Information display device, program, information display system, and information display method

Abstract

To prevent medicine-taking person related information displayed on an information display device from being seen by a third person.SOLUTION: An information display device 410 comprises: an information display unit 415 that displays medicine-taking person related information related to a medicine-taking person on the basis of information read by an information reading unit 414 from an information holding medium 37 provided on a medicine for the medicine-taking person or a medicine storage unit 34 storing the medicine; and an operation receiving unit 415 that receives operations of a medicine-taking carer. When the information reading unit reads the information, the information display unit displays the medicine-taking person related information on condition that the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 25

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display device, a program, an information display system, and an information display method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an information display device that includes an information display unit that displays patient-related information relating to a patient based on information read by an information reading unit from the patient's medication or an information holding medium provided in a medication storage unit in which the medication is stored, and an operation receiving unit that receives operations from a medication assistant.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medication support system in which a staff member (medication assistant) reads a medication information code (information) from a two-dimensional code attached to a medication bag in which medications taken by residents (medication recipients) of a nursing facility are stored for each resident, using a small device such as a smartphone. In this medication support system, when the medication information code read by the small device is received by a management server, the management server judges whether the medication is appropriate, and transmits the judgment result and a facial photograph of the resident to the small device. As a result, the judgment result and the facial photograph of the resident (medication recipient-related information) are displayed on the display unit of the small device (information display unit), and the staff member who is about to administer the medication can administer the medication after checking the judgment result and the facial photograph. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional information display devices that display patient-related information based on information read by an information reading unit from an information retention medium provided in the medicine or medicine storage unit, there was a risk that the patient-related information could be viewed by a third party. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an information display device that includes an information display unit that displays patient-related information related to a patient based on information read by an information reading unit from the patient's medication or an information holding medium provided in a medication storage unit in which the medication is stored, and an operation receiving unit that receives operations from a medication assistant, wherein the information display unit displays the patient-related information when the information reading unit reads information, on the condition that the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent recipient-related information displayed on an information display device from being viewed by a third party. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of a main part of a medication dispensing device constituting a medication support device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of FIG. [Diagram 2] (a) is a plan view of a single unitary drug pack, (b) is a side view of the unitary drug pack in (a) as viewed from the direction of arrow A, (c) is a side view of a combined unitary drug pack, and (d) is a diagram showing the general shape of a pack continuum. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing one configuration example of a medication tray. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a subdivision box held in the medication tray. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of a cartridge, and FIG. [Figure 6] 5(a) is a vertical sectional view of a cartridge of another example different from that of FIG. 5(a), and FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part showing a cartridge mounting / removal mechanism provided in the drawer section. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an identification configuration for a cartridge provided in the drawer section. [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a front view showing the configuration of the carriage, and FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the transition of the operation of the carriage. [Figure 11] 11 is a front view showing the progress of the carriage operation following FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 12 is a front view showing the progress of the carriage operation following FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the operation of reading medication-related information displayed on the cartridge. [Figure 14] FIG. 1A is a front view showing the main configuration of the transfer section, and FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication dispensing device. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the medication support device. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a management application screen display. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a medication table as an example of a medication information file. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a management application screen display. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a management application screen display. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a modification of the display screen example of FIG. 21. [Figure 23] A figure showing a medication distribution table printed from the medication distribution management list of Figure 21. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a medication assistance device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] An explanatory diagram showing how a dispensing box is removed from a medication tray and the information on the RFID tag of the dispensing box is read using a smartphone. [Figure 27] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the control of a smartphone when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an intention confirmation screen for asking whether or not to perform a three-point medication confirmation. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a three-point medication confirmation screen. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an explanatory screen for a method of reading an RFID tag of a subdivision box. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the control of the smartphone when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing yet another example of control of the smartphone when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen for registering new recipient-related information. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a medication assistance device capable of capturing an image of a medication information sheet and registering new patient-related information. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a drug information sheet on which information related to a drug recipient is displayed. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen for capturing an image of a drug information sheet and registering new patient-related information. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen in which recipient-related information acquired by capturing an image of a drug information sheet has been entered. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen on which notification settings can be made. [Figure 39] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification setting screen. [Diagram 40] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen. [Diagram 41] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration screen on which comments such as special measures can be input. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a special treatment input screen. [Diagram 43] 13 is a flowchart showing yet another example of control of the smartphone when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task. [Diagram 44] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a three-point medication confirmation screen in which the details of precautions and information to be handed over when taking medication are highlighted. [Diagram 45]13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing a registration screen for an example of a user group in which multiple users are grouped by floor in a care facility. [Figure 46] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of smartphone control when performing a three-point medication confirmation task using the group ID of a medication recipient group. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a three-point medication confirmation screen including a group ID. [Figure 48] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a three-point medication confirmation screen with a warning display added. [Figure 49] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen for checking the medication progress status. [Figure 50] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a group selection screen for selecting a group for checking the medication progress status. [Figure 51] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a medication preparation status confirmation screen displaying the progress status for a corresponding medication recipient group. [Figure 52] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a PC at a pharmacy that supplies medicines is connected to PCs and smartphones at multiple nursing care facilities via a communication network. [Figure 53] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information reading device capable of collectively reading information from RFID tags of a plurality of subdivision boxes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a description will be given of an example of a medication dispensing device of a medication support device used for medication preparation by medication assistants such as nurses and caregivers in nursing facilities, etc. The medication dispensing device of the medication support device in this embodiment aims to reduce the work time and workload in medication preparation, and to prevent medication errors.

