicine. Then, the assortment control unit 62 associates the medicine characteristics of the suspected medicine with the determined sorting position and stores them in the memory unit 80.

[0085] The sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position in the provisional judgment area Ar12 based on at least one of the characteristics of the drug (suspected drug) included in the image. For example, the sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position in the provisional judgment area Ar12 based on at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the suspected drug in the image. Specifically, the sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position so that the sorting positions of suspected drugs that are considered to match at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the drug are the same. The information attached to the drug refers to, for example, at least a part of the identification information attached to the drug. If at least a part of the identification information is substantially the same (if there is a similar part between the two pieces of identification information to be compared), the drugs to which the identification information is attached may be stored in the same sorting cup 141. On the other hand, for the suspected drug to be first sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12, and for the suspected drug to be sorted that has characteristics that do not match the characteristics of the suspected drug that has already been sorted, the sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position to be a sorting cup 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12 that does not contain the drug.

[0086] Thereafter, the sorting control unit 62 controls the transporting and sorting unit 12 to transport the medicine to the sorting cup 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12 determined as the sorting position (see (iv) of FIG. 5). Specifically, the transporting and sorting unit 12 sorts the suspected medicine into each position (each sorting cup 141) in the provisional judgment area Ar12 based on at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the medicine included in the image.

[0087] Furthermore, even when the sorting control unit 62 receives medicine data related to medicine as a discrimination result, if all of the sorting cups 141 in the determined area Ar11 are filled with medicine, the sorting control unit 62 determines the standby tray 15 as the sorting position. In this case, if a space becomes available in the sorting cup 141 in the determined area Ar11, the sorting control unit 62 determines the sorting position of the medicine sorted to the standby tray 15 as the position where the sorting cup 141 is placed. Furthermore, if all of the sorting cups 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12 are filled with medicine, the sorting control unit 62 causes the medicine to wait on the standby tray 15 until a space becomes available in the sorting cup 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12.

[0088] As described above, the size of the determined area Ar11 can be set arbitrarily by the user. For example, the user may set the size of the determined area Ar11 to be as large as possible (in the above-mentioned "determined area effective utilization mode") as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, it is possible to increase the possibility that all or most of the drugs contained in the first container 11, whose types have been determined, will be contained in the determined area Ar11. However, regarding the setting of the determined area Ar11, the above-mentioned "determined area effective utilization mode" may be configured to allow selection of two settings as follows:

[0089] (1) Setting of a determined area Ar11 that allows medicines whose types have been determined to be stored in the waiting tray 15. In this setting, when a space becomes available in the determined area Ar11, the control unit 60a stores the medicines that have been temporarily placed in the waiting tray 15 in the determined area Ar11.

[0090] (2) Setting a determination area Ar11 as large as possible so as to minimize the occurrence of sorting of drugs whose types have been identified into waiting trays 15.

[0091] (Alternative process for (iii) in Figure 5) Unlike the processing in the above-mentioned "determined area effective utilization mode," the suspected medicine may be transported directly to the provisional judgment area Ar12 without being temporarily placed on the waiting tray 15. In other words, after completing the discrimination process for the medicine contained in the first container 11, the control unit 60a may sequentially sort the medicine into either the determined area Ar11 or the provisional judgment area Ar12 according to the discrimination result.

[0092] In this case, if the control unit 60a is unable to identify the type of medicine, it may execute the identification process again. This is because there is a possibility that the type of medicine can be identified by the identification process again. The identification process is executed again, for example, a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number of times may be set to a number of times (e.g., three times) that allows the type of medicine to be identified by the identification process again and has little effect on increasing the processing time. If the control unit 60a is able to identify the type of medicine by the identification process again, it transports the medicine to the determination area Ar11. On the other hand, if the type of medicine still cannot be identified even after the identification process is executed a predetermined number of times, it transports the medicine to the provisional determination area Ar12.

[0093] Furthermore, when the result of sequential sorting is that it is not possible to sort into the determined area Ar11 (when there is no empty sorting cup 141 in the determined area Ar11), the medicine to be sorted is stored in the waiting tray 15. When it is not possible to sort into the provisional judgment area Ar12 (when there is no empty sorting cup 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12), the suspected medicine to be sorted is stored in the waiting tray 15. In other words, when there are no more positions to sort in either the determined area Ar11 or the provisional judgment area Ar12, the medicine to be sorted or the suspected medicine is transported to and accumulated in the waiting tray 15 without being stored in the other area.

[0094] The medicine sorting device 1 may be set to either a "determined area effective utilization mode" or a "determined area non-effective utilization mode". When set to the "determined area effective utilization mode", as described above, the suspected medicine is temporarily placed on the waiting tray 15 and then sorted into the determined area Ar11 or the provisional judgment area Ar12. On the other hand, when set to the "determined area non-effective utilization mode", as described above, the suspected medicine is directly sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12 without being temporarily placed on the waiting tray 15.

[0095] (In the case of (vi) in Fig. 5) When the sorting control unit 62 receives a discrimination result indicating that the medicine is not to be sorted, the sorting control unit 62 determines whether the identified medicine is a medicine registered in the medicine database as a medicine to be discarded, or whether the object placed in the receiving area Ar1 after discrimination is a foreign object. Therefore, the sorting control unit 62 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the medicine or foreign object to the collection tray 16.

[0096] In this way, the sorting control unit 62 stores all of the items contained in the first container 11 in either the second container 14, the waiting tray 15, or the collection tray 16, regardless of the result of identifying the type of medicine. Therefore, even if the type of medicine cannot be identified as one, or if a foreign object has been mixed into the first container 11, the sorting process can be continued without being stopped for that reason.

[0097] In addition, if the medicine to be discriminated is registered in the medicine database, it can be sorted into the confirmation area Ar11, and if it is not registered, it can be sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12. Therefore, medicines can be sorted regardless of whether or not medicine data is registered in the storage unit 80. In addition, since the area to be sorted can be changed depending on whether or not medicine data is registered in the storage unit 80, the convenience of the medicine registration process described below can be improved.

[0098] (Other configurations) In order to take out the medicines for which the discrimination process has been completed from the medicine placing table 133a arranged in the receiving area Ar1, the sorting control unit 62 causes the second camera 121 to capture an image of the medicine placing table 133a, thereby narrowing down the positions of the medicines. In addition, when transporting the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 to the packaging mechanism 6, the sorting control unit 62 causes the second camera 121 to capture an image of the sorting cup 141, thereby narrowing down the medicines to be transported.

[0099] Furthermore, in the determined area Ar11, the medicine data on the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 by the sorting control unit 62 is stored in an RFID tag provided on the sorting cup 141 by the second RFID reader / writer unit 18.

[0100] The second RFID reader / writer unit 18 writes drug data, etc. to the RFID tag, or reads out drug data, etc. stored in the RFID tag, similarly to the first RFID reader / writer unit 5. The sorting control unit 62 causes the RFID control unit 68 to write data related to a drug every time the drug is stored in the sorting cup 141.

[0101] The second RFID reader / writer unit 18 is provided below the second storage section 14. Specifically, the second RFID reader / writer unit 18 is provided so as to face the bottom of each sorting cup 141 when reading or writing data related to medicines stored in the RFID tag of each sorting cup 141.

[0102] (Example of display image) During the medicine sorting process or while the medicine sorting process is stopped, the display control unit 67 can cause the display unit 32 to display an assortment image Im1 as shown in FIG.

[0103] Each of the multiple sorting positions at which medicines are sorted, the sorting cups 141 arranged at the corresponding sorting positions, and medicine data regarding the medicines contained in the sorting cups 141 (or data including at least a part of the target features) are linked and stored in the storage unit 80. In addition, the number of medicines contained in the sorting cups 141 and image data of the medicines are also linked and stored in the storage unit 80.

[0104] Therefore, the display control unit 67 can display the assortment image Im1 that reflects a plurality of sorting positions in the second container 14 and the sorting status (for example, the number of medicines contained) at each of the sorting positions.

[0105] Furthermore, the display control unit 67 displays the inspection result etc. at the position where the medicines are sorted in the sorting image Im1. The display control unit 67 displays, as the inspection result, "not visually inspected", indicating that visual inspection has not been performed, or "visually inspected", indicating that inspection has been performed. Furthermore, the display control unit 67 displays "provisionally sorted", indicating that the medicine data has not been registered and therefore the medicine has been sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12. These displays allow the user to confirm the sorting cup 141 into which the medicines that have not been inspected have been sorted, or the sorting cup 141 into which the medicines that require registration in the medicine database have been sorted.

[0106] The display control unit 67 receives a user input for a sorting position in the determined area Ar11 shown in the sorting image Im1, and thereby displays an inspection image Im2 (see FIG. 7) of a medicine associated with the sorting position on the display unit 32. This makes it possible to display the inspection image Im2 of a medicine that the user desires to visually inspect.

[0107] Furthermore, by accepting a user input for a sorting position of the provisional judgment area Ar12 shown in the sorting image Im1, the display control unit 67 displays a confirmation image Im3 of a medicine associated with the sorting position on the display unit 32. This makes it possible to display a confirmation image Im3 (see FIG. 8) of a medicine that the user wishes to register in the medicine database.

[0108] [Drug registration processing] Next, the medicine registration process for registering the medicine sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12 in the medicine database will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 6, 8 to 10. Fig. 9 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a display example of a search image (search screen) Im4, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by the first camera 131. Fig. 10 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a registration image (registration screen) Im5, and (b) is a diagram for explaining an example of an image adjustment process.

[0109] As described above, the display control unit 67 displays the confirmation image Im3 as shown in Fig. 8 by accepting a user input for the sorting position of the provisional judgment area Ar12 shown in the sorting image Im1 shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 8, the confirmation image Im3 includes at least an image display area Ar31 and a "master registration" button.

[0110] The image display area Ar31 is an area in which images (images captured by the first camera 131) indicated by image data of the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141, which are linked to the sorting position and stored in the memory unit 80, are displayed for the number of medicines stored in the sorting cup 141. In this example, the image display area Ar31 displays images of two medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 located at position F-7. The "Master registration" button accepts user input to start registering the medicine selected in the image display area Ar31 in the medicine database.

[0111] When one image data is selected and a user input to the "MASTER REGISTRATION" button is accepted, the control unit 60a performs a registration process of the drug corresponding to the image data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 60a includes a registration unit 70. The registration unit 70 performs a process of registering drug data related to the drug sorted into the provisional determination area Ar12 in the drug database. In other words, for a drug for which the discrimination unit 64 has determined that no drug data corresponding to the image data exists, the registration unit 70 registers the drug data of the drug related to the image data specified by the user in association with the image data.

[0112] Specifically, the registration unit 70 controls the display control unit 67 to display a search image Im4 shown in (a) of Fig. 9 on the display unit 32. The search image Im4 is an image showing a search result for medicines stored in the sorting cup 141.

[0113] As shown in (a) of FIG. 9, the search image Im4 includes at least a character input area Ar41, an image display area Ar42, a search result list area Ar43, and a "Select" button. The character input area Ar41 is an area in which characters can be input to search for a drug displayed in the image display area Ar42. The image display area Ar42 is an area in which an image captured by the first camera 131 (the same image as the image selected in FIG. 8) is displayed. The search result list area Ar43 is an area in which search results are displayed when a user input to the "Search" button is accepted. The "Select" button is used to determine the selection of one drug data from among the drug data displayed in the search result list area Ar43.

[0114] Here, the first camera 131 captures an image of the medicine placed on the medicine placement table 133a arranged in the placement area Ar2. Therefore, the orientation of information (e.g., imprinted information or printed information) attached to the medicine in the image data stored in the storage unit 80 varies depending on the medicine. In the image display area Ar42, an image (image captured by the first camera 131) indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit 80 is displayed as it is. Therefore, in the image display area Ar42, an image in which the imprinted information is facing downward is displayed, for example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 9. Also, for example, when the imprinted information is captured in a landscape state, an image in which the imprinted information is facing landscape is displayed in the image display area Ar42, as shown in (c) of FIG. The same applies to the inspection image Im2 shown in FIG. 7 and the confirmation image Im3 shown in FIG. 8.

[0115] When the display control unit 67 displays the search image Im4 shown in (a) of Fig. 9, the user recognizes the marking information by checking the image displayed in the image display area Ar42. The user inputs at least a part of the recognized marking information in the character input area Ar41.

[0116] When the registration unit 70 receives user input to the "Search" button after at least a portion of the engraving information has been entered in the character input area Ar41, it performs a search in the comprehensive drug database based on the characters entered in the character input area Ar41.

[0117] The comprehensive drug database manages drug data relating to multiple types of drugs. The comprehensive drug database is a database managed by a data management device 500 (see FIG. 13) that can be communicatively connected to the drug sorting device 1 and comprehensively and centrally manages multiple types of drugs. The data management device 500 is, for example, a device used by the manufacturer of the drug sorting device 1. The comprehensive drug database includes drug data relating to all drugs that can be handled by the drug sorting device 1 used in various locations (hospitals, hospital wards, pharmacies, etc.) and devices other than the drug sorting device 1 (e.g., packaging machines).

[0118] On the other hand, the drug database is a database managed by the drug sorting device 1 or the hospital, ward, pharmacy, etc. in which the drug sorting device 1 is used. As described above, the drug database is managed, for example, by the memory unit 80. The amount of drug data managed in the comprehensive drug database is huge, so it is not realistic to include all of it in the drug database. Therefore, the drug database extracts and manages drug data that is expected to be used by each drug sorting device 1 or each hospital, ward, pharmacy, etc. from the drug data included in the comprehensive drug database. In other words, even drug data that does not exist in the comprehensive drug database exists in the comprehensive drug database. Therefore, the registration unit 70 performs a search in the comprehensive drug database.

[0119] The drug data registered in the comprehensive drug database and the drug database includes image data of the drug in which the identification information (e.g., engraved information or printed information) attached to the drug has been adjusted to a specified direction and size. The direction and size are set, for example, for each type or size of the drug.

[0120] Assume that the user inputs "SW" from the information included in the image into the character input area Ar41 and then presses the "Search" button. In this case, the registration unit 70 displays the results of a search for the character "SW" in the comprehensive drug database in the search result list area Ar43, as shown in FIG. 9(b). In the search result list area Ar43, the user selects drug data that matches the information "SW344" included in the image.

[0121] When the registration unit 70 receives a user input to the "Select" button in a state where one piece of drug data displayed in the search result list area Ar43 is selected, the registration unit 70 controls the display control unit 67 to display the registered image Im5 on the display unit 32. At this time, the registration unit 70 also controls the discrimination unit 64 (feature extraction unit 64a) to extract the marking information from the image captured by the first camera (the same image as the image selected in FIG. 8). If the image includes a dividing line, the registration unit 70 also extracts the dividing line. A known technique can be used to extract the marking information.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 10, the registered image Im5 includes at least an image display area Ar51, a drug information display area Ar52, an image adjustment area Ar53, an operation unit display area Ar54, and a "Confirm" button.

[0123] The image display area Ar51 is an area for displaying an image captured by the first camera 131. The same image as the image selected in FIG. 8 is displayed in the image display area Ar51. However, images of one drug captured from multiple directions may be displayed in the image display area Ar51. In FIG. 10, four images of one drug captured from different directions are displayed.

[0124] The drug information display area Ar52 is an area that displays drug data (e.g., image data, drug name, and engraving information (e.g., identification code)) regarding drugs extracted from the comprehensive drug database. The image adjustment area Ar53 is an area that adjusts the direction or size of the image. The operation unit display area Ar54 is an area that displays an operation unit for adjusting the direction or size of the image displayed in the image adjustment area Ar53. The "Confirm" button is used to confirm the registration in the drug database.

[0125] When one of the images displayed in the image display area Ar51 is selected, the registration unit 70 displays the selected image in the image adjustment area Ar53. The registration unit 70 also displays the marking information extracted when a user input is received to the "Select" button of the search image Im4 in the image adjustment area Ar53. That is, the registration unit 70 displays the extracted marking information and the selected image in a superimposed manner in the image adjustment area Ar53.

[0126] The registration unit 70 displays the extracted marking information in the image adjustment area Ar53. The registration unit 70 displays the marking information in the image adjustment area Ar53 with the direction and size of the extracted marking information adjusted to the direction and size specified in the medicine database. Therefore, by changing the direction and size of the selected image to match the marking information displayed in the image adjustment area Ar53, image data including marking information with the direction and size specified in the medicine database can be registered in the medicine database.

[0127] In the image adjustment area Ar53, with the extracted engraving information and the selected image superimposed, the user operates the operation unit displayed in the operation unit display area Ar54. This allows the user to rotate the selected image, move it up and down or left and right, or change the size of the image. The registration unit 70 sequentially displays images reflecting the user's input to the operation unit in the image adjustment area Ar53. This allows the user to change the direction, size, and position of the selected image so that it approximately matches the direction and size of the extracted engraving information while checking the image adjustment area Ar53.

[0128] For example, in the case of (a) of FIG. 10, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10, the registration unit 70 displays the extracted marking information in the image adjustment area Ar53, and then displays the selected image in the image adjustment area Ar53. In this example, the marking information is facing downward in the image captured by the first camera 131. That is, in the image adjustment area Ar53, the extracted marking information and the marking information in the selected image face in opposite directions. Note that in (b) of FIG. 10, in order to clearly distinguish them, each character of the extracted marking information "SW344" is shown in bold, and each character of the marking information "SW344" in the selected image is shown in dotted lines.

[0129] In this state, the user operates the operation unit displayed in the operation unit display area Ar54 to change the direction, size and position of the selected image, so that the engraving information included in the selected image approximately matches the direction and size of the extracted engraving information. When the direction and size of the engraving information are approximately the same, the user presses the "Confirm" button.

[0130] When the registration unit 70 accepts user input to the "Confirm" button, it links the image data (adjusted image data) showing the image adjusted in the image adjustment area Ar53 with the drug data selected as a result of the search and registers them in the drug database.

[0131] Thus, in this embodiment, the discrimination unit 64 (feature extraction unit 64a) extracts the marking information (identification information) shown on the medicine included in the image captured by the first camera 131. The display control unit 67 displays the image and the marking information on the display unit 32. Specifically, the image and the marking information are displayed in the image adjustment area Ar53 of the registered image Im5. Then, the registration unit 70 registers image data showing the image when the direction of the marking information shown on the medicine included in the image is matched to a predetermined direction (a predetermined direction defined in the medicine database) when the extracted marking information is displayed on the display unit 32.

[0132] This allows image data including marking information of the direction and size specified in the drug database to be registered in the drug database, thereby improving the accuracy of the matching using the drug database by the discrimination unit 64 and speeding up the process.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 10(a), when multiple images are displayed in the image display area Ar51, the registration unit 70 may perform the above-mentioned drug registration process for each image. In this case, multiple image data are registered for one drug in the drug database. The registration unit 70 may also register the adjusted image data in the drug database only for one image selected from the multiple images (for example, an image that the user judges to clearly show the marking information).

[0134] [Drug registration process for capsules] Next, the medicine registration process when the medicine is a capsule will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a registered image Im6 when registering a capsule. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a registered image Im7 when registering another capsule.

[0135] When the medicine is a capsule, the registration section 70 controls the display control section 67 to cause the display section 32 to display a plurality of images captured from a plurality of positions around the capsule.

[0136] Unlike tablets, capsules do not necessarily have printed information (e.g., identification code) on either the front or back side. Therefore, the registration unit 70 displays multiple images, allowing the user to select an image that clearly contains printed information from among the multiple images as an image to be registered. Therefore, even in the case of capsules, image data suitable for registration in the medicine database can be registered.

[0137] As shown in Fig. 11, the registered image Im6 includes at least an image display area Ar61, a drug information display area Ar62, an image adjustment area Ar63, an operation unit display area Ar64, and a "Confirm" button. Each area and the "Confirm" button have the same functions as the image display area Ar51, the drug information display area Ar52, the image adjustment area Ar53, the operation unit display area Ar54, and the "Confirm" button shown in Fig. 10(a). However, the image display area Ar61 displays multiple images (seven images in this example) captured from multiple positions around the capsule.

[0138] In the example of FIG. 11, print information is added to each of the two divided areas of the capsule. The user selects an image in which print information is displayed near the center of each of the two divided areas from the seven images. That is, the user selects an image for each area that contains print information as similar as possible to the print information contained in the image data displayed in the drug information display area Ar62. In this example, the user selects the third and sixth images. After that, the same drug registration process as that described with reference to FIG. 10 is performed.

[0139] That is, the user changes the orientation, size, and position of the image selected in the image display area Ar61 in the image adjustment area Ar63 so that the print information of the image approximately matches the print information extracted from the captured image of the medicine and displayed facing a predetermined direction. After that, when the print information of the selected image and the extracted print information approximately match, the user presses the "Confirm" button. When the registration unit 70 receives the user's input to the "Confirm" button, it links the adjusted image data with the medicine data selected as a result of the search and registers it in the medicine database. In this example, the medicine registration process is performed for each of the third image and the sixth image.

[0140] In the image data registered in the drug database, the print information in one area faces upward and the print information in the other area faces downward, as shown in the drug information display area Ar62. Therefore, the registration unit 70 displays the print information in one area facing upward and the print information in the other area facing downward in the image adjustment area Ar63. Therefore, the user changes the direction, size, and position of each image so that the print information of the third image approximately matches the upward print information, and the print information of the sixth image approximately matches the downward print information.

[0141] In some cases, the capsule includes printed information in the lateral direction. In this case, the registration unit 70 displays images captured from a plurality of directions on the display unit 32, similarly to the case of FIG.

[0142] The registered image Im6 includes at least an image display area Ar71, a drug information display area Ar72, an image adjustment area Ar73, an operation unit display area Ar74, and a "Confirm" button, as shown in Fig. 12. Each area and the "Confirm" button have the same functions as the image display area Ar61, the drug information display area Ar62, the image adjustment area Ar63, the operation unit display area Ar64, and the "Confirm" button shown in Fig. 11, respectively.

[0143] The user selects an image that contains more printed information in each of the two divided areas from among the seven images contained in the image display area Ar71. In other words, the user selects an image for each area that contains printed information as similar as possible to the printed information contained in the image data displayed in the drug information display area Ar72.

