Medicine put-out device

Abstract

To put out prescription medicine efficiently.SOLUTION: Upon receipt of stop notification for stopping put-out from a drug station, a put-out control device (800) transmits put-out instructions for prescription medicine whose put-out has been stopped to a tablet packaging machine (300) or a put-out auxiliary device (600). Upon receipt of stop notification for stopping put-out from the tablet packaging machine or the put-out auxiliary device, the put-out control device transmits put-out instructions for the prescription medicine whose put-out has been stopped to the drug station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Medicine dispensing devices for dispensing medicines have been developed, examples of which are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine dispensing device that takes out a medicine sheet from a medicine-containing cassette transported from a cassette shelf to a delivery section and moves a medicine tray so that the medicine tray can receive the medicine sheet. This medicine dispensing device can reduce the total time required to dispense a medicine sheet.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic medicine supplying device equipped with a medicine picking section having a plurality of dispensing sections in which medicine containing cassettes transported from a cassette shelf are dispensed. Each of the plurality of dispensing sections has a medicine outlet for inserting and removing medicine, and an opening / closing cover capable of opening and closing the medicine outlet. In this automatic medicine supplying device, by controlling so that only the opening / closing cover of the dispensing section in which the medicine containing cassette is dispensed is in the open state, it is possible to take out the desired medicine without fail even when a plurality of medicine containing cassettes are dispensed in the medicine picking section.

[0005] The method of Patent Document 3 transports medical packs from a first receiving location in the access area of ​​the operator unit to a discharge location in the access area of ​​the operator, and from a refill location in the access area of ​​the operator to a second receiving location in the access area of ​​the operator unit.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Documents 4 and 5 disclose a dispensing inspection device that inspects whether or not a drug is dispensed. The dispensing inspection device of Patent Document 4 detects the number of drugs by capturing images of the drugs to be inspected placed on a placement table from three or more predetermined points in the rotation direction of the placement table. The dispensing inspection device of Patent Document 5 detects the number of drug sheets from an image of the drug sheet placed on the placement table captured by an imaging device, and detects the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheet from an image of the fractional sheet placed on another placement table captured by another imaging device. This detects the total number of drugs placed on the two placement tables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 047487 [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-79642 A [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6424217 [Patent Document 4] JP 2016-220911 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2017-127407 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In addition, Patent Documents 1 to 5 do not disclose a configuration capable of detecting that the position of the medicine-containing cassette stored in the cassette shelf may have been changed when the power supply of the medicine dispensing device is off. One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a medicine dispensing device capable of dispensing medicines while taking safety into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A drug dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a drug dispensing device equipped with a cassette shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes containing drugs, and is equipped with an opening / closing door installed on the cassette shelf, and a detection unit that detects when the opening / closing door is in an open state when the power of the drug dispensing device is turned off. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the medicine dispensing device according to one aspect of the present invention, medicine can be dispensed while taking safety into consideration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a medicine dispensing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of a drug station. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of the structure of cassettes that can be stored in a cassette shelf. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are perspective views showing an example of a main unit and a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a main unit cassette transport section; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how cassettes are stored. [Figure 8] 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cassette gripping portion. FIG. [Figure 9] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a cassette gripping unit. [Figure 10] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main unit and a picking unit. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a picking unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a cassette gripping operation by a first picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 14] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a first picking cassette transport unit and a second picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 15] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a first shutter. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a dispensing control device. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the dispensing control device. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a control device. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the processing example shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] 4 is a plan view illustrating an example of the arrangement of a first detection unit and a second detection unit. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a second detection unit. [Figure 22] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a second detection unit. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a second touch panel. [Figure 24] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device; [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining number reference data. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine list image. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a first touch panel. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a first touch panel. [Figure 29] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of a payout image, a deletion confirmation image, and a reservation confirmation image displayed on the second touch panel. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an on-hold details list image displayed on a first touch panel. [Diagram 31] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation image displayed on the first touch panel. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a guide image displayed on a second touch panel. [Diagram 33]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image displayed on the first touch panel. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a filled medicine list included in the filled image of FIG. 33. [Diagram 35] 11 is a table for explaining whether a cassette can be filled and a method for managing lot number information and expiration date information. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a payout selection image displayed on a first touch panel. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image displayed on the first touch panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [Basic configuration] <Medicine dispensing system> A medicine dispensing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the medicine dispensing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0013] The medicine dispensing system 100 is a system that dispenses medicines based on prescription data. The medicine dispensing system 100 includes, for example, a drug station 1, a prescription input device 200, a tablet packaging machine 300, a powdered medicine packaging machine 400, a PTP dispensing device 500, a dispensing assistance device 600, and a dispensing control device 800 as devices used for dispensing based on prescription data. The medicine dispensing system 100 also includes a medicine shelf 700. In the following description, the tablet packaging machine 300, the powdered medicine packaging machine 400, the PTP dispensing device 500, and the dispensing assistance device 600 may be referred to as various devices. The drug station 1, the various devices, and the medicine shelf 700 are installed, for example, in a hospital or a pharmacy.

[0014] The prescription input device 200 is a device that accepts input of information about a drug prescribed by a doctor to a patient (e.g., the type of the drug (e.g., drug name, drug identification information), dosage (number of drugs), and method of administration). The prescription input device 200 transmits information about the prescribed drug to the dispensing control device 800 as prescription data. The prescription input device 200 may also issue a prescription on which information about the prescribed drug is printed. The prescription may be issued by the dispensing control device 800 described below. The prescription input device 200 and the dispensing control device 800 may also issue dispensing instructions corresponding to the drug station 1 and each of the above-mentioned devices, instead of a prescription. The dispensing instructions are printed with information contained in the dispensing data described below that is created by the dispensing control device 800.

[0015] The prescription data may include information about drugs prescribed to each of a plurality of patients, and in this case, the information may be collected for each of a plurality of patients. The prescription input device 200 may also divide the information about the prescribed drugs into predetermined prescription periods (e.g., one day) and generate prescription data for each predetermined prescription period.

[0016] The dispensing control device 800 controls dispensing of medicines in the medicine dispensing system 100. For example, the dispensing control device 800 determines which of the drug station 1 and the above-mentioned various devices is used to dispense the medicine indicated in the prescription data received from the prescription input device 200. The medicine indicated in the prescription data is the medicine prescribed to the patient, and may be called the prescribed medicine. The dispensing control device 800 includes a control unit 801 and a memory unit 802.

[0017] The control unit 801 controls each unit of the dispensing control device 800. The control unit 801 includes a determination unit 811 and a transmission / reception unit 812. The determination unit 811 determines which device is to be used to dispense the drug indicated in the prescription data. The transmission / reception unit 812 receives prescription data from the prescription input device 200, or notifications from the drug station 1 or various devices. Based on the result determined by the determination unit 811, the transmission / reception unit 812 transmits dispensing data including information on the drug to be dispensed (information indicating the type of drug, etc.) to the drug station 1 or various devices. The dispensing data can also be said to be prescription data transmitted to the drug station 1 or various devices.

[0018] The storage unit 802 stores, for example, various programs used by the control unit 801, and a drug database (drug master) that manages information on multiple types of drugs stored in the drug station 1. The information on the drug includes, for example, the type of drug (e.g., drug name, drug identification information), expiration date, and lot number. The storage unit 802 also stores, for example, a drug database that manages information on multiple types of drugs stored in the tablet packing machine 300, and a drug database that manages information on multiple types of drugs stored in the powdered medicine packing machine 400. The drug station 1, the tablet packing machine 300, and the powdered medicine packing machine 400 also store their own drug databases.

[0019] The dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database stored in the memory unit 802 when updating the drug database stored in the memory unit of drug station 1. Specifically, when there is a change in the type of drug stored in drug station 1, the dispensing control device 800 receives information indicating the change from drug station 1. Based on this information, the dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database of drug station 1 stored in the memory unit 802. The dispensing control device 800 may update the drug database stored in the memory unit 802 when drug station 1 is started. Similarly, the dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database of tablet packing machine 300 or the drug database of powder packing machine 400 for tablet packing machine 300 and powder packing machine 400.

[0020] The drug station 1 is a device (first drug dispensing device, drug dispensing device) that dispenses drugs stored in the drug station 1. A specific configuration of the drug station 1 will be described later.

[0021] The tablet packaging machine 300, the powdered medicine packaging machine 400 and the PTP dispensing device 500 are examples of a second medicine dispensing device (preparation equipment) that dispenses medicine. The tablet packaging machine 300 is a device that dispenses medicine indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., tablets stored in the tablet packaging machine 300. The powdered medicine packaging machine 400 is a device that dispenses medicine indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., powdered medicine (powdered medicine) stored in the powdered medicine packaging machine 400. The PTP dispensing device 500 is a device that dispenses a PTP (Press Through Package) sheet (medicine sheet) containing the medicine indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., the medicine stored in the PTP dispensing device 500.

[0022] The dispensing assistance device 600 is a device that assists in dispensing medicines from a medicine shelf 700 that stores medicines. The dispensing assistance device 600 presents information such as the type of medicine indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800. This allows medical professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors, and workers at the drug station 1 to take out medicines from the medicine shelf 700. The workers at the drug station 1 take out medicines from the drug station 1 and are unqualified persons who do not have qualifications such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors. However, the workers may be qualified persons who have the relevant qualifications. In the following description, qualified medical professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors may be simply referred to as users.

[0023] <Drug Station> Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the drug station 1. Fig. 2 is a view of the main unit 2 seen from the front side, and Fig. 3 is a view of the main unit 2 seen from the rear side. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the drug station 1.

[0024] The drug station 1 is a device for storing, filling and dispensing drugs. As shown in FIGS.

[0025] (Main unit) The main unit 2 is a unit that stores medicines. Specifically, the main unit 2 functions as a medicine storage shelf that can store a plurality of cassettes Ca that contain medicines. The main unit 2 is a device that transfers the stored cassette Ca to the picking unit 3 by using the main cassette transfer section 22 (22a and 22b shown by reference numbers 6001 and 6002 in FIG. 6). The main unit 2 is also a device that transfers the cassette Ca returned from the picking unit 3 to its original storage position. In other words, the main unit 2 functions as a cassette handling device that stores a plurality of cassettes Ca and delivers and receives the cassette Ca to and from the picking unit 3.

[0026] The main unit 2 can store a variety of medicines (e.g., about 1500 to 2000 types) that are expected to be used in one facility such as a hospital or a pharmacy. In this embodiment, the main unit 2 stores, as medicines, for example, medicine sheets (e.g., PTP sheets), external medicines such as ointments or eye drops, or powdered medicines. The main unit 2 may also store, for example, ampoules or vials that contain medicines. In this specification, medicines that are not medicine sheets (medicines in a form other than medicine sheets) include external medicines such as ointments or eye drops, and powdered medicines, as well as ampoules or vials that contain medicines. The main unit 2 may store any medicine as long as it is a medicine that can be stored in the main unit 2.

[0027] The main unit 2 includes a cassette shelf 21, a main cassette transport section 22, and a cassette holding section .

[0028] The cassette shelf 21 is a medicine storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca. In this embodiment, the cassette shelf 21 is capable of storing cassettes Ca of different sizes (types). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a cassette Ca that can be stored on the cassette shelf 21, where reference numeral 5001 is a perspective view showing an example of a large cassette Ca1, reference numeral 5002 is a perspective view showing an example of a medium cassette Ca2, and reference numeral 5003 is a perspective view showing an example of a small cassette Ca3. Reference numeral 5004 in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the large cassette Ca1.

[0029] In the reference numeral 5001, a large cassette Ca1 is provided with a partition section Ca11 that forms a plurality of locations in which medicines can be stored. This allows a single large cassette Ca1 to store a plurality of types of medicine. In this embodiment, the large cassette Ca1 is provided with four partition sections Ca11, forming five storage areas (storage positions) for medicines. The medium cassette Ca2 is a cassette that is smaller in width (length in the short direction) than the large cassette Ca1 and larger in width than the small cassette Ca3. In addition, in the reference numeral 5002, a partition section Ca21 is also provided in the medium cassette Ca2 (two storage areas are formed in this embodiment).

[0030] In addition, the small cassette Ca3 may also be provided with a partition to form multiple storage areas. In addition, the large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2 may not be provided with a partition, and the large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2 may function as cassettes capable of storing one type of drug sheet. In addition, the partition Ca11 is removable from the cassette Ca. Therefore, in the large cassette Ca1, the size and number of the storage areas can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the types of cassettes Ca are not limited to three types, and two or four or more types of cassettes with different widths may be prepared, or there may be only one type.

[0031] In this manner, by providing partitions in each of the multiple types of cassettes Ca, multiple storage areas for storing medicines can be formed in the cassette Ca.

[0032] Furthermore, a claw receiving portion Ca12 is provided on a side wall (longitudinal end) extending in the short direction of the large cassette Ca1. The claw receiving portion Ca12 is adapted to hook onto a claw portion 2212 (see FIG. 8) of the main cassette transport unit 22 and a protrusion 351a (see reference numeral 12002 in FIG. 12) of the picking cassette transport unit 35. When the claw receiving portion Ca12 is hooked onto the claw portion 2212 or the protrusion 351a, the main cassette transport unit 22 and the picking cassette transport unit 35 can take out or place the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23.

[0033] In addition, the claw receiving portion Ca12 is provided with a notch Ca13. The position sensor 2214 (see FIG. 8) detects the position of the notch Ca13, so that the main cassette transporter 22 can transport the cassette gripper 221 (see FIG. 8) directly in front of the large cassette Ca1 to be transported. Therefore, the large cassette Ca1 can be reliably removed.

[0034] In addition, two claw receiving parts Ca12 provided at both ends of the large cassette Ca1 in the longitudinal direction are each provided with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag (not shown). Each RFID tag has recorded therein claw receiving part identification information for identifying each claw receiving part Ca12.

[0035] The orientation of the cassette Ca when placed on the medicine transfer section 32 differs between when the cassette Ca is removed from one of the claw receiving sections Ca12 and when the cassette Ca is removed from the other claw receiving section Ca12. When a single cassette Ca contains multiple types of medicines, such as the large cassette Ca1, the positional relationship of the medicines with respect to the medicine transfer section 32 changes depending on the orientation in which the cassette is placed. Therefore, if the control device 10 cannot recognize the orientation in which the cassette is placed, there is a possibility that the shutter 322 cannot be opened in accordance with the storage position of the medicine to be taken out.

[0036] By recording the claw receiving part identification information as described above and providing an RFID reader (not shown) in main body cassette transport section 22 (e.g., cassette pull-out section 2211 (see FIG. 8)), control device 10 can determine the orientation of cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader when cassette Ca is removed from cassette shelf 21. Therefore, control device 10 can open shutter 322 in medicine transfer section 32 to match the storage position of the medicine sheet to be removed.

[0037] The claw receiving portion Ca12, the notch portion Ca13, and the RFID tag are also provided on the medium-sized cassette Ca2 and the small-sized cassette Ca3. That is, all the cassettes Ca stored on the cassette shelf 21 are provided with the claw receiving portion Ca12, the notch portion Ca13, and the RFID tag.

[0038] The RFID reader may be provided in the picking cassette transport unit 35 (e.g., the protrusion 351a). In this case, when the cassette Ca is removed from the delivery cassette holding unit 231 (state of reference numeral 13003 in FIG. 13), the control device 10 can determine the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader, as described above.

[0039] Moreover, the cassette Ca is provided with a barcode Ca14. The barcode Ca14 includes, for example, cassette identification information for identifying the cassette Ca and size information (information indicating one of a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, and a small cassette Ca3) indicating the size (type) of the cassette Ca. The barcode Ca14 is an example, and the information may be provided to each cassette Ca so that the information can be read by a barcode reader (not shown) provided on the cassette gripper 221 or the like. By reading the information of the barcode Ca14, the control device 10 can compare the information with data (described later) stored in the storage unit 15. Therefore, for example, the main cassette transport unit 22 can reliably take out the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed or the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled. Furthermore, for example, the control device 10 can open the shutter 322 when the above comparison result shows that the above information and the above data match.

[0040] The main cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding unit 23. When dispensing medicines, the main cassette transfer unit 22, for example, takes out the cassette Ca containing the medicines included in the dispensing data from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (the cassette Ca from which the specified number of medicines have been taken out in the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) to the cassette shelf 21. When filling medicines, the main cassette transfer unit 22 takes out the cassette Ca containing the medicines of the type indicated by the medicine identification information read by the barcode reader 34 from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main cassette transport unit 22 transports the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (the cassette Ca filled with medicines in the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) to the cassette shelf 21.

[0041] By providing the main cassette transport section 22, the cassette Ca can be taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and transported to the picking unit 3, and the cassette Ca can be returned to the cassette shelf 21.

[0042] The cassette holding section 23 is a buffer that temporarily holds the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or the picking unit 3. The cassette holding section 23 includes a delivery cassette holding section 231 and a receiving cassette holding section 232. The delivery cassette holding section 231 temporarily holds the cassette Ca that is taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and delivered to the medicine transfer section 32 of the picking unit 3. The receiving cassette holding section 232 temporarily holds the cassette Ca that is returned from the medicine transfer section 32 to the receiving cassette shelf 21. In other words, the delivery cassette holding section 231 and the receiving cassette holding section 232 each function as a placement table on which the cassette Ca is temporarily placed.

[0043] The main unit 2 is also provided with a first touch panel 5. The first touch panel 5 is a display device that displays various information related to the drug station 1, and also functions as an input device that accepts input operations by the operator. However, the first touch panel 5 may function only as a display device.

[0044] The main unit 2 is also provided with a plurality of doors 25 (opening and closing doors) on both the front and rear sides. A user can directly access the cassette shelf 21 by opening the doors 25. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the door 25 provided on a part of the rear side is open. The door 25 may be transparent or semi-transparent so that the cassette shelf 21 can be viewed from outside the main unit 2.

[0045] 2 and 3, one picking unit 3 is provided on the front side of the main unit 2, but this is not limiting and multiple picking units 3 may be provided. Although not shown, in this specification, the description will be given assuming that two picking units 3 are provided.

[0046] (Picking unit) The picking unit 3 is a device that dispenses medicines stored in the main unit 2. To realize the dispensing of medicines, the picking unit 3 functions as a device for an operator to perform a picking operation to take out medicines. The picking unit 3 also functions as a device for an operator to perform a filling operation to fill the main unit 2 with medicines. In other words, the picking unit 3 functions as a device for an operator to take out medicines from a cassette Ca stored in the main unit 2 or to fill the cassette Ca with medicines (a medicine handling device that enables an operator to handle medicines).

[0047] The picking unit 3 includes a second touch panel 31, a medicine delivery section 32, a barcode reader 34, a picking cassette transport section 35, a printer 36, a medicine placement stand 37, a tray placement stand 38, and a tray close button 39. These components are provided on a workbench 40 where an operator handles the medicines.

[0048] The picking unit 3 transfers the cassette Ca transferred from the main unit 2 to the medicine transfer section 32 using the picking cassette transfer section 35. While checking the display content of the second touch panel 31, the operator takes out the medicines from the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer section 32 and places them on the medicine placement table 37 or the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. The medicines placed on the medicine placement table 37 are finally placed on the transport tray Tr.

[0049] The user transports the transport tray Tr containing the medicines to the inspection unit. The inspection unit is a unit where the user performs a final inspection of the medicines dispensed from the main unit 2. The drug station 1 may include an inspection unit in addition to the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3. The task of filling the cassette Ca with the medicines is performed by the user.

[0050] The second touch panel 31, like the first touch panel 5, displays various information related to the drug station 1 and accepts input operations by the operator. When removing drugs from the cassette Ca (when dispensing drugs), the second touch panel 31 displays, for example, the type and quantity of drugs that the operator should remove from the drug transfer section 32. In addition, when loading drugs into the cassette Ca, the second touch panel 31 accepts input operations to specify, for example, the type of drug to be loaded or the cassette Ca containing the drug.

[0051] The medicine transfer section 32 enables an operator to take out medicine from the cassette Ca or to put medicine into the cassette Ca (to transfer medicine by an operator). When a medicine sheet containing a plurality of medicines is stored in the cassette Ca, the medicine transfer section 32 enables the operator to take out the whole or a part of the medicine sheet from the cassette Ca or to put the whole or a part of the medicine sheet into the cassette Ca.

[0052] In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the fractional sheet refers to a medicine sheet cut out from a whole medicine sheet (full sheet) containing a specified amount of medicine. The medicine sheet refers to the whole medicine sheet, or a collective term for the whole medicine sheet or a part of it (fractional sheet).

[0053] In this embodiment, the medicine transfer section 32 includes an opening 321 and a shutter 322. The opening 321 is an opening that allows an operator to access (take out or fill (input) medicines) the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. The shutter 322 is provided at the opening 321, and controls the operator's access to the cassette Ca. The shutter 322 is an opening / closing section that opens and closes the opening 321. The shutter 322 is normally in a closed state, and becomes in an open state when the cassette Ca is transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. The shutter 322 is capable of changing the opening width according to the cassette Ca from which medicines are to be taken out or filled (put in).

[0054] The shutter 322 includes a first shutter 322a and a second shutter 322b. The first shutter 322a opens and closes in the Y-axis direction, and the second shutter 322b opens and closes in a direction (X-axis direction) substantially perpendicular to the first shutter 322a. The first shutter 322a is controlled to open and close in accordance with the size of the storage area of ​​the cassette Ca, as described later with reference to FIG. 15. This opening and closing control allows the operator to access only the storage area containing the medicine to be dispensed. The second shutter 322b is controlled to open and close in accordance with the sizes of cassettes Ca of various widths (e.g., large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, small cassette Ca3). This opening and closing control reduces the possibility that the medicine removed from the cassette Ca by the operator will fall through a gap formed in the X-axis direction (short side direction of the medicine transfer unit 32) between the cassette Ca and the first shutter 322a. The opening and closing operations of the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b may be performed simultaneously, or one of them may be performed first.

[0055] The barcode reader 34 is a device that reads the barcode attached to the medicine when a filling operation is performed to fill the cassette Ca with the medicine. The barcode includes, for example, a GS1 code attached to the medicine sheet itself, a package in which the medicine sheet is packaged in a plurality of units (pillow packaging), a package in which the packaged powder is packaged in a plurality of units, or a box in which the package is contained. The barcode may also include, for example, a GS1 code attached to a box in which medicine other than the medicine sheet (e.g., ointment, eye drops) is contained. The barcode only needs to include medicine identification information for identifying the medicine, and the GS1 code is one example of such information. In other words, the picking unit 3 only needs to be provided with a reading device capable of reading the medicine identification information. In this embodiment, the barcode reader 34 is attached to a corner of the work table 40 so as not to hinder the removal or filling operation of the medicine by the worker on the work table 40.

[0056] The picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca between the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 (specifically, between the cassette holding section 23 and the medicine delivery section 32). This allows the cassette Ca to be removed from the main body unit 2 and transported to the medicine delivery section 32, and the cassette Ca to be returned to the main body unit 2.

[0057] For example, when dispensing medicines, the picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231) from which medicines are to be removed or filled in the medicine transfer unit 32 to the medicine transfer position P1 (see FIG. 13) of the medicine transfer unit 32. When the cassette Ca is located at the medicine transfer position P1, the picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca from which medicines are to be removed or filled next to the cassette Ca to a waiting position P2 (see FIG. 13) provided in the vicinity of the medicine transfer unit 32 to wait there. The picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca from which medicines have been removed in the medicine transfer unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0058] The printer 36 outputs printed matter such as a journal on which information about the medicines taken out from the cassette Ca (eg, the type of medicine, the number of medicines taken out) is printed.

[0059] The medicine placing table 37 is a placing section on which medicines are placed in order to count the number of medicines. The medicine placing table 37 may function as a fraction placing section on which a fraction sheet is placed in order to count the number of medicines included in the fraction sheet. The fraction sheet may be a sheet cut out from a medicine sheet taken out from the cassette Ca in the medicine transfer section 32, or may be a sheet taken out from the cassette Ca. A medicine sheet (full sheet) may be placed on the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the medicine placing table 37 functions as a fraction placing section on which a medicine sheet is placed in order to count the number of medicines included in the medicine sheet. One fraction sheet or multiple fraction sheets may be placed on the medicine placing table 37. Similarly, one medicine sheet or multiple medicine sheets may be placed on the medicine placing table 37.

[0060] In this embodiment, an imaging unit 371 that images the fractional sheet, the drug sheet, or the combination of the fractional sheet and the drug sheet placed on the drug placing table 37 is provided above the drug placing table 37. In addition, a backlight 372 (illumination unit) that illuminates the drug placing table 37 is provided below the drug placing table 37. When the imaging unit 371 images the drug sheet or fractional sheet placed on the drug placing table 37, the backlight 372 is turned on and illuminates the drug sheet or fractional sheet from the opposite side to the drug imaging direction by the imaging unit 371.

[0061] The imaging unit 371 may be provided below the medicine placing table 37, and an illumination unit may be provided above the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the area of ​​the medicine placing table 37 on which the medicine is placed may be transparent or semi-transparent so that the imaging unit 371 can obtain the shape of the medicine.