[0009] Specifically, in order to reduce the working time of medication assistants working in nursing facilities and to prevent medication errors, at a specified time, the medication packs of each resident (medicine recipient) are placed in the respective resident's subdivision boxes (medicine containers) set on the medication tray. At this time, the timing of medication administration (morning, afternoon, evening, before bed, etc.) may change depending on the resident's health condition and other circumstances. Therefore, nurses, etc. are required to check the medication administration according to the latest medication administration timing of each resident at each medication administration to see if there are any mistakes (whether there are any medication errors). For example, if a resident's medication pack is not administered in the morning due to poor physical condition, if the medication pack is mistakenly placed in the resident's subdivision box and administered, the nurse, etc. who notices this may have to take the trouble of manually removing the medication after the medication has been administered, or a medication error may occur due to forgetting to remove the medication.

[0010] First, a medication distribution device constituting the medication support device in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing a schematic diagram of the main configuration of the main part of the medicine dispensing device, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view showing a schematic diagram of the side configuration of FIG. 1(a). In Figure 1, the left-right direction or horizontal direction (also the width direction) of the medication dispensing device 200 is the X direction, the front-back direction or depth direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction or vertical direction (also the vertical direction) is the Z direction (the same applies to the figures described below).

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the main parts of the medication dispensing device 200 include a cartridge 10, also called a first storage section, a cartridge tray 20, also called a second storage section, a drawer section 80, a medication dispensing tray 30 as a medicine container holder, a carriage 50, also called an ejection section, a transport section 90, and first entrance / exit section 41 to fourth entrance / exit section 44.

[0012] The cartridge 10 functions as a first storage means for storing, in layers, a single-dose drug pack (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "pack"), which is a drug pack in which a drug is packaged in one package, a combined pack in which a plurality of single-dose drug packs are connected, etc. A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged via cartridge trays 20 in the middle and lower tiers of a main body frame 199, which serves as the device main body of the medication dispensing device 200. The cartridges 10 are configured to be freely attached and detached to the cartridge tray 20. Here, "storing in layers" means storing the packs in a substantially horizontal state or in a flat-stacked state.

[0013] As will be described later, the cartridge tray 20 is configured to be able to position and store a plurality of cartridges 10, and is provided integrally with the drawer section 80. The cartridge tray 20 functions as a second storage means for placing and holding at least one cartridge 10.