[0144] In this example, the user selects the third, fourth, and fifth images for one area, and the fourth and fifth images for the other area. Then, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 11, the third, fourth, and fifth images are adjusted for one area, and the fourth and fifth images are adjusted for the other area. The user presses the "confirm" button for the adjusted image data that has the highest degree of match between the extracted print information and the print information included in the selected image. As a result, the registration unit 70 links the adjusted image data that has the highest degree of match to the drug data selected as a result of the search, and registers it in the drug database.

[0145] In this way, even if the medicine is a capsule, image data including print information of a direction and size specified in the medicine database can be registered in the medicine database.

[0146] The user does not have to select all of the images that contain more printed information. For example, the user may select only one image for each area that contains printed information that is as similar as possible to the printed information contained in the image data displayed in the drug information display area Ar72.

[0147] In addition, in the image data registered in the medicine database, the print information in one area, "ABCD(E)," and the print information in the other area, "5 mg," are both oriented leftward, as shown in the medicine information display area Ar72. Therefore, when displaying the print information in both areas, the registration unit 70 displays the print information oriented leftward in the image adjustment area Ar73.

[0148] [Data Management System] Next, the data management system will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data management system.

[0149] The data management system includes a plurality of medicine sorting devices 1 and a data management device 500 that can be communicatively connected to each of the medicine sorting devices 1. The medicine sorting devices 1 and the data management device 500 transmit and receive data via an Internet line or a dedicated VPN (Virtual Private Network) line. Note that the data management system may include only one medicine sorting device 1.

[0150] 1, the medicine sorting device 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 101 that transmits and receives data to and from the data management device 500. The transmission / reception unit 101 transmits, for example, image data of the medicine sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12 to the data management device 500.

[0151] The data management device 500 includes a transmission / reception unit 501, a control unit 502, a touch panel 503, and a storage unit 504. The transmission / reception unit 501 transmits and receives data to and from the medicine sorting device 1. The transmission / reception unit 501 receives image data from the transmission / reception unit 101, for example. The control unit 502 controls the data management device 500 in an overall manner, and mainly includes a registration unit 521. The registration unit 521 has the same function as the registration unit 70 shown in FIG. 1. The touch panel 503 includes an operation unit 531 and a display unit 532. The touch panel 503, the operation unit 531, and the display unit 532 have the same functions as the touch panel 3, the operation unit 31, and the display unit 32 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The storage unit 504 stores a medicine comprehensive database and a medicine database. The medicine database may be dedicated to each medicine sorting device 1, or may be common to each medicine sorting device 1.

[0152] For example, in the data management device 500, the transmitting / receiving unit 501 receives image data of the medicine sorted into the provisional judgment area Ar12 in each medicine sorting device 1 from each medicine sorting device 1. Then, the medicine registration process described above is performed for each image data. The registration unit 521 associates the adjusted image data with the medicine data specified by the user and registers it in the medicine database.

[0153] The control unit 502 controls the transmission / reception unit 501 to transmit the medicine database in which the adjusted image data is registered to each medicine sorting device 1. The control unit 502 may transmit only data including the adjusted image data and the medicine data linked to the image data to each medicine sorting device 1. The control unit 502 may transmit the medicine database only to the medicine sorting device 1 that transmitted the image data.

[0154] In this way, the data management device 500 includes a transmission / reception unit 501 that receives image data of a drug for which it has been determined that no drug data corresponding to the image data exists in the drug sorting device 1, and a registration unit 521 that registers drug data of a drug related to the image data specified by a user in association with the image data. This allows image data of a suspected drug to be registered in the drug database even if the drug sorting device 1 does not have the registration unit 70 (even if drug registration processing is not performed in the drug sorting device 1).

[0155] Furthermore, in this data management system, the data management device 500 manages a medicine database used in each medicine sorting device 1. Therefore, the medicine database does not have to be managed by the storage unit 80 of each medicine sorting device 1.

[0156] Furthermore, data transmission and reception between the medicine sorting apparatus 1 and the data management device 500 does not have to be performed using the above-mentioned line. For example, data transmission and reception with the data management device 500 may be performed using a communication device (e.g., a PC (Personal Computer)) different from the medicine sorting apparatus 1. Also, a storage medium (e.g., an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)) storing data to be transmitted to the other party may be sent to the other party. When a communication device or a storage medium is used, the medicine sorting apparatus 1 does not need to include the transmitting / receiving unit 101. Also, the data management device 500 does not need to include the transmitting / receiving unit 501.

[0157] Furthermore, when the comprehensive drug database is managed in a hospital, a hospital ward, a pharmacy, etc., the data management device 500 may transmit the comprehensive drug database to a data management device installed in the hospital, a hospital ward, a pharmacy, etc. In this case, the comprehensive drug database can be managed in the hospital, a hospital ward, a pharmacy, etc. Furthermore, a storage medium on which the comprehensive drug database is stored may be distributed to the hospital, a hospital ward, a pharmacy, etc.

[0158] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the explanations will not be repeated. The same applies to the following embodiments. (a) of FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of the medicine placing table 133a that has moved to the arrangement area Ar2, and (b) and (c) are plan views showing an example of the medicine placing table 133a after adjusting the position of the medicine.

[0159] The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment does not need to include a registration unit 70. In other words, it is not necessary to set two areas, the confirmed area Ar11 and the provisional determination area Ar12, in the second storage unit 14. In this case, the control unit 60a sorts the medicines whose types have been identified and the suspected medicines into one of the sorting positions (sorting cups 141) in the second storage unit 14. In other words, if there is space in the sorting cup 141, the suspected medicines are also sorted into the second storage unit 14 without being sorted into the waiting tray 15.

[0160] That is, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have at least the following configuration as its basic configuration. This also applies to the following embodiments. A first storage section 11 that stores a mixture of multiple types of medicine. A second storage section 14 that stores medicines sorted by type. An imaging unit 13 that images the medicine taken out of the first container 11. A discrimination unit 64 that discriminates the type of medicine based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13. A transport / sorting unit 12 that stores the medicines in the second storage section 14 by type based on the discrimination result by the discrimination section 64.

[0161] As described in the first embodiment, the turning mechanism 133b shown in (a) and (b) of Fig. 3 can vibrate the medicine mounting table 133a. By vibrating the medicine mounting table 133a with the turning mechanism 133b, the imprinted information or the printed information can be oriented in a predetermined direction.

[0162] Here, as shown in (a) of FIG. 14, when the medicine mounting table 133a is rotated and moved from the receiving area Ar1 to the arrangement area Ar2 by the rotating mechanism 133b, the medicine may move to the end of the medicine mounting table 133a due to the centrifugal force acting on the medicine. In this case, if a certain vibration is performed regardless of the size or shape of the medicine, the medicine may collide with the edge of the medicine mounting table 133a continuously, and the medicine may not be able to be directed in a predetermined direction. If the medicine cannot be directed in a predetermined direction, the number of images may increase, or only an image from which it is difficult to extract the engraved information or printed information may be captured.

[0163] In the medicine sorting device 1 of the present embodiment, the turning mechanism 133b (swinging mechanism) swings (vibrates) the medicine placing table 133a arranged in the arrangement area Ar2 based on the size and shape of the medicine placed on the medicine placing table 133a.

[0164] Specifically, the imaging control unit 63 identifies the length (size) and shape of the medicine included in the image based on the image captured by the first camera 131. A known technique can be used for this identification. The length of the medicine, the shape of the medicine, the vibration amount (vibration magnitude) of the medicine placement table 133a, and the number of vibrations per unit time are stored in association with each other in the storage unit 80. The vibration amount and the number of vibrations are set, for example, by an experiment.

[0165] When the medicine is a tablet, as shown in (b) of Fig. 14, for example, the vibration amount and the vibration frequency are set so that the medicine is placed near the center of the inclined surface portion 133ab when the inclined surface portion 133ab is made substantially horizontal from the state shown in (a) of Fig. 14. When the medicine is a capsule, as shown in (c) of Fig. 14, for example, the vibration amount and the vibration frequency are set so that the medicine is placed near the center of the bottom surface portion 133aa when the bottom surface portion 133aa is made substantially horizontal from the state shown in (a) of Fig. 14. For example, the smaller the length (size) of the medicine, the larger the movement amount caused by the vibration of the medicine placement table 133a is, so the vibration amount is set to be smaller.

[0166] The image capturing control unit 63 vibrates the medicine placing table 133a in the arrangement area Ar2 with a vibration amount and a vibration frequency associated with the length or shape of the medicine identified from the captured image. This allows the medicine to be placed in a position where the first camera 131 can easily capture the imprinted information or printed information, as shown in (b) of Fig. 14 for tablets and as shown in (c) of Fig. 14 for capsules. This prevents an increase in the number of times images are captured.

[0167] In addition, by vibrating the medicine mounting stand 133a based on the size and shape of the medicine, it is possible to prevent the medicine from flying out of the medicine mounting stand 133a due to the vibration of the medicine mounting stand 133a. In addition, it is possible to prevent the medicine from continuously colliding with the edge of the medicine mounting stand 133a due to the vibration of the medicine mounting stand 133a. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the medicine due to collision (it is possible to reduce the burden on the medicine).

[0168] [Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, the speed of the determination process will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the first container section 11 captured by the second camera 121. As shown in Figs.

[0169] In addition to the basic configuration described in embodiment 2, the drug sorting device 1 of this embodiment is equipped, like embodiment 1, with an adsorption mechanism (removal mechanism) that removes the drug stored in the first storage section 11, and a second camera 121 (second imaging section) that captures an image of the drug when the adsorption mechanism removes the drug.

[0170] The transport control unit 61 determines which medicine to be adsorbed by the adsorption mechanism from among the multiple types of medicines stored in the first storage unit 11, based on the analysis result of the imaging control unit 63 on the image captured by the second camera 121. The transport control unit 61 may determine which medicine to be adsorbed by the adsorption mechanism, based on the size of the contour of the medicine (object) included in the image detected by the imaging control unit 63. Note that a known technique may be used to detect the contour. The order in which the medicines are taken out is preset. For example, it is set so that the medicines are taken out in order of the size of the contour.

[0171] In this way, when the order of drug removal is set based on the size of the drug, the adsorption mechanism is likely to remove drugs of the same type consecutively. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, the image captured by the second camera 121 includes drugs "A" to "E" of different types (sizes). The size order is drug "A" > drug "B" > drug "C" > drug "D" > drug "E".

[0172] When the order of drug removal is set as described above, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the adsorption mechanism first removes drug "A" in succession. After removal of drug "A" is completed, drug "B" is then removed in succession. Thereafter, drug "C" is removed in succession, followed by drug "D" and finally drug "E" in succession. In other words, the adsorption mechanism removes each of drugs "A" to "E" in succession.

[0173] In this case, the discrimination unit 64 is likely to perform discrimination processing of the same type of medicine continuously. Therefore, in the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment, the discrimination unit 64 judges whether or not the degree of agreement between the outline of the medicine currently taken out by the suction mechanism and the outline of the medicine previously taken out by the suction mechanism is equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the image captured by the second camera 121. Then, when the discrimination unit 64 judges that the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it applies the medicine data applied when discriminating the type of the medicine previously taken out to discriminate the type of the medicine currently taken out.

[0174] The predetermined value may be set to a level that allows, for example, by performing an experiment, to determine that drugs having the same type of contours are the same type of drugs. A known technique may be used to calculate the degree of agreement. The degree of agreement may be determined, for example, by the transport control unit 61.

[0175] Specifically, the imaging control unit 63 detects the contours of all the medicines contained in the first container 11 by analyzing the image captured by the second camera 121. The transport control unit 61 determines the medicines to be taken out according to a preset order of taking out the medicines. The transport control unit 61 stores in the storage unit 80 contour data indicating the contours of the medicines determined to be taken out.

[0176] As in the first embodiment, the discrimination unit 64 extracts features of the drug from the image of the drug taken by the first camera 131 and compares the features with the drug database to discriminate the type of the drug. The discrimination unit 64 stores the type of drug (drug data) identified at this time in the storage unit 80 in association with the contour data of the drug.

[0177] The transport control unit 61 takes out the next drug according to a preset drug take-out order, and stores the contour data of the drug in the storage unit 80. The discrimination unit 64 compares the contour data of the drug taken out last time with the contour data of the drug taken out this time to calculate the degree of agreement between these drug contours, and determines whether the degree of agreement is a predetermined value or more. If the discrimination unit 64 determines that the degree of agreement is a predetermined value or more, it compares the characteristics of the drug taken out this time with the drug data linked to the contour data of the drug taken out last time to determine the type of the drug.

[0178] If the type of the current drug can be determined using the drug data of the previously taken drug, the discrimination unit 64 repeats the above process. That is, if the degree of agreement between the contour data of the currently taken drug and the contour data of the previously taken drug stored in the storage unit 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the discrimination unit 64 compares the characteristics of the currently taken drug with the drug data of the previously taken drug.

[0179] As described above, when the same type of medicine is stored in the first storage unit 11, the same type of medicine will be taken out continuously. In this embodiment, when the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the same type of medicine as the previous time has been taken out, and the type of medicine taken out this time is determined using the medicine data of the medicine taken up to the previous time. This eliminates the need to compare the characteristics of the medicine extracted from the image captured by the first camera 131 with the medicine database for each of the same type of medicine, as in the first embodiment. This makes it possible to shorten the processing time required to determine the type of medicine.

[0180] If the discrimination unit 64 determines that the degree of agreement is less than a predetermined value, it determines that a different type of drug has been taken out from the previous drug, and discriminates the type of drug using the drug database, as in the first embodiment. In response to this determination result, the transport control unit 61 updates the contour data of the drug stored in the storage unit 80 to the contour data of the drug just taken out. The discrimination unit 64 uses the updated contour data in subsequent processes. The contour data update process may be performed by the transport control unit 61.

[0181] Here, drugs of different types but substantially the same size may be contained in the first container 11. In this case, the size of the drug taken out this time may be substantially the same as that of the drug taken out previously, but the type of the drug taken out this time may be different from that of the drug taken out previously. In this case, the discrimination unit 64 determines that the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, but the type of the drug taken out this time cannot be discriminated even if a comparison is performed using the drug data of the drug taken out previously.

[0182] When drugs of substantially the same size but different types are taken out consecutively, it is determined whether the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a comparison is made using the drug data of the drugs taken up to the previous time. Then, each time the comparison fails, the discrimination unit 64, as in the first embodiment, uses the analysis result of the image captured by the first camera 131 of the drug taken this time and the drug database to determine the type of the drug. Therefore, when drugs of substantially the same size but different types are taken out consecutively, the processing time is rather increased.

[0183] Therefore, when the discrimination unit 64 applies the drug data applied when discriminating the type of drug taken out previously to the type of drug taken out this time, if the type of the drug cannot be discriminated a predetermined number of times or more, the discrimination unit 64 may stop applying the drug data. In this case, even if drugs of approximately the same size but different types are taken out sequentially, an increase in processing time can be suppressed. Note that the predetermined number of times may be set to a number of times (e.g., 3 times) that has little effect on the increase in processing time.

[0184] In addition, when the discrimination unit 64 stops applying the drug data applied when determining the type of drug extracted previously, it determines the type of drug by using the results of analyzing the image captured by the first camera 131 of the drug extracted this time and the drug database, as in embodiment 1.

[0185] As described above, the medicine sorting device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

[0186] In other words, the drug sorting device 1 according to one aspect of this embodiment includes a first storage section 11 which stores a mixture of multiple types of drugs, a second storage section 14 which stores the drugs sorted by type, an imaging unit 13 (imaging section) which images the drugs, a discrimination section 64 which discriminates the type of drug based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13, a transporting and sorting unit 12 (sorting section) which stores the drugs by type in the second storage section 14 based on the discrimination result by the discrimination section 64, an adsorption mechanism (removal mechanism) which removes the drugs stored in the first storage section 11, and a second camera 121 (second imaging section) which images the drugs when the adsorption mechanism removes the drugs. When the degree of match between the outline of the drug currently removed by the adsorption mechanism and the outline of the drug previously removed by the adsorption mechanism in the image captured by the second camera 121 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the discrimination section 64 applies the drug data applied when discriminating the type of drug previously removed to discriminate the type of drug currently removed.

[0187] In addition, in the above-mentioned aspect of the drug sorting device 1 according to one aspect of this embodiment, when the discrimination unit 64 applies the drug data applied when discriminating the type of drug previously taken out to discriminate the type of drug currently taken out, if the type of drug cannot be discriminated a predetermined number of times or more, the discrimination unit 64 may discontinue application of the drug data.

[0188] [Embodiment 4] In this embodiment, an example of a packing machine 700 will be described. Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of the packing machine 700, where (a) is a front view of the packing machine 700, (b) is a diagram showing an example of a cassette storage mechanism 705, and (c) and (d) are diagrams for explaining an example of use of the refill table 703. Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the packing machine 700.

[0189] The packaging machine 700 packages medicines, and as shown in Fig. 16(a) and Fig. 17, includes a barcode reader 701, an unspecified cassette mounting section 702, a refill table (filling table) 703, and a touch panel 704. The packaging machine 700 is a return destination for medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1. In addition, as shown in Fig. 16(b) and Fig. 17, a cassette storage mechanism 705 is provided inside the packaging machine 700 when the opening / closing door 710 is open.

[0190] The barcode reader 701 reads information contained in a barcode attached to a journal issued by the medicine sorting device 1 or the packing machine 700, or a barcode attached to a medicine box containing medicines. The barcode is, for example, a GS1 code to which identification information such as the name of the medicine is added.

[0191] The unspecified cassette mounting unit 702 drives the mounted unspecified cassette 801. The unspecified cassette 801 dispenses the inserted medicine to a packaging mechanism (not shown) built into the packaging machine 700.

[0192] 16(c), the refill table 703 is a platform on which a fixed cassette 800 can be placed. One of the multiple fixed cassettes 800 stored in the cassette storage mechanism 705 is placed on the refill table 703 in a state in which the refill table 703 is pulled out to the front side (the side from which the fixed cassette 800 is removed) of the packaging machine 700 provided with the opening and closing door 710. An RFID reader is provided on the refill table 703 at the position where the fixed cassette 800 is placed.

[0193] An RFID tag is provided at the bottom of the fixed cassette 800. The RFID tag stores drug data (e.g., identification information) of the drugs contained in the fixed cassette 800. When the fixed cassette 800 is placed on the refill table 703, the RFID reader reads out the drug data stored in the RFID tag.

[0194] The touch panel 704 accepts various user inputs and displays various images.

[0195] The cassette storage mechanism 705 includes a plurality of fixed cassette mounting units 705b (cassette storage units) capable of storing fixed cassettes 800 that contain medicines. The plurality of fixed cassette mounting units 705b (fixed cassettes 800 stored in each fixed cassette mounting unit 705b) are provided rotatably about the Z axis so that all of them can be arranged on the front side of the packing machine 700. In other words, the cassette storage mechanism 705 includes a shaft unit 705a that rotates about the Z axis, and a plurality of fixed cassette mounting units 705b provided approximately perpendicular to the shaft unit 705a.

[0196] 17, the packing machine 700 includes a control unit 706 that controls each unit of the packing machine 700, and a storage unit 707 that stores various data. For example, the position of each fixed cassette mounting unit 705b, the cassette number assigned to each fixed cassette 800, and identification information of the medicine contained in each fixed cassette 800 are stored in association with each other.

[0197] When the fixed cassette 800 is filled (or returned) with medicine, the barcode reader 701 reads the identification information included in the barcode attached to the journal or medicine box. The control unit 706 refers to the memory unit 707 to identify the cassette number linked to the read identification information and to identify the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 to which the identified cassette number is attached. The control unit 706 rotates the shaft unit 705a so that the identified storage position is on the front side of the packing machine 700. This allows the user to easily remove the fixed cassette 800 to be filled with medicine.

[0198] A user can take out a fixed cassette 800, which is arranged on the front side of the packaging machine 700 and is to be filled with medicines, and place it on the refill table 703 to store the medicines in the fixed cassette 800. At this time, the RFID reader reads the identification information included in the RFID tag, and the control unit 706 compares the identification information read by the RFID reader with the identification information read by the barcode reader 701. This makes it possible to determine whether the fixed cassette 800 is an appropriate fixed cassette 800 to be filled with the medicines, even before the medicines are filled.

[0199] Here, if filling of the medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1 into the packing machine 700 is not taken into consideration, as described above, the shaft portion 705a may be rotated when the identification information is read by the barcode reader 701. That is, in this case, it is not necessary to rotate the shaft portion 705a when the identification information is read by the RFID reader of the refill table 703.

[0200] However, when taking into consideration the filling of the medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1 into the packing machine 700, it is necessary to rotate the shaft portion 705a by reading the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141. This is because it is necessary to use the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141 to place a fixed cassette 800 containing the same type of medicine as that contained in the sorting cup 141 on the front side of the packing machine 700 and make the fixed cassette 800 removable.

[0201] When filling the medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1 into the fixed cassette 800 stored in the packing machine 700, the user carries the sorting cup 141 containing the medicines to be filled into the fixed cassette 800 to the packing machine 700. Then, the user places the sorting cup 141 on the refill table 703 of the packing machine 700, as shown in (d) of Fig. 16. In other words, the refill table 703 can be said to be a stand on which the sorting cup 141 can be placed.

[0202] In the medicine sorting device 1, identification information (medicine data) of the sorted medicines is stored in the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141. Therefore, when the sorting cup 141 is placed on the refill table 703, the RFID reader reads out the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141.

[0203] In this case, the control unit 706 refers to the memory unit 707 to identify the cassette number linked to the identification information read by the RFID reader from the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141, and also identifies the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 to which the identified cassette number is assigned. That is, the control unit 706 rotates the shaft unit 705a in response to the reading of the identification information by the RFID reader so that the identified storage position (fixed cassette mounting unit 705b) is located on the front side of the packing machine 700.

[0204] The user can take out the fixed cassette 800, which is located on the front side of the packaging machine 700 and is used to fill the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141, and place it on the refill table 703, thereby storing the medicine in the fixed cassette 800.