[0062] For example, when the drug station 1 is started, the control device 10 turns on the backlight 372 and sets the imaging unit 371 to an imaging state. That is, in this case, while the drug station 1 is started, the imaging unit 371 continues to image the medicine placing table 37 regardless of whether a fractional sheet (or a medicine sheet (full sheet)) is placed on the medicine placing table 37. When no fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37, the imaging unit 371 does not acquire an image of the medicine, and the control device 10 does not execute the medicine counting process based on the captured image. That is, the control device 10 executes the medicine counting process based on the captured image only when a fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37 and the imaging unit 371 acquires an image of the fractional sheet.

[0063] However, the control device 10 may turn on the backlight 372 and capture at least the fractional sheets with the imaging unit 371 when, for example, an input operation indicating that the designated number of sheets has been removed is received (for example, when the pressing of the tray close button 39 is detected). That is, in this case, the control device 10 turns on the backlight 372 and sets the imaging unit 371 to the imaging state only when the control device 10 receives the above-mentioned input operation. The designated number is a number designated as the quantity of medicines to be removed from the cassette Ca transferred from the main unit 2 to the medicine transfer unit 32. The designated number of each medicine is specified, for example, in the dispensing data received from the dispensing control device 800. In addition, the designated number of medicines to be removed may be specified by an input operation by the operator.

[0064] The tray placement table 38 is a table for placing the transport tray Tr onto which the medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 are put. The tray placement table 38 also functions as a medicine placement section for placing the medicines in order to count the number of medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32. When a medicine sheet is taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32, the tray placement table 38 functions as a sheet placement section for placing the medicine sheet in order to count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet. The tray placement table 38 includes a sensor 381 and a weighing section 382.

[0065] The sensor 381 detects the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement stand 38. In this embodiment, the sensor 381 is a transmission type sensor having a light source on one side and a light detection unit on the other side that detects the light emitted from the light source. When a transmission type sensor is used, the presence or absence of the transport tray Tr can be recognized with high accuracy. However, a reflection type sensor that detects light emitted from the light source and reflected by the placed transport tray Tr may also be used. In this embodiment, the sensor 381 is provided on both side walls of the tray placement stand 38.

[0066] The weighing unit 382 weighs the medicines placed in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray mounting base 38. The weighing unit 382 may weigh, for example, a medicine sheet or a combination of a medicine sheet and a fractional sheet. The weighing unit 382 is provided below the bottom of the tray mounting base 38. As the weighing unit 382, ​​for example, a load cell is used.

[0067] Note that the weight of each transport tray Tr may not be stored in the memory unit 15, and the weighing unit 382 may calculate the weight of the medicines placed on the tray placement stand 38 by subtracting the tare weight. Specifically, after the transport tray Tr is placed on the tray placement stand 38, the weighing unit 382 subtracts the tare weight. Thereafter, the operator places medicines on the transport tray Tr, so that the weighing unit 382 can measure only the weight of the medicines.

[0068] The tray close button 39 is a mechanical operation button that switches the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b from an open state to a closed state when pressed by an operator. The tray close button 39 has a lighting function and may light up at the timing when the button is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0069] The upper surface of the workbench 40 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In order to facilitate the worker's work of loading or unloading medicines from the cassette Ca, the upper surface is inclined so as to become lower from the main unit 2 side toward the worker's standing position (toward the -Y axis direction).

[0070] In the drug station 1 of this embodiment, the user transports the transport tray Tr containing the medicine to the inspection unit, but this is not limited to this. A tray transport section may be provided in the drug station 1, and the transport tray Tr may be automatically transported from the picking unit 3.

[0071] (Control device) The control device 10 comprehensively controls each unit of the drug station 1. The control device 10 includes a main unit control unit 11, a picking unit control unit 12, a touch panel control unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0072] The main unit control unit 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the main unit 2. The main unit control unit 11 includes, for example, a cassette identification unit 111, a main body cassette transfer control unit 112 (transfer control unit), a position identification unit 113, a cassette management unit 114, and a medicine management unit 115. The position identification unit 113, the cassette management unit 114, and the medicine management unit 115 will be described in any of the embodiments described later.

[0073] The cassette identification unit 111 identifies a cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21 based on the dispensing data, an input operation by an operator to the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or a reading result by the barcode reader 34. In addition, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving portion identification information read by the RFID reader.

[0074] The main cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the driving of the main cassette transfer unit 22. Specifically, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification unit 111 to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. In addition, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232 to the storage position (original position) of the cassette Ca.

[0075] When controlling the main cassette transport unit 22 based on the dispensing data, the main cassette transport control unit 112 transports the cassette Ca containing the medicine included in the dispensing data, identified by the cassette identification unit 111, to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. Thereafter, the cassette Ca transferred from the medicine transfer unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 by the picking cassette transport unit 35 of the picking unit 3 is transported to the storage position of the cassette Ca.

[0076] The picking unit control unit 12 comprehensively controls each part of the picking unit 3. The picking unit control unit 12 includes, for example, a picking cassette transport control unit 121 (transport control unit), a shutter control unit 122, a drug determination unit 124, an identification unit 125, and an image acquisition unit 126. The identification unit 125 and the image acquisition unit 126 will be described in any of the embodiments described later.

[0077] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the driving of the picking cassette transport unit 35 based on the dispensing data, an input operation by an operator to the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or a reading result of the barcode reader 34. When controlling the picking cassette transport unit 35 based on the dispensing data, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca from which the medicine included in the prescription data is to be taken out to the medicine delivery position P1 or the standby position P2.

[0078] The shutter control unit 122 controls the opening and closing operation of the shutter 322. The shutter control unit 122 controls the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b independently.

[0079] Based on the image of the medicine captured by the imaging unit 371, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the designated number of medicines defined by the dispensing data are placed on the medicine placement table 37. In the case of medicine sheets, based on the image of the fractional sheet captured by the imaging unit 371, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the amount of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets from the designated number are placed on the medicine placement table 37. Furthermore, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the designated number of medicines defined by the dispensing data are placed on the tray placement table 38 based on the weight of the medicine weighed by the weighing unit 382. In the case of medicine sheets, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the amount of medicines to be dispensed as medicine sheets (full sheets) from the designated number are placed on the tray placement table 38 based on the weight of the medicine sheet (full sheet) weighed by the weighing unit 382. That is, the medicine determination unit 124 functions as a counting unit that counts the number of medicines placed on the medicine placement stage 37 and / or the number of medicines placed on the tray placement stage 38.

[0080] When the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine included in a medicine sheet, the medicine determination unit 124, for example, analyzes the image to identify the shape of the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. The medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the shape and the fractional sheet size per medicine (the size of a fractional sheet including only one tablet of medicine) stored for each medicine type in the memory unit 15. An example of the counting method in this case will be described in the second embodiment.

[0081] The medicine determination unit 124 may also count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets based on, for example, the shape, the number of sheet medicines included in one medicine sheet (full sheet) stored in the storage unit 15 for each medicine type, and the area of ​​one medicine sheet stored in the storage unit 15 for each medicine type. The sheet medicine number is a number defined as the number of medicines included in one medicine sheet (the number of medicines included in the vertical direction of the medicine sheet multiplied by the number of medicines included in the horizontal direction of the medicine sheet). In this case, for example, the medicine determination unit 124 may calculate the ratio of the area of ​​the shape to the area of ​​the medicine sheet, and multiply the number of sheet medicines by the ratio to count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets.

[0082] The memory unit 15 may also store information indicating the length of the ear portion ER (see FIG. 19) and information indicating the sum of the length of the ear portion ER and the length of a fraction sheet including one drug adjacent to the ear portion ER (symbol "ERA" in FIG. 19). By using these pieces of information, the drug determination unit 124 can count the number of drugs included in the fraction sheet, taking into account the ear portion ER.

[0083] The storage unit 15 may also store information indicating the length (length in the vertical direction or length in the horizontal direction) of a fractional sheet that includes a predetermined number of adjacent medicines in one medicine sheet. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the shape and the length of the fractional sheet.

[0084] Furthermore, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet placed on the tray placement platform 38 based on the weight of the medicine sheet measured by the weighing unit 382 and the weight per medicine sheet for each medicine type stored in the memory unit 15. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines by multiplying a value obtained by dividing the measured weight of the medicine sheet by the weight per medicine sheet by the number of medicines in the medicine sheet.

[0085] When a medicine sheet (full sheet) is placed on medicine placement table 37, medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the image. Medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the shape of the medicine sheet identified by analyzing the image and the number of the medicines on the sheet. Medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the shape of the medicine sheet identified by analyzing the image and the fractional sheet size, for example.

[0086] Moreover, it is sufficient that the storage unit 15 stores only information required according to the above-mentioned counting method by the drug determination unit 124.

[0087] For medicines that are not medicine sheets (e.g., ointments, eye drops), the medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines, for example, as follows: The medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines placed on the tray placement base 38 based on the weight of the medicine measured by the weighing unit 382 and the weight of each medicine for each medicine type stored in the memory unit 15.

[0088] If the drug determination unit 124 determines that the number of drugs placed on the drug placement stand 37, the number of drugs placed on the tray placement stand 38, or the total number thereof matches a specified number, it determines that the drugs to be dispensed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca.

[0089] Here, the modes for counting the number of medicines contained on a medicine sheet include, for example, a first counting mode and a second counting mode.

[0090] When the first counting mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines for the fractional sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37 based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. For the medicine sheets placed on the tray placement table 38, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines based on the weight of the medicine sheets measured by the weighing unit 382. When each counting result matches the number of medicines to be placed on each, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines taken out by the operator matches the designated number. When the touch panel control unit 14 displays the result of the match on the second touch panel 31, the operator confirms this display, then bundles the medicine sheets and fractional sheets with a rubber band, and places them in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. In addition, when multiple drug sheets placed on the tray mounting base 38 are bound together with a rubber band, the drug determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the drug sheets placed in the transport tray Tr as the weight of the drug sheets minus the weight of each rubber band.

[0091] Also, when the second counting mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines for the fractional sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37 based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371. When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines included in the fractional sheets matches the number of medicines to be placed on the medicine placement table 37, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result that they match on the second touch panel 31. After confirming this display, the operator bundles the medicine sheets taken out of the cassette Ca and the fractional sheets taken out of the medicine placement table 37 with a rubber band and places them on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. The weighing unit 382 measures the total weight of the medicine sheets and fractional sheets bundled with the rubber band after being placed on the tray placement table 38. The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the designated number of medicines has been placed on the transport tray Tr based on the measurement result of the weighing unit 382.

[0092] For example, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates a weight by subtracting from the measured weight the weight of each rubber band and the weight of each medicine to be dispensed (the weight of the fractional sheet including one medicine) multiplied by the number of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the medicine sheet put into the transport tray Tr. When the weight of this medicine sheet is approximately equal to (or within the margin of error) the value obtained by multiplying the weight of each medicine sheet by the number of medicine sheets to be dispensed, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the designated number of medicines have been put into the transport tray Tr. The medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the measured weight is approximately equal to the total weight of the medicine sheet weight and fractional sheet weight corresponding to the medicine to be dispensed stored in the memory unit 15, and the weight of each rubber band stored in the memory unit 15.

[0093] In the first counting mode, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicine sheets and the number of fractional sheets taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 are appropriate or not based on the weighing result of the weighing unit 382 and the imaging result of the imaging unit 371, respectively. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 can accurately determine the above appropriateness. However, in the first counting mode, the determination result by the medicine determination unit 124 is output before the medicine sheets and fractional sheets are bundled together with a rubber band and placed on the transport tray Tr. Therefore, after confirming the determination result that the above numbers are appropriate, it is up to the operator to remember to bundle the medicine sheets and fractional sheets with a rubber band and place them on the transport tray Tr.

[0094] In the second counting mode, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not a specified number of medicines have been placed on the transport tray Tr after the operator has tied the medicine sheets and the fractional sheets together with a rubber band and placed them on the transport tray Tr. This reduces the possibility that the operator will forget to tie the medicine sheets and the fractional sheets together with a rubber band and place them on the transport tray Tr. However, the weighing unit 382 weighs the medicine sheets and the fractional sheets together with the rubber band. Therefore, the counting accuracy based on the weighing may be reduced compared to the first counting mode (when only the medicine sheets are placed on the transport tray Tr before weighing by the weighing unit 382).

[0095] The first counting mode and the second counting mode may be appropriately selected at a hospital or the like that is a destination of the drug station 1. Depending on which of the first counting mode and the second counting mode is to be set, the reliability of the operation of bundling the drug sheets and the remainder sheets with a rubber band and putting them into the transport tray Tr at the destination, or the reliability of the counting accuracy based on the weighing by the weighing unit 382, ​​may be prioritized at the destination.

[0096] In the first counting mode, the weighing unit 382 measures the weight of the drug sheets and the remainder sheets bound together with a rubber band after they are placed on the tray loading platform 38, and the drug determination unit 124 may determine whether or not the specified number of drugs has been placed on the transport tray Tr based on the measurement result.

[0097] The touch panel control unit 14 controls the display of the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31.

[0098] For example, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of medicines to be taken out by the operator on the second touch panel 31. For medicines that are not medicine sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a designated number as the number of medicines to be taken out by the operator. For medicine sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of medicine sheets (full sheets) and the number of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets as the number of medicines to be taken out by the operator. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 may display the total number of the number of medicine sheets and the number of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets (i.e., the designated number). With such a display, the operator can place the designated number of medicines on the medicine placing table 37 and / or the tray placing table 38. For example, the operator can put a predetermined number of medicine sheets into the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38 and place the fractional sheets including the predetermined number of medicines on the medicine placing table 37.

[0099] Here, the control device 10 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is a drug contained in a drug sheet or a drug not contained in a drug sheet, based on information stored in the memory unit 15 for each drug type, indicating whether the drug is contained in a drug sheet.

[0100] When the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine included in a medicine sheet, the control device 10 calculates the number of medicine sheets and fractional sheets to be dispensed based on the designated number and, for example, the fractional sheet size or the number of medicine sheets stored for each medicine type in the memory unit 15. For example, when the number of medicines specified on one medicine sheet is 10 and the designated number is 32, the control device 10 calculates that the number of medicine sheets to be dispensed is three and the number of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets is two. The touch panel control unit 14 displays this calculation result on the second touch panel 31. Thereafter, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the total number of medicines placed on the medicine placement table 37 by the operator and the number of medicines put into the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38 by the operator matches the designated number.

[0101] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that they match, it determines that the medicine to be dispensed has been properly taken out from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, via the second touch panel 31, that the medicine has been properly taken out. After visually confirming this display, the operator presses the tray close button 39 to close the shutter 322. This causes the control device 10 to transport the cassette Ca containing the next medicine to be dispensed to the medicine transfer unit 32. On the other hand, when the medicine determination unit 124 determines that they do not match, it determines that the medicine to be dispensed has not been properly taken out from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, via the second touch panel 31, an error message indicating that the medicine has not been properly taken out. Note that these controls are also the same when the medicine to be dispensed is not a medicine sheet.

[0102] Here, consider a case where the imaging unit 371 continues to image the medicine placing table 37 during the start-up of the drug station 1, regardless of whether a fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the imaging unit 371 images the fractional sheet every time the fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37, and the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the captured image. When a fractional sheet including medicines less than the amount to be dispensed as the fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the counted number of medicines does not match the amount to be dispensed. However, the touch panel control unit 14 does not display this determination result on the second touch panel 31. That is, in this case, the operator is not notified (an error display) that the amount of medicines to be dispensed has not been properly taken out. On the other hand, when a fractional sheet including the amount of medicine to be dispensed is placed on the medicine placement table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of counted medicines matches the amount of medicine to be dispensed, and the touch panel control unit 14 displays this determination result on the second touch panel 31. That is, in this case, the operator is notified that the amount of medicine to be dispensed has been properly taken out. Then, after displaying the determination result, the control device 10 automatically moves to the next process (step). Also, when a fractional sheet including medicines exceeding the amount to be dispensed is placed on the medicine placement table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of counted medicines does not match the amount of medicine to be dispensed, and the touch panel control unit 14 displays this determination result on the second touch panel 31. That is, in this case, the operator is notified (error display) that the amount of medicine to be dispensed has not been properly taken out.

[0103] In addition, the control device 10 may be able to set, by a user's input operation, an allowable mode that allows a fractional sheet including only one medicine to be placed on the medicine placement table 37, and a non-allowable mode that does not allow it. In this case, the control device 10 may change the method of counting the number of medicines depending on the allowable mode and the non-allowable mode.

[0104] The memory unit 15 stores various data required by the control device 10. For example, the memory unit 15 stores, for each drug type, reference data that specifies the fractional sheet size or number of drugs per sheet, data indicating the weight of each drug, and data indicating the weight of each drug sheet. The memory unit 15 also stores data indicating the weight of each rubber band. If a drug is included in the drug sheet, data indicating the weight of the fractional sheet containing one drug may be stored for each drug type. The memory unit 15 also stores information that indicates whether or not a drug is included in the drug sheet, which is specified for each drug type. In addition, the memory unit 15 stores, for example, (1) Data associating cassette identification information with the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21; (2) Data correlating cassette identification information of the cassette Ca (or storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca) with drug identification information; (3) type information indicating the type of each cassette Ca; I remember.

[0105] The type information may be, for example, information indicating a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, or a small cassette Ca3. The storage position information may be, for example, information indicating a storage position from one end of the cassette Ca (e.g., a distance from the end).

[0106] Furthermore, images captured by the imaging unit 371 are stored in the storage unit 15. This makes it possible to leave evidence of the picking work.

[0107] (Example of Drag Station 1 in action) An example of the operation of the drug station 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0108] (Drug dispensing operation) First, when the dispensing data is read into the drug station 1, the main unit cassette transfer section 22 of the main unit 2 grasps the cassette Ca containing the drug to be prescribed (to be dispensed, to be removed) from among the cassettes Ca stored in the main unit 2, and places it on the cassette holding section 23.

[0109] The cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 is transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 by the picking cassette transfer unit 35. The operator checks the second touch panel 31 to take out a designated number of medicines from the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer unit 32. The operator places the taken out medicines on the medicine placing table 37 and / or the transport tray placed on the tray placing table 38. Thereafter, the control device 10 determines whether the designated number of medicines has been placed on the medicine placing table 37 or the transport tray Tr based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371 as well as the weighing result of the medicines by the weighing unit 382.

[0110] When the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine sheet, it is bound to a predetermined shape with a rubber band and placed on the transport tray placed on the tray placement base 38. The predetermined shape refers to, for example, the following shapes.

[0111] (1) In the case of one or more drug sheets, the specified shape refers to the planar shape of the drug sheet.

[0112] (2) In the case of only fractional sheets, the specified shape refers to the planar shape of the fractional sheets.

[0113] (3) In the case of combining one or more drug sheets and fractional sheets, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape when one or more fractional sheets are placed on top of one or more drug sheets. For example, in the case of dispensing 22 tablets of drug, each of which is made up of 10 tablets, the predetermined shape is a shape in which two drug sheets are stacked on top of each other and a fractional sheet for two tablets is placed on top of them.

[0114] When all the medicines to be contained in one transport tray are contained, the user transports the transport tray Tr to an inspection unit, where a final inspection is performed. The number of medicines to be contained in one transport tray Tr may be specified, for example, in the dispensing data, or may be determined by the control device 10 based on the dosage and method of administration, etc. The number of medicines may be specified, for example, as the number of medicines prescribed for a patient (i.e., the number of medicines per patient).

[0115] (Operation when filling medicine) First, the user inputs the drug identification information of the drug to be filled into the main unit 2 into the drug station 1 using the barcode reader 34. When the input of the drug identification information is accepted, the main cassette transport unit 22 in the main unit 2 transports the cassette Ca to be filled to the cassette holding unit 23 based on the drug identification information.

[0116] In the picking unit 3, the picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding section 23 to the medicine transfer section 32. The user puts medicines into the cassette Ca that has been transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. When the putting of medicines into the cassette Ca is completed (for example, when a completion operation is received on the second touch panel 31), the picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca to the cassette holding section 23. Thereafter, in the main unit 2, the main body cassette transport section 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding section 23 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0117] <Main unit structure> Next, a specific structure of the main unit 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 10. Reference numeral 6001 in Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the main unit 2, and reference numeral 6002 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the main cassette transporter 22. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of storage of the cassette Ca.

[0118] (Cassette shelf and cassette transfer section) As indicated by reference numerals 6001 and 6002 in Fig. 6, the cassette shelf 21 can store the cassettes Ca in a matrix along a vertical plane. In this embodiment, as indicated by reference numeral 6001 and 6002 in Fig. 6, the cassette shelf 21 includes a plurality of cassette mounting plates 211 on which the cassettes Ca are mounted, and mounting plate supports 212 that support each of the cassette mounting plates 211, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0119] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the same type of cassette Ca is placed on each cassette placement plate 211. That is, the width (length in the X-axis direction) of the cassette placement plate 211 and the widths of the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2, and the small cassette Ca3 are specified so that the same type of cassette Ca can be placed on each cassette placement plate 211. In the example of Fig. 7, the same type of cassette Ca is placed on each cassette placement plate 211, but this is not limiting, and the above two widths may be specified so that different types of cassettes Ca can be placed.

[0120] As shown by the reference numeral 6001, a first cassette shelf 21a and a second cassette shelf 21b are provided facing each other as the cassette shelf 21. A main body cassette transfer section 22 is provided between the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b. In the figure, an example is shown in which a first main body cassette transfer section 22a and a second main body cassette transfer section 22b are provided as the main body cassette transfer section 22.

[0121] The main cassette transfer unit 22, under the control of the main cassette transfer control unit 112, pulls out the cassette Ca stored in the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b, and then places it on the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231). The main cassette transfer unit 22 also pulls out the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232), and then returns it to the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b. This makes it possible to realize the removal or return of the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 that stores the cassette Ca in a matrix along a vertical plane. The main cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the first main cassette transfer unit 22a and the second main cassette transfer unit 22b independently.

[0122] As shown by reference numerals 6001 and 6002, the first main body cassette transfer section 22a includes a first cassette gripper 221a and a first cassette transfer mechanism 222a. Similarly, the second main body cassette transfer section 22b includes a second cassette gripper 221b and a second cassette transfer mechanism 222b.

[0123] The first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, pull out and grip the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232). In addition, the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b move vertically and / or horizontally to transport the gripped cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231) and place it on the cassette shelf 21 or the delivery cassette holding unit 231.

[0124] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cassette gripping portion 221 (first cassette gripping portion 221a and second cassette gripping portion 221b). Moreover, reference numerals 9001 to 9003 in Fig. 9 are diagrams showing an operation example of the cassette gripping portion 221. As shown in Fig. 8, the cassette gripping portion 221 includes a cassette pull-out portion 2211, a claw portion 2212, a cassette support portion 2213, a position sensor 2214, and a rotation drive portion 2215.

[0125] 8, the cassette pull-out section 2211, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control section 112, pulls in the cassette Ca placed on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23 into the cassette gripping section 221. The cassette pull-out section 2211 is slidably supported on a rail (not shown) extending in the depth direction of the cassette gripping section 221 below the cassette gripping section 221, and moves in the depth direction. This allows the cassette Ca to be pulled out from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23 and the cassette Ca to be delivered to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23.

[0126] The claw portion 2212 is a member for hooking onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 provided on the cassette Ca. As shown by reference numeral 9001 in FIG. 9, when the cassette gripping portion 221 is positioned in front of the cassette Ca to be moved, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 moves the cassette pull-out portion 2211 so that the claw portion 2212 is positioned below the claw receiving portion Ca12, as shown by reference numeral 9002 in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 raises the cassette gripping portion 221. As a result, the claw portion 2212 is temporarily locked to the claw receiving portion Ca12. In this state, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 moves the cassette pull-out portion 2211 to its original position, as shown by reference numeral 9003 in FIG. 9, thereby drawing the cassette Ca into the cassette gripping portion 221.

[0127] When placing the held cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23, the reverse operation to that for pulling in the cassette Ca is performed. That is, in the state of reference numeral 9003, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette holding unit 221 to a position where the cassette Ca is to be placed, and then moves the cassette pull-out unit 2211 in front of the cassette holding unit 221 as indicated by reference numeral 9002. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 lowers the cassette holding unit 221 to release the temporary engagement between the claw unit 2212 and the claw receiving unit Ca12. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette pull-out unit 2211 to its original position as indicated by reference numeral 9001.

[0128] Returning to FIG. 8, the cassette support portion 2213 supports the cassette Ca drawn out by the cassette drawing portion 2211.

[0129] The position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca to be moved. The position sensor 2214 includes, for example, a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives the light. As described above, the cassette Ca is provided with a notch Ca13. The stop position of the cassette gripper 221 and the storage position (placement position) of the cassette Ca are positioned so that the light emitted from the position sensor 2214 is irradiated onto the notch Ca13 when the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca to be moved.

[0130] Therefore, when the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca, the light is irradiated onto the notch Ca13, and the light is not received by the light receiving unit. In this case, the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. On the other hand, when the cassette gripper 221 is located at a position shifted from directly in front of the cassette Ca, the light is not irradiated onto the notch Ca13, and the light is irradiated onto the wall surface of the claw receiving portion Ca12, and the light reflected by the wall surface is received by the light receiving unit. In this case, the position sensor 2214 cannot detect that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. Therefore, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette gripper 221 so that the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. In other words, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 finely adjusts the position of the cassette gripping unit 221 so that the light emitted by the position sensor 2214 is irradiated onto the notch Ca13 and the light is not received. This allows the cassette gripping unit 221 to reliably pull out the cassette Ca.