[0014] A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged in a drawer section 80 via cartridge trays 20 provided at the bottom and center of a main body frame 199 as the main body of the drug dispensing device 200. In the example of FIG. 1, 4×5=20 cartridges 10 are placed and held in one drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20) (see FIG. 7 described later). Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the drawer section 80 may be referred to as the cartridge tray 20.

[0015] Each of the multiple cartridges 10 is placed and stored within a lattice-like partitioned side wall and bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20. The bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20 corresponding to each cartridge 10 is formed with a rectangular through opening 21 (see FIG. 7 described later) for removing the pack from below the cartridge 10 by utilizing the elasticity or free deformation of the pack, as described in the operation described later.

[0016] The drawer section 80 is configured to be able to position and hold the cartridge tray 20. A pair of slide rails 81 are attached to the outer walls of the drawer section 80, and a main body rail is provided on the main body frame 199 so as to be able to fit with the slide rails 81 of the drawer section 80. With this kind of fitting configuration between the main body rails and the slide rails 81, the drawer section 80, in which the cartridge tray 20 is stored and held, can be pulled out from the main body frame 199.

[0017] The medicine distribution tray 30 is a medicine distribution means for arranging a specific pack transferred by the transfer section 90, and functions as a medicine container holder having a plurality of medicine containers each having a medicine storage section capable of storing a medicine pack containing one or more medicines. As shown in FIG. 1, two medicine distribution trays 30 are arranged in a state of being arranged further above the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge tray 20 in the uppermost drawer section 80. Hereinafter, the installation site of the medicine distribution tray 30 (meaning the location where the pack is handed over to the medicine distribution tray 30 for automatic medicine distribution) is referred to as the medicine distribution section 29.

[0018] The carriage 50 is an ejection section for ejecting a specific pack from the cartridge 10, and functions as an ejection means. The transport section 90 functions as a transport means for transporting the pack removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 .

[0019] The first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 function as a storage means entrance / exit section for allowing the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20 to enter and exit the main body frame 199 via the drawer section 80. The cartridge 10 is inserted and set in the main body frame 199 through the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42, respectively. The doors of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 are opened, and the drawer section 80 equipped with the cartridge tray 20 is pulled out towards the front, and the cartridge 10 or the cartridge tray 20 is attached or detached.

[0020] The third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 function as entrance / exit means for the medicine dispensing means that allows each of the two medicine dispensing trays 30 arranged side by side on the top level of the medicine dispensing device 200 to enter and exit the main body frame 199. The third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 are provided so that a pack can be removed immediately after being placed on the medicine dispensing tray 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "set" or "inserted").

[0021] In the medicine dispensing device 200 of this embodiment, two medicine dispensing trays 30 are arranged, and as described later, a medicine dispensing tray is arranged for each medicine taking timing, such as morning, afternoon, evening, before going to bed, etc. Since a third entrance / exit section 43 and a fourth entrance / exit section 44 for the medicine dispensing tray are also provided for each medicine dispensing tray, it is possible to take out another medicine dispensing tray even while a medicine dispensing operation is being performed on another medicine dispensing tray.

[0022] At the bottom of the medication dispensing device 200, a retreat section 40 is provided for retreating a pack removed from the cartridge 10 when the pack should not be placed on the medication dispensing tray 30 (for example, when it is an incorrect pack).

[0023] 1 is provided in two locations, one above the other, below the topmost medicine distribution tray 30, but is not limited to this and may be provided in the upper or lower locations. Depending on the number of people in the care facility, the cartridge trays 20 may be arranged in three levels to obtain the same effect.

[0024] Next, an overview of the single-dose drug pack (medicine pack) will be given. Fig. 2(a) is a plan view showing a typical form of a single drug package, Fig. 2(b) is a side view of the drug package of Fig. 2(a) as seen from the direction of arrow A, Fig. 2(c) is a side view of a combined pack in which drug package packs are stacked, and Fig. 2(d) is a diagram showing a typical form of a continuous pack. Note that the drug is not shown in Fig. 2(b) and Fig. 2(c).