[0205] Note that the reading of the identification information by the RFID reader of the refill table 703 may be performed only when the sorting cup 141 is provided. For example, when a weighing device (not shown) is provided on the refill table, the control unit 706 may determine that the cup is the sorting cup 141 when the weight is less than a predetermined value, and may rotate the shaft portion 705a using the identification information read by the RFID reader.

[0206] <Modification> In addition, the cassette storage mechanism 705 is a mechanism in which the multiple fixed cassette mounting parts 705b rotate around the shaft parts 705a, but is not limited to this. For example, a non-rotating cassette storage mechanism in which the multiple fixed cassette mounting parts do not rotate may be used.

[0207] Figures 18(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a non-rotating cassette storage mechanism 705A. Figure 18(a) is a front view of the cassette storage mechanism 705A, and (b) is a perspective view of the cassette storage mechanism 705A with the cassette storage shelf 7051 pulled out. Figures 18(c) and (d) are diagrams showing an example of a non-rotating cassette storage mechanism 705B. Figure 18(c) is a front view of the cassette storage mechanism 705B, and (d) is a perspective view of the cassette storage mechanism 705B with the cassette storage shelf 7051 pulled out.

[0208] As shown in Fig. 18(a), the cassette storage mechanism 705A is provided with a plurality of cassette storage shelves 7051 that can be pulled out to the front side of the packing machine 700. As shown in Fig. 18(b), the cassette storage shelf 7051 is provided with a plurality of partition plates 7052 that are parallel to a bottom portion 7053. The plurality of partition plates 7052 and the bottom portion 7053 form a plurality of fixed cassette mounting portions.

[0209] An alarm unit 7054a is provided on the front of the cassette storage shelf 7051. An alarm unit 7054b is provided on each of the multiple fixed cassette mounting parts of the partition plate 7052 and the bottom part 7053. The alarm units 7054a and 7054b are members for notifying the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 identified as the drug filling destination, and are realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). As described above, when the control unit 706 identifies the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 as the drug filling destination by referring to the memory unit 707, it lights up the alarm unit 7054a of the cassette storage shelf 7051 where the storage position exists and the alarm unit 7054b of the storage position.

[0210] 18(c), the cassette storage mechanism 705B is provided with a plurality of cassette storage shelves 7055 that can be pulled out to the front side of the packing machine 700. As shown in FIG. 18(d), the cassette storage shelf 7055 is provided with a partition plate 7057 that divides a bottom portion 7056 into two portions in the depth direction (pulling direction). The bottom portion 7056 is formed with a plurality of fixed cassette mounting portions on both sides of the partition plate 7057 and in the depth direction, on which fixed cassettes 800 can be placed.

[0211] An alarm unit 7058a having a function similar to that of the alarm unit 7054a is provided on the front surface of the cassette storage shelf 7055. An alarm unit 7058b having a function similar to that of the alarm unit 7054b is provided on each of the multiple fixed cassette mounting portions of the bottom portion 7056. As described above, when the control unit 706 identifies the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 as the drug filling destination by referring to the memory unit 707, it lights up the alarm unit 7058a of the cassette storage shelf 7055 where the storage position exists and the alarm unit 7058b of the storage position.

[0212] The non-rotating cassette storage mechanism is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 18. For example, there may be only one cassette storage shelf. Also, in the configuration of Fig. 18(a), one cassette storage shelf may be divided by a partition plate extending in the depth direction, and fixed cassettes 800 may be placed in two rows in the depth direction. Also, in the configuration of Fig. 18(c), one cassette storage shelf may not be divided by a partition plate, and fixed cassettes 800 may be placed in one row in the depth direction.

[0213] Furthermore, the non-rotating cassette storage mechanism does not necessarily have to be configured so that multiple fixed cassette mounting parts are provided for one cassette storage shelf. For example, all of the multiple fixed cassette mounting parts may be arranged to face the front side of the packing machine 700 and may be configured so as to be able to be pulled out to the front side. In this case, a notification unit is provided for each of the multiple fixed cassette mounting parts.

[0214] As described above, the non-rotating cassette storage mechanism according to this modified example is provided with a notification section, thereby enabling the user to remove the desired specified cassette 800.

[0215] The notification unit may be the touch panel 704. In this case, for example, an image showing each storage position is displayed on the touch panel 704, and when the control unit 706 identifies the storage position of the fixed cassette 800 as the drug filling destination, the control unit 706 highlights the storage position. Also, when a plurality of fixed cassette mounting units are provided on one cassette storage shelf as shown in Fig. 18, in addition to the storage position, the cassette storage shelf on which the storage position exists is also highlighted.

[0216] [Embodiment 5] The medicine sorting device 1 may display a user setting image (user setting screen) Im8 as shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the user setting image Im8.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 19, the user setting image Im8 has sorting condition setting areas Ar81, Ar82 and Ar83 in which sorting conditions can be set for discarding medicines contained in the first storage section 11 without returning them to the packing machine 700 or the medicine shelf.

[0218] The sorting condition setting area Ar81 is an area that can accept input of the number of days that have passed since the last packaging date dispensed by the packing machine 700. Information indicating the last packaging date of each drug can be acquired from the packing machine 700. The control unit 60a does not perform discrimination processing on drugs whose drug sorting date has passed the input number of days or more from the last packaging date indicated by the acquired information, and transports the drugs to the collection tray 16.

[0219] The medicines returned to the fixed cassette 800 of the packaging machine 700 are placed on top of the medicines stored in the fixed cassette 800 at the time of return. When a medicine with an older manufacturing date than the medicine stored in the fixed cassette 800 is returned, the medicine is stored above the fixed cassette 800. Generally, since medicines are dispensed from the lower part of the fixed cassette 800, when a medicine with an older manufacturing date is returned, the medicine is not dispensed for a long time. Therefore, storing the medicine with an older manufacturing date at the upper part is not preferable in terms of medicine operation or safety. The same applies when a medicine with an older manufacturing date is returned to a medicine container on the medicine shelf or packaged in packaging paper and returned to the medicine shelf.

[0220] In this embodiment, since the number of days elapsed can be set as a sorting condition in the sorting condition setting area Ar81, medicines with old manufacturing dates can be transported to the collection tray 16. Therefore, the medicines can be discarded, and the use of the medicines can be avoided.

[0221] The sorting condition setting area Ar82 is an area that can accept input of the drug price as the sorting condition. The drug price of each drug is, for example, linked to the drug data and stored in the storage unit 80. When a drug price is input in the sorting condition setting area Ar82, the control unit 60a does not perform discrimination processing on drugs with a drug price equal to or lower than the input drug price, and transports the drugs to the collection tray 16.

[0222] In addition, the sorting condition setting area Ar83 is an area where the user can input the name of the medicine to be discarded as the sorting condition. When the medicine name is input in the sorting condition setting area Ar83, the control unit 60a does not perform discrimination processing on the medicine and transports it to the collection tray 16.

[0223] In this way, medicines that correspond to the information input in the sorting condition setting areas Ar82 and Ar83 can be transported to the collection tray 16. That is, similar to the case where the sorting condition setting area Ar81 is used, medicines that the user wishes to discard can be transported to the collection tray 16. Therefore, the medicines can be discarded, and the use of the medicines can be avoided.

[0224] [Embodiment 6] In this embodiment, a configuration for shortening the time required for medicine sorting processing will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in embodiment 2. That is, as in embodiment 2, it is not necessarily required to have a registration unit 70, and it is not necessarily required to set two areas, the determined area Ar11 and the provisional determination area Ar12, in the second storage unit 14.

[0225] As described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 etc., the discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of medicine based on the image captured by the first camera 131. For example, the discrimination unit 64 analyzes the visible light image and the ultraviolet light image to extract features of the medicine such as size, shape, marking, print, dividing line, representative color, etc., and compares the features of the medicine with the medicine database. Specifically, the discrimination unit 64 uses at least one of the extracted features of the medicine to narrow down candidates of medicine data from the medicine database, reads identification information etc. shown on the marking or print, and further narrows down the types of medicine from the candidates using pattern matching etc.

[0226] Here, an increase in the number of drug data registered in the drug database means an increase in the number of drug data to be compared with the extracted drug characteristics, and therefore, as the number of drug data increases, the time required to compare the extracted drug characteristics with the drug database increases, which in turn increases the processing time for drug sorting.

[0227] In the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment, in order to suppress the increase in the processing time, the discrimination unit 64 has the following functions. That is, the discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of medicine by comparing the medicine features extracted from the image captured by the first camera 131 with medicine data related to medicines packaged by the packing machine 700 within a predetermined period (e.g., within one month) among the registered medicine data related to multiple types of medicine. That is, the discrimination unit 64 compares the medicine data related to medicines that have been packaged by the packing machine 700 within the predetermined period with the medicine features extracted from the captured image.

[0228] The packing machine 700 (see FIG. 16) and the medicine sorting device 1 manage the date and time when the medicine was packaged by the packing mechanism 6 of the packing machine 700 and the medicine sorting device 1, respectively, by linking it with the medicine data to be packaged. When the medicine sorting device 1 and the packing machine 700 are communicatively connected, the medicine sorting device 1 can manage not only the date and time when the medicine was packaged by the packing mechanism 6, but also the date and time when the medicine was packaged by the packing machine 700. The date and time when the medicine was packaged by the packing mechanism 6 of the packing machine 700 and the medicine sorting device 1 may be managed by a higher-level system communicatively connected to the packing machine 700 and the medicine sorting device 1. The medicine sorting device 1 may also identify the date and time when the medicine was packaged by the packing machine 700 or the packing mechanism 6 based on the received prescription data (e.g., prescription information for one patient).

[0229] The discrimination unit 64 extracts from the drug database drug data whose packaged date and time are within a predetermined period, and compares the extracted drug data with the drug characteristics extracted from the captured image. This makes it possible to reduce the comparison time (the processing time required to discriminate the type of drug) because it is not necessary to compare all drug data registered in the drug database.

[0230] Medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1 are packaged by the packaging mechanism 6 or the packaging machine 700, or returned to the medicine shelf. In other words, the medicines after sorting are used for prescriptions. Therefore, since old medicines (e.g., medicines packaged outside the specified period) are subject to disposal (not subject to packaging or return), there is a low possibility that they will be required to be sorted by the medicine sorting device 1. Therefore, even if medicine data related to medicines packaged within the specified period is used as the subject of comparison, there is a high possibility that the type of medicine contained in the first container 11 can be identified.

[0231] If the medicine data relating to the medicine packaged within a predetermined period does not include the characteristics of the medicine included in the captured image, the transporting and sorting unit 12 may transport the medicine to the waiting tray 15. In the case of embodiment 1, the transporting and sorting unit 12 may transport the medicine to the waiting tray 15 or the provisional judgment area Ar12 set in the second storage section 14. Furthermore, the discrimination unit 64 may compare all medicine data registered in the medicine database (excluding the medicine data to be compared).

[0232] [Embodiment 7] In this embodiment, a configuration for reducing the time required for medicine sorting processing will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As in the sixth embodiment, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in the second embodiment.

[0233] As shown in Fig. 1, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment includes a waiting tray 15 and a sorting control unit 62 in addition to the above basic configuration. As described in the first embodiment, the waiting tray 15 is a tray (temporary storage unit) for temporarily storing medicines that could not be stored in the second storage unit 14. As described in the first embodiment, the sorting control unit 62 determines a sorting position for the medicine based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 64. In addition, the sorting control unit 62 associates the determined sorting position with the medicine data used for matching by the discrimination unit 64 and stores them in the memory unit 80.

[0234] In addition, in the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment, when a medicine stored in the waiting tray 15 is stored in the second storage unit 14 (when re-sorting), the discrimination unit 64 performs the following process. That is, the discrimination unit 64 compares an image of the medicine taken out of the waiting tray 15 and captured by the first camera 131 with the medicine data linked to the waiting tray 15 as the sorting position determined by the sorting control unit 62, thereby discriminating the type of the medicine.

[0235] The above-mentioned process for re-sorting may be performed by a discrimination unit (second discrimination unit) different from the discrimination unit 64. In the present embodiment, the process is described as being performed by the discrimination unit 64 (i.e., the discrimination unit 64 has the function of the second discrimination unit).

[0236] When the determined area Ar11 and the provisional determination area Ar12 are not set in the second storage unit 14, the medicines whose types have been determined are stored in the sorting cups 141 of the second storage unit 14 for each type. When medicines are stored in all the sorting cups 141, if a medicine is determined to be of a different type from the type of medicine stored in the sorting cups 141, the medicine is stored in the waiting tray 15. In addition, when the determined area Ar11 and the provisional determination area Ar12 are set in the second storage unit 14, if it becomes impossible to store a medicine in the determined area Ar11, the medicine that was targeted for storage in the determined area Ar11 may be stored in the waiting tray 15.

[0237] The medicines stored in the waiting tray 15 are re-sorted after a vacant sorting cup 141 of the second storage unit 14 becomes available. That is, the medicines stored in the waiting tray 15 are imaged again by the first camera 131, and then stored in an available sorting cup 141 based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 64.

[0238] In this case, the discrimination unit 64 may extract the characteristics of the drug from the captured image and compare the characteristics of the drug with all the drug data registered in the drug database. However, comparing with all the drug data requires a processing time equal to the number of registered drug data. In addition, since the type of the drug can be determined as a result of the above comparison before the drug is stored in the waiting tray 15, it is not necessarily necessary to compare with all the registered drug data after the drug is removed from the waiting tray 15.

[0239] Therefore, when re-sorting medicines stored in the waiting tray 15, the discrimination unit 64 compares an image of the medicine taken after it is removed from the waiting tray 15 with all registered medicine data in which the waiting tray 15 is registered as the sorting position. Specifically, the discrimination unit 64 extracts the characteristics of the medicine from the taken image of the medicine, and compares the extracted characteristics of the medicine with the medicine data in which the waiting tray 15 is registered as the sorting position.

[0240] That is, the discrimination unit 64 stores the determined sorting position (standby tray 15) and the drug data used by the discrimination unit 64 to collate the drug as the discrimination result (identification result) of the drug stored in the waiting tray 15 in association with each other. As a result, when a drug whose type has been successfully identified once is stored in the waiting tray 15, the discrimination unit 64 can identify the type of the drug by using only the drug data related to the drug stored in the waiting tray 15 and whose type has been identified, when identifying the type for the second time for re-sorting. This makes it possible to shorten the time for the discrimination process and improve the drug identification rate.

[0241] [Embodiment 8] In this embodiment, an example of processing on the packaging machine 700 side will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 20 to 22.

[0242] The packing machine 700 packages and dispenses medicines supplied from the fixed cassette 800, the unspecified cassette 801, and the manual dispensing unit 709 using a packaging mechanism (not shown) provided in the machine itself. The packing machine 700 packages medicines in predetermined packaging units (e.g., in units of dosing time) based on, for example, prescription data (e.g., prescription information for one patient). The packing machine 700 may also be provided with a powder medicine supply unit that dispenses powder medicine.

[0243] As described in the fourth embodiment, when the packing machine 700 fills the fixed cassette 800 stored in the packing machine 700 with medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1, the user carries the sorting cup 141 containing the medicines to be filled in the fixed cassette 800 to the packing machine 700. Then, the user places the sorting cup 141 on the refill table 703 of the packing machine 700 as shown in (d) of FIG. 16. The RFID reader (cassette matching reader) of the refill table 703 reads information about the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 (e.g., identification information (e.g., YJ code) and the number of medicines) from the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141. When the RFID reader reads the identification information, the control unit 706 rotates all the fixed cassette mounting parts 705b uniformly so that the identified storage position (the fixed cassette mounting parts 705b) is located on the front side of the packing machine 700.

[0244] In the fourth embodiment, the packing machine 700 includes the shaft portion 705a, and the control unit 706 rotates the shaft portion 705a so that the above-specified fixed cassette mounting portion 705b is disposed on the front side, but this is not limited thereto. The packing machine 700 of this specification does not necessarily need to include the shaft portion 705a. In other words, the packing machine 700 only needs to include a rotation mechanism that uniformly rotates all the fixed cassette mounting portions 705b in the circumferential direction so that the above-specified fixed cassette mounting portions 705b are disposed on the front side.

[0245] In the packaging machine 700 of this embodiment, when the identification information is read by the RFID reader, the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 may be filled not only into the fixed cassette 800, but also into the unfixed cassette 801 and the manual distribution unit 709, and then packaged.

[0246] The fixed cassette 800, the unspecified cassette 801, and the manual distribution unit 709 will be described below.

[0247] <Fixed Cassette> The fixed cassette 800 is a cassette (medicine cassette) for dispensing a predetermined type of medicine. The fixed cassette 800 can also be said to be a dedicated cassette for dispensing only a specific type of medicine. In other words, the fixed cassette 800 contains a specific type of medicine in advance (contains a predetermined medicine).

[0248] Here, the term "specific type" refers not only to types of drugs classified based on the name (ingredients) of the drug, but also to drugs having at least one of various indices, such as the size (weight), shape, surface condition (texture), and hardness, of the drug, that are the same. In other words, the fixed cassette 800 is limited to dispensing drugs having at least one of the same indices, such as the type, size, shape, surface condition, and hardness of the drug. The surface condition of the drug refers to the feel, such as smooth or rough, to the touch.

[0249] The fixed cassette 800 is capable of dispensing the stored medicine in unit amounts (e.g., one tablet at a time). For example, the fixed cassette 800 includes a medicine storage section in which the medicine is stored, and a medicine dispensing section that is provided below the medicine storage section and dispenses the medicines stored in the medicine storage section individually.

[0250] <Variable cassette> FIG. 20(a) is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the unspecified cassette 801. The unspecified cassette 801 is a cassette (medicine cassette) for dispensing a type of medicine indicated by a dispensing instruction. The unspecified cassette 801 can also be said to be a general-purpose cassette whose dispensing target is not limited to a specific type of medicine. In other words, the unspecified cassette 801 contains one type of medicine among a plurality of types of medicine. Unlike the fixed cassette 800, the unspecified cassette 801 does not contain a specific type of medicine determined in advance, and the medicine contained in the unspecified cassette 801 can be changed as appropriate according to, for example, prescription data. The unspecified cassette 801 can dispense any type of medicine contained therein by unit amount by changing the driving conditions. The unspecified cassette 801 can also be said to be a cassette whose medicine passage path width can be changed according to the type of medicine contained therein.

[0251] The unspecified cassette 801 can be removably mounted in the unspecified cassette mounting part 702. The unspecified cassette mounting part 702 is a mounting unit (motor base) capable of mounting the unspecified cassette 801. In order to dispense medicine from the mounted unspecified cassette 801, the unspecified cassette mounting part 702 receives a medicine dispensing instruction from the control part 706 and supplies a driving force to a driving mechanism of the medicine. That is, the control part 706 controls the unspecified cassette 801 via the unspecified cassette mounting part 702.

[0252] When dispensing a medicine, the medicine to be dispensed is assigned to one of the unspecified cassettes 801 owned by the user. Thereafter, when the unspecified cassette 801 is installed in the unspecified cassette mounting section 702, the lock of the unspecified cassette mounting section 702 is released, and the unspecified cassette 801 becomes removable from the unspecified cassette mounting section 702. After storing the medicine assigned to the unspecified cassette 801, the user returns the unspecified cassette 801 to the unspecified cassette mounting section 702, thereby enabling dispensing of the medicine from the unspecified cassette 801.

[0253] 20(a), the unspecified cassette 801 mainly includes a first rotor 8011, a second rotor 8012, a height restricting body 8013, and a width restricting body 8014. The first rotor 8011 and the second rotor 8012 are a medicine transport mechanism that rotates to transport the inserted medicine to the dispensing outlet 8015. The height restricting body 8013 and the width restricting body 8014 are members that define a medicine passage path (passing path width; transport height h1 and transport width w1) on the second rotor 8012 so that the medicines can be transported in a line to the dispensing outlet 8015.

[0254] <Manual Spraying Unit> Fig. 20(b) is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the manual distribution unit 709. The manual distribution unit 709 is a unit into which the user can input medicine to be dispensed. As shown in Fig. 20(b), the manual distribution unit 709 includes a plurality of manually distributed storage sections 709a (masses) into which the user inputs medicine in packets, and a manually distributed dispensing section 709b that dispenses the medicine contained in each manually distributed storage section 709a for each manually distributed storage section 709a.

[0255] The multiple manual storage units 709a are arranged in a matrix. The manual dispensing unit 709b is provided, for example, on the bottom surface of each manual storage unit 709a so that each manual storage unit 709a can be opened and closed individually. The user stores medicines in each manual storage unit 709a while checking an instruction sheet indicating which medicine should be stored in which manual storage unit 709a. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 706, each manual storage unit 709a opens individually in accordance with the timing of packaging by the packaging mechanism of the device itself, and the medicines stored in each manual storage unit 709a are dispensed.

[0256] The instruction sheet is issued by the control unit 706. The control unit 706 specifies from which unit (e.g., fixed cassette 800, unspecified cassette 801, manual distribution unit 709) the medicine stored in the sorting cup 141 or the medicine included in the prescription data will be dispensed. When the control unit 706 specifies the manual distribution unit 709 as the dispensing destination, it specifies the position of the manual distribution storage unit 709a that stores the medicine for each sorting cup 141 or based on the prescription data. Based on this specification, the control unit 706 prints the position of the manual distribution storage unit 709a that stores the medicine on the instruction sheet.

[0257] <Processing in this embodiment> Next, an example of a process for returning medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 to a medicine shelf (not shown) will be described. FIG 21 is a flow chart showing an example of packaging process in the packaging machine 700.

[0258] First, the user places the sorting cup 141 on the refill table 703. The RFID reader of the refill table 703 reads the identification information of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 from the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141 (S1).

[0259] Next, the control unit 706 determines whether the designated drug filling destination is the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 (S2).

[0260] Here, information on the medicines loaded in the packing machine 700 is stored in the medicine sorting device 1. Therefore, when the medicine sorting device 1 determines based on the information that the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 are not loaded in the packing machine 700, it designates the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 as the filling destination of the medicines. Then, it issues a journal on which filling destination information (return destination information) indicating the designated filling destination is printed. Whether the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 is designated may be determined for each type of medicine, for example.