[0131] The rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping portion 221 about the vertical axis so that the cassette gripping portion 221 (specifically, the cassette pull-out portion 2211) can move to the first cassette shelf 21a, the second cassette shelf 21b, or the cassette holding portion 23.

[0132] Specifically, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, the rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripper 221 so that the cassette puller 2211 faces the placement position while or after the cassette gripper 221 moves to the placement position of the cassette Ca. This makes it possible to remove the cassette Ca from the placement position or to place the cassette Ca at the placement position.

[0133] For example, the rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripper 221 so that the cassette puller 2211 faces the storage position of the cassette Ca to be removed on the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b, and then pulls out the cassette Ca from that storage position. This makes it possible to remove the cassette Ca from either the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b, which are arranged along different vertical planes.

[0134] 6, the first cassette transfer mechanism 222a includes a first beam 223a and a first support column 224a. Similarly, the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b includes a second beam 223b and a second support column 224b.

[0135] The first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b each extend in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21 and slidably support the first support portion 224a and the second support portion 224b. The first support portion 224a and the second support portion 224b each extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21 and slidably support the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b.

[0136] The first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b are provided with a predetermined distance between them. This predetermined width is set to a width that allows the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b to move along the width direction of the cassette shelf 21. The predetermined width is set to a width that does not cause the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b to collide with the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b even when the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b rotate about a rotation axis in the vertical direction. By setting the predetermined width as small as possible, the main unit 2 can be made smaller.

[0137] Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the first support pillar 224a along the first beam 223a and moves the first cassette gripper 221a along the first support pillar 224a (the same applies to the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b). Therefore, the desired cassette Ca can be moved between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding unit 23.

[0138] Furthermore, the main body cassette transport control unit 112 controls the movements (positions) of the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b so that the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b do not collide with each other.

[0139] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b are supported in a cantilevered state by the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b, which are provided at a predetermined distance apart as described above. The first cassette transfer mechanism 222a and the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b are controlled so as not to interfere with each other in the movable area (area between the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b) of the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b. Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b can move between the cassette shelf 21 (storage position of the cassette Ca) and the cassette holding portion 23 without colliding with each other.

[0140] Therefore, the cassette Ca can be transferred between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding portion 23 by the multiple cassette gripping portions 221, so that the efficiency of transferring the cassette Ca can be improved.

[0141] The first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b do not necessarily need to be arranged facing each other, but may be arranged so that the vertical planes in which the cassettes Ca are stored are different from each other. Arranging them in this manner makes it possible to save space in the storage area for a large number of cassettes Ca. However, by arranging the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b facing each other, it is possible to store the cassettes Ca at a high density while saving more space. The number of cassette shelves 21 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0142] Furthermore, the number of main body cassette transport parts 22 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. However, by providing the first main body cassette transport part 22a and the second main body cassette transport part 22b and moving the first cassette gripping part 221a and the second cassette gripping part 221b so as not to collide with each other, it becomes possible to efficiently transport the cassette Ca in the main unit 2 which has a large capacity and is compact.

[0143] (Cassette holder) As shown by reference numeral 6001 in FIG. 6, the cassette holding section 23 includes a first cassette holding section 23a, a second cassette holding section 23b, a third cassette holding section 23c, and a fourth cassette holding section 23d. In this embodiment, two picking units 3 are provided in the main body unit 2. In addition, each picking unit 3 is provided with two medicine transfer sections 32 (four in total). The first cassette holding section 23a, the second cassette holding section 23b, the third cassette holding section 23c, and the fourth cassette holding section 23d are provided to correspond to the four medicine transfer sections 32, respectively. In this way, one cassette holding section 23 may be provided for one medicine transfer section 32.

[0144] 10, the cassette holding section 23 is provided to correspond to a picking cassette transport section 35 provided in the picking unit 3 so as to enable transport of the cassette Ca between the medicine transfer section 32 and the cassette holding section 23. Specifically, the picking cassette transport section 35 is provided for each of the first cassette holding section 23a, the second cassette holding section 23b, the third cassette holding section 23c, and the fourth cassette holding section 23d. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3.

[0145] 10, each of the first cassette holding unit 23a, the second cassette holding unit 23b, the third cassette holding unit 23c, and the fourth cassette holding unit 23d includes a delivery cassette holding unit 231 and a receiving cassette holding unit 232. In the example of FIG. 10, in one cassette holding unit 23 provided corresponding to one medicine transfer unit 32, two delivery cassette holding units 231 and two receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided alternately along the vertical direction. Note that, in one cassette holding unit 23, three or more delivery cassette holding units 231 and receiving cassette holding units 232 may be provided.

[0146] In this way, a plurality of the delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of the receiving cassette holding units 232 may be provided for one medicine transfer unit 32. When a plurality of the delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of the receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided, it becomes possible to hold more cassettes Ca to be transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 near the medicine transfer unit 32. Therefore, it becomes possible to transfer the cassettes Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32 efficiently. However, a configuration in which one of each of the delivery cassette holding units 231 and the receiving cassette holding units 232 is provided for one medicine transfer unit 32 may also be used.

[0147] In this specification, the cassette holding unit 23 is described as being provided in the main unit 2, but it may be provided in the picking unit 3. When provided in the picking unit 3, the location of the cassette holding unit 23 of the main unit 2 shown by reference numeral 6001 in Fig. 6 functions as an insertion section into which the cassette holding unit 23 provided in the picking unit 3 is inserted. In other words, it is sufficient that the cassette shelf 21, the main cassette transport unit 22, and the cassette holding unit 23 realize the basic configuration of the cassette handling device described above.

[0148] <Picking unit structure> Next, a specific structure of the picking unit 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 15. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking unit 3. Note that Fig. 11 illustrates only a portion of the picking unit 3 where the medicine delivery section 32 is provided.

[0149] 11, a picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided below the medicine transfer unit 32. Specifically, one picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided for one medicine transfer unit 32 (one opening 321 and a shutter 322 (see FIG. 2) provided corresponding to the opening 321).

[0150] In this embodiment, the picking unit 3 is provided with a first medicine transfer section 32a and a second medicine transfer section 32b as the medicine transfer section 32. A picking cassette transport section 35 including a first picking cassette transport section 35a and a second picking cassette transport section 35b is provided below the first medicine transfer section 32a. A picking cassette transport section 35 including the first picking cassette transport section 35a is provided below the second medicine transfer section 32b.

[0151] In this embodiment, for example, when dispensing medicines based on dispensing data, the picking unit 3 uses the first medicine transfer section 32a and the picking cassette transport section 35 provided below the first medicine transfer section 32a. That is, in this embodiment, the first medicine transfer section 32a is a medicine transfer section to which a cassette Ca containing medicines to be dispensed based on the dispensing data is transferred. In addition, in the main unit 2, the first cassette holding section 23a provided corresponding to the picking cassette transport section 35 is used.

[0152] As described above, the picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided with the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b. The first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b are independently controlled by the picking cassette transport control unit 121 so that the first cassette gripper 351 and the second cassette gripper 355 (see FIG. 12) move without colliding with each other. Therefore, compared to the case where the picking cassette transport unit 35 is composed of one picking cassette transport unit, it is possible to more efficiently dispense medicines based on the dispensing data.

[0153] On the other hand, the second medicine transfer unit 32b, the picking cassette transport unit 35 provided below the second medicine transfer unit 32b, and the second cassette holding unit 23b are used when dispensing medicines not included in the dispensing data. In other words, the second medicine transfer unit 32b side is used when dispensing individual medicines (for example, when performing interrupt processing for dispensing data), so it is sufficient to have only the first picking cassette transport unit 35a. In other words, the second medicine transfer unit 32b is a medicine transfer unit to which cassettes Ca other than the cassette Ca transferred to the first medicine transfer unit 32a are transferred.

[0154] However, when dispensing medicines based on dispensing data, the second medicine transfer section 32b side may be used, and when dispensing individual medicines, the first medicine transfer section 32a side may be used. The second medicine transfer section 32b side may be provided with the first picking cassette transport section 35a and the second picking cassette transport section 35b, and the first medicine transfer section 32a side may be configured to include only the first picking cassette transport section 35a. When multiple picking cassette transport sections are provided for one medicine transfer section 32, it is possible to efficiently dispense medicines.

[0155] Furthermore, when a filling operation is performed, either the first medicine delivery section 32a side or the second medicine delivery section 32b side may be used.

[0156] Moreover, it is not necessarily required that the picking unit 3 has a plurality of medicine transfer sections 32, and the picking unit 3 may have one medicine transfer section 32. Furthermore, one picking unit 3 may be provided for the main unit 2. In this case, only the cassette holding section 23 corresponding to one picking unit 3 may be provided in the main unit 2.

[0157] (Structure of picking cassette transfer section) A specific structure of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35. Reference numeral 12001 in FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 as viewed from the main unit 2 side. Reference numeral 12002 in FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b constituting the picking cassette transfer unit 35. Reference numeral 12003 in FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b as viewed from the workbench 40 side. Reference numeral 12004 in FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b as viewed from the main unit 2 side. Note that, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 12 shows only the picking cassette transfer unit 35 corresponding to the first medicine transfer unit 32a. Moreover, reference numeral 12001 in FIG. 12 illustrates only a portion of the picking unit 3 where the medicine delivery section 32 is provided.

[0158] As indicated by reference numerals 12001 and 12002, the picking cassette transport unit 35 corresponding to the first medicine delivery unit 32a includes a first picking cassette transport unit 35a and a second picking cassette transport unit 35b.

[0159] The first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that receives the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and transfers it to the first medicine transfer unit 32a side. Also, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that transfers the cassette Ca present on the first medicine transfer unit 32a side to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0160] As indicated by the reference numeral 12002, the first picking cassette transport unit 35a includes a first cassette gripper 351 and a first cassette transport mechanism 352.

[0161] The first cassette gripping portion 351 is a member that grips the cassette Ca. In this embodiment, the first cassette gripping portion 351 is configured with a frame body, and a protrusion 351a that hooks onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 (see FIG. 5) of the cassette Ca is provided on a side wall (longitudinal end) extending in the short direction (X-axis direction) of the frame body. The frame body has a hollow portion through which the bottom of the cassette Ca and the cassette holding portion 23 (here, the first cassette holding portion 23a) can pass when the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves in the vertical direction, and has a size large enough to be hooked onto the protrusion 351a. When the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves vertically upward in the cassette holding portion 23, the protrusion 351a hooks onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 placed on the cassette holding portion 23, so that the cassette Ca is gripped by the first cassette gripping portion 351.

[0162] The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripper 351. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 includes a first beam 353 and a first support 354. The first beam 353 extends in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first cassette gripper 351. The first support 354 extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first beam 353. The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 moves the first beam 353 along the first support 354 and moves the first cassette gripper 351 along the first beam 353. This allows the desired cassette Ca to be moved between the cassette holding unit 23 and the medicine transfer unit 32.

[0163] As indicated by reference numeral 12002, the second picking cassette transfer section 35b includes a second cassette gripping section 355 and a second cassette transfer mechanism 356. A protrusion that hooks onto the claw receiving section Ca12 of the cassette Ca is provided on a side wall extending in the short direction of the second cassette gripping section 355, similar to the first cassette gripping section 351. The second cassette transfer mechanism 356 includes a second beam section 357 and a second support section 358. The structures and functions of the second cassette gripping section 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are similar to those of the first cassette gripping section 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352, respectively.

[0164] Also, as shown by symbols 12003 and 12004, the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357 are spaced apart enough to allow the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 to move along the depth direction of the picking unit 3.

[0165] Furthermore, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 controls the movements (positions) of the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 so that the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 do not collide with each other.

[0166] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 are supported in a cantilevered state by the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357 provided at a distance as described above. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are controlled so as not to interfere with each other in the movable area (area between the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357) of the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356. Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 can move between the cassette holding portion 23 and the medicine delivery portion 32 without colliding with each other.

[0167] Therefore, the cassette Ca can be transferred by the multiple cassette gripping parts between the cassette holding part 23 and the medicine transfer part 32. Therefore, it is possible to improve the transfer efficiency of the cassette Ca.

[0168] Next, the gripping operation of the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transport unit 35a will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Reference numerals 13001 to 13005 in Fig. 13 are diagrams showing the gripping operation of the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transport unit 35a.

[0169] First, in a state where the cassette Ca is placed on the delivery cassette holding part 231, the first beam part 353 moves vertically along the first support part 354 so as to move the first cassette gripping part 351 to a position directly below the delivery cassette holding part 231. Thereafter, as indicated by reference numeral 13001 in Fig. 13, the first cassette gripping part 351 moves horizontally toward the delivery cassette holding part 231 and stops at a position directly below the delivery cassette holding part 231 as indicated by reference numeral 13002 in Fig. 13.

[0170] 13, the first beam 353 moves vertically upward along the first support 354, and after the delivery cassette holding part 231 passes through the hollow part of the first cassette gripping part 351, the protrusion 351a of the first cassette gripping part 351 is caught by the claw receiving part Ca12 of the cassette Ca and temporarily locked therein. This enables the first cassette gripping part 351 to grip the cassette Ca.

[0171] In this basic configuration, the first cassette gripping portion 351 is provided with two protrusions 351a that face the two claw receiving portions Ca12 when the first cassette gripping portion 351 is positioned facing the cassette Ca. However, the first cassette gripping portion 351 may be configured to have only one protrusion 351a. Even in this case, the first cassette gripping portion 351 can grip the cassette Ca by temporarily locking one of the claw receiving portions Ca12. That is, the first cassette gripping portion 351 may be configured to grip two opposing portions (both sides) of the cassette Ca, or may be configured to grip one side of the cassette Ca. The same applies to the second cassette gripping portion 355.

[0172] Next, the first cassette gripping part 351, while gripping the cassette Ca, moves along the first beam part 353 so as to be located below the opening 321. With this movement, the first beam part 353 moves vertically upward along the first support part 354 so that the first cassette gripping part 351 is located directly below the opening 321. This allows the first cassette gripping part 351 to transport the cassette Ca to directly below the opening 321, as shown by reference numeral 13004 in FIG. 13. Then, the operator can remove the medicine from the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping part 351, or fill the cassette Ca with the medicine.

[0173] The position directly below the opening 321 (that is, the position where an operator can take out medicines from the cassette Ca or fill the cassette Ca with medicines) is referred to as a medicine transfer position P1.

[0174] After the operator completes the work at the medicine transfer position P1, the first beam 353 moves vertically downward along the first support 354 so that the first cassette gripping portion 351 can be moved directly above the receiving cassette holding portion 232. The first cassette gripping portion 351 also moves along the first beam 353 toward the receiving cassette holding portion 232. Thereafter, the operation is reversed to the operation at 13003 in FIG. 13. That is, the first beam 353 moves vertically downward along the first support 354, so that the cassette Ca is placed on the receiving cassette holding portion 232. At this time, the protrusion 351a is separated from the claw receiving portion Ca12, and the temporary locked state is released. Thereafter, the receiving cassette holding part 232 passes through the hollow part of the first cassette gripping part 351 , thereby enabling the first cassette gripping part 351 to move to the delivery cassette holding part 231 .

[0175] On the other hand, the second picking cassette transporter 35b can also move in the same manner as the first picking cassette transporter 35a. For example, the second picking cassette transporter 35b grips a cassette Ca that contains a drug to be taken out or filled next to the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripper 351, and transports the cassette Ca to the drug transfer position P1.

[0176] However, as shown by reference numeral 13005 in FIG. 13, when the first cassette gripping portion 351 is located at the medicine transfer position P1, the second cassette gripping portion 355 moves to a standby position P2 provided near the medicine transfer section 32 (specifically, near the medicine transfer position P1). After that, the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves toward the receiving cassette holding portion 232, and then the second cassette gripping portion 355 moves to the medicine transfer position P1. After returning the cassette Ca to the receiving cassette holding portion 232, the first cassette gripping portion 351 grips a new cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding portion 231 and moves to the standby position P2. This operation is repeated.

[0177] 13, in this embodiment, the standby position P2 is provided below the medicine transfer position P1 and at a position farther from the main unit 2 than the medicine transfer position P1 in the depth direction of the picking unit 3. This makes it possible to prevent the cassette gripping part located at the medicine transfer position P1 from colliding with the cassette gripping part located at the standby position P2 when the cassette gripping part moves toward the receiving cassette holding part 232.

[0178] (Example of operation of the picking cassette transfer unit) Next, an operation example of the picking cassette transport unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Reference numerals 14001 to 14008 in FIG. 14 are diagrams showing an operation example of the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b. The hatched arrows shown in FIG. 14 indicate the movement direction of the first cassette gripper 351, the black arrows indicate the movement direction of the second cassette gripper 355, and the white arrows indicate the movement direction of the cassette Ca by the main cassette transport unit 22. Here, an operation example from a state in which the first cassette gripper 351 grips the cassette Ca and is located at the drug transfer position P1, and the second cassette gripper 355 grips the cassette Ca and is located at the standby position P2 will be described.

[0179] In this embodiment, the first picking cassette transfer section 35a (the first cassette gripping section 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352) can access the upper delivery cassette holding section 231 and the receiving cassette holding section 232 as shown by the reference numerals 14003 to 14006. Also, the second picking cassette transfer section 35b (the second cassette gripping section 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356) can access the lower delivery cassette holding section 231 and the receiving cassette holding section 232 as shown by the reference numerals 14003 and 14006 to 14008. In FIG. 14, the upper delivery cassette holding section 231 and the receiving cassette holding section 232 are respectively referred to as the delivery cassette holding section 231a and the receiving cassette holding section 232a. Similarly, the lower-stage delivery cassette holding portion 231 and the lower-stage receiving cassette holding portion 232 are respectively referred to as a delivery cassette holding portion 231b and a receiving cassette holding portion 232b.

[0180] The positions of the delivery cassette holding part 231 and the receiving cassette holding part 232 in the cassette holding part 23 may be freely set. In other words, which position in the cassette holding part 23 functions as the delivery cassette holding part 231 or the receiving cassette holding part 232 may be freely set. This setting may be switched by the control device 10 at any time depending on the operating status of the drug station 1 including the main unit 2 (e.g., the dispensing status of the medicine).

[0181] That is, the placement table for the cassette Ca constituting the cassette holding unit 23 may be switched between functioning as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 depending on the above-mentioned operating status under the control of the control device 10. In this case, the placement table can be caused to function as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 depending on the above-mentioned operating status. Therefore, the cassette holding unit 23 can efficiently hold the cassette Ca depending on the above-mentioned operating status. Note that the placement table may be switched between functioning as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 without taking the above-mentioned operating status into consideration (for example, based on an input operation).

[0182] In addition, the access positions of the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b with respect to the cassette holding unit 23 may also be freely set. This setting may also be switched at any time by the control device 10 according to the above-mentioned operating conditions.

[0183] First, as shown by the reference numeral 14001, as described above, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 of the first picking cassette transfer section 35a transfers the first cassette gripping section 351 gripping the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 opens, and the picking operation is performed on the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping section 351. In addition, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 of the second picking cassette transfer section 35b transfers the second cassette gripping section 355 gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2. That is, the second cassette gripping section 355 is waiting at the standby position P2 while gripping the cassette Ca.

[0184] During the picking operation, as shown by reference numeral 14002, the main body cassette transporter 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivery cassette holder 231a.

[0185] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripper 351 is completed and, for example, the tray close button 39 is pressed, the shutter 322 is closed. When the shutter 322 is closed, as shown by the reference numeral 14003, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripper 351 to the receiving cassette holder 232a, and then places the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripper 351 on the receiving cassette holder 232a. In addition, after the medicine transfer position P1 is vacant due to the movement of the first cassette gripper 351, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripper 355 to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 is opened, and the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripper 355 is performed.

[0186] Next, as shown by reference symbol 14004, the main body cassette transfer section 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding section 232a by the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 to the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. Also, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripper 351 from the receiving cassette holding section 232a to the delivery cassette holding section 231a. Thereafter, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 causes the first cassette gripper 351 to grip the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding section 231a.

[0187] Next, as indicated by the reference numeral 14005, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping part 351 gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2 and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping part 355 is completed. In addition, while the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping part 355 is being performed, the main body cassette transfer part 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivery cassette holding part 231b.

[0188] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripper 355 is completed and, for example, the tray close button 39 is pressed, the shutter 322 is closed. When the shutter 322 is closed, as shown by the reference numeral 14006, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripper 355 to the receiving cassette holder 232b, and then places the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripper 355 on the receiving cassette holder 232b. In addition, after the second cassette gripper 355 moves to open the medicine transfer position P1, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripper 351 to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 opens, and the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripper 351 becomes available for picking operation.

[0189] Next, as indicated by reference symbol 14007, the main body cassette transfer section 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding section 232b by the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 to the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. In addition, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripper 355 from the receiving cassette holding section 232b to the delivery cassette holding section 231b. Thereafter, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 causes the second cassette gripper 355 to grip the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding section 231b.

[0190] Next, as shown by reference symbol 14008, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette holding portion 355 holding the cassette Ca to the waiting position P2, and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the first cassette holding portion 351 is completed.

[0191] When the transfer process of the cassette Ca based on the dispensing data is being performed, the above-mentioned operation is repeated until the picking operation for all the medicines included in the dispensing data is completed. In addition, when the medicines are filled sequentially, the above-mentioned operation may be repeated until the filling operation for all the medicines is completed.

[0192] In addition, in the case of reference numerals 14005 and 14006, when the second cassette gripping portion 355 is not present at the medicine transfer position P1, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 may directly transfer the first cassette gripping portion 351 to the medicine transfer position P1. Similarly, in the case of reference numeral 14008, when the first cassette gripping portion 351 is not present at the medicine transfer position P1, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 may directly transfer the second cassette gripping portion 355 to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0193] In this manner, the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b transport the cassette Ca from which the drug sheets are to be removed or filled to the drug transfer position P1. When the cassette Ca is located at the drug transfer position P1, the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b transport the cassette Ca from which the drug sheets are to be removed or filled next to the cassette Ca to the standby position P2 and make it wait.

[0194] Specifically, the first cassette gripping part 351 and the second cassette gripping part 355 grip the cassette Ca pulled out from the cassette holding part 23 and transfer it between the cassette holding part 23, the medicine transfer position P1, and the standby position P2. In addition, the first cassette gripping part 351 and the second cassette gripping part 355 move so as not to collide with each other.

[0195] This allows the user to perform work on the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1, and allows the next cassette Ca to be placed on standby in the vicinity of the medicine transfer position P1 at the standby position P2. Therefore, after the work on the cassette Ca is completed at the medicine transfer position P1, the cassette Ca that was on standby at the standby position P2 can be moved to the medicine transfer position P1. This allows the user to efficiently perform work on multiple cassettes Ca.

[0196] Therefore, the picking unit 3 can efficiently provide the user with the cassette Ca from which the user can take out or fill the tablet sheets.

[0197] (Example of operation of the first shutter) Next, an example of the operation of the first shutter 322a will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Reference numerals 15001 to 15003 in Fig. 15 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the first shutter 322a.

[0198] As described above, the first shutter 322a performs an opening and closing operation under the control of the shutter control unit 122. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 15001, the shutter control unit 122 closes the first shutter 322a when the cassette Ca is not located at the medicine transfer unit 32 (specifically, the medicine transfer position P1). As shown by reference numerals 15002 and 15003, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a after the picking cassette transport unit 35 stops the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1. In addition, the shutter control unit 122 also performs opening and closing control of the second shutter 322b in the same manner as the first shutter 322a. This allows the operator to pick or fill the cassette Ca with medicine.

[0199] The picking cassette transport control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 identify the type of cassette Ca and which type of medicine is to be stored in which storage position of the cassette Ca. Therefore, in the case of a cassette Ca without a partition, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 can identify that only one type of medicine is to be stored. Therefore, after the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the center of the cassette Ca is near the center of the opening 321, as shown by the reference numeral 15002, the shutter control unit 122 fully opens the first shutter 322a. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 opens the second shutter 322b according to the width of the cassette Ca.

[0200] On the other hand, in the case of a cassette Ca having a partition, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the storage position of the medicine to be dispensed or filled is near the center of the opening 321. Thereafter, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area in which the medicine is stored, as shown by reference numeral 15003. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 also opens the second shutter 322b according to the width of the cassette Ca.

[0201] In this manner, the opening width of the first shutter 322a is changed depending on the type of the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0202] Also, if the next medicine to be dispensed or filled is stored in the same cassette Ca as the medicine currently to be dispensed or filled, it is only necessary to change the position of the cassette Ca without changing the cassette Ca. In this case, after the dispensing or filling of the medicine currently to be dispensed or filled is completed, the shutter control unit 122 closes the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b. Thereafter, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 moves the cassette Ca so that the storage position of the medicine to be next dispensed or filled is near the center of the opening 321. Thereafter, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area in which the medicine is stored. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 also opens the second shutter 322b according to the width of the cassette Ca.

[0203] Therefore, by providing a partition in the cassette Ca to form multiple storage areas in one cassette Ca, it is possible to store, for example, medicines that are likely to be dispensed at the same time in the same cassette Ca, making it possible to dispense medicine sheets more efficiently.