[0025] The form of the medicine pack includes a single unit-drug package 2, and a combination pack 2A in which multiple unit-drug package packs 2 (two in Figure 2(c)) are stacked in the stacking direction and joined together, for example by stapling.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2(a), one single-dose drug pack 2 is made of, for example, a resin film, and contains drugs 3 such as capsules or tablets. The single-dose drug pack 2 has a bag portion 2a that covers the drug 3, and a crimped portion 4 in which three sides shown by hatching in the figure are crimped or welded. The side on the bag portion 2a side is usually folded in half, with the drug 3 sandwiched between them, and the crimped portion 4 forms a leak prevention portion that prevents the drug 3 from leaking from the bag portion 2a. The drug 3 in one single-dose drug pack 2 is usually a unit for one dose for a patient.

[0027] The single-dose drug packs 2 are made (packaged) by a drug packaging machine installed in a pharmacy or the like. The packaging paper (packaging sheet) used for packaging the exterior part is a long rolled sheet that is rolled in a folded and overlapped state, and the drug 3 to be taken is sandwiched between the sheets. The three sides other than the folds around the drug 3 are sealed and divided into multiple doses by a crimping part 4, and the single-dose drug packs 2 for the required number of doses are made into a continuous sheet. This continuous sheet-like single-dose drug pack is called a "continuous pack." The continuous pack 1 shown in Figure 2(d) is a state in which multiple single-dose drug packs 2 (three doses in the example shown in the figure) are connected in a strip shape. The pack series 1 is a general form that is usually provided and sold at pharmacies and the like to users (including those who actually take the medicine in the single-dose drug pack, and the assistants and supporters who assist and support the taking of the medicine, as well as staff of various nursing care facilities and medical facilities (a concept that includes pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, and medication supporters)). For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation illustrates one pack containing medicines of the same form (capsules, tablets, etc.), but it goes without saying that different medicines may be used in one pack depending on the user's use and purpose, etc.

[0028] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the single-drug package 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The packaging method of sealing by crimping three sides as in this example is generally called three-sided packaging, and most of the drug packaging machines on the market use this method to make packs. The crimped part 4 has a strip-like width of about 10 to 15 mm, and is more rigid than the transparent or semi-transparent film-like bag part 2a where the drug 3 can be seen. In the production (packaging) of the drug packaging machine, a boundary part 2b with a perforation 5 is formed in the center of the crimped part 4 of the single-drug package 2, where the multiple single-drug package packs 2 constituting the pack continuum 1 are adjacent to each other in a continuous manner from the upstream side to the downstream side. Users who have good hand mobility can obtain one single-drug package 2 by tearing it by hand along the perforation 5 or cutting it near the perforation 5 with scissors or a dedicated cutter.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2(c), a pack assembly 2A may be used. The pack assembly 2A may be a combination of multiple (two shown in Fig. 2c) drug package packs 2 fastened together at the center of the three crimped portions 4 by stapling 8 (see Fig. 2c), or may be integrated with tape, or may be an integrated package of a Chinese medicine pack or a PTP (Press Through Pack) packaging sheet.

[0030] First medication-related information is added to the surface of the bag portion 2a of the one-package medicine pack 2 as information related to medication such as the name of the recipient and the timing of taking the medicine. In the pack 2 shown in Fig. 2, the first medication-related information includes medication-related information 6a in which the name of the recipient who takes the medicine 3 in the pack 2 is expressed as a character string, medication-related information 6b in which the time (timing of taking the medicine) to take the medicine 3 is expressed as a character string, and medication-related information 6c in which the name of the recipient and the timing of taking the medicine are expressed as a QR code (registered trademark). In the pack 2 shown in Fig. 2, the medication-related information 6a and 6b in the form of character strings and the medication-related information 6c in the form of a QR code are added, but this is not limiting, and only one of these may be used, or an RFID tag or the like used when tag information is read using a barcode or short-range wireless communication may be used.