[0261] The medicine sorting device 1 also stores information about unspecified cassettes 801 that can be used in the packing machine 700. Therefore, the medicine sorting device 1 can specify the unspecified cassette 801 to be used for allocating the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141. If a user owns multiple packing machines 700, the medicine sorting device 1 stores information about the unspecified cassettes 801 that can be used for each packing machine 700.

[0262] The control unit 706 identifies the filling destination of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 by referring to the filling destination information of the journal read by, for example, the barcode reader 701. At this time, the control unit 706 determines whether the journal to be referenced is appropriate by referring to the identification information read in S1.

[0263] When the specified refilling destination of the medicine is the unspecified cassette 801 (YES in S2), the control unit 706 specifies the unspecified cassette 801 indicated in the refilling destination information read from the journal as a member for dispensing the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 (S3). After that, the control unit 706 makes the specified unspecified cassette 801 removable.

[0264] Next, the control unit 706 notifies the user to fill the specified unspecified cassette 801 with medicine. After the user places the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 in the specified unspecified cassette 801, the user performs a user operation, for example, to start packaging. This causes the control unit 706 to perform packaging processing of the medicine (S4). That is, the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 can be dispensed from the unspecified cassette 801 and packaged to be returned to the medicine shelf, for example.

[0265] When the designated medicine filling destination is the manual preparation unit 709 (NO in S2), the control unit 706 specifies the manual preparation unit 709 as a member for dispensing the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 (S5). In this case, the control unit 706 determines the position of the manual preparation storage unit 709a that contains the medicine, and issues an instruction sheet reflecting the determination result. While checking the instruction sheet, the user stores the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 in the manual preparation storage unit 709a, and then performs a user operation, for example, to start packaging. This causes the control unit 706 to perform packaging processing of the medicine (S6). That is, it becomes possible to dispense the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 from the manual preparation unit 709 and package it in order to return it to the medicine shelf, for example.

[0266] In this way, the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 is specified as the filling destination of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141. Then, the packaging machine 700 packages the medicine dispensed from the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 in order to return it to the medicine shelf. In other words, the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 is packaged on the premise that it is a medicine that is not installed in the packaging machine 700 (uninstalled medicine). Therefore, the user can fill the medicine shelf with the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 without being aware of whether it is installed in the packaging machine 700 or not.

[0267] When packaging is performed by the packaging mechanism 6 of the medicine sorting device 1, it is necessary to adsorb the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 one by one with an adsorption mechanism and transport them to the packaging mechanism 6. When the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 is used, the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 can be stored in the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709 at once, and can be dispensed sequentially from the unspecified cassette 801 or the manual distribution unit 709. Therefore, the processing time can be shortened compared to packaging using the packaging mechanism 6. In addition, the sorting cup 141 can be emptied early and used to sort a different type of medicine from the medicines that were contained therein.

[0268] Furthermore, since the packaging mechanism 6 is an optional function of the medicine sorting device 1, it may not be provided in the medicine sorting device 1. Even in this case, the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 can be packaged by the packaging machine 700.

[0269] Furthermore, the medicines contained in each of the multiple sorting cups 141 can be stored in each of the unspecified cassettes 801, the number of which corresponds to the number of usable unspecified cassettes 801. Furthermore, the medicines contained in each of the multiple sorting cups 141 can be stored in each of the manual storage sections 709a, the number of which corresponds to the number of manual storage sections 709a capable of storing medicines, of the manual distribution unit 709. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously package the medicines contained in each of the multiple sorting cups 141.

[0270] The processes of S2, S4, and S5 may be performed by the user. For example, the user may identify the filling destination of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 by checking the journal issued by the medicine sorting device 1. In this case, the control unit 706 displays the identification information read from the sorting cup 141 on the touch panel 704. This allows the user to check whether the journal is for the medicine.

[0271] In the above process, the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 is not contained in the fixed cassette 800. However, by mounting an empty fixed cassette 800 from which the medicine can be dispensed in the fixed cassette mounting unit 705b, the control unit 706 may specify the fixed cassette 800 as the filling destination of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141.

[0272] <Other processes in this embodiment> A description will be given of another example of packaging processing in the packaging machine 700. Fig. 22 is a flow chart showing another example of packaging processing in the packaging machine 700.

[0273] Here, a case will be described in which the packing machine 700 packs medicines based on prescription data. Note that, in the case where the fixed cassette 800 that contains the medicine to be dispensed is not present, the explanation will be given assuming that the medicine to be dispensed is included in the medicines sorted by the medicine sorting device 1.

[0274] First, when the control unit 706 receives prescription data (S21), it determines whether or not there is a specified cassette 800 that contains the drug included in the prescription data (the drug to be dispensed) (S22). If the control unit 706 determines that the specified cassette 800 exists (YES in S22), it specifies the specified cassette 800 as the cassette for dispensing the drug (S23).

[0275] When it is determined that the corresponding fixed cassette 800 does not exist (NO in S22), the control unit 706 determines whether or not there is a usable unspecified cassette 801 among the unspecified cassettes 801 owned by the user (S24).

[0276] When the control unit 706 determines that a usable unspecified cassette 801 is present (YES in S24), it specifies the unspecified cassette 801 as a cassette for dispensing the drug to be dispensed (S25). That is, the control unit 706 assigns the identification information of the drug to be dispensed to the unspecified cassette 801.

[0277] Further, the control unit 706 notifies the user to fill the specified unspecified cassette 801 with medicine. The user removes the sorting cup 141 containing the medicine from the medicine sorting device 1 and places the sorting cup 141 on the refill table 703. As a result, the RFID reader of the refill table 703 reads the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the sorting cup 141 (S26). When the control unit 706 determines that the read identification information matches the identification information assigned to the specified unspecified cassette 801, it sets the unspecified cassette 801 in a state in which medicine can be input (for example, unlocking the unspecified cassette mounting unit 702). Thereafter, the user places the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 in the unspecified cassette 801, and then performs a user operation, for example, to start packaging. As a result, the medicine to be dispensed can be dispensed from the unspecified cassette 801.

[0278] When the control unit 706 determines that there is no usable unspecified cassette 801 (NO in S24), it specifies the manual preparation unit 709 as the unit that dispenses the medicine to be dispensed (S27). In this case, the control unit 706 determines the position of the manual preparation storage unit 709a that stores the medicine to be dispensed based on the prescription data, and issues an instruction sheet reflecting the determination result. While checking the instruction sheet, the user stores the medicine stored in the sorting cup 141 (the medicine to be dispensed) in the manual preparation storage unit 709a, and then performs a user operation, for example, to start packaging. This makes it possible to dispense the medicine to be dispensed from the manual preparation unit 709.

[0279] The control unit 706 specifies the dispense destination for all medicines included in the prescription data as described above. After that, the control unit 706 dispenses the medicines from the fixed cassette 800, the unspecified cassette 801, and / or the manual dispensing unit 709 based on the prescription data, and packages them (S28).

[0280] When the medicines contained in the fixed cassette 800 become empty, the control unit 706 may notify the user that the medicines will be stored in the fixed cassette 800. In this case, the user confirms the notification and removes the sorting cup 141 containing the medicines from the medicine sorting device 1 and places it on the refill table 703. As a result, the control unit 706 rotates all the fixed cassette mounting units 705b so that the corresponding fixed cassette 800 is disposed on the front side of the packing machine 700, so that the user can store the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 in the fixed cassette 800.

[0281] In the above, the usability of the fixed cassette 800 is determined, then the usability of the unspecified cassette 801 is determined, and then the usability of the manual distribution unit 709 is determined, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 706 may specify which of the fixed cassette 800, the unspecified cassette 801, and the manual distribution unit 709 is to be dispensed for each type of medicine included in the prescription data. For example, the control unit 706 specifies the destination of the medicine according to destination information predetermined for each type of medicine. That is, in this case, the control unit 706 specifies the destination of the medicine included in the prescription data without determining the usability of the fixed cassette 800 and the unspecified cassette 801, and therefore the processing time for packaging can be shortened compared to the processing method shown in FIG. 22.

[0282] [Embodiment 9] In this embodiment, an example of the discrimination process will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As described in the first embodiment, the assortment control unit 62 determines the sorting position in the provisional judgment area Ar12 based on at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the suspected drug in the image. Specifically, the assortment control unit 62 determines the sorting position so that the sorting positions of suspected drugs that are deemed to match at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the drug are the same.

[0283] The threshold value used for this match determination may not be a fixed value, but may be changeable by a user operation. In other words, the threshold value for determining whether at least one of the color, shape, or information attached to the suspected drug matches may be variably set, and the sorting control unit 62 may use the threshold value to make the above determination when determining the sorting position in the provisional determination area Ar12.

[0284] The criteria for determining whether or not items should be stored in the same sorting cup 141 in the provisional determination area Ar12 vary depending on the user. For example, some users want to store items in the same sorting cup 141 if they are white, even if they are slightly different in size or shape, while other users think that items cannot be stored in the same sorting cup 141 unless the color, size, and shape match to a certain extent. Also, some users think that items cannot be stored in the same sorting cup 141 unless the engraved information on the front side and the engraved information on the back side match to a certain extent.

[0285] By using the threshold value set by the user operation, it is possible to sort the medicines in the provisional judgment area Ar12 according to the criteria of each user.

[0286] In addition, for example, by setting a strict threshold value so as not to allow even a certain degree of difference in color or shape, it is possible to narrow down candidates for the type of medicine as much as possible even if the type of medicine cannot be identified. Therefore, medicines with a relatively high degree of matching in characteristics can be stored in the same sorting cup 141 arranged in the provisional judgment area Ar12.

[0287] In particular, in the case of brought-in medicines, since they are not prescribed by the user, the search range for identifying the type is wider and larger than that of the corresponding medicine. Therefore, in the case of brought-in medicines in particular, by setting a threshold value so that medicines with a relatively high degree of match are contained in the same sorting cup 141 arranged in the provisional judgment area Ar12, it is possible to narrow the search range in the next type identification.

[0288] Furthermore, even if the type of medicine cannot be identified, the sorting control unit 62 stores an image of the medicine contained in the sorting cup 141 in association with the medicine data of the medicine. This makes it possible to leave evidence of the medicine whose type could not be identified. For example, it is often difficult to identify the type of medicine brought by the user, since it is not a medicine prescribed by the user. By storing the image, the image can be effectively used to identify the brought-in medicine.

[0289] In addition, the number of sorting cups 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12 is finite and small. By setting a threshold value that allows a certain degree of difference in color, shape, etc., it is possible to reduce the number of sorting cups 141 used in the provisional judgment area Ar12.

[0290] It should be noted that the threshold can be set to a different level (strictness) for each of the multiple objects to be judged. For example, if the object to be judged is color, the range of chromaticity for which a match is determined is set as the threshold, and if the object to be judged is shape, the range of shape for which a match is determined is set as the threshold. It is also possible to set whether or not to use thresholds for multiple objects to be judged. For example, if the object to be judged is color and shape, the object to be used can be selected to be color only, shape only, or both color and shape.

[0291] Examples of the operation unit for adjusting the level include a touch-type LED level bar, a dial-type operation unit, a quick wheel-type operation unit, and the like. Specific examples of the above-mentioned judgment target include the color and shape of the medicine, as well as the presence or absence of imprinting information, the position of the imprinting information, and the size of the medicine. When the position of the imprinting information is set to "one side", those with imprinting information on one side are extracted as candidates for the same type of medicine, and when it is set to "both sides", only those with imprinting information on both sides are extracted as candidates for the same type of medicine. In addition, the threshold value of the size of the medicine can be set in units of 1 mm.

[0292] [Embodiment 10] In this embodiment, a configuration for reducing the time required for medicine sorting processing will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As in the sixth embodiment, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in the second embodiment.

[0293] When all the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, a medicine of a different type to the medicines contained in all the sorting cups 141 cannot be sorted into the sorting cups 141 until an empty sorting cup 141 is produced.

[0294] The control unit 60a of the medicine sorting device 1 specifies the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 as the medicines to be packaged when a predetermined condition is satisfied, regardless of the number of medicines stored in the sorting cup 141. For example, the control unit 60a specifies a sorting cup 141 that stores medicines not loaded by the packaging machine 700 (unloaded medicines) or a sorting cup 141 selected by the user as the sorting cup 141 that stores the medicines to be packaged. In this case, the more medicines are specified as the ones to be packaged, the longer the packaging process will take.

[0295] In this embodiment, a number is set in advance to determine whether or not the medicines contained in the sorting cups 141 are to be packaged. When all the sorting cups 141 contain medicines, the control unit 60a identifies the sorting cups 141 in which the number of medicines contained in each sorting cup 141 is equal to or less than the preset number. Then, the control unit 60a identifies the medicines contained in the identified sorting cups 141 as medicines to be packaged.

[0296] Therefore, the sorting cups 141 occupied by a small number of medicines can be preferentially emptied (used for sorting the next medicine). Therefore, even if all the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, an empty sorting cup 141 can be prepared in a shorter time, so that the time required for the medicine sorting process can be shortened.

[0297] Furthermore, when all the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, the user must operate, for example, the packaging mechanism 6 in order to empty any one of the sorting cups 141. Furthermore, for example, the user must remove the sorting cup 141 and load the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 into the packaging machine 700 or the medicine shelf. These operations may be a burden, especially for users who wish to avoid packaging medicines as much as possible.

[0298] As described above, when all the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, the control unit 60a determines the medicines contained in the sorting cups 141 in which the number of medicines contained is equal to or less than a preset number as the medicines to be packaged by the packaging mechanism 6. In other words, an empty sorting cup 141 can be prepared automatically without user operation. This reduces the burden on the user due to the above-mentioned work.

[0299] The same can be applied to the case where the determined area Ar11 and the provisional judgment area Ar12 are set. That is, when all the sorting cups 141 in the determined area Ar11 contain medicines, the control unit 60a identifies the sorting cup 141 in which the number of medicines contained is equal to or less than a preset number. Then, the control unit 60a may designate the medicine contained in the identified sorting cup 141 as a target for packaging by the packaging mechanism 6. The same applies when all the sorting cups 141 in the provisional judgment area Ar12 contain medicines.

[0300] [Embodiment 11] In this embodiment, a configuration for preventing forgetting to attach the suction pad 122c will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 23. Fig. 23(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the suction mechanism 122a. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in the second embodiment, similar to the sixth embodiment.

[0301] As described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 1 etc., the suction / shutter mechanism 122 includes an suction mechanism 122a that suctions a medicine identified as a target for transport. As shown in Fig. 23(a), the suction mechanism 122a includes an air tube 122b through which air flows, and an suction pad 122c at the tip of the air tube 122b that comes into contact with the medicine to be transported. The suction pad 122c is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) that generates a vacuum (sucks in air) via the air tube 122b through which air flows.

[0302] The suction pad 122c can be removed from the air tube 122b for cleaning. After cleaning, the suction pad 122c is attached to the air tube 122b. To prevent the suction pad 122c from being left unattached, the transport control unit 61 lowers the suction mechanism to a predetermined height from the bottom of the first storage unit 11 or the base 19 (reference surface) at the start of operation of the medicine sorting device 1, for example. The predetermined height is set to a height at which the suction pad 122c comes into contact with the reference surface when the suction pad 122c is attached.

[0303] The transport control unit 61 measures the flow rate in the air pipe 122b by performing suction at a predetermined height. If there is a change in the flow rate, it is determined that the suction pad 122c is attached, and if there is no change in the flow rate, it is determined that the suction pad 122c is not attached.

[0304] However, when determining whether or not the suction pad 122c is attached using the above method, it is necessary to strictly define the predetermined height and the size of the suction pad 122c for each medicine sorting device 1. Therefore, it takes time and effort to adjust the predetermined height and measure the size of the suction pad 122c for each medicine sorting device 1. In addition, there is a possibility that erroneous determination will occur due to individual differences in the suction pad 122c.

[0305] In this embodiment, when the tip surface of the suction mechanism 122a to which the suction pad 122c is attached is brought close to a reference surface, the position of the tip surface relative to the reference surface is defined so that the distances between the reference surface and at least two points on the tip surface are different.

[0306] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 23(a), the base 19 is provided with an inclined platform 21. The inclined platform 21 has an inclined surface 21a that is inclined with respect to the tip surface of the suction mechanism 122a (the bottom surface of the suction pad 122c when the suction pad 122c is attached). The inclined surface 21a is the reference surface.

[0307] Consider a case where the suction mechanism 122a is brought to a predetermined height from the inclined surface 21a and sucked in. The predetermined height is set to a position where a part of the suction pad 122c (here, the first part Pr1) comes into contact with the inclined surface 21a when the suction pad 122c is attached.

[0308] When the suction pad 122c is attached, there is almost no gap between the first portion Pr1 and the inclined surface 21a, so the change in the flow rate at the first portion Pr1 becomes large. Therefore, in this case, the transport control unit 61 can determine that the change in the flow rate is equal to or greater than the threshold (the flow rate is less than the threshold), and can determine that the suction pad 122c is attached.

[0309] The amount of change in the flow rate at each position on the suction pad 122c varies depending on the distance between each position on the suction pad 122c and the inclined surface 21a. The difference in the amount of change in the flow rate causes the shape of the suction pad 122c to change. Specifically, the shape of the suction pad 122c changes so that the change in the flow rate at the suction pad 122c becomes larger as the distance becomes closer (for example, the change in the flow rate at the first portion Pr1 becomes larger than that at the second portion Pr2). Therefore, the flow rate at the first portion Pr1 tends to change more than the flow rate at the second portion Pr2.

[0310] However, even if the shape of the suction pad 122c changes, the suction pad 122c adheres to the inclined surface 21a. Therefore, even if the inclined platform 21 is used, the transport control unit 61 can determine whether the suction pad 122c is attached or not based on the change in the flow rate.

[0311] On the other hand, if the suction pad 122c is not attached, a gap is generated between the first portion Pr1 and the inclined surface 21a by the thickness of the suction pad 122c, and the flow rate hardly changes even in the first portion Pr1. Therefore, the transport control unit 61 can determine that the change in the flow rate is less than the threshold value (the flow rate remains equal to or greater than the threshold value), and can determine that the suction pad 122c is not attached.

[0312] 23(b), it may be possible to determine whether or not the suction pad 122c is attached by bringing the suction mechanism 122a closer to the wall surface 11a of the first housing portion 11. In this case, the wall surface 11a is the reference surface.

[0313] Consider a case where the suction mechanism 122a is lowered into the first storage section 11, and then brought to a predetermined distance from the wall surface 11a and sucked in. The predetermined distance is set to a position where a part of the suction pad 122c (here, the second part Pr2) comes into contact with the wall surface 11a when the suction pad 122c is attached.

[0314] When the suction pad 122c is attached, there is almost no gap between the second portion Pr2 and the wall surface 11a, so the change in the flow rate in the second portion Pr2 becomes large. Therefore, in this case, the transport control unit 61 can determine that the change in the flow rate is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and can determine that the suction pad 122c is attached. As described above, the shape of the suction pad 122c changes because the amount of change in the flow rate in the suction pad 122c differs depending on the distance between each position on the suction pad 122c and the wall surface 11a. Due to this, the flow rate in the second portion Pr2 is more likely to change significantly than the flow rate in the first portion Pr1.

[0315] On the other hand, when the suction pad 122c is not attached, at least the flow rate does not change due to a change in the shape of the suction pad 122c. Therefore, even if a change in the flow rate occurs, the change is smaller than when the suction pad 122c is attached. Therefore, the transport control unit 61 can determine that the change in the flow rate is less than the threshold value, and can determine that the suction pad 122c is not attached.

[0316] According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to strictly regulate the movement distance of the suction mechanism 122a to the inclined surface 21a or the wall surface 11a. This is because when the suction pad 122c is attached, the change in the shape of the suction pad 122c causes a larger change in the flow rate. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to strictly regulate the movement distance.

[0317] It is also possible to set the predetermined height or distance to a position slightly away from the contact position between the reference surface and the suction pad 122c. It is also assumed that suction pads 122c of various shapes or sizes are used in combination due to individual differences in the suction pads 122c or design changes to the suction pads 122c. By setting the predetermined height or distance as described above, the transport control unit 61 can stably detect whether the suction pad 122c is attached or not, regardless of the various shapes or sizes of the suction pads 122c.

[0318] [Embodiment 12] In this embodiment, a configuration for accurately determining the type of medicine having a predetermined shape will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3, 4, 14, and 24. Figure 24 shows an example of a medicine having an elongated shape, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in the second embodiment, similar to the sixth embodiment.

[0319] As described in the first embodiment, the turning mechanism 133b shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3 can vibrate the medicine placing table 133a. By vibrating the medicine placing table 133a, the turning mechanism 133b can orient the imprinted information or printed information in a predetermined direction (for example, upward (+Z axis direction)). Also, by vibrating the medicine placing table 133a, it is possible to move a medicine that is not present near the center of the medicine placing table 133a to approximately the center. Also, when the medicine is a tablet, as shown in (b) of FIG. 14, the turning mechanism 133b rotates the shaft portion 133c so that the inclined surface portion 133ab of the medicine placing table 133a becomes approximately horizontal.

[0320] 4(a) and 4(b), the rotation mechanism 133b rotates the imaging mechanism including the first camera 131 and the illuminator 134 so as to rotate around the arrangement area Ar2. This allows the first camera 131 to capture images of the medicine placed on the medicine placement table 133a from four positions in the arrangement area Ar2, for example, θ=0°, 45°, 135°, and 180°.

[0321] However, depending on the shape of the medicine, when the medicine is moved to the approximate center by the vibration of the rotation mechanism 133b, the imprinted information or printed information may be oriented in a direction other than the predetermined direction (an unintended direction) due to the vibration. For example, in the case of a medicine MD (e.g., Sotacol (registered trademark)) as shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 24, the imprinted information ("AAA 000" in (a) of Figure 24) may be oriented in an unintended direction.

[0322] In the medicine MD, the marking information is attached to the upper surface MDt, and the marking information is not attached to the side surface MDs. In addition, not only the upper surface MDt or the lower surface MDu but also the side surface MDs has a planar shape having an area of ​​a predetermined area or more. Therefore, even if any of the upper surface MDt, the lower surface MDu, and the side surface MDs faces the bottom of the medicine placement table 133a, the medicine will stand up. Note that medicines having such a shape are often elongated as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG.