[0204] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, the processing of the dispensing control device 800 will be described. As described above, the decision unit 811 decides which of the drug station 1, tablet packaging machine 300, powder packaging machine 400, PTP dispensing device, and dispensing assistance device 600 will be used to dispense the medicine indicated in the prescription data, in accordance with predetermined regulations.

[0205] For example, the determination unit 811 may compare the type of drug indicated in the prescription data with the type of drug included in the drug database of each device stored in the storage unit 802, and determine the device having a drug database including the drug indicated in the prescription data as the device that dispenses the drug. In addition, when the drug indicated in the prescription data is included in multiple drug databases, the determination unit 811 may determine the device that dispenses the drug according to a preset priority order. When the drug indicated in the prescription data is not included in any drug database, the determination unit 811 may determine the dispensing assistance device 600 as the device to be used for dispensing the drug, so that the drug shelf 700 is the dispensing destination (removal destination) of the drug.

[0206] Furthermore, for prescription drugs that can be packaged in a single package, the determination unit 811 may preferentially determine the tablet packaging machine 300 or the powder packaging machine 400 as the device that dispenses the drug. In addition, the determination unit 811 may perform the following processing. Prescription drugs that can be packaged in a single package are prescription drugs prescribed to a certain patient and multiple prescription drugs that are to be taken at the same time in a day (e.g., morning, midday, evening).

[0207] <An example of processing by a dispensing control device> Consider a case where some of the prescribed drugs prescribed to a patient and dispensed from the tablet packing machine 300 in packing units (predetermined units) are drugs that are not stored in the tablet packing machine 300. In this case, the determination unit 811 may determine that the drug station 1 is the device that dispenses some of the prescribed drugs.

[0208] The medicine is, for example, a manually prepared medicine that is put into a manual preparation unit (not shown) of the tablet packaging machine 300 by a user. The manual preparation unit includes a plurality of manually prepared storage sections (masses) into which the medicine is put in a package unit by the user, and a manually prepared dispensing section that dispenses the medicine stored in each manually prepared storage section. This allows even medicine that is not stored in the tablet packaging machine 300 to be packaged together with medicine stored in the tablet packaging machine 300 and dispensed by the tablet packaging machine 300.

[0209] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the dispensing control device 800. As shown in Fig. 16, when the transmitting / receiving unit 812 receives prescription data from the prescription input device 200 (S1), the determining unit 811 determines whether or not a prescription drug that can be packaged is included in the multiple prescription drugs shown in the prescription data (S2).

[0210] When the determining unit 811 determines that the prescribed medicines that can be packaged are included (YES in S2), it determines whether the prescribed medicines that can be packaged are included in the prescribed medicines (S3). When the medicine database of the tablet packaging machine 300 stored in the memory unit 802 does not include any prescribed medicines that can be packaged, the determining unit 811 determines that the prescribed medicines that can be packaged are included in the prescribed medicines.

[0211] When the determination unit 811 determines that the prescribed drugs that can be packaged include manually prepared drugs (YES in S3), it determines that the device that dispenses the manually prepared drugs is drug station 1 (S4). When the drug database of drug station 1 stored in memory unit 802 includes the manually prepared drugs to be dispensed, the determination unit 811 determines that the device that dispenses the manually prepared drugs is drug station 1.

[0212] Of the prescribed medicines that can be packaged, the prescribed medicines other than the manually prepared medicines are medicines included in the medicine database and are therefore medicines stored in the tablet packing machine 300. Therefore, the determination unit 811 determines that the device that dispenses the prescribed medicines other than the manually prepared medicines is the tablet packing machine 300 (S4).

[0213] The transmitting / receiving unit 812 transmits a dispensing instruction for the manually prepared medicine together with dispensing data including information on the manually prepared medicine to the drug station 1. The transmitting / receiving unit 812 also transmits a dispensing instruction for the prescribed medicine together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed medicine other than the manually prepared medicine to the tablet packing machine 300 (S5).

[0214] When the control device 10 of the drug station 1 receives a dispensing instruction for the manually prepared drug, it dispenses the manually prepared drug based on information about the manually prepared drug included in the dispensing data. The user puts the manually prepared drug dispensed from the drug station 1 into a manual preparation unit of the tablet packaging machine 300. This enables the tablet packaging machine 300 to package (package) the manually prepared drug together with prescription drugs other than the manually prepared drug for which the dispensing instruction was issued.

[0215] If the prescription data includes no prescription drugs that can be packaged (NO in S2), or if the prescription drugs that can be packaged include no manually prepared drugs, the determination unit 811 determines the device that dispenses the prescription drugs according to a predetermined rule (S6). For example, as described above, the determination unit 811 determines the device that has a drug database that includes the prescription drugs as the device that dispenses the prescription drugs. In addition, if the drug database of the drug station 1 stored in the memory unit 802 does not include the manually prepared drugs to be dispensed, the determination unit 811 determines the drug shelf 700 as the destination for the manually prepared drugs.

[0216] In this way, the dispensing control device 800 can cause the manually prepared medicine dispensed from the tablet packaging machine 300 to be dispensed from the drug station 1. Therefore, the user can manually prepare the prescribed medicine dispensed from the drug station 1 in the tablet packaging machine 300 and dispense it from the tablet packaging machine 300 together with other prescribed medicines. This can reduce the user's effort of searching for and taking out the prescribed medicine from the medicine shelf 700 and the occurrence of taking out the wrong medicine from the medicine shelf 700, so that the prescribed medicine can be efficiently dispensed. In this process, at least the drug station 1 and the tablet packaging machine 300 are required to be provided as devices used for dispensing the prescribed medicine.

[0217] <Another example of processing by the dispensing control device> In the device that has sent the instruction to dispense the prescribed medicine, the device may stop dispensing the prescribed medicine, for example, in accordance with an instruction from a user, for reasons such as the prescription medicine being out of stock. An example of the processing of the dispensing control device 800 in this case will be described. Figure 17 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the dispensing control device 800.

[0218] 17, when the transmission / reception unit 812 receives prescription data from the prescription input device 200 (S11), the determination unit 811 determines a device to dispense each of the multiple prescribed drugs indicated in the prescription data in accordance with a predetermined rule (S12). Based on the result determined by the determination unit 811, the transmission / reception unit 812 transmits dispensing data including information on the prescribed drugs and a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drugs to each device (S13).

[0219] Thereafter, the determination unit 811 judges whether or not a cancellation notification for canceling dispensing of at least one prescribed drug that has been determined to be dispensed using the drug station 1 has been received from the drug station 1 via the transmission / reception unit 812 (S14). When the determination unit 811 receives a cancellation notification from the drug station 1 (YES in S14), the determination unit 811 determines the tablet packing machine 300, the powder medicine packing machine 400, or the PTP dispensing device 500 as the device for dispensing the prescribed drug whose dispensing has been canceled from the drug station 1 (S15). The determination unit 811 may determine from which of the tablet packing machine 300, the powder medicine packing machine 400, and the PTP dispensing device 500 the prescribed drug will be dispensed by referring to the drug database of each device and according to the priority order for dispensing the prescribed drug, for example, as described above.

[0220] The transmitting / receiving unit 812 transmits a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drug whose dispensing has been stopped from the drug station 1, together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed drug, to the tablet packing machine 300, powder medicine packing machine 400, or PTP dispensing device 500 determined by the determining unit 811 (S15). This allows the prescribed drug whose dispensing from the drug station 1 has been stopped to be dispensed from any of the tablet packing machine 300, powder medicine packing machine 400, or PTP dispensing device 500.

[0221] Here, when the determining unit 811 summarizes a plurality of prescribed drugs, for example, on a patient basis (predetermined unit) in the dispensing data transmitted to each device, each device can receive a stop instruction to stop dispensing the prescribed drugs on a patient basis. For example, consider a case where the transmitting / receiving unit 812 receives a stop notification from the drug station 1 to stop dispensing a prescribed drug for a certain patient among the prescribed drugs indicated in the dispensing data transmitted to the drug station 1. In this case, the determining unit 811 determines the tablet packing machine 300, the powdered medicine packing machine 400, or the PTP dispensing device 500 as a device to dispense the prescribed drug for the certain patient whose dispensing has been stopped. The transmitting / receiving unit 812 transmits a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drug whose dispensing has been stopped from the drug station 1 to the tablet packing machine 300, the powdered medicine packing machine 400, or the PTP dispensing device 500 determined by the determining unit 811, together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed drug. As a result, even if the dispensing of prescribed medicines on a patient-by-patient basis is stopped at the drug station 1, the dispensing of the prescribed medicines can be realized using another device.

[0222] In a situation where a cancellation notification has not been received from drug station 1 (NO in S14), the determination unit 811 judges whether or not a cancellation notification to cancel dispensing of at least one prescribed drug that was decided to be dispensed using the tablet packing machine 300 has been received from the tablet packing machine 300 (S17). When a cancellation notification has been received from the tablet packing machine 300 (YES in S17), the determination unit 811 determines that the device to dispense the prescribed drug whose dispensing has been stopped from the tablet packing machine 300 is drug station 1 (S18).

[0223] When the prescribed drug is included in the drug database of drug station 1 stored in memory unit 802, determination unit 811 determines that the device for dispensing the prescribed drug is drug station 1. When the prescribed drug is not included in the drug database of drug station 1 stored in memory unit 802, determination unit 811 may determine that the device for dispensing the prescribed drug is dispensing assistance device 600.

[0224] The transmitting / receiving unit 812 transmits a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drug, the dispensing of which has been stopped from the tablet packing machine 300, to the drug station 1 determined by the determination unit 811 together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed drug (S19). This allows the prescribed drug, the dispensing of which has been stopped from the tablet packing machine 300, to be dispensed from the drug station 1.

[0225] In addition, in S17, when the transmitting / receiving unit 812 receives a cancellation notice from the powder medicine packing machine 400, the determining unit 811 similarly determines that the device to be used for dispensing the prescribed medicine, the dispensing of which has been stopped from the powder medicine packing machine 400, is the drug station 1. The transmitting / receiving unit 812 transmits a dispensing instruction for the prescribed medicine to the drug station 1 together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed medicine. The same applies when the transmitting / receiving unit 812 receives a cancellation notice from the PTP dispensing device 500.

[0226] Furthermore, when the determination unit 811 receives a cancellation notification from the drug station 1, it may determine that the device to be used for dispensing the prescribed drug whose dispensing from the drug station 1 has been cancelled is the dispensing assistance device 600. The transmission / reception unit 812 may transmit a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drug to the dispensing assistance device 600 together with dispensing data including information on the prescribed drug. This allows the prescribed drug to be taken out from the drug shelf 700.

[0227] On the other hand, when the determination unit 811 receives a cancellation notification from the dispensing assistance device 600 in a situation where the prescribed drug to be taken out is not present in the drug shelf 700, the determination unit 811 may determine that the device to be used for dispensing the prescribed drug whose take-out from the drug shelf 700 has been cancelled is the drug station 1. The transmission / reception unit 812 may transmit a dispensing instruction for the prescribed drug together with information on the prescribed drug to the drug station 1. This allows the prescribed drug to be dispensed from the drug station 1.

[0228] If no cancellation notification is received from any of the devices (NO in S17), this process may be ended.

[0229] According to the above process, even if the dispensing of prescribed medicines from various devices such as the drug station 1, the tablet packaging machine 300, or the medicine shelf 700 is stopped, the prescribed medicines can be dispensed using another device. Therefore, the prescribed medicines can be dispensed efficiently.

[0230] In this process, in addition to the drug station 1, a second drug dispensing device (e.g., tablet packaging machine 300, powdered medicine packaging machine 400, or PTP dispensing device 500) or dispensing assistance device 600 may be provided as a device for dispensing prescribed drugs. The second drug dispensing device may be at least any one of the tablet packaging machine 300, powdered medicine packaging machine 400, and PTP dispensing device 500. The second drug dispensing device may be at least one of the devices for dispensing prescribed drugs other than the drug station 1.

[0231] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are used for components 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. In this embodiment, the medicine taken out from the medicine transfer section 32 and put into the transport tray Tr (i.e., the medicine to be dispensed) is described as a medicine sheet (the entire medicine sheet or a fractional sheet).

[0232] As described above, picking unit 3 includes medicine transfer section 32, tray mounting table 38, and medicine mounting table 37. Tray mounting table 38 includes weighing section 382. Therefore, by placing a medicine sheet (full sheet) containing a specified amount of medicines taken out from medicine transfer section 32 on tray mounting table 38, the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet can be counted.

[0233] The picking unit 3 also includes an imaging section 371 that images the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37, and a backlight 372 that illuminates the medicine placement table 37. The backlight 372 illuminates the fractional sheet from the opposite side to the imaging direction of the fractional sheet by the imaging section 371, so that the shape of the fractional sheet can be obtained more clearly. Therefore, the control device 10 can more accurately count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet from the imaging result.

[0234] The imaging unit 371 and the backlight 372 may be provided above the medicine placement table 37. In this case, however, the reflectance obtained from the imaging result may differ depending on the material of the fractional sheet. When the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines and distinguishes between the medicine and the fractional sheet based on the reflectance, the medicine may not be distinguishable from the fractional sheet depending on the material. Therefore, in order to distinguish between the medicine and the fractional sheet with high accuracy, it has been necessary to adopt a relatively high-performance (relatively expensive) imaging unit 371.

[0235] In this embodiment, as described later, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines based on the shape of the fraction sheet. That is, it is sufficient for the medicine determination unit 124 to identify the shape (i.e., the edge) from the imaging result. Therefore, by having the backlight 372 illuminate the fraction sheet from the opposite side to the imaging direction of the fraction sheet by the imaging unit 371, the shape can be detected with high accuracy without using a high performance imaging unit 371. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 can more accurately count the number of medicines included in the fraction sheet from the imaging result.

[0236] Therefore, the drug station 1 can accurately count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheets and / or the fractional sheets, and can efficiently dispense the medicines. Note that the medicine sheet may be placed on the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the imaging unit 371 can capture an image of the medicine sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37.

[0237] <Control device> The control device 10 of this embodiment includes a medicine determination unit 124, a determination unit 125, and an image acquisition unit 126, and counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. Specifically, when a fractional sheet is taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32, the determination unit 125 refers to the above-mentioned reference data stored in the memory unit 15 to determine the fractional sheet size of the fractional sheet. The imaging unit 371 captures an image of the fractional sheet taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 and placed on the medicine placement table 37. The image acquisition unit 126 acquires an image of the fractional sheet included in the image captured by the imaging unit 371. When the medicine determination unit 124 can determine that the image is that of a fractional sheet, the value obtained by dividing the size of the image of the fractional sheet by the fractional sheet size determined by the determination unit 125 is counted as the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. Using this method, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines for the number of fractional sheets acquired by the image acquisition unit 126. This allows the medicine determination unit 124 to count the number of medicines included in all fractional sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37.

[0238] Furthermore, the control device 10 may count the number of drug sheets (full sheets) placed on the drug placement table 37 by including a drug determination unit 124, a determination unit 125, and an image acquisition unit 126. Specifically, when a drug sheet is taken out from the drug transfer unit 32, the determination unit 125 refers to the above-mentioned reference data stored in the memory unit 15 to determine the number of sheet drugs of the drug sheet. The imaging unit 371 captures an image of the drug sheet taken out from the drug transfer unit 32 and placed on the drug placement table 37. The image acquisition unit 126 acquires an image of the drug sheet included in the image captured by the imaging unit 371. The drug determination unit 124 counts the value obtained by multiplying the number of acquired images of the drug sheet by the number of sheet drugs identified by the determination unit 125 as the number of drugs included in all of the drug sheets placed on the drug placement table 37. For example, when the medicine determination unit 124 identifies an image of a medicine sheet, it counts the number of medicine sheets identified by the identification unit 125 as the number of medicines per medicine sheet. The medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines contained in all of the medicine sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37 by performing this counting for the number of images of the medicine sheet acquired. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines contained in all of the medicine sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37.

[0239] When a medicine sheet and a fractional sheet are placed on the medicine placement platform 37, the medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines included in the combination of the medicine sheet and the fractional sheet.

[0240] The number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet may be counted as follows. For example, when a medicine sheet is taken out from the medicine transfer section 32, the identification section 125 refers to the above-mentioned reference data stored in the storage section 15 to identify the fractional sheet size of the medicine sheet. The imaging section 371 images the medicine sheet taken out from the medicine transfer section 32 and placed on the medicine placement table 37. The image acquisition section 126 acquires an image of the medicine sheet included in the image captured by the imaging section 371. When the medicine determination section 124 can identify the image as a medicine sheet, it counts the value obtained by dividing the size of the medicine sheet image by the fractional sheet size identified by the identification section 125 as the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. The medicine determination section 124 counts the number of medicines by the number of medicine sheets acquired by the image acquisition section 126 by this method. This allows the medicine determination section 124 to count the number of medicines contained in all the medicine sheets placed on the medicine placement table 37.

[0241] When the image of the drug sheet acquired by the image acquisition unit 126 is not rectangular, the control device 10 determines that a part of the drug sheet placed on the drug placing table 37 is outside the imaging range of the imaging unit 371. In this case, the control device 10 may guide the user to re-place the drug sheet on the drug placing table 37. For example, the touch panel control unit 14 may display information on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31 to the effect that the drug sheet should be re-placed on the drug placing table 37. This allows the control device 10 to execute a counting process of the number of drugs based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371.

[0242] <Control device processing> An example of the process of counting the number of drugs contained in a drug sheet or a fraction sheet in the control device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 18 and 19. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the control device 10. Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the example of the process shown in Fig. 18. In the following description, the drug sheets and fraction sheets may be collectively referred to simply as "sheets".

[0243] As shown in FIG. 18, the specifying unit 125 acquires reference data that specifies the number of sheet medicines included in one medicine sheet and the fractional sheet size per medicine for each medicine (S31). The specifying unit 125 specifies the fractional sheet size of the medicine to be dispensed by referring to the acquired reference data (S32). That is, the specifying unit 125 specifies the size of the fractional sheet that is taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 and includes one medicine that is the image target of the image capture unit 371. The fractional sheet size may specify, for example, the vertical length and horizontal length of the fractional sheet that includes one medicine. The specifying unit 125 also specifies the number of sheet medicines of the medicine to be dispensed by referring to the acquired reference data (S32).

[0244] When the imaging unit 371 captures an image of the drug sheet or fractional sheet placed on the drug placement table 37, the image acquisition unit 126 acquires an image of the fractional sheet or drug sheet included in the captured image (S33). Acquisition of the sheet image from the captured image may be performed using a known technique. In addition, the image acquisition unit 126 specifies the number of images of the drug sheet or fractional sheet included in the image (referred to as the number of sheets) (S34).

[0245] Reference numeral 19001 in FIG. 19 indicates an example of an image IM1 captured by the imaging unit 371. In this example, the image acquisition unit 126 acquires, in the image IM1, images I11 and I12 of the fractional sheet and an image I13 of the medicine sheet. In reference numeral 19001, the image I13 is an image of a medicine sheet (full sheet) including 2×3 medicines (fractional sheets). The image acquisition unit 126 also specifies that the image includes three images, that is, the number of sheets is three. In the acquired image, an area having a predetermined width that does not include the medicine MD is the edge portion ER of the sheet. In this example, the image I13 includes the edge portion ER.

[0246] The image acquisition unit 126 may extract an R (red) image, a G (green) image, and a B (blue) image from the captured image, and may apply a filter (e.g., a median filter) for noise removal to the B image, for example. This allows a clearer image to be acquired from the image.

[0247] The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the medicine counting process is incomplete for all of the medicine sheets or fractional sheets included in the image (S35). The medicine determination unit 124 determines that the medicine counting process is incomplete when the number of sheets on which the number of medicines is counted in S38 and S45 is less than the number of sheets specified by the image acquisition unit 126. When the number of sheets on which the number of medicines is counted in S38 etc. matches the number of sheets specified by the image acquisition unit 126, it determines that the medicine counting process is complete for all of the sheets included in the image (NO in S35), and this flow ends.

[0248] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the medicine counting process is incomplete (YES in S35), it identifies one sheet image to be counted among the sheet images included in the image (S36). At this time, as shown by reference numeral 19001, the medicine determination unit 124 identifies a row formed along the prescribed medicine arrangement direction for each sheet as an object OB. Information indicating the medicine arrangement direction prescribed for each medicine type is stored in the storage unit 15, and the medicine determination unit 124 identifies the arrangement direction in the sheet image by referring to the information.

[0249] The drug determination unit 124 determines whether the image of the identified sheet is an image of a drug sheet (full sheet) (S37). For example, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the image of the sheet substantially matches the length of the image of the prescribed drug sheet by referring to information indicating the length of the drug sheet specified for each drug type stored in the memory unit 15. The specified length of the drug sheet may be the vertical length and horizontal length of the drug sheet. When the drug determination unit 124 determines that the image of the identified sheet substantially matches the length of the prescribed drug sheet, it determines that the image of the sheet is an image of a drug sheet.

[0250] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the identified sheet image is an image of a medicine sheet (YES in S37), it counts the number of medicines contained in the sheet by the above-mentioned method (S38). For example, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of sheet medicines identified by the identification unit 125 as the number of medicines per medicine sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the value obtained by dividing the area of ​​the medicine sheet image by the fractional sheet size (area here) identified by the identification unit 125 as the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. Also, as in the case of a fractional sheet described later, when the medicine sheet includes an edge portion ER, the medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the area of ​​the medicine sheet image excluding the portion corresponding to the edge portion ER.

[0251] The medicine determination unit 124 adds the number of medicines counted in S38 to the previous number of medicines (initial value: 0) in, for example, a buffer (not shown) (S39). This allows the total value of the counting process for all sheet images included in the image to be stored.

[0252] The medicine determination unit 124 adds the number of sheets for which counting processing has been completed to the previous number of sheets (initial value: 0) in, for example, a buffer (not shown) (S40), which enables the medicine determination unit 124 to execute the processing of S35.

[0253] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the image of the identified sheet is not an image of a medicine sheet, that is, that it is an image of a fractional sheet (NO in S37), it determines whether or not the image of the identified sheet includes an ear part ER (S41). The memory unit 15 stores information indicating the presence or absence of an ear part ER for each medicine type. The information also includes size information that specifies the total value of the length of the ear part ER and the length of the fractional sheet including one medicine adjacent to the ear part ER for each medicine type. The ERA in the reference numerals 19001 and 19002 indicates the total value. The reference numeral 19002 indicates another example of an image acquired by the image acquisition unit 126. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 can determine whether or not the image of the identified sheet and the identified object OB include an ear part ER by referring to the fractional sheet size and the above information.

[0254] The information indicating the presence or absence of the ear parts ER also includes information indicating whether the ear parts ER are present in the arrangement direction of the medicine or in a direction different from the arrangement direction (perpendicular to the arrangement direction). Therefore, by referring to the information, the medicine determination unit 124 can determine whether the ear parts ER are present in the arrangement direction when the identified sheet image includes the ear parts ER.

[0255] For example, in the case of images I11 and I12 of reference numeral 19001, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the ear part ER does not exist. In the case of image I13 of reference numeral 19001, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the ear part ER exists on the sheet containing the medicine to be dispensed, and that the ear part ER exists in the arrangement direction. In the case of image 19002, the ear part ER exists on the sheet containing the medicine to be dispensed, but the ear part ER exists in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the ear part ER exists in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. In other words, in the case of reference numeral 19002, the medicine determination unit 124 can determine that the ear part ER does not exist in the arrangement direction, that is, that the ear part ER does not exist in the object OB.

[0256] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the image of the identified sheet includes the ear portion ER (YES in S41), it determines whether the counting process for all objects OB is incomplete (S42). For the image of the fractional sheet, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet for each object OB. This makes it possible to count the number of fractional sheets more accurately.

[0257] Here, after counting the number of drugs in S45, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of objects OB (objects OB for which counting process has been completed) for which the number of drugs has been counted in S45. When the number of counted objects OB matches the number of objects OB (objects OB identified in S36) included in the identified sheet, the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug counting process has been completed for all objects OB included in the identified sheet. In this case (NO in S42), the drug determination unit 124 executes the process of S39.

[0258] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the medicine counting process is incomplete (YES in S42), it determines whether the length (e.g., vertical length) of the object OB excluding the ear portion ERA is approximately equal to an integer multiple of the fractional sheet size (e.g., vertical length) of the medicine to be dispensed (S43). The fractional sheet size of the medicine to be dispensed is included in the reference data stored in the memory unit 15. In addition, the length of the identified sheet image and the length of the object OB identified in the sheet image can be calculated by known image processing.

[0259] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the object OB excluding the ear parts ERA is an integer multiple of the fractional sheet size (YES in S43), it subtracts the length of the ear parts ER (e.g., vertical length) from the length of the object OB (S44). The medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the object by the above-mentioned method (S45). After that, the medicine determination unit 124 returns to the process of S42.

[0260] When the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the object OB excluding the ear parts ERA is not an integral multiple of the fractional sheet size (NO in S43), the medicine determination unit 124 subtracts an integral multiple of the fractional sheet size from the length of the object OB excluding the ear parts ERA. In this way, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates the remaining length (S46).