[0031] The first medication-related information may also include the type of medication (including the shape of the medication) and the number of tablets in pack 2, and information imprinted on the medication itself. The first medication-related information may be obtained and used by acquiring and using only individual pieces of information, or may be obtained and used in combination with multiple pieces of information. For example, when only confirming the person taking the medication, only the name of the person taking the medication is sufficient, and when preventing forgetting to take an important medication, the name of the person taking the medication and the number of tablets and shape of the medication in the pack may be confirmed together. In other words, the medication-related information includes at least one piece of information among the name of the person taking the medication, the time when the medication in the pack is taken (timing of taking the medication), and the type and number of tablets of the medication prescribed in the pack.

[0032] Next, the medication tray 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing one configuration example of the medicine distribution tray 30. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, the medication tray 30 has partition walls 31, which are partition members serving as a plurality of partitions for arranging specific packs, and is divided by four erected partition walls 31. The 20 compartments 33 formed on the medication tray 30 can be expressed as elements of a matrix consisting of 5 columns in the X direction (row feed direction) and 4 rows in the Y direction (character feed direction). As a result, each of the 20 compartments 33 on the medication tray 30 can be uniquely identified by the elements and addresses of the 5-column, 4-row matrix.

[0033] The medication tray 30 has a bottom wall 32 on which the packs 2 dispensed in each compartment 33 are placed. The medication tray 30 is configured so that the packs 2 can be stored in the corresponding compartments 33, which are divided by the partition walls 31 and the common bottom wall 32, and thus can be managed separately from other packs (other people's packs).

[0034] In the medication distribution tray 30 shown in Figure 3, the "Floor A After-Lunch Medication Tray" displayed on the front outer wall indicates that this is a medication distribution tray to which medication packs are distributed to be taken after lunch by multiple residents (medication users) residing on the same floor A in a nursing home, for example.

[0035] In the medicine distribution tray 30 of this embodiment, a subdivision box 34 serving as a removable medicine container is set in each compartment 33. The subdivision box 34 stores packs 2 each containing medicine to be taken after lunch for a total of 20 people, for example, Mr. A to Mr. T, who are residents of a care facility or the like. That is, the medicine distribution tray 30 of this embodiment holds packs 2 via the subdivision box 34 in each compartment 33 separated by a partition wall 31.

[0036] In addition, the dispensing box 34 may not be used to distribute the packs 2 to the medicine distribution tray 30. In this case, each compartment 33 functions as a medicine container, and the packs 2 are directly stored in each compartment 33.

[0037] Next, the subdivision box 34 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a dispensing box 34 held in the medication tray 30. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, each subdivision box 34 is prepared for each resident (person taking the medicine) and stores the corresponding resident's packaged medicine pack 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the packaged medicine pack 2 of person A who takes the medicine after lunch is distributed and stored in the subdivision box 34 to which the text information "person A, lunchtime" (first medicine-related information) is added.

[0038] The subdivision box 34 in this embodiment is configured as a box-shaped container structure made of a material (such as a plastic material) that is electromagnetically transmissible, such as plastic or paper. In detail, as shown in Fig. 4, the subdivision box 34 has a transparent structure 35 in the shape of a hollow cube or hollow rectangular parallelepiped with an open top, and the internal space of the structure 35 functions as a medicine storage section in which the packs 2 are stored.

[0039] In addition, in the subdivision box 34 of this embodiment, the rear wall of the structure 35 is formed higher than the front wall and both side walls. A label 36 displaying text information (first medication-related information) reading "Mr. A, afternoon" is attached to the upper part of the rear wall of the structure 35. Medication is distributed by the above-mentioned medication distribution device 200 so that the medication-related information displayed on this label 36, such as the name of the recipient and the timing of medication, matches with the resident (medicine recipient) and timing of medication corresponding to the single-dose drug pack 2 stored in the subdivision box 34.

[0040] Further, an RFID tag 37, which is an NFC (near field communication) tag, is provided on the bottom wall 35a of the subdivision box 34 of this embodiment as a wireless tag serving as an information retention medium. Therefore, the bottom wall 35a of the subdivision box 34 functions as a tag support section that supports the RFID tag 37. Information associated with (linked to) the subdivision box 34 to which the RFID tag 37 is attached is written on the RFID tag 37. Information on the RFID tag 37 is rewritable, and information can be freely written to the RFID tag 37 in accordance with the method of the facility in which it is used.