[0323] When the side surface MDs faces the bottom of the medicine placement stand 133a and the medicine stands up, the imprinted information faces the horizontal direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the Z-axis direction). Since the first camera 131 captures images from predetermined positions (e.g., the above four positions), depending on the orientation, it may not be possible to capture an image sufficient to identify the imprinted information.

[0324] In the medicine sorting device 1 of the present embodiment, the turning mechanism 133b changes the magnitude of vibration applied to the medicine placing table 133a and the rotation speed of the shaft portion 133c for changing the inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 133ab, based on the shape of the medicine.

[0325] Specifically, the discrimination unit 64 analyzes the captured image to obtain the long side length L1 and the short side length L2 of the drug, and calculates the aspect ratio of the drug. Based on the aspect ratio of the drug, the discrimination unit 64 determines whether the ratio of the long side length L1 to the short side length L2 (long side length L1 / short side length L2) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set, for example, through an experiment or the like, to a value large enough to detect a drug standing with its side surface MDs facing downward.

[0326] When the discrimination unit 64 judges that the ratio of the long side length L1 to the short side length L2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (i.e., when the discrimination unit 64 judges that the medicine stands with the side surface MDs facing downward), the discrimination unit 64 sets the magnitude of vibration and the rotation speed according to the set values ​​when the ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The imaging control unit 63 controls the turning mechanism 133b to vibrate and rotate the medicine placing table 133a at the magnitude of vibration and the rotation speed set according to the set values.

[0327] For example, the vibration and rotation speed are set to be smaller than the set values ​​when the ratio of the long side length L1 to the short side length L2 is less than a predetermined value.

[0328] In this way, when the ratio of the long side length L1 to the short side length L2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the vibration and rotation speed are both reduced, so that the medicine standing with the side surface MDs facing downwards does not stand on the medicine placing stand 133a. Therefore, the movement of the medicine placing stand 133a can prevent the imprinted information from facing in any direction other than a predetermined direction, so that the type of medicine can be determined (medicine identification) with high accuracy.

[0329] In addition, it is possible to prevent the medicine from standing up with the side surface MDs facing downward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medicine from being imaged again and the type of medicine from being identified again, which would otherwise occur. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently identify and sort the medicines.

[0330] [Embodiment 13] In this embodiment, a configuration for shortening the time required for packaging processing will be described with reference to Figures 1, 20, and 25. Figure 25(a) is a diagram showing a configuration example of a medicine sorting device 1A as a modified example, and (b) and (c) are diagrams for explaining the shape and operation of the tip of the sorting cup transport mechanism 125.

[0331] 25(a), the medicine sorting device 1A differs from the medicine sorting device 1 in that it includes a sorting cup transport mechanism 125 and an unspecified cassette 801. In other words, the medicine sorting device 1A has the same configurations and functions as the medicine sorting device 1, except for the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 and the unspecified cassette 801. The medicine sorting device 1A may include at least the basic configuration described in the second embodiment.

[0332] The medicine sorting device 1A includes a packaging mechanism 6. The packaging mechanism 6 includes a packaging hopper 6a that temporarily holds the medicine, and a heater roller 6b that heat-seals the packaging paper in which the medicine is packaged. The medicine dispensed from the unspecified cassette 801 is transferred to the heater roller 6b via the packaging hopper 6a, and is packaged in the packaging paper by the heater roller 6b.

[0333] The medicine sorting device 1A also includes an unspecified cassette 801 shown in FIG. 20(a). The unspecified cassette 801 dispenses medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 one tablet at a time. The unspecified cassette 801 is installed below the medicine insertion port 17 so that the medicines inserted from the medicine insertion port 17 can be received by the first rotor 8011. The unspecified cassette 801 is installed above the packaging hopper 6a so that the packaging hopper 6a can receive the medicines dispensed from the dispensing port 8015 by the second rotor 8012. The medicine sorting device 1A also includes an unspecified cassette mounting unit (not shown) that mounts and drives the unspecified cassette 801.

[0334] The suction / shutter mechanism 122 includes an suction mechanism (e.g., suction mechanism 122a in FIG. 23) and a sorting cup transport mechanism 125 as shown in FIG. 25(a). Both the suction mechanism and the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 are movable in the ±Z-axis direction. The suction mechanism is for suctioning a medicine identified as a target for transport. Therefore, the transport control unit 61 or the sorting control unit 62 controls the movement of the suction mechanism in the ±Z-axis direction when transporting a medicine. On the other hand, the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 moves the sorting cup 141 between the second container 14 and the medicine inlet 17. Therefore, the sorting control unit 62 controls the movement of the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 in the ±Z-axis direction when packaging a medicine by the packaging mechanism 6.

[0335] As shown in (b) of FIG. 25, the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 includes, for example, a gripper 125a, a rotating part 125b, and a support part 125c. The gripper 125a grips the sorting cup 141. In the example of (b) of FIG. 25, the gripper 125a is realized by two claws that can perform opening and closing operations. The rotating part 125b has a rotation axis that extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and rotates the gripper 125a. The support part 125c supports the gripper 125a at its tip.

[0336] When the packaging mechanism 6 packages medicines contained in the sorting cup 141, the sorting control unit 62 controls the transport mechanism 123 to move the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 to above the sorting cup 141 that contains the medicines. Then, the sorting control unit 62 moves the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 downward and causes the gripper 125a to grip the sorting cup 141.

[0337] With the gripper 125a gripping the sorting cup 141, the sorting control unit 62 moves the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 above the medicine insertion port 17, and then drives the rotating unit 125b to rotate the gripper 125a upward. This allows the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 to be inserted into the medicine insertion port 17.

[0338] Before a medicine is loaded into the unspecified cassette 801, the control unit 60a drives the height restricting body 8013 and the width restricting body 8014 to adjust the transfer height h1 and the transfer width w1 based on the size of the medicine. Then, for example, when a medicine is loaded into the unspecified cassette 801, the control unit 60a rotates the first rotor 8011 and the second rotor 8012 to dispense the loaded medicine one tablet at a time into the packaging hopper 6a. This allows the packaging mechanism 6 to package the medicine.

[0339] When dispensing medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 to the packaging mechanism 6 using the suction mechanism, it is necessary to pick up the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 one by one and transport them to the medicine inlet 17. Therefore, the more medicines there are, the longer it takes to dispense the medicines. It also takes time to prepare an empty sorting cup 141.

[0340] As in the medicine sorting device 1A, by making it possible to mount the unspecified cassette 801 below the medicine insertion port 17, the medicines contained in the sorting cups 141 can be inserted into the unspecified cassette 801 at once. Therefore, even when all the sorting cups 141 are filled with medicines, an empty sorting cup 141 can be prepared in a short time for sorting the next medicine, so that the time required for the medicine sorting process can be shortened. In addition, the time required for the packaging process can also be shortened.

[0341] Furthermore, by including the sorting cup transport mechanism 125, the medicine sorting device 1A can automatically dispense medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 to the packaging mechanism 6. Therefore, when packaging using the packaging mechanism 6, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user having to carry the sorting cup 141 to the medicine input port 17 and input the medicines contained in the sorting cup 141 into the medicine input port 17.

[0342] Although the sorting cup transport mechanism 125 has been described as being provided in the transport / sorting unit 12, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided in the medicine sorting device 1 separately from the transport / sorting unit 12.

[0343] [Embodiment 14] In this embodiment, a configuration for improving the accuracy of the discrimination process will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may have the basic configuration described in the second embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment.

[0344] Among the drugs prescribed, there are drugs that are similar in color and size even if they are different types. For example, there are users for whom about 70 to 80 percent of the drugs prescribed are white tablets with a certain size (e.g., 7 mm in diameter).

[0345] When determining the type of drug contained in the first container 11, the determination unit 64 compares the drug characteristics extracted from the image captured by the first camera 131 with multiple drug data registered in the drug database. The determination unit 64 calculates, for example, the degree of agreement between the drug characteristics and the drug data as a score, and ranks the drug data in descending order of the score. Then, the determination unit 64 specifies the drug data up to the set rank (e.g., the drug data in 1st to 10th place) as candidates (candidate data) of drug data to be used to identify the type of drug.

[0346] When the size or color of the medicine stored in the medicine sorting device 1 varies depending on the type of medicine, the score of the first-ranked medicine data is often higher than the scores of the second-ranked and lower-ranked medicine data. Therefore, in this case, the discrimination unit 64 can sufficiently identify the type of medicine by identifying the data up to the rank set as above (e.g., 10th place) as candidate data.

[0347] However, when candidate data is identified as described above, it may not be possible to accurately identify the type of medicines that are different in type but similar in size and color. In other words, when there are many medicines that are similar in size and color, there is a high possibility that the scores are similar even in the ranks lower than the set rank (if the set rank is 10th, 11th and after). Therefore, there is a possibility that medicine data that should have been identified exists in the lower ranks.

[0348] In order to identify the type of drug with high accuracy, the discrimination unit 64 compares the drug features extracted from the image with registered drug data, and identifies the drug data whose match with the features is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value as candidate data. The discrimination unit 64 then compares the drug features extracted from an image of the drug captured again with the candidate data to identify the type of drug.

[0349] For example, the discrimination unit 64 calculates the degree of match (score) between each drug data included in the drug database and the drug features extracted from the image, and identifies the drug data with the highest score. The discrimination unit 64 identifies all drug data within a preset range of difference values ​​from the score of the drug data ranked first as candidate data. Then, the discrimination unit 64, for example, sets a flag on the drug data identified as the candidate data.

[0350] For example, the score is defined as 0 to 100 (the higher the value, the higher the degree of match). For example, if the score of the top drug data is 97.5 and the preset difference value is 0.3, the discrimination unit 64 identifies all drug data with a score of 97.2 (=97.5-0.3) or more as candidate data.

[0351] After that, the first camera 131 captures an image of the medicine again, and the discrimination unit 64 calculates a score by comparing the characteristics of the medicine contained in the captured image with the identified candidate data. Then, the discrimination unit 64 identifies the candidate data whose score is within a preset difference value range as further candidate data.

[0352] The discrimination unit 64 repeats this process to uniquely identify the medicine data. Note that the determination as to whether or not to image the medicine again (the number of times to image) may be determined based on the number of identified candidate data, etc.

[0353] In this manner, by narrowing down the candidate data to drug data having a score equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is possible to specify all the drug data to be extracted, thereby enabling the type of drug to be specified with high accuracy.

[0354] In addition, when the same medicine is repeatedly imaged, the position of the medicine may be different each time it is imaged. When the medicine is imaged at a position different from the position at the previous image, the imaging conditions may be better than the imaging conditions at the previous image. Therefore, by repeatedly imaging the same medicine, it is possible to calculate the score with high accuracy.

[0355] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 64 may execute a repeated process of matching the characteristics of the drug included in the image with the candidate data in order to uniquely identify the drug data as follows.

[0356] For example, in the first matching, the discrimination unit 64 calculates scores for all the candidate data by matching the features of the drug contained in the image with all the specified candidate data. The discrimination unit 64 specifies the candidate data having a higher score (e.g., the candidate data within the top 75% (i.e., the drug data having a score equal to or higher than a predetermined value)) among the calculated scores as the candidate data to be matched in the second round. This allows the candidate data having a lower score (e.g., the candidate data within the bottom 25%) to be excluded from the candidate data to be matched in the second round. Similarly, the discrimination unit 64 specifies the candidate data having a higher score (e.g., the candidate data within the top 75%) among the scores calculated in the second matching as the candidate data to be matched in the third round.

[0357] For example, if the characteristic of the drug contained in the image is imprint information, each time the discrimination unit 64 compares, it identifies drug data having imprint information that matches the imprint information of the drug contained in the image at a predetermined value or higher (e.g., 75% or higher match) as candidate data for the next comparison.

[0358] In this way, by performing matching while reducing the number of candidate data to be matched to a certain extent and uniquely identifying drug data, it is possible to efficiently identify drug data. Note that the above 75% is merely an example, and it is sufficient to set it to a value that can efficiently identify drug data through experiments, etc.

[0359] [Embodiment 15] In this embodiment, another example of packaging processing will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment may include a packaging mechanism 6 in addition to the basic configuration described in the second embodiment.

[0360] After the medicine is packaged based on the prescription data by the packaging machine 700 or the like, a change in the prescription may occur, and the contents of the package may be changed suddenly. For example, when a change in the prescription occurs to remove one type of medicine, the user may tear each medicine package, remove the medicine from each medicine package, and then reseal each medicine package with adhesive tape or the like. When the number of medicine packages is small, such manual repackaging by the user is possible, but when the number of medicine packages is large, such manual repackaging is practically difficult. Therefore, when the number of medicine packages to be repackaged is large, all medicine packages may be discarded, and the packaging machine 700 or the like may repackage based on the corrected prescription data.

[0361] In this embodiment, the medicine sorting device 1 may perform packaging processing using the packaging mechanism 6 based on prescription data. For example, if a change in prescription occurs after the medicine packaging processing based on prescription data, the user puts the medicines contained in each medicine packet into the first storage unit 11. The medicine sorting device 1 sorts the medicines contained in the first storage unit 11 into sorting cups 141 of the second storage unit 14 by type. After sorting by type is completed, the medicine sorting device 1 packages the medicines sorted into the second storage unit 14 by the packaging mechanism 6 based on the corrected prescription data (prescription data reflecting the above change).

[0362] In this way, when a prescription is changed, the medicine sorting device 1 can repackage the medicines according to the change. Therefore, when a prescription is changed, for example, when one type of medicine is removed, it is possible to eliminate the manual work of removing the medicine from each medicine package and then sealing the medicine packages with adhesive tape or the like. It is also possible to repackage the medicine packages without discarding all of them.

[0363] It is not necessary for the medicine sorting device 1 to sort medicines into the second storage section 14 by type. For example, the medicine sorting device 1 may store medicines to be repackaged into the same medicine packet based on the corrected prescription data in the same sorting cup 141. In this case, similar to the above, the medicine sorting device 1 sorts the medicines into the second storage section 14, and then packages the medicines using the packaging mechanism 6 based on the corrected prescription data.

[0364] Here, for example, in the medicine sorting device 1A shown in embodiment 13 (FIG. 25), as described above, the sorting cups 141 can be transported to the medicine input port 17. That is, in the medicine sorting device 1A, medicines contained in one sorting cup 141 can be input to the medicine input port 17 at once. Therefore, when medicines to be repackaged into the same medicine packet are contained in the same sorting cup 141, one medicine packet's worth of medicines can be input to the packaging mechanism 6 at once, making it possible to perform the packaging process more efficiently.

[0365] In the above, the packaging mechanism 6 of the medicine sorting device 1 is described as being used for packaging processing based on corrected prescription data, but it may be used for packaging processing for preparation. In other words, after the medicine is contained in each medicine package (packaging wrapper) based on the preparation data by the packaging machine 700 or the like, if the contents of the preparation data are changed, the medicine sorting device 1 may perform packaging processing based on the corrected preparation data in the same way as the packaging processing based on the corrected prescription data. The preparation data is data created for preparation, and is data related to the method of containing medicine in each packaging wrapper.

[0366] Although the above description has been given with an example of a case where a prescription change occurs such that a medicine is removed, a prescription change may also occur such that a medicine is added. In this case, the user places the medicine to be added in the sorting cup 141 and places the sorting cup 141 in the second storage section 14. This allows the medicine sorting device 1 to repackage the medicine using the packaging mechanism 6 based on the corrected prescription data, even if a prescription change occurs such that a medicine is added.

[0367] [supplement] As described above, the second storage unit 14 stores drugs by type. When the type of drug can be uniquely (completely) identified, the meaning of storing drugs by type in the second storage unit 14 includes storing drugs in the same position (same sorting cup 141) for each uniquely identified type. In addition, this also includes storing drugs in the same position for each drug with similar characteristics to a certain extent when the type of drug cannot be uniquely identified but the drugs can be identified as drugs (presumed drugs) with similar characteristics to a certain extent based on the color, shape, etc.

[0368] [Embodiment 16] In this embodiment, a description will be given of the operation at the time of start-up of the medicine sorting device 1. The medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment has at least the basic configuration described in embodiment 2. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[0369] <Control Unit> First, the control unit 60b will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of the control unit 60b. As shown in Fig. 26, the control unit 60b includes a drive control unit 71, an object presence / absence determination unit 72, a flow rate determination unit 73, and a packaging control unit 74, in addition to the configuration of the control unit 60a. Note that in the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the control unit has the control unit 60a as a basic configuration, and may include at least any of the above-mentioned members required for the operation and processing of each embodiment.

[0370] The drive control unit 71 controls the movement of a housing (hereinafter referred to as a drug delivery unit 120) including the second camera 121 and the suction / shutter mechanism 122, and the movement of the obstacle detection mechanism 22. Specifically, the drive control unit 71 moves the obstacle detection mechanism 22 in conjunction with the movement of the drug delivery unit 120.

[0371] The object presence / absence determining unit 72 determines whether or not there is an object to be placed on the base 19. Examples of objects to be determined include the sorting cup base 14a (see FIG. 27), the waiting tray 15 (see FIG. 27), the collection tray 16 (see FIG. 27), and the suction pad 122c (see FIGS. 23 and 31).

[0372] The flow rate determining unit 73 determines whether or not the flow rate in the adsorption mechanism 122a (see FIGS. 23 and 31) is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, thereby determining whether or not damage or the like (abnormal suction) has occurred in the adsorption mechanism 122a.

[0373] The packaging control unit 74 controls the operation of the packaging mechanism 6. In addition, the packaging control unit 74 controls the operation of the medicine transport unit 120 which transports medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 to the medicine insertion port 17 (medicine insertion unit) or returns medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 to the sorting cup 141.

[0374] It should be noted that throughout this specification, the term "packaging" as used at least in the description of the drug sorting device 1 includes both the meaning of "packaging drugs according to the period of administration based on the prescription data" and the meaning of "simply packaging the drugs sorted into the second storage section 14 regardless of the prescription data."

[0375] <Obstacle detection mechanism> First, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 will be described with reference to Figures 26 to 28. Figure 27(a) is a perspective view showing another example of the medicine sorting device 1, and (b) is a schematic plan view showing the other example. Figures 28(a) and (b) are views for explaining the upper space US.

[0376] As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 27, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment includes an obstacle detection mechanism 22 and a reflecting mirror .

[0377] The obstacle detection mechanism 22 detects that some obstacle is placed in the medicine sorting area 2. Specifically, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 functions as an object detection unit that detects an obstacle (object) present in the upper space US (see FIG. 28) of the sorting cup 141 placed (correctly placed) in the second storage unit 14 in a specified state. As shown in FIG. 27(a), the obstacle detection mechanism 22 is provided at one end of the medicine sorting device 1 (base 19).

[0378] The obstacle detection mechanism 22 includes a light source (e.g., a laser light source) that emits light into the upper space US, and a sensor that receives the light emitted from the light source. When an obstacle is placed in the upper space US, the sensor detects that an obstacle has been placed in the upper space US by being unable to receive the light emitted by the light source.

[0379] The reflecting mirror 23 is provided at a position (the other end) opposite to the obstacle detection mechanism 22, and reflects the light emitted by the obstacle detection mechanism 22 toward the obstacle detection mechanism 22. When no obstacle is present in the upper space US, the sensor of the obstacle detection mechanism 22 receives the light emitted from the light source of the obstacle detection mechanism 22 and reflected by the reflecting mirror 23. On the other hand, when an obstacle is present in the upper space US, the sensor cannot receive the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflecting mirror 23. At this time, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 detects an obstacle present in the upper space US. In other words, the object presence / absence determining unit 72 determines that no obstacle is present in the upper space US when the obstacle detection mechanism 22 receives light, and determines that an obstacle is present when the obstacle detection mechanism 22 does not receive light.

[0380] Furthermore, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 moves horizontally under the control of the drive control unit 71 (or the transport control unit 61, the sorting control unit 62, or the packaging control unit 74). As shown in (b) of FIG. 27, in this embodiment, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 moves in the y-axis direction (on a straight line connecting the medicine removal side and the rear side of the medicine sorting device 1). Therefore, the reflection mirror 23 is provided so as to extend in the y-axis direction at the other end.

[0381] In this way, by making the obstacle detection mechanism 22 movable in a predetermined direction, it is possible to detect obstacles present in the upper space US throughout the second housing section 14, without providing multiple obstacle detection mechanisms or providing a single obstacle detection mechanism that extends in a predetermined direction. In other words, a mechanism for detecting obstacles can be prepared at low cost.

[0382] The medicine sorting device 1 is equipped with an imaging unit 13. Therefore, the reflection mirror 23 is provided on the inside of the housing (wall surface) of the medicine sorting device 1 facing the obstacle detection mechanism 22, and on the imaging unit 13. The end portion 23a of each reflection mirror 23 has a curved shape, as shown in (b) of Fig. 27. By making the end portion 23a curved in this way, it is possible to avoid erroneous detection of an obstacle that may occur when the end portion 23a has a non-curved shape.

[0383] As shown in (a) of Figure 28, the upper space US is, for example, the space between the bottom of the drug delivery section 120 (the lowest surface facing the base 19) and the top surface of the sorting cup 141 when it is correctly placed on the base 19.

[0384] The sorting cup 141 is detachably arranged in the second storage section 14. Therefore, as shown in (b) of Fig. 28, the sorting cup 141 may not be placed correctly and may be placed at an angle to the base 19. Note that the state shown in (a) of Fig. 28 is the state in which all of the sorting cups 141 are placed correctly. In other words, the state in which the sorting cup 141 is placed so that the top surface of the sorting cup 141 is approximately horizontal is the state in which the sorting cup 141 is placed correctly.

[0385] When the sorting cup 141 is not placed correctly and is placed at an angle to the base 19, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 detects a part of the sorting cup 141 protruding from the top surface (upper surface) of the sorting cup 141 when it is placed correctly on the base 19 as an obstacle. At this time, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 does not receive the emitted light, so the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that an obstacle is present in the upper space DA. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user to remove the obstacle (e.g., to place the sorting cup 141 correctly). In addition, the drive control unit 71 (or the transport control unit 61, the sorting control unit 62, or the packaging control unit 74) stops the medicine transport unit 120 in a moving state.