[0261] As described above, in S45, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the value obtained by dividing the size of the image of the fractional sheet by the fractional sheet size specified by the determination unit 125 as the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placement table 37. In this embodiment, the value obtained by dividing the size of the image of a certain object OB constituting the fractional sheet by the fractional sheet size specified by the determination unit 125 is counted as the number of medicines included in the object OB. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the value obtained by dividing the vertical length (length in the arrangement direction) of the image of the object OB by the vertical length indicated by the fractional sheet size specified by the determination unit 125 as the number of medicines included in the object OB. The medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet by repeating the same process for all objects OB included in the fractional sheet.

[0262] The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the length of the remainder is equal to or greater than the length of 0.5 tablets (e.g., vertical length) of the fractional sheet per medicine to be dispensed (S47). If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the remainder is equal to or greater than the length of 0.5 tablets (YES in S47), it subtracts the length of the remainder from the length of the object OB (S48). Thereafter, the medicine determination unit 124 executes the processes of S44 and S45. If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the remainder is less than the length of 0.5 tablets (NO in S47), it does not execute the process of S48 and proceeds to the process of S44.

[0263] If there is a remainder in the value obtained by dividing the size of the image of the object OB by the fractional sheet size specified by the specification unit 125, the medicine determination unit 124 rounds off the value to the nearest 1 digit and counts the number of medicines contained in the object OB. Therefore, if the length of the remainder is equal to or greater than the length of 0.5 tablets, the number of medicines will be counted as one more as a result of rounding. Therefore, if the length of the remainder is equal to or greater than the length of 0.5 tablets, the medicine determination unit 124 subtracts the length of the remainder from the length of the object OB.

[0264] The process of counting the number of medicines from the identified object OB will be described using reference numerals 19003 to 19006 in Fig. 19. In this example, it is assumed that the medicine MD with a fractional sheet size of 10 mm is to be dispensed.

[0265] In the reference numeral 19003, an object OBA is specified for the acquired image IA, and the length of the image of the object OBA is calculated to be 30 mm. For the object OBA, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the image of the object OBA, 30 mm, matches the fractional sheet size of 10 mm × 3. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 counts 30 mm / 10 mm = 3, that is, the number of medicines MD is 3.

[0266] In the reference numeral 19004, the object OBB is specified for the acquired image IB, and the length of the image of the object OBB is calculated to be 33 mm. For the object OBB, the drug determination unit 124 determines that the length of the image of the object OBB, 33 mm, does not match an integer multiple (here, 3 times) of the fractional sheet size of 10 mm. In this case, the drug determination unit 124 calculates 33 mm / 10 mm=3.3. That is, the drug determination unit 124 calculates that the remainder length is 3 mm. Since the remainder length of 3 mm is less than the length of 0.5 tablets, 5 mm, the drug determination unit 124 rounds off the above calculation result "3.3" without subtracting the remainder length of 3 mm from the length of the object OBB, 33 mm, and counts the number of drugs MD as 3.

[0267] In the reference numeral 19005, the object OBC is specified for the acquired image IC, and the length of the image of the object OBC is calculated to be 36 mm. For the object OBC, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the image of the object OBC, 36 mm, does not match an integer multiple (here, 3 times) of the fractional sheet size of 10 mm. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates 36 mm / 10 mm=3.6. That is, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates that the length of the remainder is 6 mm. Since the length of the remainder, 6 mm, is greater than the length of 0.5 tablets, 5 mm, the medicine determination unit 124 subtracts the length of the remainder, 6 mm, from the length of the object OBC, 36 mm. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates 30 mm / 10 mm=3, thereby counting the number of medicines MD to be 3.

[0268] Objects OBD1 to OBD3 are specified for the acquired image ID in reference numeral 19006. The length of object OBD1 is calculated to be 10 mm, the length of object OBD2 is calculated to be 13 mm, and the length of object OBD3 is calculated to be 33 mm.

[0269] For the object OBD1, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the length of the image of the object OBD1, 10 mm, is equal to an integer multiple (here, 1x) of the fractional sheet size, 10 mm. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 counts 10 mm / 10 mm=1, that is, the number of medicines MD is 1.

[0270] For object OBD2, the drug determination unit 124 determines that the length of the image of object OBD2, 13 mm, does not match an integer multiple (here, 1x) of the fractional sheet size of 10 mm. In this case, the drug determination unit 124 calculates 13 mm / 10 mm=1.3. That is, the drug determination unit 124 calculates that the remainder length is 3 mm. Since the remainder length of 3 mm is smaller than the length of 0.5 tablets, 5 mm, the drug determination unit 124 rounds off the above calculation result "1.3" without subtracting the remainder length of 3 mm from the length of object OBD2, 13 mm, and counts the number of drugs MD as 1.

[0271] The object OBD3 is the same as the object OBB of the reference numeral 19004. Therefore, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of drugs MD included in the object OBD3 as three.

[0272] In addition, the above-mentioned method of counting the medicines in the fractional sheet may be used in the process of S38, that is, in counting the number of medicines included in the medicine sheet (full sheet).

[0273] [Embodiment 3] When the power supply (hereinafter simply referred to as the power supply) of the drug station 1 is off, a user may open the door 25 and remove a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or place a new cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. In this case, the position of the cassette Ca when the power supply is turned on may differ from the position of the cassette Ca before the power supply was turned off.

[0274] For example, in the case where an opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening / closing state of the door 25 is provided, when the door 25 changes from the closed state to the open state, the opening / closing sensor can detect that the door 25 has changed to the open state. Therefore, the control device 10 can determine that the placement position of the cassette Ca may have been changed. However, the opening / closing sensor performs a detection function while the power is on, and cannot perform the function when the power is off. In that case, unless the control device 10 performs a process for identifying the placement position of the cassette Ca after the power is on, even if the placement position of the cassette Ca has changed while the power is off, the control device 10 may not be able to detect the change. If the placement position of the cassette Ca after the change cannot be identified, a cassette Ca other than the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed may be transferred to the picking unit 3.

[0275] The drug station 1 of this embodiment includes a second detection unit 27 (detection unit) that detects that the door 25 is open when the power is off after the power is turned on. Therefore, when it is assumed that the position of the cassette Ca has been changed when the power is off, the control device 10 can re-identify the position of the cassette Ca after the power is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to realize dispensing of medicines with consideration for safety.

[0276] Fig. 20 is a plan view showing a schematic arrangement example of the first detection unit 26 and the second detection unit 27. Reference numeral 20001 in Fig. 20 indicates a case where the door 25 is in a closed state, and reference numeral 20002 indicates a case where the door 25 is in an open state.

[0277] 20, a first detector 26 and a second detector 27 for detecting the open / closed state of the door 25 are provided at an upper end 21U (also shown in FIG. 3) of the cassette shelf 21. The first detector 26 and the second detector 27 are provided at each of the multiple doors 25 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0278] The first detection unit 26 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor, and detects the closed state of the door 25 by detecting the light emitted by the first detection unit 26 when the door 25 is closed. While the power is on, the first detection unit 26 detects the open / closed state of the door 25. That is, the first detection unit 26 functions as the open / close sensor described above. Note that the control device 10 may detect the open / closed state of the door 25 depending on whether the first detection unit 26 detects light or not.

[0279] The second detection unit 27 includes a pin 271. As shown by reference numeral 20001, the pin 271 is pressed into the inside of the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 is in a closed state, and as shown by reference numeral 20002, the pin 271 is in a protruding state from the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 is in an open state. By the movement of the pin 271 linked to the door 25, the second detection unit 27 detects the open / closed state of the door 25.

[0280] Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing an example of the second detection unit 27. Fig. 21 shows a state of the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 is in an open state. As indicated by reference numeral 21001 in Fig. 21, the second detection unit 27 includes a pin holding portion 281, a detection holding portion 282, and an attachment portion 283.

[0281] The pin holding portion 281 holds the pin 271. Furthermore, the pin holding portion 281 holds a dog 275 indicated by reference numeral 21002 in FIG.

[0282] The detection holder 282 holds the second detection unit 27. Specifically, the detection holder 282 holds the pin holder 281, as well as the spring receiver 274, the solenoid 276, and the groove-shaped optical sensor 277, all of which are indicated by the reference numeral 21002.

[0283] The attachment portion 283 is a member for attaching the second detection unit 27 to the upper end portion 21U of the drug station 1. The attachment portion 283 has a detection holder 282 attached thereto.

[0284] As indicated by reference numeral 21002 , the second detection unit 27 includes a pin 271 , a dog movable portion 272 , a spring 273 , a spring receiving portion 274 , a dog 275 , a solenoid 276 , and a groove-shaped optical sensor 277 .

[0285] One end of the pin 271 can come into contact with the door 25, and the other end is built into the spring receiving portion 274. A spring 273 is provided on the pin 271. The spring 273 moves the pin 271 in the ±Y-axis directions depending on whether the door 25 is open or closed, and is provided between the dog movable portion 272 and the inner wall of the spring receiving portion 274 with which the other end of the pin 271 comes into contact.

[0286] When the door 25 is in the closed state, the pin 271 is pushed into the second detection unit 27 (in the -Y-axis direction) by the door 25. Specifically, the pin 271 is pushed into the second detection unit 27 to a position where the other end of the pin 271 contacts the inner wall of the spring receiving portion 274. At this time, the spring 273 is in a biased state. Therefore, when the door 25 is in the open state, as shown in FIG. 21, the pin 271 moves in a direction away from the spring receiving portion 274 (in the +Y-axis direction) by the biasing force of the spring 273, and the door 25 in the closed state is in a pressed-in state. This allows the pin 271 to move in the ±Y-axis directions according to the open / closed state of the door 25.

[0287] The dog movable part 272 is fixed to the pin 271, and moves the dog 275 in the +Y-axis direction in response to the movement of the pin 271 in the +Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the dog movable part 272 contacts the outer wall of the spring receiving part 274 when the door 25 is in the closed state. When the door 25 changes from the closed state to the open state, the dog movable part 272 inserts the dog 275, which is in contact with the dog movable part 272, into the insertion part 277A (see reference numeral 21003 in FIG. 21) of the groove-shaped optical sensor 277. The dog 275 is not inserted into the insertion part 277A when the door 25 is in the closed state (except when the door 25 changes from the open state to the closed state when the power is off), and the dog 275 is inserted into the insertion part 277A when the door 25 is in the open state. It is only necessary to determine the sizes and positions of the dog movable portion 272, the dog 275 and the groove-shaped optical sensor 277, as well as the amount of movement of the pin 271, so that such an operation can be realized.

[0288] The spring receiving portion 274 accommodates the other end of the pin 271 so that the pin 271 is movable, and also accommodates the spring 273 provided at the other end of the pin 271 .

[0289] The dog 275 is a moving part that moves in conjunction with the operation of the door 25 when the door 25 is in the open state. The dog 275 moves in conjunction with the movement of the dog movable part 272 that is linked to the movement of the pin 271, as described above.

[0290] The solenoid 276 presses the dog 275 inserted into the insertion portion 277A in the -Y axis direction to move it to the outside of the insertion portion 277A. When the second detection unit 27 detects that the door 25 is closed and the control device 10 receives an input operation from the user to reset the detection state, the solenoid 276 is driven under the control of the control device 10 to move the dog 275 to the outside of the insertion portion 277A. The control device 10 may automatically drive the solenoid 276 after a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 to 1 second) has elapsed after the power is turned on.

[0291] The grooved optical sensor 277 has a substantially C-shaped insertion portion 277A into which the dog 275 is inserted as shown by the reference numeral 21003, and is a movement detection portion that detects the dog 275 inserted into the insertion portion 277A. The grooved optical sensor 277 (specifically, the insertion portion 277A) is, for example, a transmission type optical sensor equipped with an emission portion that emits light and a light receiving portion that receives the light. When the dog 275 is inserted into the insertion portion 277A while the power is off, the light receiving portion cannot receive the light because the dog 275 blocks the light emitted by the emission portion after the power is turned on. This causes the grooved optical sensor 277 to detect the dog 275. That is, the second detection portion 27 detects that the door 25 is in an open state by detecting the dog 275. In addition, the control device 10 may detect that the door 25 is in the open state when the power is turned off by receiving a detection signal indicating that the second detection unit 27 has detected the dog 275.

[0292] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an operation example of the second detection unit 27. Reference numeral 22001 in Fig. 22 indicates a state of the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 is in a closed state. At this time, the pin 271 is pressed down by the door 25, whereby the spring 273 is compressed by the dog movable part 272, and the pin 271 is pushed into the inside of the second detection unit 27. In reference numeral 22001, the spring 273 is compressed inside the spring receiving part 274. Also, the dog 275 is located outside (on the dog movable part 272 side in this embodiment) the groove-shaped optical sensor 277 (specifically, the insertion part 277A).

[0293] Assume that the power is turned off when the door 25 is in a closed state (the state of the second detection unit 27 shown by the reference numeral 22001). Reference numeral 22002 in FIG. 22 indicates the state of the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 is in an open state when the power is turned off. At this time, the pin 271 moves in the +Y-axis direction due to the biasing force of the spring 273. In conjunction with this movement, the dog movable part 272 also moves in the +Y-axis direction. Then, the dog movable part 272 presses down the dog 275 while moving in the +Y-axis direction. As a result, the dog 275 moves in the +Y-axis direction in conjunction with the movement of the dog movable part 272, and is inserted into the groove-shaped optical sensor 277. That is, when the door 25 is in an open state, the dog 275 is inserted into the insertion part 277A. By inserting the dog 275 into the insertion part 277A, the second detection unit 27 can detect that the door 25 is in an open state after the power is turned on.

[0294] Reference numeral 22003 in FIG. 22 indicates the state of the second detection unit 27 when the door 25 returns from the open state to the closed state when the power is off. When the door 25 is closed, the pin 271 is pushed into the second detection unit 27 (in the -Y axis direction) by the door 25. In conjunction with the movement of the pin 271, the dog movable part 272 also moves in the -Y axis direction. On the other hand, even when the door 25 returns from the open state to the closed state, the dog 275 is maintained in a state corresponding to the open state. Specifically, the dog 275 is maintained in a state inserted into the insertion part 277A by a frictional force (including the viscosity of the grease put between the dog 275 and the insertion part 277A) generated between the dog 275 and the insertion part 277A. Therefore, even when the door 25 returns to the closed state, the second detection unit 27 can detect that the door 25 has become open when the power is off after the power is turned on.

[0295] Suppose that the power is turned on from the state of reference symbol 22002 or reference symbol 22003. Here, the storage unit 15 stores data in which the cassette identification information is associated with the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. That is, the cassette Ca and the position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 are associated in advance.

[0296] For example, after the power is turned on, the position identifying unit 113 of the control device 10 associates the cassette Ca with the position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21, and updates the above data in the storage unit 15. This makes it possible to identify the position of the cassette Ca again after the power is turned on in a case where it is assumed that the door 25 is in the open state when the power is turned off and the position of the cassette Ca has been changed.

[0297] The position identifying unit 113 updates the above data when the second detection unit 27 detects that the door 25 is open after the power is turned on. At this time, the position identifying unit 113 may identify the positions of the cassettes Ca in all the cassette shelves 21. However, as described above, the cassette shelf 21 can store 1500 to 2000 types of medicine. In other words, the cassette shelf 21 can store a large number of cassettes Ca that can accommodate the medicines. Therefore, if the positions of the cassettes Ca in all the cassette shelves 21 are identified every time the power is turned on, it will take a long processing time to identify them.

[0298] In order to reduce the processing time, the position identifying unit 113 may identify the position of the cassette Ca on a part of the cassette shelves 21 among all the cassette shelves 21. That is, the position identifying unit 113 may re-execute the association between the cassette Ca and the position on the cassette shelf 21 for the cassette Ca accommodated in the area corresponding to the door 25 detected as open by the second detection unit 27, among the cassettes Ca accommodated in the cassette shelf 21.

[0299] Identification information of the second detection unit 27 provided in each door 25 and information indicating the area corresponding to the door 25 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 15. When the position identification unit 113 receives a detection signal indicating that the open state of the door 25 has been detected from the second detection unit 27 that has detected the open state of the door 25, it identifies that the detection signal is from the second detection unit 27. The position identification unit 113 identifies the arrangement position of the cassette Ca accommodated in the area of ​​the cassette shelf 21 associated with the identified second detection unit 27.

[0300] As a result, the position identifying unit 113 re-identifies only the position of the cassette Ca accommodated in the area corresponding to the door 25 that was open when the power was turned off. In other words, the position identifying unit 113 does not identify the position of the cassette Ca accommodated in the area corresponding to the door 25 that remained closed when the power was turned off. Therefore, the process of identifying the position of the cassette Ca can be efficiently executed.

[0301] Also, after the power is turned on, as shown by reference numeral 22003, when the second detection unit 27 detects the open state of the door 25, the control device 10 accepts an input operation by the user to reset the detection state, or a predetermined time has passed since the power was turned on. In this case, as shown by reference numeral 22004 in FIG. 22, the solenoid 276 is driven under the control of the control device 10 to move the dog 275 to the outside of the groove-shaped optical sensor 277 (in the -Y-axis direction). As a result, the second detection unit 27 is in the same state as reference numeral 22001. Therefore, even when the power is turned off next time, it is possible for the second detection unit 27 to detect that the door 25 has entered the open state. Note that in the state shown by reference numeral 22002, when the control device 10 accepts an input operation by the user to reset the detection state, or when a predetermined time has passed since the power was turned on, the control device 10 may drive the solenoid 276.

[0302] Here, in order to detect the open state of the door 25 when the power is off, for example, a battery may be installed in the drug station 1, and the open / close sensor may be energized even when the power is off. However, when a battery is used, the battery needs to be replaced, for example, every few years. Also, batteries (e.g., lithium ion batteries) are relatively expensive. As described above, in this embodiment, the second detection unit 27 that operates mechanically is provided in order to detect the open state of the door 25 when the power is off. Therefore, the open state of the door 25 when the power is off can be detected more cheaply than when a battery is provided, and without the trouble of periodic replacement or the like.

[0303] <Modification> Although the configuration has been described in which the second detection unit 27 detects that the door 25 has been opened when the power is off, the present invention is not limited to this. The second detection unit 27 may be configured to detect, after the power is turned on, that at least one cassette Ca placed on the cassette shelf 21 has moved when the power is off. In this case, the second detection unit 27 may be provided at a position on the cassette shelf 21 where the movement of each cassette Ca can be detected.

[0304] The operation of the second detection unit 27 in this modification is the same as that described above, except that the operation is performed based on the movement of the cassette Ca instead of the operation of the door 25. That is, the dog 275 moves in conjunction with the operation of the cassette Ca when the cassette Ca moves, and the second detection unit 27 detects the movement of the cassette Ca by detecting the dog 275. Even if the cassette Ca that moved while the power is off returns to its original position, the dog 275 is maintained in a state corresponding to the state before the cassette Ca returned to its original position. Specifically, when the cassette Ca moves, the dog 275 is inserted into the insertion portion 277A, and even if the cassette Ca that moved returns to its original position, the dog 275 is maintained in a state inserted into the insertion portion 277A due to the frictional force generated between the insertion portion 277A and the dog 275.

[0305] Furthermore, when the second detection unit 27 detects an open state of the door 25 or a movement of the cassette Ca when the power is off, the control device 10 may report the door 25 or the cassette Ca. For example, the correspondence between the second detection unit 27 provided in each door 25 or each cassette Ca and the door 25 or the cassette Ca is stored in the storage unit 15. When the control device 10 receives a detection signal indicating that the open state of the door 25 or the movement of the cassette Ca has been detected from the second detection unit 27 that has detected the open state of the door 25 or the movement of the cassette Ca, the control device 10 refers to the storage unit 15 and identifies the door 25 or the cassette Ca in which the second detection unit 27 is provided. The touch panel control unit 14 reports the position of the identified door 25 or the cassette Ca via the first touch panel 5.

[0306] The second detection unit 27 also operates when the door 25 is opened when the power is turned on and when it is closed after that. That is, the second detection unit 27 is in the state shown by the reference symbol 22002 when the door 25 is opened when the power is turned on, and in the state shown by the reference symbol 22003 when it is closed after that. Here, when the door 25 is opened when the power is turned on and then closed, the first detection unit 26 detects that the door 25 has returned to the closed state. After a predetermined time has elapsed (e.g., several seconds) from the detection, the control device 10 drives the solenoid 276, so that the second detection unit 27 in the above state can be returned to the initial state shown by the reference symbol 22004 (reference symbol 22001). Therefore, even if the second detection unit 27 operates when the power is turned on, the second detection unit 27 can detect that the door 25 is opened when the power is turned off.

[0307] [Embodiment 4] In this embodiment, the description will be given on the assumption that the medicines taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 and put into the transport tray Tr (that is, the medicines to be dispensed) are medicine sheets (the entire medicine sheet or a fractional sheet).

[0308] For example, if a patient is prescribed a fractional sheet containing only one drug, the patient may mistakenly take the fractional sheet for a drug without removing the drug from the fractional sheet, and may ingest the fractional sheet as is (i.e., the whole sheet). This embodiment reduces the possibility of such accidental ingestion, and can realize dispensing of drug sheets with consideration for safety.

[0309] In this embodiment, the second touch panel 31, under the control of the touch panel control unit 14, functions as a guide unit that guides the user to place a remainder sheet containing two or more medicines on the medicine placing table 37 when the following conditions are met. Condition: The remainder when the specified number specified as the quantity of drugs to be removed from the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 to the drug transfer section 32 is divided by the number of sheets of drugs contained in one drug sheet (full sheet) is 1.

[0310] Specifically, the control device 10 identifies the number of sheets of medicine associated with the identified medicine to be dispensed by referring to the storage unit 15. The control device 10 also identifies the designated number of the medicine to be dispensed, for example, by referring to the dispensing data. The control device 10 determines whether the remainder when the designated number is divided by the number of sheets of medicine is 1. If the remainder is 1, as described above, the touch panel control unit 14 guides the user to place the fractional sheets including two or more medicines on the medicine placement table 37 via the second touch panel 31.

[0311] For example, when the control device 10 determines that the remainder is 1, the touch panel control unit 14 may guide, via the second touch panel 31, to place a fractional sheet containing the number of medicines obtained by adding 1 to the number of sheets of medicine, on the medicine placing table 37. At this time, the touch panel control unit 14 guides to place, on the tray placing table 38, the number of medicine sheets obtained by subtracting 1 from a plurality of medicine sheets (full sheets) containing the number of medicines obtained by subtracting 1 from the designated number.

[0312] Consider the case where the first counting mode (a mode in which the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheets is counted based on weight and the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets is counted based on images) is set as described above. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the weight of the medicine sheet placed on the tray placement stand 38 and weighed by the weighing unit 382 is approximately equal to the value obtained by multiplying the weight of one prescribed medicine sheet of the medicine to be dispensed by the number of medicine sheets determined to be dispensed. In other words, the medicine determination unit 124 refers to the weight of one prescribed medicine sheet and calculates the total weight of the medicine sheets, the number of which is the designated number minus one, from the number of medicine sheets containing the number of medicines minus one. Then, the medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the calculated weight is approximately equal to the weight of the medicine sheet placed on the tray placement stand 38.

[0313] For example, when 41 medicines are to be dispensed, the control device 10 of this embodiment determines that 30 medicines are to be dispensed using three medicine sheets and 11 medicines are to be dispensed using a fractional sheet. In this case, the medicine determination unit 124 may determine whether the weight of the medicine sheet placed on the tray placement table 38 and weighed by the weighing unit 382 is approximately equal to the weight of one prescribed medicine sheet of the medicine to be dispensed multiplied by 3, which is the number of medicine sheets determined to be dispensed.

[0314] Here, when a plurality of drug sheets containing a number of drugs equal to the designated number minus one are placed on the tray placement stage 38, it is assumed that 40 drugs will be dispensed using four drug sheets. Based on this assumption, the drug determination unit 124 may determine whether or not three drug sheets containing 30 drugs are placed on the tray placement stage 38 as follows. That is, the drug determination unit 124 compares the weight of the drug sheet placed on the tray placement stage 38 with a value obtained by multiplying the specified weight of one drug sheet of the drug to be dispensed by a value obtained by subtracting one from the number of drug sheets based on the above assumption (four) (i.e., three). The drug determination unit 124 may make the above determination based on this comparison.

[0315] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an image (screen) displayed on the second touch panel 31. Reference numeral 23001 is an example of an image that provides guidance to remove a fractional sheet containing only one medicine from the medicine transfer unit 32. Reference numeral 23002 is an example of an image that provides guidance to remove a fractional sheet containing two or more medicines from the medicine transfer unit 32, and is an example of guidance in this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 23, the number of sheets of medicine is 10, and the specified number is 41. That is, the control device 10 calculates the specified number 41 / number of sheets of medicine 10=4 remainder 1.

[0316] The image with reference numeral 23001 displays "ABC" and "4 sheets 1T 41T" ("T" indicates the number of tablets). That is, based on the above calculation result, the touch panel control unit 14 guides the user to take out the specified number of 41 medicines for the medicine with the name "ABC" to be dispensed by taking out four medicine sheets and a fractional sheet containing one medicine from the medicine delivery / reception unit 32. In other words, the touch panel control unit 14 guides the user to place the fractional sheet containing only one medicine from the medicine delivery / reception unit 32 on the medicine placement table 37 for the medicine "ABC" to be dispensed.