[0041] As a specific example, information associated (linked) with the information on "Mr. A, lunch" (first medication-related information) is written into the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 to which the label 36 of "Mr. A, lunch" is affixed. At this time, the information written into the RFID tag 37 may be, for example, the information on the label 36, "Mr. A" and "Lunch", itself, or may be identification information, such as a unique ID, of the RFID tag 37. When the information written into the RFID tag 37 is identification information, such as a unique ID, the information on the RFID tag 37 and the information on the label 36 of the subdivision box 34 to which the RFID tag 37 is attached are associated (linked) with each other by referring to a database or the like that associates the identification information with the information on the label 36, "Mr. A" and "Lunch".

[0042] The information of the RFID tag 37 attached to each subdivision box 34 is read, for example, by a tag information reader 67 of the carriage 50 described later. At this time, for example, by associating (linking) the coordinates of the X and Y positions, which are the position information of the carriage 50, with the information of the RFID tag 37 (the name of the person taking the medicine, the timing of taking the medicine), it becomes possible to distribute the pack 2 taken out of the cartridge 10 to an appropriate subdivision box 34.

[0043] In addition, when each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30 is determined for each resident (medicine recipient), the RFID tag 37 may be attached to each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30, instead of each subdivision box 34. In other words, the multiple compartments 33 in the medication tray 30 may be assigned to each medication recipient at the same medication timing, and when a specific medication recipient does not take medication at a specific medication timing, it is also possible to prevent the pack 2 of the specific medication recipient from being placed at the specific medication timing.

[0044] In addition, the plurality of sections 33 of the medicine distribution tray 30 may be allocated for each timing of taking medicine of each medicine recipient. Specifically, the plurality of sections 33 may be allocated for each timing of taking the pack 2, that is, morning, midday, evening, and before going to bed, and for each medicine recipient. In such an example of the medicine distribution tray 30, the medicine distribution tray 30 can be managed for each floor or room in which multiple medicine recipients reside, and the packs 2 for that day (or several days) can be distributed in advance to the medicine distribution tray 30.

[0045] According to the above example, by allocating each section according to the timing of taking medicine, such as morning, afternoon, evening, before going to bed, etc., it is possible to prevent mistakes in the timing of taking medicine for each person. Not limited to the above-mentioned configuration example of the medicine distribution tray 30, various examples can be considered in combination with the medicine recipient and the timing of taking medicine.

[0046] Next, the cartridge 10 will be described. FIG. 5(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge, FIG. 6(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge different from that of FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 6(b) are bottom views of the cartridge of FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 6(a). In addition, in each of the longitudinal cross-sectional views of Figure 5(a) and Figure 6(a), in order to simplify the drawings, the pack 2 is shown diagrammatically with the crimping portion 4 (see Figure 2) of the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 omitted. Also, the cross-sectional hatching of the support portions (right support portion 12, left support portion 13, etc.) is omitted and shown diagrammatically.

[0047] 5 and 6 have the same configuration with respect to shape, etc., but differ in the display position and display member of the QR code related to the medication-related information 6c. The configuration with respect to shape, etc. will be described representatively with reference to FIG. 5.

[0048] The cartridge 10 is mainly composed of a case portion 11, a lid portion 14, a pack removal opening 17, a movable plate 16, a pack orientation maintaining portion 15, and a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 serving as supports.

[0049] The case portion 11 has a function of storing a plurality of packs 2 and a pack combination 2A (hereinafter, the pack 2 will be described as a representative). The case portion 11 is formed integrally or separately, for example, using resin. The lid portion 14 has a function of allowing the pack 2 to be inserted. The pack removal opening 17 is formed in the lower portion or bottom of the case portion 11, and is an opening for removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, and has a function of passing the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 (see Figures 1, 9, etc.).