[0386] In this way, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 and the object presence / absence determination unit 72 can prevent the tip of the drug transporting unit 120 from colliding with the obstacle when it is moving due to the presence of an obstacle in the upper space US, thereby preventing damage to the drug transporting unit 120 or the obstacle (e.g., sorting cup 141).

[0387] In addition, for example, when medicines are piled up and protrude from the top surface of the waiting tray 15 or the sorting cup 141, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 detects the medicine protruding from the top surface as an obstacle. That is, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 also functions as a mechanism for detecting medicines protruding from the top surface of the waiting tray 15 or the sorting cup 141 among the medicines contained in the waiting tray 15 or the sorting cup 141. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user that the waiting tray 15 or the sorting cup 141 is full of medicines. This makes it possible to prevent medicines from protruding from the waiting tray 15 or the sorting cup 141 to the outside.

[0388] It is not necessary to provide the reflection mirror 23. In this case, when the obstacle detection mechanism 22 receives light emitted by itself (i.e., when it receives light reflected by an obstacle), it detects an obstacle present in the upper space US. In other words, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that an obstacle is present in the upper space US.

[0389] <Positioning of the drug delivery unit> Next, a positioning operation of the medicine transporting section 120 performed at the start-up of the medicine sorting device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 26 and 29. (a) to (d) of Figure 29 are views for explaining the positioning operation of the medicine transporting section 120.

[0390] In this embodiment, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 has two obstacle detection units. One obstacle detection unit has a light source 22a1 and a sensor 22b1, and the other obstacle detection unit has a light source 22a2 and a sensor 22b2. As shown in FIG. 29(a), the two obstacle detection units are arranged to have a distance (distance D1) greater than the width of the medicine delivery unit 120 so that the light La1 and La2 emitted from each of them are not irradiated onto the medicine delivery unit 120. In reality, the member present in the upper space US is the adsorption mechanism 122a. Therefore, the distance D1 may be greater than at least the width of the adsorption mechanism 122a.

[0391] Further, the drive control unit 71 moves the obstacle detection mechanism 22 in conjunction with the movement of the medicine delivery unit 120. In this embodiment, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 is movable in the y-axis direction. Therefore, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 moves in conjunction with the movement of the medicine delivery unit 120 in the y-axis direction. This makes it possible to prevent the light La1 and La2 emitted from the obstacle detection mechanism 22 from being irradiated onto the medicine delivery unit 120.

[0392] When the medicine sorting device 1 is started, the medicine transport unit 120 performs a positioning operation with respect to the second storage unit 14 (specifically, the sorting cup base 14a). This positioning operation allows the control unit 60b (particularly the sorting control unit 62 and the packaging control unit 74) to accurately identify the positions of the multiple sorting cups 141 stored in the second storage unit 14.

[0393] To perform the positioning operation, it is necessary to move the medicine transporting unit 120 in the directions (x-axis direction and y-axis direction) in which each side constituting the area where the sorting cup 141 is placed extends. Here, one end of the second container 14 on the medicine removal side (for example, the left end as viewed from the front of the medicine sorting device 1) is set as the initial position for starting the positioning operation.

[0394] In this embodiment, as shown in (a) of Fig. 29, the drive control unit 71 first moves the medicine delivery unit 120 to an initial position and then starts a positioning operation. At this time, the drive control unit 71 turns on the obstacle detection mechanism 22 to cause the light source 22a1 to emit light La1 and the light source 22a2 to emit light La2. If there is no obstacle in the upper space US, the light La1 and La2 are reflected by the reflection mirror 23 and received by the sensor of the obstacle detection mechanism 22.

[0395] Next, as shown in (a) of FIG. 29, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 in the y-axis direction, for example, by a distance exceeding D1. In this embodiment, this movement places the medicine conveying unit 120 in a position corresponding to the second row of sorting cups 141 in the y-axis direction. That is, the medicine conveying unit 120 is in a position in the x-axis direction where it can move over the second row of sorting cups 141. The movement distance in the y-axis direction is not limited to this, and may be a distance that allows the light La2 emitted from the light source 22a2 to detect the popping out of the first row of sorting cups 141 (the light La2 passes over the first row of sorting cups 141). The first row of sorting cups 141 refers to the sorting cups 141 shaded in FIG. 29.

[0396] Here, the drive control unit 71 may move the medicine conveying unit 120 in the y-axis direction after moving it from the initial position over the sorting cups 141 in the first row. However, when the medicine conveying unit 120 is at the initial position, as shown in (a) of FIG. 29, neither the light La1 emitted from the light source 22a1 nor the light La2 emitted from the light source 22a2 passes over the sorting cups 141 in the first row. Therefore, even if any of the sorting cups 141 in the first row protrudes, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 cannot detect the sorting cup 141 because the lights La1 and La2 are not blocked by the sorting cup 141 that has protruded. Therefore, when the medicine conveying unit 120 is moved from the initial position over the sorting cups 141 in the first row, if any of the sorting cups 141 in the first row protrudes, the medicine conveying unit 120 collides with the sorting cup 141 that has protruded.

[0397] As shown in (a) of Figure 29, by moving the drug transporting unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 a predetermined distance from their initial positions in the y-axis direction, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 can check whether the first row of sorting cups 141 have popped out by using light La2 emitted from the light source 22a2, without moving the drug transporting unit 120 over the first row of sorting cups 141.

[0398] Next, as shown in FIG. 29(b), the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 along the x-axis direction over the sorting cups 141 to the other end of the second storage unit 14 (for example, the right end when viewed from the front of the medicine sorting device 1). In this embodiment, the medicine conveying unit 120 moves along the x-axis direction over the sorting cups 141 in the second row to the sorting cups 141 arranged on the other end side. Regarding the sorting cups 141 in the second row, while the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 are moving from the initial position in the y-axis direction, the light La1 emitted from the light source 22a1 is used to check whether or not the sorting cups 141 have popped out. Therefore, when the popping out of any of the sorting cups 141 in the second row is detected, the movement of the medicine conveying unit 120 is stopped, so that the medicine conveying unit 120 can be prevented from colliding with the popped out sorting cup 141.

[0399] Thereafter, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 29, the drive control unit 71 moves the drug transport unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 along the y-axis direction above the sorting cup 141 located on the other end side, thereby completing the positioning operation.

[0400] The drive control unit 71 also stops the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 if the popping out of any of the sorting cups 141 in the first row is detected while the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 are moving along the y-axis direction as shown in (a) of Fig. 29. The drive control unit 71 also stops the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 if the popping out of any of the sorting cups 141 in the third to seventh rows is detected while the medicine conveying unit 120 and the obstacle detection mechanism 22 are moving along the y-axis direction as shown in (c) of Fig. 29.

[0401] In this manner, in the positioning operation, the medicine conveying unit 120 moves in an area above the second container 14 after the light La1 or La2 emitted from the light source 22a1 or 22a2 of the obstacle detection mechanism 22 that moves in conjunction with the medicine conveying unit 120 has passed. This allows the medicine sorting device 1 to determine the presence or absence of an obstacle in the area through which the medicine conveying unit 120 is scheduled to move before the medicine conveying unit 120 moves. This makes it possible to avoid the medicine conveying unit 120 colliding with the sorting cup 141 that has been projected.

[0402] Note that the example of movement shown in Fig. 29 is merely an example. For example, when the initial position is set so that the light La2 passes over the sorting cups 141 in the first row, the medicine transporting unit 120 may move over the sorting cups 141 in the first row along the x-axis direction, and then move over the sorting cups 141 arranged on the other end side along the y-axis direction.

[0403] <Check for clogged filters> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started up, the medicine sorting device 1 checks whether a filter (not shown) of the suction mechanism 122a is clogged with foreign matter such as dust. The filter is for collecting foreign matter such as dust sucked up from the suction pad 122c.

[0404] The suction mechanism 122a is provided with a flow rate sensor (not shown) that detects the flow rate of air flowing through the air pipe 122b (see Figs. 23 and 31). In this case, the transport control unit 61 (or the sorting control unit 62 or the packaging control unit 74) can determine that the medicine has been adsorbed by the suction pad 122c based on a change in the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor.

[0405] The flow rate determination unit 73 determines whether the flow rate of air in the air tube 122b when the medicine is not being adsorbed is equal to or less than a first predetermined value (predetermined flow rate). If the flow rate determination unit 73 determines that the flow rate is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, it determines that the filter is clogged. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user that the filter is clogged and that cleaning or replacement of the filter is necessary. In addition, the control unit 60b stops the start-up operation of the medicine sorting device 1.

[0406] If it is determined that the difference is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, the display control unit 67 may notify the user that there is an abnormality in the suction pad 122c. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process.

[0407] The predetermined value determined by the flow rate determination unit 73 may be set in two stages, a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value. The first predetermined value is set as an index for determining that the filter has become clogged to the extent that cleaning is required. The second predetermined value is set as an index for determining that the filter is not clogged to the extent that cleaning is required, but will become clogged to the extent that cleaning is required in the near future. Therefore, the second predetermined value is set higher than the first predetermined value.

[0408] In this case, the flow rate determination unit 73 determines whether the flow rate of air in the air tube 122b when the medicine is not being adsorbed is equal to or less than a second predetermined value. If the display control unit 67 determines that the flow rate is equal to or less than the second predetermined value, it notifies the user that the filter will likely need to be cleaned in the near future. The control unit 60b temporarily stops the start-up operation (or medicine sorting process) of the medicine sorting device 1, but resumes the operation when the operation input unit 66 receives a user input indicating a restart.

[0409] <Check for the presence of sorting cup base> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started, it checks whether the sorting cup base 14a is installed on the pedestal 19. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process. The sorting cup base 14a is a storage unit that stores a plurality of sorting cups 141 in an aligned state, as shown in Figures 27(a) and (b).

[0410] FIG. 30(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the object detection process using the push-in detection unit 126. As shown in FIG. 30(a) and (b), the medicine delivery unit 120 includes the push-in detection unit 126. The push-in detection unit 126 detects that the suction mechanism 122a is pushed in the opposite direction to the extending direction when the suction mechanism 122a is extended from the medicine delivery unit 120 toward the base 19. In this embodiment, the push-in detection unit 126 is substantially C-shaped, and the light source 126a and the sensor 126b are provided on the inside thereof so as to face each other. The push-in detection unit 126 is provided above the suction mechanism 122a so that the suction mechanism 122a can pass through the inside thereof.

[0411] As shown in (a) of FIG. 30, the push-in detection unit 126 moves in conjunction with the extension operation of the suction mechanism 122a. As shown in (b) of FIG. 30, when the suction pad 122c comes into contact with an object (e.g., sorting cup base 14a), the suction mechanism 122a is pushed up by the force of a spring (not shown) provided in the medicine transport unit 120. As a result, the sensor 126b cannot receive the light emitted from the light source 126a. When the sensor 126b cannot receive the light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the tip of the suction mechanism 122a has come into contact with the object. In other words, when the sensor 126b cannot receive the light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the tip of the suction mechanism 122a has come into contact with the object.

[0412] As shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 27, the sorting cup base 14a has an area in which the sorting cup 141 is not accommodated. The presence or absence of the sorting cup base 14a is determined using this area. Hereinafter, this area will be referred to as the presence or absence determination area 14aa.

[0413] The drive control unit 71 lowers the suction mechanism 122a in the presence determination area 14aa. The distance of the descent at this time may be set to a degree that allows the push-in detection unit 126 to detect contact with the presence determination area 14aa when the sorting cup base 14a is installed, and to a degree that does not contact the base 19 when the sorting cup base 14a is not installed.

[0414] When the suction mechanism 122a is pushed up as a result of lowering the suction mechanism 122a and the sensor 126b cannot receive light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the sorting cup base 14a is present. On the other hand, when the suction mechanism 122a is lowered by the above-mentioned lowering distance but the suction mechanism 122a is not pushed up and the sensor 126b continues to receive light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the sorting cup base 14a is not present. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user to place the sorting cup base 14a on the pedestal 19.

[0415] <Check for suction abnormality> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started up, the medicine sorting device 1 checks whether the suction mechanism 122a can normally detect the suction of the medicine when the suction mechanism 122a suctions the medicine. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process.

[0416] The flow rate determination unit 73 determines whether the flow rate of air in the air tube 122b when the drug is not adsorbed is equal to or less than a third predetermined value. The third predetermined value may be set to a flow rate when the drug is adsorbed, which is determined in advance by an experiment or the like.

[0417] The drive control unit 71 lowers the suction mechanism 122a in, for example, the presence / absence determination area 14aa, and brings it into contact with the sorting cup base 14a. In this state, if the flow rate determination unit 73 determines that the flow rate is equal to or less than the third predetermined value, it determines that the medicine can be normally adsorbed (i.e., the control unit 60b can normally detect the adsorption of the medicine). On the other hand, if the flow rate determination unit 73 determines that the flow rate does not become equal to or less than the third predetermined value, it determines that the medicine cannot be normally adsorbed. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user that the suction mechanism 122a is in a state where it cannot normally adsorb the medicine. If the flow rate does not become equal to or less than the third predetermined value, it is considered that an abnormality such as damage to the air tube 122b or the suction pad 122c has occurred. By notifying the user, it becomes possible to identify the damaged part and perform repairs.

[0418] <Check for the presence of waiting tray> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started up, it checks whether or not the standby tray 15 is placed on the base 19. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process.

[0419] The imaging control unit 63 captures an image of the area where the standby tray 15 is placed by the second camera 121 provided in the medicine delivery unit 120. The object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines whether the standby tray 15 is included in the image by analyzing the image captured by the imaging control unit 63. When the standby tray 15 is included in the image, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the standby tray 15 is placed on the base 19. On the other hand, when the standby tray 15 is not included in the image, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the standby tray 15 is not placed on the base 19. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user to place the standby tray 15.

[0420] <Check for the presence of a collection tray> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started up, it checks whether or not the collection tray 16 is placed on the base 19. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process.

[0421] 27(a) and (b), protrusions 16a protruding inward are provided at the four corners of the collection tray 16. The object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines whether the collection tray 16 is installed by bringing the suction mechanism 122a into contact with any of the protrusions 16a provided at the four corners.

[0422] This process is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned confirmation of the presence or absence of the sorting cup base 14a. Specifically, the drive control unit 71 lowers the suction mechanism 122a above the area where the collection tray 16 is installed. The distance of the descent at this time may be set to a degree that allows the push-in detection unit 126 to detect contact with the protrusion 16a when the collection tray 16 is installed, and to a degree that does not contact the base 19 when the collection tray 16 is not installed.

[0423] When the suction mechanism 122a is pushed up as a result of lowering the suction mechanism 122a and the sensor 126b is unable to receive light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the collection tray 16 is present. On the other hand, when the suction mechanism 122a is lowered by the above-mentioned lowering distance but the suction mechanism 122a is not pushed up and the sensor 126b continues to receive light, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 determines that the collection tray 16 is not present. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user to place the collection tray 16.

[0424] <Check for the presence of suction pads> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started, it checks whether the suction pad 122c is attached to the suction mechanism 122a or not. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process. Figure 31 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the presence or absence of the suction pad 122c.

[0425] The presence or absence of the suction pad 122c is determined based on whether or not the flow rate of air in the air tube 122b when the medicine is not being suctioned is, for example, equal to or less than a third predetermined value. Specifically, the drive control unit 71 lowers the suction mechanism 122a in, for example, the presence / absence determination area 14aa, and makes it contact the sorting cup base 14a. In this state, if the flow rate determination unit 73 determines that the flow rate is equal to or less than the third predetermined value, it determines that the suction pad 122c is attached to the suction mechanism 122a. On the other hand, if the flow rate determination unit 73 determines that the flow rate is not equal to or less than the third predetermined value, it determines that the suction pad 122c is not attached to the suction mechanism 122a. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user to attach the suction pad 122c to the suction mechanism 122a. This makes it possible to prevent the suction pad 122c from being left unattached.

[0426] Here, the distance from the end of the medicine transport unit 120 facing the pedestal 19 (initial position of the suction mechanism 122a) to the bottom of the sorting cup 141 properly placed on the sorting cup base 14a is constant. Therefore, when performing this process in the presence / absence determination area 14aa, the descent distance of the suction mechanism 122a (stop position of the suction mechanism 122a) is determined starting from the position of the bottom, so that the descent distance can be determined precisely (e.g., on the order of millimeters).

[0427] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 31, the distance D11 from the reference line BL that defines the position of the bottom to the surface of the sorting cup base 14a is constant. Therefore, the distance D12 obtained by subtracting a value that takes into account the thickness of the suction pad 122c (e.g., a value that is half the thickness) from the distance D11 is also a constant value. Therefore, the position that is the distance D12 away from the reference line BL may be determined as the stop position of the suction mechanism 122a. In other words, the descending distance may be determined as the distance from the initial position of the suction mechanism 122a to the stop position.

[0428] This allows the descent distance (stop position) to be set to a distance (position) such that when the suction pad 122c is attached, the suction pad 122c contacts the surface of the sorting cup base 14a, and when the suction pad 122c is not attached, the tip of the suction mechanism 122a does not contact the surface.

[0429] That is, when the suction mechanism 122a is lowered by a lowering distance, if the suction pad 122c is attached, the flow rate becomes equal to or lower than the third predetermined value due to the contact of the suction pad 122c with the surface of the sorting cup base 14a as shown in Fig. 31. On the other hand, if the suction pad 122c is not attached, a gap OP is generated between the tip of the suction mechanism 122a and the surface of the sorting cup base 14a, so the flow rate does not become equal to or lower than the third predetermined value. Therefore, the object presence / absence determination unit 72 can accurately determine the presence / absence of the suction pad 122c.

[0430] <Check for dirt on the medicine table and remaining medicine> When the medicine sorting device 1 is started, the medicine placing table 133a is checked for dirt and the presence or absence of remaining medicine. This process may be performed before the start of the medicine sorting process. Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement position of the illuminator 134 and the backlight 135.

[0431] In the imaging unit 13, the first irradiation section 134a (visible light irradiation section; bar illumination), the second irradiation section 134b (visible light irradiation section; ring illumination), and the ultraviolet light irradiation section 134c are arranged as shown in FIG. 32. Also, as shown in FIG. 32, the receiving area Ar1 is provided with a backlight 135 that illuminates the medicine placement table 133a located in the receiving area Ar1 from below. When the adsorption mechanism 122a adsorbs the medicine placed on the medicine placement table 133a located in the receiving area Ar1 (that is, when the adsorption position is determined on the medicine placement table 133a), the backlight 135 is turned on. This allows the adsorption position to be determined with high accuracy.

[0432] The imaging control unit 63 captures an image of the medicine mounting stand 133a located in the receiving area Ar1. When the imaging control unit 63 detects an area with relatively low brightness as a result of analyzing the captured image, it determines that the medicine mounting stand 133a is dirty. In this case, the display control unit 67 notifies the user that the medicine mounting stand 133a is dirty and to clean the medicine mounting stand 133a. As a method for detecting the area with relatively low brightness, for example, a known method such as dynamic threshold processing is used.

[0433] The imaging control unit 63 also analyzes the captured image to determine whether or not a drug is present on the drug placement stage 133a. For example, the imaging control unit 63 determines that a drug is placed on the drug placement stage 133a when the degree of coincidence between the size and shape of the image and a previously specified drug is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, the drive control unit 71 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the drug placed on the drug placement stage 133a to the first storage unit 11. This makes it possible to prevent the drug sorting process from starting with the drug placed on the drug placement stage 133a. Furthermore, by storing the drug in the first storage unit 11, the drug can also be treated as a sorting target, and there is no need to notify that a drug is placed on the drug placement stage 133a.

[0434] After one medicine placing stand 133a is checked for dirt and the presence or absence of remaining medicine, the other medicine placing stand 133a is checked for dirt and the presence or absence of remaining medicine.

[0435] <Example of operation> An example of the operation at the start of the medicine sorting device 1 (or before the start of the medicine sorting process) will be described. The drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to an initial position for starting the positioning operation, and then performs the positioning operation. When the positioning operation is completed, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to the first container 11.

[0436] The drive control unit 71 executes an air sweep process by the suction mechanism 122a on the first storage unit 11. This prevents the medicine sorting process from starting with the medicine still attached to the suction pad 122c when the medicine is attached to the suction pad 122c. In addition, by storing the medicine attached to the suction pad 122c in the first storage unit 11, the medicine can also be sorted, and there is no need to notify the user that the medicine is attached to the suction pad 122c.

[0437] Next, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to the presence / absence determination area 14aa. At this position, the presence / absence of the sorting cup base 14a, the presence / absence of the suction pad 122c, the presence / absence of a suction abnormality, and the clogging of the filter are checked.

[0438] Next, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to the waiting tray 15. This performs a process of checking whether the waiting tray 15 is present. Next, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to the collection tray 16. This performs a process of checking whether the collection tray 16 is present. And finally, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine conveying unit 120 to the receiving area Ar1. This performs a process of checking whether the medicine placing stand 133a is dirty and whether there is any remaining medicine.

[0439] The medicine sorting device 1 performs the above-mentioned process at the time of startup (or before the start of the medicine sorting process), thereby enabling the medicine sorting process to be performed safely and reliably.

[0440] [Embodiment 17] In this embodiment, a method of arranging medicines on the waiting tray 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 33. Fig. 33 is a diagram for explaining an example of arranging medicines on the waiting tray 15. In Fig. 33, it is assumed that medicines MD1 to MD5 are arranged on the waiting tray 15 in that order.

[0441] It is also possible to check the storage status of medicines in the waiting tray 15 by capturing an image of the inside of the waiting tray 15. However, in reality, it is difficult to grasp the storage status by analyzing the captured image. Therefore, as described above, the obstacle detection mechanism 22 detects the presence of medicines protruding from the upper surface of the waiting tray 15 (a state in which the tray is full of medicines).