[0317] In this case, the worker who visually recognizes the image of the reference numeral 23001 places a fractional sheet including only one medicine on the medicine placing table 37, and then puts the fractional sheet into the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. Therefore, since the fractional sheet is prescribed to the patient, there is a possibility that the patient may accidentally swallow the fractional sheet, as described above.

[0318] Here, according to the regulations (internal rules) established by the hospital or pharmacy, it may be decided to cut out the medicine sheet so as not to generate a fractional sheet containing only one medicine. Even in this case, when the image of the reference number 23001 is displayed, there is a possibility that the medicine sheet or fractional sheet will be taken out according to the instructions in the image. Therefore, even if there is an internal rule as described above, there is a possibility that a fractional sheet containing only one medicine will be dispensed.

[0319] On the other hand, the image of reference numeral 23002 displays "ABC" and "3 sheets 11T 41T." That is, in this embodiment, the touch panel control unit 14 determines that the above-mentioned condition is satisfied from the above calculation result. As a result, the touch panel control unit 14 guides the user to take out three drug sheets and 11 drug sheets as fractional sheets for the drug "ABC" to be dispensed from the drug delivery unit 32, thereby taking out the specified number of 41 drugs.

[0320] In other words, touch panel control unit 14 guides to take out 11 medicines, which is the number of sheets of medicines (10 plus 1), from medicine delivery unit 32, and place them as fractional sheets on medicine placement stand 37. Touch panel control unit 14 also guides to place three medicine sheets, which is one less than the four medicine sheets containing 40 medicines (the designated number of 41 minus one), on tray placement stand 38.

[0321] It is difficult to imagine that an operator who visually recognizes the image of the symbol 23002 would take one medicine as a fractional sheet and then break down the remaining 10 medicines into fractional sheets and take them out, based on the normal removal operation of an operator. It is also difficult to imagine that an operator who visually recognizes the image of the symbol 23002 would take one medicine as a fractional sheet and then take out the remaining 10 medicines as medicine sheets. When providing such removal guidance, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the image of the symbol 23001.

[0322] Therefore, there is a high possibility that an operator who visually recognizes the image of the symbol 23002 will take out 11 medicines as fractional sheets from the medicine transfer section 32 (for example, take out a fractional sheet containing 5 medicines and a fractional sheet containing 6 medicines) and place them on the medicine placement table 37. If the above-mentioned internal regulations are specified, this possibility becomes even higher. Therefore, by displaying the image of the symbol 23002, the possibility of the above-mentioned accidental ingestion occurring can be reduced.

[0323] In this way, when there is a possibility that a fractional sheet containing only one medicine is generated, the control device 10 of this embodiment can guide the operator who takes out the medicine sheets to place the fractional sheet containing two or more medicines on the medicine placement table 37. This reduces the possibility of the above-mentioned accidental ingestion, thereby realizing dispensing of medicine sheets with consideration for safety.

[0324] The touch panel control unit 14 may provide the guidance via the first touch panel 5. If the above-mentioned guidance is possible, the guidance may be provided by various notification techniques such as guidance by lighting or guidance by sound (e.g., voice) instead of image display.

[0325] [Embodiment 5] In this embodiment, an information processing device 900 that presents a method of storing a medicine container containing a plurality of medicines in each of a plurality of cassettes Ca stored in a drug station 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the medicine container is, for example, a package in which a medicine sheet or powder is packaged (pillow packaged) in a plurality of units, or a box in which the package is stored. The medicine container may be, for example, a box in which medicine other than a medicine sheet (e.g., ointment, eye drops) is stored. The information processing device 900 described later makes it possible to store various medicines in the cassette Ca while reducing the burden on the user required to consider how to store each of the plurality of types of medicine in which type of cassette Ca (see FIG. 5). Therefore, it is possible to efficiently store medicines in the cassette Ca.

[0326] 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing device 900. The information processing device 900 includes an operation unit 901, a display unit 902, a control unit 903, and a storage unit 904. The information processing device 900 may be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or a portable information terminal (e.g., a tablet or a smartphone). The operation unit 901 and the display unit 902 may be external devices communicatively connected to the information processing device 900. Furthermore, the information processing device 900 may be realized by, for example, the control device 10 of the drug station 1.

[0327] The operation unit 901 accepts an input operation by a user. For example, the operation unit 901 accepts an input operation for a medicine list image (medicine list screen) shown in Fig. 26 described later. The display unit 902 displays various information. For example, the display unit 902 displays an image for inputting information via the operation unit 901 (e.g., the medicine list image shown in Fig. 26).

[0328] The control unit 903 comprehensively controls each unit included in the information processing device 900. The control unit 903 includes a determination unit 931 and an output unit 932.

[0329] The determination unit 931 determines the type of cassette Ca containing the target medicine, the number of cassettes Ca of each type, and the number of medicine containers contained in each cassette Ca of each type, based on the quantity reference data and the dispensing number described below.

[0330] The number reference data is data that specifies the number of drug containers that can be accommodated in the cassette Ca for each type of drug based on the dimensions of each of the multiple types of cassettes Ca that have different sizes and the dimensions of each of the multiple types of drug containers that can be accommodated in the cassette Ca. The multiple types of cassettes Ca are, for example, a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, and a small cassette Ca3 shown in FIG.

[0331] The above-mentioned dispensing number is the number of target drugs contained in the cassette Ca that are dispensed from the drug station 1 in a predetermined period. The predetermined period is appropriately set based on an index of how many drugs are desired to be stored on the cassette shelf 21 in the hospital or the like that is the destination of the drug station 1, that is, how long the various drugs are desired to be dispensed without being refilled. For example, if it is desired to store the various drugs in an amount (the above-mentioned dispensing number) that is estimated to be able to be dispensed without being refilled for three days, the predetermined period is set to three days.

[0332] As described above, by providing a partition section in each of the multiple types of cassettes Ca, multiple storage areas for storing drug containers can be formed in the cassette Ca. In the number reference data, the number of drug containers that can be stored in the cassette Ca may be specified for each type of drug based on the dimensions of the storage areas. In this case, the type of cassette Ca, the number of cassettes Ca, and the number of drug containers that can be stored in each cassette Ca can be determined taking into account the dimensions of the storage areas formed in each cassette Ca. However, when multiple types of cassettes Ca are used without providing a partition section, it is not necessarily necessary to specify the number reference data taking into account the dimensions of the storage areas.

[0333] The output unit 932 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 931 to the printing device 950. The printing device 950 receives the output from the output unit 932 and prints out the determination result of the determination unit 931. This makes it possible to present the determination result of the determination unit 931 to the user as a report. Note that the output unit 932 may display the determination result of the determination unit 931 on, for example, the display unit 902. In this case, it is not necessarily necessary for the printing device 950 to be connected to the information processing device 900.

[0334] The storage unit 904 stores, for example, various programs used by the control unit 903 and the number reference data described above.

[0335] <Number of pieces data> Fig. 25 is a diagram for explaining the number-based data. Reference numeral 25001 in Fig. 25 is a diagram for explaining the number-based data used when a box containing medicines is stored in a cassette Ca. Reference numeral 25002 in Fig. 25 is a diagram for explaining the number-based data used when a package in which medicine sheets are packaged (pillow-packaged) is stored in a cassette Ca.

[0336] In FIG. 25, "L", "M" and "S" indicate the type of cassette Ca, and respectively indicate the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2 and the small cassette Ca3 shown in FIG. 5. Also, "L / 5" indicates one storage area when the large cassette Ca1 is divided into five equal parts by the partition Ca11, as shown by reference numeral 5001 in FIG. 5. "L / 2" indicates one storage area when the large cassette Ca1 is divided into two equal parts by the partition Ca11. "M / 2" indicates one storage area when the medium cassette Ca2 is divided into two equal parts by the partition Ca21. "S / 2" indicates one storage area when the small cassette Ca3 is divided into two equal parts by the partition. "L / 5", "L / 2", "M / 2" and "S / 2" may indicate the type of cassette Ca.

[0337] The large cassette Ca1 has insertion parts into which partition parts can be inserted at positions where the large cassette Ca1 can be divided into 5 equal parts and 2 equal parts. The medium cassette Ca2 has insertion parts into which partition parts can be inserted at positions where the medium cassette Ca2 can be divided into 2 equal parts. The same is true for the small cassette Ca3.

[0338] In the example of reference numeral 25001, patterns Pa1 and Pa2 are defined as patterns for storing boxes in various cassettes Ca or storage areas. Pattern Pa1 is a pattern that can store one box in "L", one in "L / 2", one in "S", or one in "S / 2". Pattern Pa2 is a pattern that can store two boxes in "L" or two in "L / 2".

[0339] A proposer of a method for storing a cassette Ca specifies which cassette Ca or storage area can store the medicine for each of multiple types of boxes that can be stored in the cassette Ca. For example, for a box that can store at least one in "S / 2" and is assumed to store only one in the cassette Ca or storage area, "pattern Pa1" is assigned to the medicine identification information (e.g., YJ code, GS1 code) of the medicine stored in the box. For example, for a box that cannot be stored in "S / 2" but can store two in "M" and is assumed to store two in the cassette Ca, "pattern Pa2" is assigned to the medicine identification information of the medicine stored in the box. The assigned pattern is stored in the storage unit 904 in association with the medicine identification information.

[0340] In the example of the reference numeral 25002, patterns Pa11 to Pa23 are defined as patterns for storing packages in various cassettes Ca or storage areas.

[0341] For example, pattern Pa11 is a pattern that can accommodate 10 packages in "L", 5 packages in "L / 2", 8 packages in "M", 4 packages in "M / 2", or 2 packages in "L / 5". Pattern Pa11 is a pattern selected for packages that can accommodate at least 4 packages in "M / 2" or 2 packages in "L / 5". Patterns Pa12 to Pa15 can be explained in the same way as pattern Pa11.

[0342] Pattern Pa16 is a pattern that can accommodate packages that cannot be accommodated in "L / 5" but can accommodate at least one package that can be accommodated in "S / 2". Specifically, pattern Pa16 is a pattern that can accommodate six packages in "L", four packages in "L / 2", five packages in "M", three packages in "M / 2", two packages in "S", or one package in "S / 2". Patterns Pa17 to Pa18 can be explained in the same way as pattern Pa16.

[0343] Pattern Pa19 is a pattern that cannot accommodate packages in "L / 5", "S" and "half", but can accommodate at least three packages in "M". "Half" is a general term for "L / 2", "M / 2" and "S / 2". Specifically, pattern Pa19 is a pattern that can accommodate four packages in "L" and three packages in "M". Patterns Pa20 to Pa22 can be explained in the same way as pattern Pa11. Pattern Pa23 is a pattern that can accommodate one package only in "L".

[0344] The proposer specifies which cassette Ca or storage area each of the multiple types of packages that can be accommodated in the cassette Ca can accommodate. For example, for a package that can accommodate two in "L / 5" and four in "M / 2", "pattern Pa11" is assigned to the drug identification information of the drug accommodated in the package. For example, for a package that cannot be accommodated in "L / 5" but can accommodate one in "S / 2", "pattern Pa16" is assigned to the drug identification information of the drug accommodated in the package. For example, for a package that cannot be accommodated in "L / 5", "S", and "half", but can accommodate three packages in "M", "pattern Pa19" is assigned to the drug identification information of the drug accommodated in the package. For example, for a package that can accommodate one package only in "L", "pattern Pa23" is assigned to the drug identification information of the drug accommodated in the package. The assigned pattern is stored in the storage unit 904 in association with the drug identification information.

[0345] Here, the usage quantities (usage records) of various drugs in a predetermined usage period (e.g., 90 days) in a hospital or the like that has brought in the drug station 1 are managed, for example, by the dispensing control device 800 shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 903 acquires, for example, drug identification information of drugs used in a hospital or the like that has brought in the drug station 1 from the dispensing control device 800. The control unit 903 identifies a pattern assigned to the acquired drug identification information by referring to the memory unit 904. This allows the control unit 903 to define a pattern (the number of drug containers that can be stored in each cassette Ca or each storage area) for each type of drug (drug that can be stored in the drug station 1) used in a hospital or the like that has brought in the drug station 1. The control unit 903 creates the data thus defined as quantity reference data and stores it in the memory unit 904.

[0346] The contents and number of the above-mentioned patterns are merely examples, and may be set appropriately based on the sizes of the multiple types of cassettes Ca and the sizes of the drug containers that can be accommodated therein.

[0347] <Calculating the number of payouts> The control unit 903 calculates the number of each of the above-mentioned drugs to be dispensed, for example, based on the quantity of each drug used during a specified period of use (e.g., 90 days) at the hospital or other facility to which the drug station 1 is installed, using the following (1) or (2).

[0348] (1) Maximum daily usage x average number of appearances per day x refill interval x specified period (e.g. 3 days).

[0349] (2) The specified period (e.g., 3 days) during which the number is greatest.

[0350] In (1), the "maximum daily usage amount" refers to the maximum usage amount of the target drug per day in a specified usage period. The "average number of appearances per day" is the cumulative value of the number of times the target drug is used in a specified usage period divided by the specified usage period. If at least one target drug is used in a day in a specified usage period, the control unit 903 counts the number of times of use as 1. For example, if the target drug is used on 81 days out of 90 days, the control unit 903 counts the cumulative number of times of use as 81. In this case, the control unit 903 calculates the "average number of appearances per day" as 81 / 90=0.9. The "refill interval" refers to the period from when the target drug is refilled to when the target drug is refilled next during a specified usage period. If there are multiple periods, it may be the average value.

[0351] In (1), the control unit 903 calculates the unit dispensed number of the target drug per day by multiplying the unit dispensed number for one day by the specified period to calculate the above-mentioned dispensed number.

[0352] In (2), the control unit 903 calculates the number of target drugs used during a predetermined period for each predetermined period. Number of target drugs used on days 1, 2, and 3; Number of target drugs used on days 2, 3, and 4; … Number of target drugs used on days 87, 88, and 89; Number of target drugs used on days 88, 89, and 90; The control unit 903 calculates the maximum number of these calculated numbers of target drugs as the above-mentioned dispensed number.

[0353] <Processing Example of the Determining Unit 931> The determination unit 931 determines the type of cassette Ca to contain the target drug based on the number of target drugs to be dispensed calculated in this manner and the number reference data for the target drug (a combination of the number of drug containers contained in each of the various cassettes Ca and storage areas specified by the pattern).

[0354] For example, consider a case where the pattern specified for the target drug is pattern Pa11 and 55 packages are to be stored in a cassette Ca. In this case, the determination unit 931 refers to pattern Pa11 to identify combinations that can store 55 packages, and determines one of the combinations as the storage method for the target drug.

[0355] For example, the determination unit 931 determines that the types of cassettes Ca that accommodate the target drug are “L” and “L / 2.” In this case, the determination unit 931 determines the number of “L” to be 5, the number of target drugs accommodated in “L” to be 50, the number of “L / 2” to be 1, and the number of target drugs accommodated in “L / 2” to be 5.

[0356] The determination unit 931 may determine the type and number of cassettes Ca to be used by, for example, selecting a combination with the highest storage rate in the various cassettes Ca when the target drug is stored in the various cassettes Ca from among the above combinations. The determination unit 931 may also determine the type and number by, for example, selecting a combination with the smallest total value of the bottom area (storage area) of the selected various cassettes Ca from among the above combinations. This selection of combination may be performed, for example, according to a preset arrangement.

[0357] The determination unit 931 determines the type of cassette Ca that contains the target drug for each of the target drugs. This makes it possible to present to the user the number of cassettes Ca required for each type when all of the multiple types of drugs that can be contained in the cassette Ca are contained, and the number of drug containers to be contained in the cassette Ca.

[0358] The determination unit 931 may determine the types of cassettes Ca that accommodate the target drugs for all of the target drugs using a combination different from the combination selected as described above. In this case, the output unit 932 can output two or more types of information regarding the number of cassettes Ca required for each type. Therefore, it is possible to present two or more types of information regarding the number of cassettes Ca required for each type to the user.

[0359] The determination unit 931 may determine the type of the cassette Ca, for example, by the following two methods. -Determination of the type of cassette Ca, etc., assuming the use of all types of cassette Ca ("L", "M" and "S") and storage areas ("L / 5", "L / 2", "M / 2" and "S / 2"). Deciding on the type of cassette Ca, etc., assuming that all types of cassette Ca ("L", "M" and "S") will be used but that the storage areas ("L / 5", "L / 2", "M / 2" and "S / 2") will not be used. In this case, the output unit 932 can output the two types of determination results to the printing device 950, making it possible to present the two types of determination results to the user.

[0360] Furthermore, the determination unit 931 may determine the type, etc. of the cassette Ca that contains the target drug within a range that does not exceed the total number of various cassettes Ca used in the drug station 1. Furthermore, the determination unit 931 may determine the type, etc. of the cassette Ca that contains the target drug based on, for example, the selection of the above combination, even if the total number exceeds the total number of various cassettes Ca used in the drug station 1. In this case, the output unit 932 may output the type and number of the missing cassettes Ca, and the type and number may be used as materials for considering the expansion of facilities.

[0361] The determination result of the determination unit 931 may be stored in the storage unit 904. For example, the type of cassette Ca, the number of cassettes Ca, and cassette identification information are stored in association with the drug name and drug identification information in the storage unit 904. The number of drugs contained in each cassette Ca (or each storage area) may be stored.

[0362] The types of cassettes Ca may include, for example, the number of partitions in the cassette Ca, in addition to the cassette size, such as a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, and a small cassette Ca3.

[0363] For example, in the case of a large cassette Ca1 with 0 partitions, the type of the cassette Ca indicates a large cassette Ca1 not divided by partitions (the above-mentioned "L"). For example, in the case of a large cassette Ca1 with 1 partition, the type of the cassette Ca may indicate one storage area formed by dividing the large cassette Ca1 in two by partitions (the above-mentioned "L / 2"). For example, in the case of a large cassette Ca1 with 4 partitions, the type of the cassette Ca may indicate one storage area formed by dividing the large cassette Ca1 in four by partitions (the above-mentioned "L / 5"). The same applies to the medium cassette Ca2 and the small cassette Ca3.

[0364] Here, in the initial state when the drug station 1 is brought into a hospital or the like and put into operation, the user needs to store usable medicines in the cassette shelf 21. However, as described above, the cassette shelf 21 can store 1500 to 2000 types of medicines that are expected to be used in one facility such as a hospital. In some cases, the cassette shelf 21 may store several thousand types (e.g., 3000 types) of medicines. This means that more medicines can be stored than in the tablet packaging machine 300, and that the cassette shelf 21 can also function as the medicine shelf 700. In addition, there are multiple types of cassettes Ca that can be used in the drug station 1. In addition, depending on the cassette Ca, by providing a partition, the number of medicines that can be stored in one cassette Ca can be increased.

[0365] When storing medicines in the cassette shelf 21, the user had to determine the number of medicines to be stored in the cassette shelf 21 for each of the thousands of types of medicines based on the number of medicines dispensed in the past, etc. Also, the user had to consider the type and number of cassettes Ca to store the medicines, including the presence or absence of partitions, taking into account the determined number of medicines and the actual size of the box or package containing the medicines, for each of the thousands of types of medicines. Also, even if the number of types of medicines stored in the cassette shelf 21 is not large, the user may prepare multiple cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine.

[0366] In such a situation, the user had to check the number of drugs that could be stored for each drug type and decide whether to use the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2, or the small cassette Ca3, how to attach the partition, or whether to not attach a partition, etc. Therefore, the task of storing drugs in the cassette shelf 21 was a heavy burden for the user.

[0367] In this embodiment, as described above, the determination unit 931 determines the type and number of cassettes Ca to accommodate various medicines based on the number reference data and the dispensing amount calculated based on the past usage amount (dispensing record) of various medicines. This makes it possible to automatically determine the type and number of cassettes Ca that the user has determined by trial and error as described above. Therefore, the burden on the user as described above can be significantly reduced.

[0368] As described above, the quantity reference data is created for each box or package. Therefore, the type and number of cassettes Ca determined by the determination unit 931 is based on the premise that the cassettes are stored in the cassette shelf 21 in boxes or packages. In other words, the user stores various medicines in cassettes Ca in boxes or packages.

[0369] Therefore, the user can store the medicine in the cassette Ca without removing the medicine from the box or package, which improves the efficiency of the work of storing (filling) the medicine in the cassette Ca.

[0370] In addition, since the medicine is stored in the cassette shelf 21 in an unopened state with light-shielding properties maintained, it can be returned to the medicine wholesaler as it is. In addition, it is possible to quickly lend the medicine to other pharmacies, etc. It is also possible to return the medicine that has been opened and stored in a box or package to the medicine wholesaler or lend it to other pharmacies, etc., but in that case, it is required to return the medicine to the box or package. In particular, although the box or package has a lot number, the medicine sheet itself may not have a lot number, so it is required to return the medicine to the box or package from the viewpoint of ensuring safety. Storing the box or package in the cassette shelf 21 can reduce the user's effort of returning the medicine to the box or package.

[0371] Furthermore, in hospitals and other facilities that are introducing the drug station 1 for the first time, even medicines that are used very infrequently may be temporarily stored in the cassette shelf 21. There is a high possibility that such medicines will be subject to return later. Therefore, in such hospitals and other facilities, storing medicines in an unopened state in the cassette shelf 21 is particularly effective.

[0372] <Drug list image> 26 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine list image (medicine list screen) IM11 in which information about medicines used during a predetermined use period is listed. The medicine list image IM11 is an image that the control unit 903 displays on the display unit 902.

[0373] The medicine list image IM11 includes a list of medicines used 2601, which is a list of records associated with various information related to medicines used during a specified use period. The medicine list image IM11 also includes a “Select not to include in tray” button 2602, a “Cancel not to include in tray” button 2603, a “Fix to “Box”” button 2604, a “Fix to “Pyro”” button 2605, and a “Calculate” button 2606.

[0374] In the example of FIG. 26, the "Fix to 'Pyro'" button 2605 is selected. Therefore, the control unit 903 displays in the used medicine list 2601 the medicines that the cassette Ca contains as a package. Also, in the used medicine list 2601, a check is placed in the "Pyro" column indicating that the cassette Ca contains as a package. Note that when the "Fix to 'Box'" button 2604 is selected, the control unit 903 displays in the used medicine list 2601 the medicines that the cassette Ca contains as a box. Also, in this case, a check is placed in the "Box" column indicating that the cassette Ca contains as a box.

[0375] Information such as "identification information" (drug identification information; type of drug), "drug name" (type of drug), "dosage type", "prescribed drug type", "quantity" and "estimated amount of use within the refilling period" regarding drugs used during a specified use period is input to the used drug list 2601. The control unit 903 can display this information on the display unit 902 by acquiring it from the dispensing control device 800, for example.

[0376] "Dosage type" indicates the form of the drug taken by the patient. "Restricted drug type" indicates the type of drug that is not stored in the drug station 1. The control unit 903 identifies drugs that are "restricted drug type" as drugs that are not stored in the cassette Ca. "Restricted drug type" may be set in advance or may be specified by the proposer. "Quantity" indicates the number of drugs stored in one package. "Expected usage amount within filling period" indicates the quantity of drug used during a specified usage period.

[0377] The "storage pattern" field displays a pattern indicated by the number reference data defined for each type of medicine shown in Fig. 25. The determination unit 931 determines the number of medicine containers to be stored in each cassette Ca of the target medicine based on this pattern and the above-mentioned dispensed number.

[0378] By accepting an input operation by the proposer in the "fixed tray size" field of the drug list 2601, the control unit 903 can specify the type of cassette Ca that contains the drug, regardless of the number reference data. When the type of cassette Ca is specified in the "fixed tray size" field, the control unit 903 can specify the number of cassettes Ca in the "number of trays specified" field by accepting an input operation by the proposer. Target drugs for which the type and number of cassettes Ca are specified are not subject to processing by the determination unit 931.

[0379] The "Not for tray" field in the list of medications used 2601 is a field where the proposer can select a medication that will not be stored in the cassette Ca by inputting an input operation. When the proposer selects a medication from the list and touches the "Select not for tray" button 2602, the control unit 903 checks the "Not for tray" field and identifies the medication as one that will not be stored in the cassette Ca. When the proposer selects a medication that will not be stored in the cassette Ca and touches the "Cancel not for tray" button 2603, the control unit 903 unchecks the "Not for tray" field and re-identifies the medication as one that will be stored in the cassette Ca.

[0380] When the proposer touches the "Calculate" button 2606, the determination unit 931 executes processing for the target drugs, excluding the drugs not contained in the cassette Ca, among the drugs used during the specified use period.

[0381] [Embodiment 6] Further another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 27 to 28. Figs. 27 and 28 are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the first touch panel 5. As described above, the drug station 1 includes a picking unit 3 having a drug transfer section 32 capable of taking out a drug from a cassette Ca in which the drug is stored or putting a drug into the cassette Ca, and a cassette shelf 21 capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca.

[0382] When the main unit control unit 11 receives the dispensing data, it stores information about the drug included in the dispensing data (information about the drug to be dispensed from the drug station 1) in the drug list stored in the storage unit 15. The drug list is a database that manages information about the drug included in the dispensing data in the dispensing order defined in the dispensing data. In other words, the drug list is a database that includes at least one drug that is preset as a drug to be taken out from the picking unit 3. Thereafter, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 operate each unit of the drug station 1 as described above to dispense the drugs in the dispensing order indicated in the drug list. Specifically, the main unit cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main unit cassette transfer unit 22 to sequentially transfer cassettes Ca that contain drugs included in the drug list from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3. The picking cassette transport control unit 121 also controls the picking cassette transport unit 35 to transport the drug cassette Ca to the drug delivery position P1 or the standby position P2 of the picking unit 3, allowing the operator to take out the drugs one by one. The main unit control unit 11 may also store information about the drugs that have been dispensed in the storage unit 15 as history information.