[0442] On the other hand, depending on the method of arranging the medicines on the waiting tray 15, it is possible to make it difficult for the medicines to jump out of the upper surface of the waiting tray 15. As shown in FIG. 33(a), by arranging the medicines MD1 to MD5 at different positions, it is possible to make it difficult for the medicines to pile up on the waiting tray 15. However, in this case, the medicines overlap each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 33(b), by arranging the medicines MD1 to MD5 so that they do not overlap with at least the medicine arranged immediately before, it is possible to make it even more difficult for the medicines to pile up on the waiting tray 15. Specifically, the next medicine is placed at a position spaced a predetermined distance (e.g., about 2 mm) from the medicine placed. The placement position on the waiting tray 15 is determined by the control unit 60b.

[0443] [Embodiment 18] In this embodiment, a method of switching the adsorption method and sorting according to the shape of the medicine will be described. As for the shape or size of the medicine, in addition to the general shapes or sizes of tablets and capsules (e.g., the cross section is approximately circular, approximately elliptical, or approximately rectangular), there are also shapes or sizes such as those shown below.

[0444] (1) Half tablet shape (one arc and two corners), (2) A shape that is different from the shape of general tablets and capsules (e.g., a shape of a drug that has a deeper score line than a general drug) (hereinafter referred to as an irregular shape), (3) Medication smaller than the size of typical tablets and capsules (hereinafter referred to as "small medications." A small medication is one that has a predetermined number of pixels in an image or less. In other words, the number of pixels contained in the area of ​​the medication image in the image is a predetermined number of pixels or less.).

[0445] When adsorbing a medicine, the control unit 60b performs an initial setting operation of lowering the adsorption mechanism 122a while sucking it. By controlling in this way, depending on the medicine, the medicine can be adsorbed before it comes into contact with the medicine, so that the medicine sorting process can be performed efficiently. However, if the adsorption mechanism 122a is lowered while sucking a medicine having a shape or size such as those described in (1) to (3) above, the medicine may become unruly before being adsorbed due to the air flow caused by the suction, and the medicine may not be adsorbed. In addition, the medicine may move due to the air flow, and the medicine may not be adsorbed at the appropriate position.

[0446] Therefore, when sorting medicines having the above-mentioned shapes or sizes, the sorting control unit 62 switches the initial setting operation to a special setting operation in which the suction mechanism 122a is lowered, the suction pad 122c is brought into contact with (pressed against) the medicine, and then suction is started. Note that contact with the medicine can be determined by a change in the flow rate.

[0447] For medicines with irregular shapes, information indicating that the shape of the medicine is irregular is registered in the medicine database in association with the medicine data of the medicine. When the discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of medicine based on the image captured by the first camera 131, it refers to the medicine database to determine whether the medicine is designated as a medicine with an irregular shape. If it is determined that the medicine is an irregular shape, the sorting control unit 62 switches the adsorption operation from the initial setting operation to the special setting operation.

[0448] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 64 identifies the shape and size of the medicine placed in the arrangement area Ar2 based on the image captured by the first camera 131. As a result, when the discrimination unit 64 determines that the medicine is a half-tablet shaped medicine or a small medicine, the sorting control unit 62 switches the adsorption operation from the initial setting operation to the special setting operation. Note that when the number of pixels included in the area of ​​the medicine image in the image is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, it is determined that the medicine is a small medicine.

[0449] In this way, for drugs having special shapes or sizes such as those described above in (1) to (3), by switching the adsorption operation to a special setting operation, it is possible to avoid situations where the drug cannot be adsorbed or the drug is adsorbed at an inappropriate position.

[0450] Furthermore, when the discrimination unit 64 determines that the medicine is in the form of a half tablet, the sorting control unit 62 may sort the medicine in the form of a half tablet into the same sorting cup 141.

[0451] [Embodiment 19] In this embodiment, a process will be described when a plurality of medicines are placed on the medicine placement stand 133a.

[0452] When determining the type of medicine, the discrimination unit 64 analyzes the image captured by the first camera 131. If it is determined by this image analysis that there are multiple medicines on the medicine mounting table 133a, the medicine type discrimination process is interrupted, and the image capture control unit 63 moves the medicine mounting table 133a from the arrangement area Ar2 to the receiving area Ar1. After moving the medicine transport unit 120 onto the receiving area Ar1, the transport control unit 61 takes out one of the multiple medicines placed on the medicine mounting table 133a based on the image captured by the second camera 121 and transports it to the first container 11. The transport control unit 61 repeats the process until all of the multiple medicines placed on the medicine mounting table 133a are transported to the first container 11. Then, if it is determined that there is no medicine on the medicine mounting table 133a, the transport control unit 61 takes out one medicine from the first container 11 again and places it on the medicine mounting table 133a. This restarts the medicine type discrimination process that was temporarily interrupted.

[0453] In this way, when multiple medicines are placed on the medicine placement stand 133a, the medicine sorting device 1 can reliably perform the type determination process for each medicine by returning the medicines to the first storage section 11.

[0454] [Embodiment 20] In this embodiment, the configuration of the packaging mechanism 6 (packaging section) that packages the medicine stored in the second storage section 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 34. Fig. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the packaging mechanism 6. (a) of Fig. 34 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a portion of the packaging mechanism 6. (b) and (c) of Fig. 34 are diagrams for explaining the opening and closing operation of the upper shutter mechanism 6d, and (d) and (e) of Fig. 34 are diagrams for explaining the opening and closing operation of the lower shutter mechanism 6e.

[0455] 34(a), the packaging mechanism 6 includes a packaging hopper 6a, a heater roller 6b, a moving passage 6c, an upper shutter mechanism 6d, and a lower shutter mechanism 6e. The heater roller 6b, the upper shutter mechanism 6d, and the lower shutter mechanism 6e are controlled by a packaging control unit 74.

[0456] The packaging hopper 6a receives the medicine that has passed (fallen) through the moving path 6c and guides it to the packaging paper PP set on the heater roller 6b. Specifically, the packaging hopper 6a guides the medicine that has passed through the moving path 6c to a pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr where the medicine is placed before being packaged by the heater roller 6b. In FIG. 34(a), the packaging paper PP is indicated by a dashed line. The packaging hopper 6a is tapered toward the heater roller 6b in order to place the medicine near the bottom of the heater roller 6b in the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr.

[0457] The heater roller 6b packages medicines into packaging paper PP one packet at a time. Specifically, the heater roller 6b heat-seals the packaging paper PP to package the medicines in the packaging paper PP. By placing one packet of medicine on the packaging paper PP in the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr, the medicines can be packaged into the packaging paper PP one packet at a time.

[0458] When packaging medicines taken out of the sorting cups 141 sorted by the same type, the packaging mechanism 6 may package all the medicines stored in one sorting cup 141 as one package. When the number of medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 is large, the medicines may be divided into a predetermined number of packages and packaged. When packaging the medicines divided into a plurality of packages, the name of the medicine may be printed on the packaging paper PP by a printing mechanism (not shown) provided in the packaging mechanism 6. In this case, the packaging control unit 74 reads the medicine data from the RFID of the sorting cup 141 from which the medicines were taken out, and prints the name of the medicine on the packaging paper PP that packages the medicine. This allows the user to check which type of medicine is packaged in each package. When packaging the medicines divided into a plurality of packages, the packaging mechanism 6 may print 1 / 2, 2 / 2, etc. on each package so that the user can check the total number of packages of the target medicines that have been packaged. Furthermore, the packaging mechanism 6 may print information such as the date or time when the sorting process was performed, or the ward where the sorting process was performed, on the packaging paper PP.

[0459] The moving passage 6c is provided between the packaging hopper 6a and a medicine inlet 17 into which medicines sorted by the conveying / sorting unit 12 (medicines to be packaged) are input, and guides the medicines input from the medicine inlet 17 to the packaging hopper 6a. In other words, the moving passage 6c connects the medicine inlet 17 and the pre-packaging medicine placing area MPAr, and guides the medicines input into the medicine inlet 17 to the pre-packaging medicine placing area MPAr.

[0460] The upper shutter mechanism 6d is connected to the medicine insertion port 17, and functions as a medicine drop prevention unit that prevents medicines that are not to be packaged and that are inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 from falling into the packaging mechanism 6. As shown in (b) of Fig. 34, the upper shutter mechanism 6d includes an upper shutter 6da and an upper shutter drive unit 6db.

[0461] The upper shutter 6da is an openable / closable shutter that functions as the bottom of the medicine inlet 17. The upper shutter drive unit 6db drives the upper shutter 6da to control the opening and closing operation of the upper shutter 6da. (b) of Figure 34 shows a state in which the upper shutter 6da is open, and (c) shows a state in which the upper shutter 6da is closed.

[0462] The upper shutter 6da is normally closed and opens when a medicine to be packaged is input into the medicine input port 17. Specifically, the packaging control unit 74 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to take out the medicine to be packaged from the corresponding sorting cup 141 and transport it to the medicine input port 17. After inputting the medicine into the medicine input port 17, the packaging control unit 74 controls the upper shutter mechanism 6d to open the closed upper shutter 6da. As a result, the medicine input into the medicine input port 17 is guided to the packaging hopper 6a via the moving path 6c. The packaging control unit 74 closes the open upper shutter 6da after a predetermined time has elapsed (a time sufficient for the input medicine to fall into the moving path 6c).

[0463] In this way, by providing the upper shutter mechanism 6d, it is possible to prevent a medicine (a medicine that is not to be packaged) that accidentally falls into the medicine insertion port 17 during operation of the medicine sorting device 1 from being packaged by the packaging mechanism 6.

[0464] Further, under the control of the packaging control unit 74, the second camera 121 (medicine imaging unit) images the medicine inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 before the upper shutter 6da opens. The packaging control unit 74 stores the image captured by the second camera 121 in the storage unit 80 as evidence of packaging. This allows the user to check whether the medicine has been correctly packaged, using the image of the medicine captured just before it is packaged by the packaging mechanism 6.

[0465] The lower shutter mechanism 6e functions as a medicine holding section that temporarily holds the medicine input from the medicine input port 17 until all of the medicine contained in one package prepared by the packaging mechanism 6 is input from the medicine input port 17. In other words, the lower shutter mechanism 6e prevents the medicine from being introduced into the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr until all of the medicine contained in one package is input from the medicine input port 17. Therefore, the lower shutter mechanism 6e (specifically, the lower shutter 6ea described later) may be provided between the medicine input port 17 and the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr. In this embodiment, the lower shutter mechanism 6e is provided between the packaging hopper 6a and the moving passage 6c, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided, for example, inside the packaging hopper 6a or the moving passage 6c.

[0466] As shown in (e) of Fig. 34, the lower shutter mechanism 6e includes a lower shutter 6ea (shutter) that can be opened and closed. The lower shutter mechanism 6e also includes a lower shutter drive unit (not shown). The lower shutter drive unit drives the lower shutter 6ea to control the opening and closing operation of the lower shutter 6ea. (d) of Fig. 34 shows a state in which the lower shutter 6ea is open, and (e) shows a state in which the lower shutter 6ea is closed.

[0467] The lower shutter 6ea is normally closed and opens when one packet of medicine is held on the lower shutter 6ea. Specifically, the packaging control unit 74 opens the lower shutter 6ea after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last medicine among the multiple medicines contained in one packet is input into the medicine input port 17 and the upper shutter 6da is opened. As a result, one packet of medicine is led together to the packaging hopper 6a (i.e., the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr). However, if one packet contains one medicine, the last medicine is that medicine.

[0468] Here, the memory unit 80 stores information indicating the maximum number of medicines that can be packed in one packet for each type of medicine (or size, shape, etc.). Specifically, information indicating the maximum number of medicines that can be packed in one packet having a standard bag length (e.g., 80 mm) for each type of medicine is stored. The packaging control unit 74 reads out the number of medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 from the RFID of the sorting cup 141, and compares the number with the maximum number to determine the bag length of one packet and the amount to be packaged in one packet.

[0469] For example, when the packaging control unit 74 determines that the number is less than the maximum number of tablets, it puts all of the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 into the medicine input port 17 and shortens the length of the bag into which the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 are packaged. For example, in the case of a medicine for which the maximum number of tablets that can be packaged when the standard bag length is 80 mm is set as 8 tablets, if the number of tablets to be packaged in one packet is 7 tablets, the bag length is changed to 70 mm. Note that the bag length may be changeable in stages, and in this case, it may be changeable between, for example, 70 mm, 76 mm, 80 mm (standard bag length), 90 mm, and 110 mm.

[0470] In addition, when the packaging control unit 74 determines that the number is the same as the maximum storage capacity, it injects all of the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 into the medicine inlet 17 and keeps the bag length of one packet into which the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 are packaged at the standard bag length.

[0471] Furthermore, if the packaging control unit 74 determines that the number is greater than the maximum capacity, it sets the bag length for one packet to a bag length greater than the standard bag length (e.g., 110 mm) and calculates the amount of medicine that can be packaged into one packet of that bag length based on the type of medicine. The calculated amount of medicine may then be fed from the sorting cup 141 to the medicine input port 17. Note that the same process may also be performed if the user wishes to package as many medicines as possible into one packet (if the setting is set to that effect).

[0472] In this way, the packaging control unit 74 determines the quantity to be packaged in one package, and can specify, based on the quantity, which medicine in one package has been inserted into medicine insertion port 17. Note that the packaging control unit 74 may specify, based on prescription data, which medicine in one package has been inserted into medicine insertion port 17.

[0473] In addition, the packaging control unit 74 executes a feeding operation of the packaging paper PP for one packet at the timing when one packet of medicines can be placed in the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr, and after the feeding operation is completed, the packaging paper PP for one packet is heat-sealed by the heater roller 6b. This allows each packet of medicine to be packaged in the packaging paper PP.

[0474] The above-mentioned predetermined time may be set to a time sufficient for the upper shutter 6da to open and for the medicine to reach the lower shutter 6ea via the transfer path 6c. However, the packaging control unit 74 opens the lower shutter 6ea while the feeding operation of the packaging paper PP is stopped.

[0475] Furthermore, the packaging control unit 74 closes the open lower shutter 6ea after a predetermined time has elapsed (a time sufficient for the medicines placed on the lower shutter 6ea to fall into the packaging hopper 6a).

[0476] In this way, by providing the lower shutter mechanism 6e, the timing of placing one packet of medicine in the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr and the timing of the feeding operation of the packaging paper PP can be synchronized. Therefore, the medicine sorting device 1 can package one packet of medicine into the packaging paper PP by the heater roller 6b.

[0477] In addition, by temporarily holding the medicines with the lower shutter mechanism 6e, one packet's worth of medicines can be dropped into the pre-packaging medicine placing area MPAr at once. This makes it possible to avoid the phenomenon that, by dropping the medicines one by one, the medicines get caught between the pre-heat-sealed packaging paper PP just before the pre-packaging medicine placing area MPAr and are unable to drop to the pre-packaging medicine placing area MPAr.

[0478] When the above phenomenon occurs, the two packaging papers PP may become misaligned before being heat-sealed. If the packaging papers PP are heat-sealed by the heater roller 6b in this state, the packaging will be defective, and the medicines will need to be repackaged. By providing the lower shutter mechanism 6e, the above phenomenon can be avoided, and packaging defects can be avoided. Therefore, the medicine sorting device 1 can efficiently pack medicines.

[0479] In other embodiments, the packaging mechanism 6 may have a configuration different from that described in the present embodiment. As described above, for example, the packaging hopper 6a may temporarily hold the medicine inserted through the medicine insertion port 17. Also, the moving passage 6c may move the medicine held in the packaging hopper 6a to the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr.

[0480] [Embodiment 21] In this embodiment, a pre-processing of the packaging process will be described. It is possible that medicines that are not to be packaged remain on the upper shutter 6da and the lower shutter 6ea shown in FIG. 34, such as medicines used in the previous packaging process remaining as they are. In order to prevent such medicines from being packaged, the packaging control unit 74 opens the upper shutter 6da and the lower shutter 6ea at the start of the packaging process. If medicines that are not to be packaged remain on the upper shutter 6da and the lower shutter 6ea, this operation allows the medicines to fall into the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr. Then, the packaging control unit 74 packages the medicines placed on the pre-packaging medicine placement area MPAr with packaging paper PP, so that the medicines sorted into the second container 14 can be dispensed to the outside of the medicine sorting device 1 before packaging.

[0481] Generally, due to device limitations, a packaging device must empty several packets of packaging paper PP without packaging any medicines when starting a packaging process. The packaging mechanism 6 can package medicines left on the upper shutter 6da and the lower shutter 6ea into the empty packet paper PP (empty packets) that is fed empty. Therefore, the packaging mechanism 6 can effectively use the empty packets that are generated due to device limitations as recovery packets for the medicines.

[0482] In addition, the printing mechanism may print the words "recoverable package" on the packaging paper PP to distinguish it from other packages. In addition, the packaging mechanism 6 may be provided with an automatic line drawing device (not shown) that uses a pen to draw a colored line on the relevant package as a marking to identify it as a recoverable package.

[0483] [Embodiment 22] In this embodiment, a process for dropping medicines one by one from medicine insertion port 17 during packaging process will be described with reference to Figures 26 and 35. Figure 35 is a flow chart for explaining an example of this process.

[0484] <Configuration of the drug sorting device> As shown in FIG. 26, the packaging control unit 74 includes a number determination unit 741, a medicine movement determination unit 742, and a packaged medicine transport control unit 743.

[0485] The number determination unit 741 determines the number of medicines put into the medicine insertion port 17 based on an image of the inside of the medicine insertion port 17 captured by the second camera 121 (input image capture unit). Specifically, when the number determination unit 741 determines that a plurality of medicines are included in the image captured by the second camera 121, and when the medicine put into the medicine insertion port 17 is removed and an image captured again by the second camera 121 does not include the medicine, the number determination unit 741 determines that one medicine has been put into the medicine insertion port 17.

[0486] When the number determination unit 741 determines that one drug has been inserted into the drug insertion port 17, the drug movement determination unit 742 determines to move the drug from the drug insertion port 17 to the packaging mechanism 6. When the drug movement determination unit 742 determines the movement, it drives the upper shutter drive unit 6db to open the upper shutter 6da. This allows the drug to be moved to the packaging mechanism 6 only when one drug has been inserted into the drug insertion port 17. In other words, the drugs can be dropped one by one from the drug insertion port 17.

[0487] The packaged medicine transport control unit 743 controls the transport / sorting unit 12 to transport the medicines stored in the second storage unit 14 to the medicine insertion port 17. When the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 determines that the image captured by the second camera 121 contains multiple medicines, and when the image captured again by the second camera 121 after removing the medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 contains the medicines, the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 returns the medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 to the second storage unit 14.

[0488] In this case, the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 returns one of the multiple medicines put into the medicine input port 17 to the sorting cup 141 from which the medicine was taken out. Specifically, the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 returns the medicine taken out from the medicine input port 17 to the sorting cup 141 from which the medicine was taken out in order to image the medicine input port 17 again. The packaged medicine transport control unit 743 repeats the medicine return operation until only one medicine is put into the medicine input port 17. This makes it possible to reduce the number of medicines present in the medicine input port 17 to one before dropping the medicine from the medicine input port 17 into the packaging mechanism 6, even if multiple medicines have been put into the medicine input port 17.

[0489] <Medicine sorting device processing> 35, the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 puts the medicine to be packaged into the medicine insertion port 17 (S31). The packaging control unit 74 controls the second camera 121 to capture an image of the inside of the medicine insertion port 17 after the medicine has been inserted (S32). The number determination unit 741 analyzes the image captured by the second camera 121 to determine whether the image contains multiple medicines or not (S33).

[0490] When the number determination unit 741 determines that the image does not include multiple medicines (NO in S33), the medicine movement determination unit 742 determines to move the medicine from the medicine insertion port 17 to the packaging mechanism 6. That is, in this case, the medicine movement determination unit 742 controls the upper shutter mechanism 6d to open the upper shutter 6da (S36).

[0491] On the other hand, if the number determination unit 741 determines that the image contains a plurality of medicines (YES in S33), the medicine movement determination unit 742 keeps the upper shutter 6da closed. In this case, after the packaging control unit 74 removes the medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 (S34), in this state, the second camera 121 is controlled to capture an image of the inside of the medicine insertion port 17 again. Then, the number determination unit 741 analyzes the image captured again by the second camera 121 to determine whether or not the image contains medicines (S35).

[0492] If the number determination unit 741 determines that the image does not contain a medicine (YES in S35), the medicine movement determination unit 742 determines to move the medicine from the medicine insertion port 17 to the packaging mechanism 6. In other words, the medicine movement determination unit 742 determines that one medicine has been inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 and controls the upper shutter mechanism 6d to open the upper shutter 6da (S36).

[0493] On the other hand, if the number determination unit 741 determines that the image contains medicine (NO in S35), the medicine movement determination unit 742 determines that there are multiple medicines inserted into the medicine insertion port 17 and keeps the upper shutter 6da closed. In this case, the packaged medicine transport control unit 743 returns the medicines taken out in S34 to the sorting cup 141 from which the medicines were taken out (S37). Then, the process returns to S32.

[0494] In S34, the transport / sorting unit 12 removes one of the medicines that was put into the medicine input port 17. Therefore, if multiple medicines have been put into the medicine input port 17, even if the medicines have been removed in S34, at least one medicine will remain in the medicine input port 17. On the other hand, if only one medicine has been put into the medicine input port 17, there will be no medicine in the medicine input port 17 after the medicine has been removed in S34.

[0495] Even if it is determined in S33 that the captured image contains multiple medicines, it may be determined in S35 that the captured image (image after one medicine is taken out) does not contain any medicine. This is because, depending on the type of medicine (shape of imprint, etc.), the image processing may determine that there are two medicines even though the image shows only one medicine. In this case, since only one medicine has been inserted into the medicine insertion port 17, the medicine movement determination unit 742 opens the upper shutter 6da and guides the medicine to the packaging mechanism 6.

[0496] On the other hand, if a medicine is included in the image captured in S35 (the image after one medicine has been taken out), it is certain that multiple medicines have been put into medicine inlet 17. Therefore, by returning the taken-out medicine to sorting cup 141, it is possible to reduce the number of medicines put into medicine inlet 17. Even if three or more medicines have been put into medicine inlet 17, by repeating the above-mentioned process, it is possible to guide the medicine inlet 17 to the packaging mechanism 6 with the number of medicines in the medicine inlet 17 reduced to one.