[0383] 27 and 28, in the dispensing mode, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the first touch panel 5 to display various information related to the dispensing of medicines. The dispensing mode is a mode in which medicines stored in the drug station 1 are dispensed based on the dispensing data.

[0384] For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the touch panel control unit 14 can display a dispensing image IM12 (dispensing screen) on the first touch panel 5. The dispensing image IM12 shows a list of medicines dispensed in a patient order. Specifically, the dispensing image IM12 includes a patient unit list 2701 which is a list of records in which information such as the order of patients to be dispensed, the patient name, the dispensing state, and the expected waiting time is associated. Also, as shown in FIG. 28, the touch panel control unit 14 can display a dispensing image IM13 (dispensing screen) on the first touch panel 5. The dispensing image IM13 shows a list of medicines picked in which the order of dispensing is listed in the order of medicines (the order of picking medicines). The dispensing image IM13 includes a medicine unit list 2801 which is a list of records in which information such as the order of medicines to be dispensed (the order of medicines to be picked), the medicine name (type of medicine), the form of medicine, the total amount of medicines to be dispensed, the patient name, and the expected waiting time is associated. The records included in the patient unit list 2701 and the drug unit list 2801 are displayed in the order in which they will be dispensed.

[0385] Further, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a dispensing list selection tab 2702A, a picking list selection tab 2702B, and a reserved details selection tab 2702C on the first touch panel 5. The dispensing list selection tab 2702A, the picking list selection tab 2702B, and the reserved details selection tab 2702C function as buttons for receiving an input operation for selecting the type of list to be displayed on the first touch panel 5 by the touch panel control unit 14. When the worker touches the dispensing list selection tab 2702A, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a patient unit list 2701 on the first touch panel 5. When the worker touches the picking list selection tab 2702B, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a medicine unit list 2801 on the first touch panel 5. When the worker touches the reserved details selection tab 2702C, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a reserved medicine list 3001 shown in FIG. 30.

[0386] Furthermore, while the patient-unit list 2701 or the drug-unit list 2801 is displayed, the first touch panel 5 can receive an input operation to select each record included in each list. When the input operation is received, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the display of the selected record to be different from the non-selected records. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the touch panel control unit 14 may display the non-selected records with "-" and the selected records with "o".

[0387] <Delete function> The control device 10 has a deletion function that irreversibly stops the dispensing of a drug that is being dispensed or waiting to be dispensed. Specifically, the control device 10 has a drug management unit 115 that manages drugs handled at the drug station 1. For example, the drug management unit 115 functions as a drug deletion unit that performs a process of deleting a drug designated based on an input operation by an operator (user) from the drug list in the memory unit 15. Note that "being dispensed" refers to a state in which a cassette Ca is removed from the cassette shelf 21 for dispensing a drug and the cassette Ca is not present on the cassette shelf 21. "Waiting to be dispensed" refers to a state in which a cassette Ca containing a drug to be dispensed is waiting on the cassette shelf 21.

[0388] As shown in Figs. 27 and 28, the first touch panel 5 displays a delete button 2703 in addition to the patient unit list 2701 or the drug unit list 2801. For example, consider a case where, with the drug unit list 2801 displayed, one or more drug records are selected by an input operation by the operator, and then an input operation to select the delete button 2703 is performed. In this case, the drug management unit 115 deletes information about the selected drug from the drug list in the storage unit 15. The drug management unit 115 also outputs deletion information indicating that the information about the drug has been deleted from the drug list in the storage unit 15 to the main body cassette transport control unit 112.

[0389] When the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 acquire the deletion information, they stop taking out from the picking unit 3 the medicine that the medicine management unit 115 has deleted from the medicine list in the memory unit 15. That is, when a process to stop dispensing a certain medicine is executed based on an input operation by an operator, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 stop dispensing of the cassette Ca that contains the medicine.

[0390] Further, the cassette management unit 114 of the control device 10, for example, regards the cassette Ca containing the medicine whose dispensing has been stopped as a cassette Ca in a stock-out state in which the medicine is not contained, and stores (registers) the cassette Ca as history information of the medicine in the storage unit 15. The storage unit 15 stores stock quantity information indicating the number of medicines contained in the cassette Ca (i.e., the stock quantity of the medicine) in association with the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca. Therefore, the cassette management unit 114 updates the stock quantity information associated with the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca containing the medicine whose dispensing has been stopped to information indicating 0 (i.e., the stock-out state). The above-mentioned functions of the cassette management unit 114 are examples of the functions of the cassette management unit 114, and the cassette management unit 114 may be any unit that manages the cassettes Ca stored in the cassette shelf 21.

[0391] When dispensing of a medicine is stopped and information about the medicine is deleted from the medicine list in the storage unit 15, it may be necessary to separately put the medicine into the transport tray Tr in order to provide the medicine to the patient. Here, if information about the medicine is simply deleted from the medicine list in the storage unit 15, the user may not notice the deletion. In this case, the user may provide the patient with a partially incomplete medicine.

[0392] In this embodiment, the control device 10 stores the medicine deleted from the medicine list in the memory unit 15 as being out of stock in the history information, and then transports the cassette Ca containing the subsequent medicine to the medicine transfer position P1 or the standby position P2 to continue dispensing the subsequent medicine. The history information can be displayed on the first touch panel 5 or output as a journal from the printer 36, for example. Therefore, the user can view the history information through the first touch panel 5 or the journal. Therefore, the user can know the medicine that was deleted by the input operation and was not dispensed from the drug station 1, and can recognize that the medicine needs to be separately put into the transport tray Tr. This reduces the possibility that the medicine that should be provided to the patient will not be provided.

[0393] Here, for example, consider a case where an input operation is performed to stop dispensing of medicines contained in a cassette Ca being dispensed. In this case, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 stop dispensing from the cassette Ca and return the cassette Ca from the picking unit 3 or the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette shelf 21. The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca (subsequent cassette) containing the medicine to be dispensed next to the medicine whose dispensing has been stopped from the cassette holding unit 23 or the standby position P2 to the medicine transfer position P1 (i.e., the medicine transfer unit 32).

[0394] As another example, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 return the cassette Ca waiting at the standby position P2 to the cassette shelf 21 and stop dispensing the medicine contained in the cassette Ca. In this case, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed next to the current medicine to the standby position P2 where the cassette Ca containing the medicine whose dispensing was stopped was waiting.

[0395] In addition, if the cassette Ca containing the medicine whose dispensing has been stopped has not been removed from the cassette shelf 21, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 does not remove the cassette Ca. Instead, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 removes the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed next to the said medicine and transfers it to the picking unit 3.

[0396] In the above example, the case where the drug to be discontinued is selected on a drug type basis has been described, but the dispensing may be discontinued on a patient basis. That is, the drug management unit 115 may delete information about the drug from the drug list in the storage unit 15 on a drug-by-drug or patient-by-patient basis. The drug management unit 115 may delete information about the drug from the drug list in the storage unit 15 on a predefined basis, such as various prescription units (e.g., dosage time units), not limited to on a patient basis.

[0397] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27, a case will be considered in which, in a state in which the patient-by-patient list 2701 is displayed, the record of a certain patient is selected by an input operation by the operator, and the delete button 2703 is touched. In this case, similar to the above example, the medicine management unit 115 deletes information on the medicine prescribed to the selected patient from the medicine list in the storage unit 15. The main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 stop dispensing the medicine deleted from the medicine list in the storage unit 15. Specifically, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 return the cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21 for all the medicines prescribed to the patient. In addition, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfer the cassette Ca containing the medicines prescribed to the patient who is next in the dispensing order to the picking unit 3, that is, the medicine transfer position P1 or the standby position P2.

[0398] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned deletion operation is performed, the touch panel control unit 14 deletes the record of the selected drug or patient from the patient-unit list 2701 or drug-unit list 2801 displayed on the first touch panel 5.

[0399] As described above, in the drug station 1, when the take-out of a drug in the picking unit 3 is stopped, the cassette Ca (subsequent cassette) containing the drug to be dispensed next after the stopped take-out of the drug can be transferred to the picking unit 3. Therefore, even if the take-out of a certain drug is stopped, the take-out of drugs included in the drug list in the memory unit 15 can be continued. In other words, drugs can be efficiently dispensed. Also, in the drug station 1, the cassette Ca from which the take-out of the drug was stopped is treated as out of stock, so that the subsequent cassette can be transferred to the picking unit 3.

[0400] When the control device 10 deletes information about a drug from the drug list in the memory unit 15 on a patient-by-patient basis, the control device 10 may transmit a cancellation notice to cancel the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing control device 800. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, the dispensing control device 800 may determine another device (e.g., tablet packaging machine 300) included in the drug dispensing system 100 as the drug dispensing destination. When the control device 10 deletes information about a drug from the drug list in the memory unit 15 on a drug-by-drug basis, the same processing may be performed.

[0401] Furthermore, the control device 10 may delete information about a drug from the drug list in the memory unit 15 and cancel dispensing of the drug not only through the first touch panel 5 but also through an input operation on the second touch panel 31. As shown by reference numeral 29001 in Fig. 29, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the second touch panel 31 to display a dispensing image IM14 (dispensing screen) including information for removing the drug to be removed from the drug delivery unit 32.

[0402] The dispensing image IM14 includes a delete button 2901 (a button indicated as "Compulsory Audit" in FIG. 29). When the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation to select the delete button 2901, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the second touch panel 31 to display a delete confirmation image IM15 (delete confirmation screen) as indicated by reference numeral 29002 in FIG.

[0403] The deletion decision image IM15 includes a confirmation button 2903, a cancel button 2904, and a subsequent cancel button 2905. Consider a case where the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation to select the confirmation button 2903. In this case, the medicine management unit 115 deletes information about the medicine (the medicine to be taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32) contained in the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1 when the input operation is received from the medicine list in the memory unit 15. Also at this time, the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing related to deletion described above.

[0404] For example, consider the case where the Delete button 2901 and the Confirm button 2903 are selected during dispensing of drug "A" among drug "A", drug "B", and drug "C" prescribed to patient "X". In this case, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 stop dispensing of drug "A". Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfer the cassette Ca containing the drug "B", which is the next to be dispensed, to the drug transfer position P1.

[0405] When the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation for selecting the cancel button 2904, the touch panel control unit 14 stops displaying the deletion confirmation image IM15 on the second touch panel 31, and switches to displaying the dispensing image IM14.

[0406] Consider a case where the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation to select the subsequent cancel button 2905. In this case, the medicine management unit 115 deletes information about the medicine contained in the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1 when the input operation is received from the medicine list in the memory unit 15. Also, at this time, the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322. Furthermore, information about the medicine to be dispensed after the prescribed medicine for the patient is also deleted from the medicine list in the memory unit 15. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing related to deletion described above.

[0407] For example, consider a case where the delete button 2901 and the subsequent cancel button 2905 are selected during dispensing of drug "A" among drug "A", drug "B", and drug "C" prescribed to patient "X". In this case, the main cassette transport control unit 112 and the picking cassette transport control unit 121 stop dispensing all of drug "A", drug "B", and drug "C". Then, the main cassette transport control unit 112 and the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transport the cassette Ca containing the drug prescribed to the patient, who is the next target for dispensing, to the drug transfer position P1.

[0408] In this way, in the drug station 1, the drug to be dispensed can be deleted from the drug list in the memory unit 15 via the second touch panel 31, thereby stopping the picking unit 3 from taking out the drug. Also, a cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed can be transferred to the picking unit 3.

[0409] <Hold function> The control device 10 has a hold function for reversibly suspending the dispensing of a medicine that is being dispensed or is waiting to be dispensed. Specifically, the medicine management unit 115 functions as a take-out hold unit that performs a hold process for putting the take-out of a medicine designated based on an input operation by an operator (user) from the medicine list in the storage unit 15 in a hold state.

[0410] As shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, the first touch panel 5 displays a hold button 2704 in addition to the patient list 2701 or the drug unit list 2801. When an input operation to select the hold button 2704 is received in a state where a record of a certain drug is selected in the patient list 2701 displayed on the first touch panel 5, the drug management unit 115 performs the above-mentioned hold process. Also, when an input operation to select the hold button 2704 is received in a state where a record of a certain patient is selected in the drug unit list 2801 displayed on the first touch panel 5, the drug management unit 115 performs the above-mentioned hold process. That is, the drug management unit 115 puts the removal of the drug in a hold state for each drug or for each patient. Note that the drug management unit 115 may put the removal of the drug in a hold state not only for each patient, but also for various prescription units (e.g., for each time of taking the drug) or other predetermined units.

[0411] Specifically, the medicine management unit 115 stores information about the medicine to be reserved in a reservation list in the storage unit 15, and then deletes the information from the medicine list in the storage unit 15. The reservation list is a database in which information about medicines whose dispensation is reserved is stored in the order of reservation.

[0412] The main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 determine that the drug that has been put on hold by the drug management unit 115 has been stopped from being taken out from the picking unit 3. When the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 stop the dispensing of the drug that has been put on hold, they transfer a cassette Ca that contains the drug to be dispensed next to the drug to the picking unit 3, that is, the drug delivery position P1 or the standby position P2.

[0413] Therefore, similar to when information about a drug is deleted from the drug list in the memory unit 15, when the removal of a drug by the picking unit 3 is stopped, a cassette Ca containing the drug that is to be next dispensed can be transported to the picking unit 3.

[0414] The cassette management unit 114 may store the cassette Ca that contains the medicine that has been put into the reserved state in the storage unit 15 as a cassette Ca that does not contain the medicine and is out of stock.

[0415] As described above, the reserved details selection tab 2702C is displayed on the first touch panel 5. When the first touch panel 5 receives an input operation to select the reserved details selection tab 2702C, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the first touch panel 5 to display an reserved details list image IM17 as shown in FIG.

[0416] The reserved details list image IM17 (reserved details list screen) includes a reserved medication list 3001 that lists medications that have been put on hold for removal. The reserved medication list 3001 is a list of records in which information such as the patient's name, the name (type) of the reserved medication, the form of the medication, and the total amount of the medication is associated. The reserved medication list 3001 displays each record in the order in which they were put on hold. The reserved details list image IM17 also includes a detail unit selection button 3002, a dispensation data unit selection button 3003, and a hold release button 3004.

[0417] When the detail unit selection button 3002 is selected, the drug records displayed in the pending detail list image IM17 can be selected in units of one drug type. On the other hand, when the dispensed data unit selection button 3003 is selected, the drug records displayed in the pending detail list image IM17 can be selected in units of dispensed data (patients).

[0418] For example, consider a case where drugs "A", "B" and "C" have been prescribed to a certain patient "X" and dispensing of drugs "A", "B" and "C" is on hold. In this case, when drug "A" is selected with the detail unit selection button 3002 selected, only drug "A" is selected. On the other hand, when drug "A" is selected with the dispensing data unit selection button 3003 selected, all of drugs "A", "B" and "C" are selected.

[0419] When an input operation of selecting the release hold button 3004 is received while a drug is selected, the drug management unit 115 releases the drug from the hold state. The drug management unit 115 stores information about the drug whose hold state has been released in the drug list of the storage unit 15 again. In addition, the information about the drug whose hold state has been released is displayed again in the patient unit list 2701 or drug unit list 2801 displayed on the first touch panel 5.

[0420] The control device 10 may also place a medicine in a reserved state and stop dispensing of the medicine by an input operation on the second touch panel 31, as well as the first touch panel 5. As shown by reference numeral 29001 in Fig. 29, the dispensing image IM14 displayed on the second touch panel 31 includes a reserve button 2902. When an input operation to select the reserve button 2902 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the second touch panel 31 to display a reserve determination image IM16 (reserve determination screen) as shown by reference numeral 29003 in Fig. 29.

[0421] The reservation decision image IM16 includes a confirmation button 2906 and a cancel button 2907. Consider a case where the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation to select the confirmation button 2906. In this case, the medicine management unit 115 stores information about the medicine (the medicine to be taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32) contained in the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1 when the input operation is received in the reservation list of the memory unit 15. The medicine management unit 115 also temporarily deletes the information about the medicine from the medicine list of the memory unit 15. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 also closes the shutter 322. Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfer the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed next to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0422] When the second touch panel 31 receives an input operation for selecting the cancel button 2907, the touch panel control unit 14 stops displaying the reservation determination image IM16 on the second touch panel 31, and switches to displaying the dispensing image IM14.

[0423] In this manner, similar to the case where information about a drug is deleted from the drug list in the memory unit 15, removal of the drug in the hold state by the picking unit 3 can be stopped also via the second touch panel 31. In addition, a cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed next can be transferred to the picking unit 3.

[0424] <Swap function> The control device 10 has a switching function for switching the order of dispensing of medicines waiting to be dispensed.

[0425] Consider a case where, with the patient unit list 2701 or the drug unit list 2801 displayed on the first touch panel 5, a certain record is selected and moved to another position on the patient unit list 2701 or the drug unit list 2801. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 causes a confirmation image IM18 (confirmation screen) as shown in Fig. 31 to be displayed on the first touch panel 5. The confirmation image IM18 includes a confirmation button 3101 and a cancel button 3102 for receiving an input operation by the operator.

[0426] When the confirm button 3101 is selected, the control device 10 changes the dispensing order of the medicines to the changed order in the medicine list in the memory unit 15. This allows the control device 10 to dispense the medicines in the changed order. On the other hand, when the cancel button 3102 is selected, the dispensing order is not changed and the dispensing order before the change is maintained.

[0427] When the dispensing order is changed, the touch panel control unit 14 switches the selected record in the patient unit list 2701 or the drug unit list 2801 to a position designated by an input operation by the operator and displays it.

[0428] [Embodiment 7] In the drug station 1, it is possible to continuously fill one type of drug in a predetermined unit. The predetermined unit here is, for example, a box unit that contains a plurality of a certain drug.

[0429] When a filling operation is performed to fill the drug station 1 with drugs, the control device 10 accepts an input operation by the operator to instruct the operator to start the filling operation. When the input operation is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a guide image IM19 (guide screen) on the second touch panel 31, as shown by reference numeral 32001 in FIG. 32, which guides the operator to read the barcode. In a state in which the guide image IM19 is displayed, the control device 10 acquires drug identification information (e.g., GS1 code) read by the barcode reader 34 from the barcode attached to the box. When the drug identification information is acquired, the main cassette transport unit 22 transports the cassette Ca containing the drug to be filled, which is indicated by the drug identification information, to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the picking cassette transport unit 35 transports the cassette Ca to the drug transfer unit 32.

[0430] When the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled reaches the medicine transfer section 32, the touch panel control section 14 displays a guide image IM20 (guide screen) for prompting the user to verify (authenticate) the medicine on the second touch panel 31, as shown by reference numeral 32002 in Fig. 32. When the barcode reader 34 reads the medicine identification information while the guide image IM20 is displayed, the control device 10 determines whether the obtained medicine identification information matches the medicine identification information of the medicine to be filled.

[0431] If they match, the control device 10 permits the loading of the target medicine into the cassette Ca (i.e., loading of the cassette Ca of the box containing the medicine). That is, if the control device 10 succeeds in the collation based on the second barcode reading, it permits the loading of the medicine into the cassette Ca.

[0432] When the control device 10 permits the loading of medicines into the cassette Ca, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322. This allows the operator to load a box containing the medicines to be loaded into the cassette Ca. When the control device 10 permits the loading of medicines into the cassette Ca, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the second touch panel 31 to display information related to the loading of medicines, such as the name of the medicine to be loaded.

[0433] Furthermore, when the control device 10 permits the loading of medicines into the cassette Ca, it acquires number information included in the barcode, indicating the number of the medicines contained in the box. The control device 10 temporarily stores the acquired number information in a buffer (not shown) as input quantity information indicating the number of medicines to be loaded contained in the cassette Ca. The number information may be stored for each type of medicine in a server (not shown) that manages the medicines. For example, when the number information cannot be acquired from the acquired barcode, the control device 10 may acquire number information associated with the medicine identification information included in the barcode from the server.

[0434] The touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of medicines to be filled (quantity) indicated in the acquired quantity information on the second touch panel 31. For example, when one box contains 100 medicines and this one box is to be filled into a cassette Ca, the touch panel control unit 14 displays "100" on the second touch panel 31.

[0435] When the worker fills the shutter 322 with medicine while the shutter 322 is open and closes the shutter 322 by the worker's input operation, the control device 10 determines that the filling operation is complete. When the control device 10 determines that the filling operation is complete, it adds the number of medicines to be filled, which is indicated in the acquired input quantity information, to the stock quantity indicated in the stock quantity information of the medicine stored in the storage unit 15. The control device 10 stores the number obtained by adding the number of medicines to be filled to the stock quantity of the medicine in the storage unit 15 as the new stock quantity of the medicine.

[0436] As described above, the control device 10 calls the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled (transfers the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32), performs verification for filling the cassette Ca with medicine, and opens the shutter 322. After the verification, the barcode reader 34 reads again the barcode attached to the box of the medicine to be filled into the called cassette Ca.

[0437] In this case, the control device 10 succeeds in matching the drug to be filled again after successfully matching the drug. If matching the drug to be filled twice in succession after calling the cassette Ca in this way, the control device 10 determines that the drug will be continuously filled. If continuous filling is performed, the control device 10 updates the number of pieces temporarily stored in the buffer. Specifically, the control device 10 adds the same number of pieces of the drug to the number of pieces indicated by the number of pieces information temporarily stored in the buffer, and stores the result in the buffer as new number of pieces. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the new number of pieces information updated in the buffer on the second touch panel 31.

[0438] Also, consider a case where the barcode reader 34 reads the barcode attached to the box of medicine to be filled into the called cassette Ca multiple times when the shutter 322 is in an open state. In this case, every time the control device 10 acquires new medicine identification information, the control device 10 adds the same number of medicines indicated by the input quantity information temporarily stored in the buffer to the number of medicines indicated by the input quantity information, and stores the new number of medicines in the buffer. For example, consider a case where 100 medicines are contained in one box, and the control device 10 acquires the same medicine identification information twice after the first successful verification. In this case, the control device 10 adds "200" ("100" indicated by the input quantity information x 2) to "100" indicated in the input quantity information acquired at the first verification (when acquiring the medicine identification information), resulting in "300" being stored in the buffer as new input quantity information.

[0439] After updating the incoming quantity information stored in the buffer, when the shutter 322 is closed by an input operation by the worker, the control device 10 adds the number indicated in the new incoming quantity information to the stock quantity indicated in the stock quantity information stored in the memory unit 15. In this way, the control device 10 updates the stock quantity information. Note that the control device 10 may add the number indicated in the incoming quantity information obtained at the first verification to the stock quantity each time verification is successful after calling the cassette Ca.

[0440] In addition, when the control device 10 acquires medicine identification information different from the medicine identification information attached to the medicine box being filled during continuous filling, the touch panel control unit 14 may display an error notification on the second touch panel 31 to the effect that continuous filling is not possible. In addition, the control device 10 may determine that medicines are continuously filled into one cassette Ca based on a user input. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image IM30 displayed on the first touch panel 5. FIG. 38 includes a continuous filling reception area 3801. For example, when the user checks the continuous filling reception area 3801, the control device 10 may determine that medicines are continuously filled into one cassette Ca. That is, when the continuous filling reception area 3801 is checked, the control device 10 may recognize the reading of consecutive barcodes as being for continuous filling, and may count the number of medicines contained in the cassette Ca by the number of barcodes read.

[0441] [Embodiment 8] As described above, when filling the drug station 1 with medicines, the control device 10 guides the worker to have the barcode reader 34 read the barcode attached to the medicine in order to call the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled to the picking unit 3. The barcode is attached, for example, to the medicine itself (e.g., a medicine sheet), a container containing the medicine, or a box containing the medicine. Also, in order to contain the medicine to be filled in the cassette Ca that has arrived at the medicine transfer section 32, the control device 10 guides the worker to have the barcode reader 34 read the barcode attached to the medicine. That is, when two verifications using the barcodes are successful, the control device 10 permits filling of the cassette Ca with the medicines.

[0442] When the filling mode is selected by an input operation by the worker, the control device 10 sets the barcode reading mode to a call mode in which a cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled is called from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3. The filling mode is a mode in which the worker fills the drug station 1 with medicine. In the call mode, the control device 10 refers to the memory unit 15 to transfer the cassette Ca indicated by the cassette identification information associated with the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3.

[0443] When the cassette Ca arrives at the medicine transfer section 32, the control device 10 switches the barcode reading mode to a verification (authentication) mode in which the medicine contained in the arrived cassette Ca matches the medicine to be filled by the operator. In the verification mode, the control device 10 refers to the storage section 15 to verify the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode and the medicine identification information associated with the cassette identification information of the arrived cassette Ca. If the two pieces of medicine identification information match, the control device 10 determines that the verification is successful and opens the shutter 322. This allows the operator to fill the cassette Ca with medicine. Thereafter, for example, when the operator presses the tray close button 39, the shutter 322 closes.