[0497] In this way, the medicine sorting device 1 can avoid dispensing multiple medicines from the medicine input port 17 to the packaging mechanism 6 at the same time. Furthermore, even if the image processing erroneously determines that two medicines are present when only one medicine has actually been input into the medicine input port 17 due to the accuracy of the image processing, it can ultimately determine that there is one medicine and dispense the one medicine to the packaging mechanism 6. In other words, in the case of an erroneous determination, the medicine is not returned from the medicine input port 17 to the sorting cup 141, and the user is not notified that multiple medicines are present in the medicine input port 17.

[0498] [Embodiment 23] In this embodiment, the remaining medicine confirmation process of the sorting cup 141 will be described with reference to Fig. 26 and Fig. 36. Fig. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining medicine confirmation image Im10.

[0499] As shown in FIG. 26, the assortment control unit 62 includes a storage determination unit 621 and an information storage control unit 622.

[0500] The storage determination unit 621 determines whether or not medicines are stored in the sorting cup 141 based on an image of the inside of the sorting cup 141 captured by the second camera 121 (container imaging unit). The image that the storage determination unit 621 analyzes is an image captured by the second camera 121 of the inside of an unused sorting cup 141 before the transport / sorting unit 12 sorts the medicines. In other words, when an unused sorting cup 141 is determined as the sorting position for medicines, the storage determination unit 621 determines whether or not medicines are stored in the sorting cup 141.

[0501] When the storage determination unit 621 determines that a medicine is stored in the sorting cup 141, the information storage control unit 622 stores storage information indicating that a medicine is stored in the sorting cup 141 in association with container identification information for identifying the sorting cup 141. Specifically, the information storage control unit 622 stores the storage information in an RFID tag provided in the sorting cup 141 in which the storage determination unit 621 determines that a medicine is stored. As a result, the storage information and the container identification information are stored in an associated state in the RFID tag. However, the storage information and the container identification information may also be stored in the memory unit 80 in an associated state.

[0502] In this way, when medicines are stored in an unused sorting cup 141, the medicine sorting device 1 can identify that the sorting cup 141 is not unused by linking and storing the storage information and the container identification information. Therefore, the medicine sorting device 1 can avoid sorting medicines into the sorting cup 141. Furthermore, even if the placement position of the sorting cup 141 is changed in the second storage unit 14, the medicine sorting device 1 can identify the placement position of the sorting cup 141.

[0503] Furthermore, when the storage determination unit 621 determines that medicines are stored in the sorting cup 141, the sorting control unit 62 suspends the medicine sorting process into that sorting cup 141. Then, the sorting control unit 62 transports the medicines adsorbed by the transport / sorting unit 12 to the first storage unit 11. In this case, the sorting control unit 62 may determine another unused sorting cup 141 as the sorting position and sort the medicines into that sorting cup 141.

[0504] 26, the packaging control unit 74 includes a storage determination unit 744 and an information storage control unit 745. The storage determination unit 744 and the information storage control unit 745 have similar functions to the storage determination unit 621 and the information storage control unit 622, respectively. However, the image analyzed by the storage determination unit 744 is an image captured by the second camera 121 of the inside of the sorting cup 141 after the transport / sorting unit 12 has dispensed all of the medicines stored in the sorting cup 141 to the packaging mechanism 6.

[0505] Further, the display control unit 67 displays a remaining medicine confirmation image Im10 as shown in Fig. 36. The remaining medicine confirmation image Im10 displays the medicine sorting status in the second container 14 as well as the storage status of whether the medicines sorted by the sorting control unit 62 are stored.

[0506] As shown in FIG. 36, in this embodiment, the remaining medicine confirmation image Im10 displays an image of each sorting cup 141, and also displays the above-mentioned storage status by displaying the frame of each sorting cup 141 in a different color. For example, the display control unit 67 (1) makes the frame of the image of an unused sorting cup 141 blue, and (2) makes the frame of the image of the sorting cup 141 in which medicines sorted by the sorting control unit 62 are stored green. Furthermore, the display control unit 67 (3) when medicines are stored in an unused sorting cup 141 makes the frame of the image of the sorting cup 141 red (i.e., displays "remaining medicine" for the sorting cup 141). Note that in FIG. 36, the frame in the above case (1) is represented by a dotted line, the frame in the above case (2) is represented by a double line, and the frame in the above case (3) is represented by a thick line.

[0507] In the sorting cup 141 in which the medicines sorted by the sorting control unit 62 are stored, the medicine data of the medicines is stored in the RFID tag. Therefore, the display control unit 67 can identify the sorting cup 141 in which the medicine data is stored in the RFID tag as the sorting cup 141 in which the medicines sorted by the sorting control unit 62 are stored.

[0508] Furthermore, in an unused sorting cup 141 in which medicines are stored, storage information is stored in an RFID tag. Therefore, the display control unit 67 can identify a sorting cup 141 in which storage information is stored in an RFID tag as an unused sorting cup 141 in which medicines are stored.

[0509] In addition, the display control unit 67 can identify a sorting cup 141 in which no drug data or storage information is stored in the RFID tag as an unused sorting cup 141 in which no drugs are stored (and which is capable of sorting drugs).

[0510] In this way, when the storage determination unit 621 determines that medicines are stored in an unused sorting cup 141, the display control unit 67 (notification control unit) notifies the user of this fact. This allows the user to check the unused sorting cup 141 in which the medicines are stored.

[0511] For an unused sorting cup 141 in which medicines are stored, medicines will not be sorted (the sorting cup will not be determined as a medicine sorting position) until the user performs a clear operation. That is, the sorting control unit 62 recognizes the sorting cup 141 as a medicine sorting target only when the user detects that the user has removed the sorting cup 141 and the operation input unit 66 receives a user input indicating that visual inspection of the sorting cup 141 has been completed.

[0512] Furthermore, when a user input for checking remaining medicine is received, the control unit 60b causes the second camera 121 to capture an image of the inside of each sorting cup 141. In this case, the control unit 60b may check the remaining medicine in each sorting cup 141 based on whether or not the image of each sorting cup 141 contains medicine and whether or not medicine data is stored in the RFID tag of each sorting cup 141.

[0513] In this case, for example, when the image contains a drug and the drug data is stored in the RFID tag, the display control unit 67 displays the border of the image in green. Similarly, when the image does not contain a drug and the drug data is not stored in the RFID tag, the display control unit 67 displays the border of the image in blue. Also, when the image contains a drug and the drug data is not stored in the RFID tag, the display control unit 67 displays the border of the image in red.

[0514] Furthermore, the display control unit 67 displays, as a remaining medicine confirmation image, the status of medicine removal from the sorting cup 141 by the packaging control unit 74 along with the status of medicine sorting into the second container 14. For example, when medicine is stored in the sorting cup 141 after all medicines have been removed by the packaging control unit 74, the display control unit 67 sets the frame line of the image of the sorting cup 141 to a color (e.g., red) different from that of the other sorting cups 141. In other words, the display control unit 67 displays "remaining medicine" for the sorting cup 141. The display control unit 67 can identify the sorting cup 141 whose storage information is stored in the RFID tag as the sorting cup 141 with "remaining medicine".

[0515] [Embodiment 24] In this embodiment, a function of assisting the user in cleaning the medicine placing stand 133a will be described.

[0516] When a user input to check the state of the medicine placing stand 133a is received, the drive control unit 71 moves the medicine transport unit 120 onto the receiving area Ar1. Thereafter, the imaging control unit 63 turns on the backlight 135 and captures an image of one of the medicine placing stands 133a with the second camera 121. When the imaging control unit 63 completes the imaging of one of the medicine placing stands 133a, it moves the other medicine placing stand 133a to the receiving area Ar1 and then captures an image of the medicine placing stand 133a. The display control unit 67 displays images of the two medicine placing stands 133a. This allows the user to check the state (degree of dirt) of the medicine placing stand 133a.

[0517] When cleaning the medicine placement stand 133a, the user selects the medicine placement stand 133a to be cleaned from the two medicine placement stands 133a. When the user input is received to select the medicine placement stand 133a to be cleaned, the control unit 60b positions the medicine placement stand 133a in the receiving area Ar1. After that, the control unit 60b unlocks the opening and closing shutter. This allows the user to easily take out and clean the medicine placement stand 133a selected as the cleaning target.

[0518] The user can manually rotate the medicine placing stand 133a to move the medicine placing stand 133a to be cleaned to the receiving area Ar1. However, in this case, depending on the position where the medicine placing stand 133a is grasped or the inclination of the medicine placing stand 133a during rotation, the medicine placing stand 133a may be damaged. As described above, the medicine placing stand 133a to be cleaned is automatically moved to the receiving area Ar1 (under the control of the control unit 60b), thereby preventing damage to the medicine placing stand 133a.

[0519] [Embodiment 25] In this embodiment, processing for similar drugs will be described with reference to Fig. 26 and Fig. 37. Fig. 37(a) is a diagram showing an example of a similar drug display image Im11, and Fig. 37(b) is a diagram showing an example of a similar drug selection image Im12.

[0520] The discrimination unit 64 discriminates the type of drug based on the image captured by the first camera 131. At this time, when the discrimination unit 64 determines that the drug included in the image is similar to an image of a drug registered in the drug database, it specifies the drug to be discriminated and the drug registered in the drug database as similar drugs. The similarity is determined based on whether or not the characteristics of the drug extracted from the image to discriminate the type of drug are similar to the characteristics of the drug registered in the drug database. The criteria for determining similarity may be set in advance by experiments or the like.

[0521] When determining the type of drug, the discrimination unit 64 compares the drug features extracted from the image with the features of all drugs registered in the drug database (including the features of drugs registered in the similar drug list described below). If the discrimination unit 64 determines that the drug is not registered in the drug database (a suspected drug), it determines whether or not there is a drug registered in the drug database that has features similar to the suspected drug features.

[0522] When the discrimination unit 64 determines that a drug with similar characteristics exists, it identifies the characteristics of the suspected drug that was the subject of type discrimination and a drug registered in the drug database that has similar characteristics as similar drugs. The discrimination unit 64 then registers the drug data of the suspected drug in the drug database, links the drug data of the two drugs identified as similar drugs as similar drugs, and registers these drugs in a similar drug list. The similar drug list is a list that indicates which drugs are similar to each other among the drugs registered in the drug database.

[0523] Furthermore, when the operation input unit 66 receives a user input indicating that drug data of any of the drugs identified as similar drugs is to be adopted as drug data of the similar drug, the discrimination unit 64 identifies the adopted (specified) drug data as drug data of the similar drug. In this case, when discriminating the type of drug, the discrimination unit 64 compares only the specified drug data of the similar drug with the drug data of the drug to be discriminated in type. In other words, when no drug data of a similar drug is specified, all of the drug data of each drug identified as a similar drug is compared with the drug data of the drug to be discriminated in type.

[0524] Furthermore, when the operation input unit 66 receives a user input to delete the drug data of any of the drugs identified as similar drugs, the discrimination unit 64 deletes the drug data from the drug database. As a result, a drug for which there is no longer a similar drug in the drug database is excluded from the similar drug list.

[0525] Furthermore, the sorting control unit 62 stores drugs registered in the similar drug list in the same sorting cup 141. The display control unit 67 displays information indicating that similar drugs are stored in the sorting cup 141 in which similar drugs are stored in the image displaying the drug sorting status into the second container 14. For example, the display control unit 67 displays "similar drug" for the sorting cup 141 in the image. However, when one drug data is specified as the drug data for the similar drug, the display control unit 67 displays the drug name indicated by the drug data instead of displaying "similar drug".

[0526] As described above, a suspected drug that is similar to a drug registered in the drug database can be stored in the same sorting cup 141 as the drug, allowing the user to visually inspect the suspected drug along with the drug.

[0527] In addition, even if the medicine is the same type, it may be determined that it has different characteristics depending on the change of the distributor (or manufacturer) or the date of sale (old or new). For example, if the distributor is changed, the YJ code is different even if the imprint information obtained from the image is the same. Therefore, if the YJ code after the distributor change for such a medicine is not registered in the medicine database, it may not be stored in the same sorting cup 141 as the medicine having the YJ code before the distributor change. By storing a suspected medicine similar to a medicine registered in the medicine database in the same sorting cup 141 as the medicine, it is possible to avoid storing medicines of substantially the same type in different sorting cups 141. In addition, by encouraging visual inspection of such medicines, it is possible to sort them more safely.

[0528] <Example> For example, assume that the drug database stored in the storage unit 80 has registered therein drug data for three types of drugs with the markings (characteristics) "10", "8", and "XYZ". In addition, the drug data for the drug to be discriminated has the markings (characteristics) "B" or "13". In addition, the discrimination unit 64 determines whether the markings are similar to each other as a result of analyzing the image, and determines that the markings "8" and "B", or the markings "B" and "13" are similar. The drugs with the markings "10", "8", "XYZ", "B", and "13" are referred to as the "10" drug, the "8" drug, the "XYZ" drug, the "B" drug, and the "13" drug, respectively.

[0529] When determining the type of drug "B", the discrimination unit 64 compares the mark "B" with each of the drug markings "10", "8", and "XYZ" registered in the drug database, and as a result, determines that the mark "B" is similar to the mark "8". The discrimination unit 64 registers the drug data of drug "B" in the drug database, and also registers drug "8" and drug "B" in the similar drug list.

[0530] Furthermore, the sorting control unit 62 stores the "8" medicine and the "B" medicine in the same sorting cup 141. The display control unit 67 displays "similar medicines" in the sorting cup 141 in the image displaying the sorting status.

[0531] Thereafter, when determining the type of drug "13," the discrimination unit 64 compares the marking "13" with each of the drug markings "10," "8," "XYZ," and "B" registered in the drug database, and as a result determines that the marking "13" is similar to the marking "B." The discrimination unit 64 registers the drug data of drug "13" in the drug database, and registers drug "B" and drug "13" in the similar drug list.

[0532] In this case, the similar drug list has two registered drugs: (1) drug "8" and drug "B", and (2) drug "B" and drug "13", and drug "B" is common to both (1) and (2). Therefore, the sorting control unit 62 stores drug "8", drug "B", and drug "13" in the same sorting cup 141. Note that if the drug data for drug "B" is deleted from the drug database, drug "8" and drug "13" are not determined to be similar, and therefore both (1) and (2) are deleted from the similar drug list.

[0533] <Display example> Next, the similar drug display image Im11 and the similar drug selection image Im12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0534] The similar drug display image Im11 displays data related to drugs registered in the similar drug list. In the example of (a) in Fig. 37, the similar drug display image Im11 displays the YJ code, drug name, and image captured by the first camera 131 for each drug registered as a similar drug.

[0535] The similar drug selection image Im12 is an image for selecting whether or not to adopt the drug data of a similar drug among the similar drugs registered in the similar drug list as the drug data of the similar drug. In the example of Fig. 37(b), the similar drug selection image Im12 displays the images, drug names, and engraving information of the drugs constituting the similar drug selected in the similar drug display image Im11, as well as the adoption buttons Bo11, Bo12, and the cancellation button Bo2.

[0536] The adoption buttons Bo11 and Bo12 are displayed for each drug that constitutes a similar drug, and are operation buttons for determining the drug data of the drug to be adopted as the drug data of the similar drug. For example, when the user touches the adoption button Bo11 that displays "Adopt Similar Drug 1", the drug data of "Similar Drug 1" is adopted as the drug data of the similar drug. The cancellation button Bo2 is used to cancel the above adoption.

[0537] [Embodiment 26] In this embodiment, a registration approval process for the drug database will be described. Drug data is registered in the drug database after a user visually inspects and approves the data. Specifically, the drug sorting device 1 prompts the user to visually inspect the drug data provisionally registered in the drug database when the data is used for the first time. After visually inspecting the provisionally registered drug data, the user performs a user input to approve the actual registration of the drug data in the drug database. When the drug sorting device 1 receives the user input, the drug sorting device 1 performs the actual registration of the drug data in the drug database.

[0538] There are cases where the registration of drug data in the drug database is performed by a third party (e.g., the distributor or manufacturer of the drug sorting device 1) other than the user who has the authority to perform visual inspection. Therefore, by registering the drug data in the drug database (main registration) after obtaining the approval of the user, the safety of the drug sorting device 1 can be improved.

[0539] For example, the third party finds out the types of medicines used at the delivery destination (e.g., hospital) of the medicine sorting device 1 and creates a medicine database, but cannot register in the medicine database any medicines for which the third party does not have information. Therefore, the third party asks the delivery destination to provide data and images of these unregistered medicines, and registers the unregistered medicines in the medicine database. Even in such cases, the unregistered medicine data is officially registered in the medicine database upon first use, following approval from the user.

[0540] [Embodiment 27] In this embodiment, the sorting process when a return source is selected will be described. Fig. 38(a) is a diagram showing an example of a sorting image Im15 before a return source is selected, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a return source registration image Im16 (facility master editing screen). Fig. 39(a) is a diagram showing an example of a return source selection image Im17, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a sorting image Im15 after a return source is selected. Fig. 40(a) is a diagram showing an example of printing on packaging paper, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of printing on a journal.

[0541] The "return source" displayed in the sorting image Im15 shown in Fig. 38(a) is the place where the medicine was stored before being input into the medicine sorting device 1, such as a hospital ward, a clinical department, or a facility (e.g., a medical institution). In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the return source refers to each store in the case where a dispensing pharmacy is part of a chain.

[0542] For example, in the case of a chain of dispensing pharmacies, when the drug sorting device 1 is installed in one store and drugs returned from the store and other stores are sorted and packaged collectively by the drug sorting device 1, the sorted drugs must be returned to the original store. Since the drugs handled at each store may be different, the sorted drugs must be returned to the original store without fail. Conventionally, the sorted drugs were placed in baskets prepared for each store to prevent the sorted drugs from being placed in baskets other than those of the target store.

[0543] However, because this was done manually, there was a possibility that the medicines after sorting would be inadvertently placed in a basket other than that of the target store. Also, there was no way to mechanically check if the medicines were placed in a basket other than that of the target store.

[0544] Therefore, when one of the stores registered as a return source is selected based on a user input, the medicine sorting device 1 of this embodiment stores information indicating the selected return source.

[0545] Specifically, the medicine sorting device 1 registers each store as a return source by inputting the store name and an ID (facility code) indicating the store name. As shown in FIG. 38(a), the medicine sorting device 1 displays each menu when it receives a user input to the "Menu" button Bo3 of the sorting image Im15. When it receives a user input to the "Facility Master", the medicine sorting device 1 displays a return source registration image Im16 shown in FIG. 38(b). The medicine sorting device 1 acquires the store name and facility code in the return source registration image Im16.

[0546] Thereafter, when starting medicine sorting, the medicine assorting device 1 displays a return source selection image Im17 shown in FIG. 39(a) by accepting a user input to a "return source selection" button Bo4 in the assorting image Im15. When a return source store is selected from the multiple stores (registered stores) displayed in the return source selection image Im17, the medicine assorting device 1 stores information indicating the selected store and displays the selected store name (store B in this example) as shown in the assorting image Im15 shown in FIG. 39(b). Then, the assorting process is started based on the user input.

[0547] Then, when the medicine sorting device 1 packs the medicine using the packing mechanism 6, based on the stored information, it prints information indicating the store from which the medicine is to be returned, together with information indicating the packed medicine, on the packing paper or journal. This information is printed, for example, as characters and in a form readable by an information reader installed in each store (e.g., a barcode readable by a barcode reader). In the examples of (a) and (b) in Fig. 40, a GS1 code Co1 indicating the type of medicine and a store barcode Co2 indicating the store name are printed.

[0548] This allows the store where the medicines were returned to fill the medicines after visual confirmation and mechanical confirmation by an information reader. Therefore, even if the medicine sorting device 1 is installed in one of multiple stores and the medicines returned at the store and other stores are sorted and packaged together by the medicine sorting device 1, the medicines can be returned to the store where they were returned without fail.

[0549] [Software implementation example] The control blocks (particularly, the control units 60a and 60b) of the medicine sorting devices 1 and 1A may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

[0550] In the latter case, the medicine sorting apparatus 1 and 1A are provided with a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. The computer is provided with, for example, one or more processors, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The object of the present invention is achieved by the processor reading the program from the recording medium and executing it in the computer. The processor can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The recording medium can be a "non-transient tangible medium", such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like. The computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. One aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0551] The same applies to the control block of the data management device 500 (particularly, the control unit 502) ...

Claims

1. A first storage section that stores a plurality of types of medicines; A second storage section that stores the medicines in a state sorted by type; A discrimination unit that discriminates the type of the medicine taken out from the first container; A sorting unit that stores the medicines in the second storage unit by type based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit; A sorting container that is detachably disposed in the second storage unit and stores the medicines sorted by the sorting unit; a storage determination unit that determines whether the medicine is stored in a sorting container before the sorting unit sorts the medicine; A medicine sorting device comprising: an information storage control unit that, when the storage determination unit determines that the medicine is stored in the sorting container, stores storage information indicating that the medicine is stored in the sorting container in association with container identification information for identifying the sorting container.

2. a container imaging unit that images the inside of a sorting container before the sorting unit sorts the medicines; The medicine sorting device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage determination unit determines whether the medicine is stored in the sorting container based on the image captured by the container imaging unit.

3. The medicine sorting device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a notification control unit that, when the storage determination unit determines that the medicines are stored in the sorting container, notifies the user of that effect.

4. A first storage section that stores a plurality of types of medicines; A control method for a medicine sorting device comprising: a second storage unit that stores the medicines in a state sorted by type, A sorting container for storing sorted medicines is removably disposed in the second storage section, a discrimination step of discriminating the type of the medicine taken out from the first container; A sorting step of storing the medicines in the second storage unit by type based on a result of the discrimination step; a storage determination step of determining whether or not the medicine is stored in the sorting container before the medicine is sorted by the sorting step; A control method for a medicine sorting device, comprising: an information storage control step of, when it is determined by the storage determination step that the medicine is stored in the sorting container, storing storage information indicating that the medicine is stored in the sorting container in association with container identification information for identifying the sorting container.

Images