[0444] During the call mode, i.e., until the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled arrives at the medicine transfer section 32, the control device 10 can sequentially acquire the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode read by the barcode reader 34 and manage it as information on the medicine waiting to be filled. That is, the control device 10 can manage the medicine identification information in the filling waiting list in the memory unit 15 in the order in which it was acquired (in the order of waiting for filling). Therefore, after filling of a certain medicine into the cassette Ca is completed (after the shutter 322 is closed), if the medicine identification information of the next medicine to be filled is managed, the control device 10 can continue to perform verification for filling of the medicine. When filling of all the medicines indicated by the medicine identification information managed in the memory unit 15 is completed, the control device 10 switches the barcode reading mode from the verification mode to the call mode.

[0445] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a refilling image IM21 (refilling screen) displayed on the first touch panel 5 in the refilling mode. As shown in FIG. 33, the refilling image IM21 includes a refilling medicine list 3301 which is a list of records to which various information related to the medicine selected as the refilling target is associated. The refilling medicine list 3301 includes information such as the medicine name and the stock quantity associated with the cassette number. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 displays "◯" in the "Target" column of the refilling medicine list 3301 in association with the record of the medicine to be refilled, and displays "-" in association with the record of the medicine excluded from the refilling target. The touch panel control unit 14 switches the display between "◯" and "-" according to an input operation by the operator in the "Target" column.

[0446] The filling image IM21 (filling screen) also includes a mode display area 3302 that displays the state of the barcode reading mode. In the example of FIG. 33, "barcode mode: cassette call" is displayed in the mode display area 3302. In other words, this filling image IM21 indicates that the barcode reading mode is set to the call mode. When a cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled arrives at the medicine transfer unit 32, the control device 10 switches the display of "barcode mode: cassette call" in the mode display area 3302 to "barcode mode: cassette arrival" indicating the collation mode.

[0447] Here, the control device 10 automatically switches the barcode reading mode from the call mode to the verification mode when the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be filled arrives at the medicine transfer section 32, and a case where a plurality of types of medicine are filled is considered. As described above, during the call mode, the control device 10 sequentially acquires the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode read by the barcode reader 34 and manages it in the filling waiting list, but switches to the verification mode after the cassette Ca arrives at the medicine transfer section 32. Therefore, when the control device 10 acquires a barcode attached to a new medicine to be filled after the switching, the control device 10 does not add the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode to the filling waiting list. Instead, the control device 10 uses the medicine identification information to verify it with the medicine identification information associated with the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca that arrived at the medicine transfer section 32. In this case, since the two medicine identification information are different from each other, the control device 10 will notify the operator of an error that verification has failed.

[0448] Therefore, if there are multiple types of drugs to be refilled and the drug identification information of all the drugs cannot be added to the refill waiting list during the call mode, the following event occurs: The operator cannot read the barcode that could not be read during the call mode in order to call the cassette Ca until refilling of the drugs whose barcodes were read is completed and the mode returns to the call mode again. In other words, the operator must wait to read the barcode to call the cassette Ca until the mode returns to the call mode.

[0449] In this embodiment, the control device 10 can accept a barcode mode switching instruction from the operator. For example, the control device 10 may cause the first touch panel 5 to display a refilling image IM21 including a mode switching button (not shown) that accepts an input operation by the operator to switch the barcode reading mode. The control device 10 may also cause the first touch panel 5 to display the above-mentioned refilling waiting list.

[0450] When the cassette Ca reaches the medicine transfer section 32, the control device 10 switches the barcode reading mode from the call mode to the verification mode. If the barcodes of all the medicines to be filled have not been read, the operator touches the mode switching button to call the cassette Ca. This causes the control device 10 to obtain a barcode mode switching instruction from the first touch panel 5 and switch from the verification mode to the call mode. Therefore, the control device 10 can obtain the barcode as a barcode for calling the cassette Ca and add the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode to the filling waiting list. Therefore, the operator can make a reservation for the call of the cassette Ca that contains all the medicines to be filled, and does not have to wait for the reservation until the filling of the medicines whose barcodes have been read is completed and the mode returns to the call mode.

[0451] When the control device 10 switches to the call mode by an input operation by the operator, if the shutter 322 is open, the control device 10 closes the shutter 322 once.

[0452] After the operator adds the drug identification information of all drugs to be filled to the filling waiting list, he / she touches the mode switching button. This causes the control device 10 to obtain a barcode mode switching instruction from the first touch panel 5, switch from the call mode to the verification mode, and guide the operator to read the barcodes according to the waiting order. As the operator reads the barcodes according to the guidance, the control device 10 can verify all the drug identification information included in the filling waiting list according to the waiting order.

[0453] [Embodiment 9] The method of managing the lot numbers and expiration dates of drugs at the drug station 1 will be described below.

[0454] In the drug station 1, the lot number and expiration date of each drug are managed for each type of drug contained in the cassette Ca. For example, the storage unit 15 stores cassette identification information of the cassette Ca, information indicating the type of drug contained in the cassette Ca (e.g., drug identification information), lot number information indicating the lot number of the drug, and expiration date information indicating the expiration date of the drug, in association with each other. When multiple types of drugs are contained in the cassette Ca, the drug identification information, lot number information, and expiration date information are associated with storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca.

[0455] Consider a case where a drug with zero inventory in the drug station 1 is filled, that is, where the lot number information and expiration date information of the drug are not stored in the memory unit 15. In this case, the control device 10 acquires the lot number information and expiration date information of the drug, for example, from a barcode (e.g., GS1 code) read by the barcode reader 34. The control device 10 stores the acquired lot number information and expiration date information in the memory unit 15 in association with the drug identification information of the drug and the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca that contains the drug.

[0456] The lot number information and expiration date information may be stored for each type of medicine in a server (not shown) that manages medicines. For example, when the lot number information and expiration date information cannot be obtained from the acquired barcode, the control device 10 may obtain the lot number information and expiration date information associated with the medicine identification information included in the barcode from the server.

[0457] Furthermore, if the acquired expiration date information is information indicating the year and month and does not include information indicating the date, the control device 10 stores the last day of the expiration date month as the expiration date of the filled medicine in the storage unit 15. That is, the storage unit 15 manages the expiration date by year, month, and date.

[0458] Fig. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a refilling medicine list 3301 included in the refilling image IM21 of Fig. 33. As shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the worker can view information such as the lot number and expiration date of the medicine via the first touch panel 5. Note that only a part of the refilling medicine list 3301 is shown in the refilling image IM21. Therefore, the worker can grasp the whole picture of the refilling medicine list 3301 as shown in Fig. 34 by scrolling the refilling medicine list 3301 in the refilling image IM21.

[0459] The touch panel control unit 14 causes the first touch panel 5 to display the year and month of the expiration date of the medicine as the expiration date of the medicine. For example, when medicine is contained in a box, the expiration date indicated on the box is often the year and month. Also, the drug station 1 is often filled with medicines in boxes. Therefore, by displaying the expiration date on the first touch panel 5 according to the notation of the box that is filled relatively frequently, the worker can easily check whether the expiration date matches or does not match between the notation on the box and the display on the first touch panel. However, the touch panel control unit 14 may display the expiration date (i.e., the year, month, and day) indicated by the expiration date information stored in the memory unit 15.

[0460] The storage unit 15 also stores the cassette identification information or storage position information of each cassette Ca in association with the following first and second settings. That is, the first and second settings are set for each type of drug stored in each cassette Ca (drug identification information associated with the cassette identification information or storage position information of each cassette Ca). When a drug with an inventory quantity of 1 or more in the drug station 1 is filled, the control device 10 manages whether or not the drug can be filled and the lot number information and expiration date information of the storage unit 15 based on the first and second settings set for each type of drug.

[0461] FIG. 35 is a table for explaining whether or not the cassette Ca can be filled, and a method for managing the lot number information and expiration date information.

[0462] In the control device 10, a first setting that determines what processing is performed when the lot number information and expiration date information cannot be obtained from the barcode is determined for each type of drug. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, for each drug stored in each cassette Ca or each storage area (i.e., for each type of drug), one of the "fill" setting and the "do not fill" setting is applied as the first setting. The "fill" setting is a setting that allows the loading of a drug into the cassette Ca even if the lot number information and expiration date information cannot be obtained from the barcode attached to the drug. The "do not fill" setting is a setting that does not allow the loading of a drug into the cassette Ca if the lot number information and expiration date information cannot be obtained. When the control device 10 obtains drug identification information for a drug, it refers to the storage unit 15 and obtains the first setting that is applied to the drug. The control device 10 determines whether or not to allow the loading of the drug based on the obtained first setting.

[0463] Consider the case where lot number information and expiration date information can be obtained from the barcode (when "actual input" is "inputted" in FIG. 35). As shown in FIG. 35, in the case where "inputted", both the "fill" setting and the "do not fill" setting are set so that the cassette Ca can be filled with medicine, except when the cassette Ca cannot be filled based on the second setting described below (the case of "no filling (error)"). That is, the setting is either "fill as is" or "overwrite filling" described below. Therefore, the control device 10 allows the filling of the medicine to which the barcode is attached (medicine for which expiration date information, etc., can be obtained) into the cassette Ca, regardless of whether the "fill" setting or the "do not fill" setting is applied as the first setting.

[0464] Also, consider the case where lot number information and expiration date information cannot be obtained from the barcode (when "actual input" is "not input" in Figure 35). As shown in Figure 35, in the case of "not input", the "fill" setting is a setting that allows the drug to be filled into cassette Ca ("fill as is"). Therefore, even if the "fill" setting is applied as the first setting to the drug with the barcode (a drug for which expiration date information, etc. could not be obtained), the control device 10 allows the drug to be filled into cassette Ca.

[0465] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 35, in the case of "not input", the "do not fill" setting is a setting that does not allow the cassette Ca to be filled with medicine ("no filling (error)"). Therefore, when the "do not fill" setting is applied as the first setting to medicine with the above barcode (medicine for which expiration date information, etc. could not be obtained), the control device 10 does not allow the filling of the medicine into the cassette Ca. When not allowing the filling of the medicine into the cassette Ca, the touch panel control unit 14 may, for example, display an error image on the first touch panel 5 notifying that filling is not allowed.

[0466] In addition, a second setting is defined for each type of medicine. The second setting is a setting for processing when the lot number information and expiration date information acquired from the barcode differ from the lot number information and expiration date information associated with the medicine identification information of the medicine to which the barcode is attached, stored in the storage unit 15. Specifically, the second setting is a setting for determining whether or not the cassette Ca can be filled in that case, and whether or not the lot number information and expiration date information can be rewritten.

[0467] For example, as shown in Fig. 35, for each drug contained in each cassette Ca or each storage area (i.e., for each type of drug), one of the following settings is applied as the second setting: "overwrite and fill", "fill as is", or "do not fill". In addition, although not shown, a "do not manage expiration date" setting may be applied as the second setting to the drug contained in each cassette Ca or each storage area.

[0468] The control device 10 makes a judgment on a certain medicine based on the first setting, and when the filling of the medicine is permitted, it refers again to the storage unit 15 and acquires the second setting applied to the medicine. Based on the acquired second setting, the control device 10 determines whether or not the medicine can be filled and whether or not the lot number information and the expiration date information can be rewritten.

[0469] First, a case will be described in which a medicine to which the "do not fill" setting is applied is filled as a second setting when the acquired lot number information and expiration date information are different from the lot number information and expiration date information stored in the storage unit 15. In the following description, it is assumed that the lot number information and expiration date information have been acquired, so please refer to the "Input present" line in Fig. 35. In the following, the lot number information will be omitted, and the expiration date information will be exemplified for explanation.

[0470] As shown in Fig. 35, when the expiration date information of the medicine to be newly filled is different from the expiration date information of the medicine of the same type already contained in the cassette Ca (when "actual input" is "≠"), the setting is such that the medicine cannot be filled into the cassette Ca ("no filling (error)"). Therefore, in this case, the control device 10 does not permit the filling of the newly filled medicine into the cassette Ca.

[0471] On the other hand, consider the case where the expiration date information of the newly filled medicine matches the expiration date information of the same type of medicine already contained in the cassette Ca (when "actual input" is "="). In this case, as shown in FIG. 35, the setting is such that medicine can be filled into the cassette Ca, and the expiration date information in the memory unit 15 is not changed ("fill as is"). Therefore, in this case, the control device 10 allows the newly filled medicine to be filled into the cassette Ca without changing the expiration date information in the memory unit 15.

[0472] Therefore, when the acquired expiration date information differs from the expiration date information in the memory unit 15, for drugs to which the "do not fill" setting is applied, only drugs with the same expiration date are stored in the cassette Ca. This allows drugs with the same expiration date to be stored in the cassette Ca for drugs to which the setting is applied. This reduces the possibility of incorrect management, such as drugs remaining stored in the cassette Ca even after the expiration date has passed.

[0473] Next, a case where a medicine is filled to which the "overwrite and fill" setting is applied as the second setting will be described.

[0474] As shown in FIG. 35, "overwrite loading" is set regardless of whether the expiration date information of the medicine to be newly loaded matches the expiration date information of the same medicine already contained in the cassette Ca. That is, the setting is such that medicine can be loaded into the cassette Ca, and the expiration date information in the memory unit 15 is rewritten with the acquired expiration date information. Therefore, in this case, the control device 10 permits the loading of the medicine to be newly loaded into the cassette Ca. Also, the control device 10 overwrites the expiration date information of the medicine stored in the memory unit 15 with the expiration date information acquired from the barcode of the medicine to be newly loaded.

[0475] Therefore, when the acquired expiration date information differs from the expiration date information in the storage unit 15, for a drug to which the "overwrite and fill" setting is applied, the expiration date information in the storage unit 15 is overwritten with new expiration date information every time the drug is filled. Therefore, this setting can be effectively applied to drugs, such as drugs that are used frequently and whose expiration date information is updated but can still be used before the expiration date of the drug filled before the update.

[0476] Next, a case where a medicine is filled to which the "fill as is" setting is applied as the second setting will be described.

[0477] As shown in FIG. 35, "fill as is" is set regardless of whether the expiration date information of the newly filled medicine matches the expiration date information of the same type of medicine already contained in the cassette Ca. In other words, the setting is such that medicine can be filled into the cassette Ca, and the expiration date information in the memory unit 15 is not rewritten to the acquired expiration date information. Therefore, in this case, the control device 10 allows the newly filled medicine to be filled into the cassette Ca. In addition, the control device 10 does not change the expiration date information of the medicine stored in the memory unit 15.

[0478] Here, the expiration date of the medicine to be filled is more likely to be closer to the date of filling than the expiration date of the medicine already contained in the cassette Ca. In other words, the expiration date of the medicine already contained in the cassette Ca is more likely to be older than the expiration date of the medicine to be filled. Therefore, when the acquired expiration date information is different from the expiration date information in the memory unit 15, for a medicine to which the "fill as is" setting is applied, it is more likely that the oldest expiration date among the expiration dates of the medicines in the cassette Ca can be managed as the expiration date of the medicine. Therefore, even if the cassette Ca can be filled with medicines with different expiration dates and the cassette Ca is newly filled with a medicine, it is more likely that the medicine can be used before the expiration date of the previously filled medicine passes.

[0479] Next, a case will be described in which a medicine is filled to which the second setting, "expiration date is not managed," is applied.

[0480] For the medicine to which this setting is applied, no expiration date information of the medicine is stored in the memory unit 15. When the medicine is filled, the control device 10 allows the filling of the medicine regardless of whether expiration date information has been acquired and the date indicated by the expiration date. Therefore, this setting can be effectively applied to medicines such as patches or articles such as instructions that do not require management of expiration dates.

[0481] [Embodiment 10] The control device 10 may have a notification function for notifying an operator that the dispensing data has been received when the dispensing data is received while the picking unit 3 is performing a filling operation.

[0482] For example, when the drug station 1 receives dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the first touch panel 5 to display information indicating that the dispensing data has been received. For example, the touch panel control unit 14 may cause the first touch panel 5 to display a reception notification area 3303 indicating that the dispensing data has been received.

[0483] According to the above configuration, even while the worker is performing the refilling operation, the worker can easily recognize that the drug station 1 has received the dispensing data. This reduces the possibility that the worker will continue the refilling operation without noticing that there is a drug to be dispensed using the drug station 1, which will delay the start of the dispensing operation.

[0484] In addition to the display on the first touch panel 5, the drug station 1 may output a sound from a speaker (not shown) to notify the operator that the dispensing data has been received.

[0485] [Embodiment 11] The control device 10 may have a function of outputting a form report showing the usage history of the drug station 1. By outputting the form report, the user can understand the usage history (operational status) of the drug station 1. The control device 10 may output the form report from, for example, a printer connected to the control device 10. The control device 10 may display the contents shown in the form report on, for example, the first touch panel 5.

[0486] The control device 10 manages the usage history of the drug station 1, and stores data indicating the usage history in the memory unit 15. For example, the control device 10 may store data indicating the usage history when dispensing prescription data for a certain prescription period received from the dispensing control device 800 in the memory unit 15. The control device 10 can output the usage history of the drug station 1 in a form report by referring to the memory unit 15.

[0487] The usage record may include, for example, information received from the dispensing control device 800 (received data). The received information may include information indicating the total number of prescriptions. The total number of prescriptions indicates the total number of prescriptions issued during a specified prescription period.

[0488] In the drug dispensing system 100, the total number of prescriptions may be the total number of prescriptions included in the prescription data received by the dispensing control device 800 (the total number of prescriptions issued by the prescription input device 200 or the dispensing control device 800). In other words, the total number of prescriptions may be the total number of prescriptions (total number of prescriptions) including drugs dispensed using all of the various devices, such as the drug station 1 and the tablet packaging machine 300, included in the drug dispensing system 100.

[0489] When the drug station 1 is used alone, the total number of prescriptions indicates the total number of prescriptions (total number of prescriptions) included in the prescription data received by the drug station 1 from the prescription input device 200. When the drug station 1 is used alone, this refers to a case where the drug station 1 is not included in the drug dispensing system 100 and does not dispense drugs in conjunction with various devices.

[0490] The received information may also include drug station prescription information indicating the number of prescriptions for which drug station 1 was involved in dispensing medicines out of all issued prescriptions. When drug station 1 is used in drug dispensing system 100, the drug station prescription information can indicate how many medicines have been dispensed at drug station 1 out of the prescriptions included in the prescription data. When drug station 1 is used alone, the total number of prescriptions and the number of prescriptions indicated by the drug station prescription information are the same.

[0491] By outputting the received information in a form report, the user can know the number of prescriptions handled in the entire medicine dispensing system 100 or the number of prescriptions handled at drug station 1. Furthermore, when drug station 1 is used in medicine dispensing system 100, the user can know the ratio of the number of prescriptions handled at drug station 1 to the total number of prescriptions handled in the entire medicine dispensing system 100, in addition to the number of prescriptions handled at drug station 1.

[0492] In addition, the usage record may include, for example, information indicating the form of the drug dispensed, information indicating the number of types of drug dispensed (e.g., the total number of those types and the number of types for each form), and information indicating the operating time of drug station 1. The form of the drug indicates the type of drug taken by the patient, such as tablet, capsule, powder, etc. The operating time may include, for example, the total operating time of drug station 1, as well as the operating time per prescription (e.g., per patient) and the operating time per drug.

[0493] [Embodiment 12] Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a drug station 1 equipped with two picking units 3. As described in the above basic configuration, two picking units 3 may be provided on the front side of the main unit 2. Also, as described in the above basic configuration, in the drug dispensing system 100 shown in Fig. 1, the dispensing control device 800 determines a drug to be dispensed from the drug station 1 among drugs indicated in the prescription data received from the prescription input device 200, and transmits dispensing data including information on the drug to the drug station 1.

[0494] When the medicine dispensing system 100 is installed in a hospital, the prescription input device 200 can receive information indicating a prescription category based on a user input. The prescription category indicates, for example, a category related to medical treatment to be received by a patient to whom a medicine is prescribed, and indicates, for example, the type of medical treatment to be received by the patient and the medical department (medical specialty category) to which the patient is treated. The prescription category is assigned to each patient.

[0495] Examples of the medical treatment form include a form in which a patient visits a hospital and a form in which a patient visits a hospital other than a hospital. Examples of the medical treatment form in which a patient visits a hospital include "outpatient" indicating that a patient visits a hospital, "emergency" indicating that a patient visits a hospital for emergency treatment, and "same day" indicating that a patient visits a hospital on the day of the appointment. Examples of the medical treatment form in which a patient visits a hospital include a form in which a patient is hospitalized and receives treatment. Examples of the medical treatment form in which a patient visits a hospital include "hospitalization" and "temporary." "Hospitalization" is used by the prescription input device 200 to transmit the input prescription data for hospitalized patients to the dispensing control device 800 at a set time in a lump sum. That is, the prescription data of a patient to which "hospitalization" is assigned is transmitted from the prescription input device 200 to the dispensing control device 800 at a set time. "Temporary" is used by the prescription input device 200 to transmit the prescription data for hospitalized patients inputted temporarily to the dispensing control device 800. That is, the prescription data of a patient to which "temporary" has been assigned is transmitted from the prescription input device 200 to the dispensing control device 800 when information on the drug prescribed to the patient is input to the prescription input device 200. In addition, examples of the medical department include "internal medicine" and "surgery."

[0496] The prescription input device 200 generates prescription data including information associating a patient with a prescription category together with information associating a patient with a drug prescribed to the patient. Thus, the dispensing control device 800 receives the prescription data including the information, and the control device 10 of the drug station 1 receives the dispensing data including the information. The dispensing control device 800 may receive the information associating a patient with a prescription category separately from the prescription data, and the control device 10 may receive the information separately from the dispensing data.

[0497] In the storage unit 15 of the drug station 1, classification information indicating prescription classification and unit identification information for identifying the picking unit 3 are stored in association with each other. For example, classification information indicating the form in which a patient visits a hospital to receive medical treatment (e.g., "outpatient," "emergency," and "same day") is associated with unit identification information indicating one of the picking units 3. Classification information indicating the form in which a patient receives medical treatment other than visiting a hospital (e.g., "regular" and "hospitalization") is associated with unit identification information indicating the other of the picking units 3. Also, for example, classification information indicating "internal medicine" may be associated with unit identification information indicating one of the picking units 3, and classification information indicating "surgery" may be associated with unit identification information indicating the other of the picking units 3. The correspondence between classification information and unit identification information can be changed as appropriate.

[0498] The control device 10 determines the picking unit 3 that dispenses the medicine for each of the multiple types of medicines indicated in the dispensing data, based on the classification information included in the dispensing data. In this embodiment, the control device 10 determines which of the two picking units 3 is to be the picking unit 3 that dispenses the medicine, based on the information.

[0499] When the control device 10 receives dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, it compares the sorting information contained in the dispensing data with the sorting information stored in the memory unit 15 to determine the picking unit 3 from which each drug is to be dispensed.

[0500] Data in which the medicine identification information is associated with the storage location information or the cassette identification information is stored in the memory unit 15. Therefore, the main unit control unit 11 refers to the memory unit 15 and transfers the cassette Ca that stores the medicine to be dispensed for each medicine indicated in the dispensing data to the picking unit 3 that has been determined as the medicine to be dispensed.

[0501] In this embodiment, the drug station 1 is described as having two picking units 3 as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a configuration having three or more picking units 3.

[0502] In this way, consider a case where classification information is assigned to each patient to whom a drug is prescribed in the dispensing data, the classification information and the unit identification information are managed in association with each other, and the drug station 1 is equipped with multiple picking units 3. In this case, the control device 10 determines, based on the input classification information, a picking unit 3 from among the multiple picking units 3 that will dispense the drug indicated in the prescription data. This allows the control device 10 to determine the picking unit 3 to which the drug will be dispensed according to the prescription classification. Therefore, the control device 10 can dispense drugs collectively from one picking unit 3 for each medical treatment type or medical department.

[0503] The control device 10 may determine, for each patient indicated in the dispensing data, a picking unit 3 that dispenses the medicine indicated in the dispensing data from among the multiple picking units 3. In this case, it is sufficient that information for identifying the patient and unit identification information are stored in association with each other in the storage unit 15. In this case, the control d...

Claims

1. A medicine dispensing device having a cassette shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes containing medicines, an opening and closing door provided on the cassette shelf; a detection unit that detects that the door is in an open state when the power of the medicine dispensing device is turned off.

2. the cassette and the position of the cassette on the cassette shelf are associated with each other in advance, The drug dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a position identification unit that re-performs correspondence between a cassette stored in an area corresponding to the open / close door in which the detection unit detects the open state and a position on the cassette shelf.

3. The detection unit is a moving part that moves in conjunction with the operation of the opening and closing door when the opening and closing door is in an open state, By detecting the moving part, it is detected that the opening and closing door is in an open state, The medicine dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein even if the opening and closing door returns from an open state to a closed state while the power supply is off, the moving part is maintained in a state corresponding to the open state.

4. The detection unit is an insertion section into which the moving section is inserted, and a movement detection section that detects the moving section inserted into the insertion section; The moving unit is When the opening and closing door is in an open state, the opening and closing door is inserted into the insertion portion, The medicine dispensing device of claim 3, wherein even when the opening / closing door returns from an open state to a closed state, the opening / closing door is maintained inserted into the insertion portion due to the frictional force generated between the insertion portion and the moving portion.

Images