[0050] The movable plate 16 has a function of preventing the packs 2 from falling over, and after the first pack of the maximum number of packs 2 that can be stored in the case part 11 has been taken out, moves the lowest pack 2 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17. The pack posture maintaining part 15 has a function of maintaining the posture of the pack 2. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 also have a function of supporting or holding the pack 2 in the case part 11.

[0051] In this embodiment, the portion to be removed of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is provided at the lower portion or bottom portion within the cartridge 10. That is, the portion to be removed is configured to include a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions or support members that support the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 at multiple points, and a pack removal opening 17.

[0052] When the pack 2 is to be removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are configured to allow the passage of the pack 2. On the other hand, when the pack 2 is not to be removed from the cartridge 10, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are configured to restrict the passage of the pack 2 so that a plurality of packs 2 are stored and held within the case portion 11.

[0053] As described above, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are support parts that support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10, and are also provided in an immovable state so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 can be stabilized. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixed members that are fixed or secured to the bottom wall inner surfaces 11e of the right and left bottom wall ends of the pack removal opening 17, respectively.

[0054] The pack removal opening 17 has a function of passing a suction pad 52 of a carriage 50 shown in Fig. 9 etc. described later in order to remove the pack 2, and also has a function of passing the removed pack 2 and the suction pad 52. In other words, the pack removal opening 17 and the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end provided in a state surrounding the pack removal opening 17 function as pack removal passages.

[0055] In the cartridge 10 in FIG. 5, a position 52' (hereinafter also referred to as "suction pad position") where the suction pad 52 (see FIG. 11(d) described later) suctions the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is indicated by a circular two-dot chain line in FIG. 5(b). The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 support the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 so that the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 does not fall from the pack removal opening 17. As will be described in the operation of the carriage 50 described later, when the pack 2 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 is removed while being sucked by the suction pad 52, the suction pad 52 is positioned to suck the pack 2 at two suction pad positions in the Y direction near both ends of the right support part 12. When the pack 2 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 is removed by the suction pad 52, the two suction pads 52 pass near both ends of the right support part 12 in the Y direction to suck and hold the pack 2.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5, by locating suction pad positions at two locations near both ends of the right support portion 12 in the Y direction, it is possible to prevent the packs 2 from being unable to be sucked by the suction pads 52 and remove the packs. That is, since the packs 2 on both sides in the Y direction are sucked by the suction pads 52, the film bag portion 2a of the pack 2 is stretched by the suction of the two suction pads and can withstand deformation. This makes it possible to reliably support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 while also making it easy to smoothly remove the pack 2.

[0057] The pack posture maintaining portion 15 is made of sponge rubber having appropriate elasticity. The movable plate 16 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The pack posture maintaining portion 15 and the movable plate 16 also properly maintain the posture of the multiple packs 2 stored in the case portion 11 (as shown in FIG. 5(a) , they also maintain the posture of the packs 2 in an orderly and substantially horizontal state along the Z direction). In order to fulfill the above-mentioned function, the movable plate 16 is set to reliably move at least one pack 2 remaining in the case portion 11 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17 by descending downward in the Z direction within the case portion 11 by its own weight.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5(a), a long groove 11a is formed in the side wall of the case 11, extending in the Z direction with a predetermined width in the X direction. A flanged shaft 16a is provided at one end of the movable plate 16 so as to protrude from the long groove 11a. The movable plate 16 can hold the position of the pack 2 in the Z direction by guiding the shaft 16a along the long groove 11a in the Z direction. In FIG. 5, the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are stacked in a substantially horizontal state, and are stored with the drug-encapsulated portion on the left side of the figure in a bulging position, but the detailed state of these packs 2 is omitted.

[0059] The packs 2 are set in the case 11 in order from the pack removal openings 17 on the right support 12 and left support 13 sides toward the top. The timing for refilling the cartridge 10 with packs 2 may be, for example, when a user (resident) at a nursing facility or the like is examined (usually every two weeks) or when the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 run out. If there are packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 when refilling, refilling is performed from behind the remaining packs 2. Setting the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 and refilling the packs 2 are performed by staff at a nursing facility or the like, but this is not limited to a configuration in which the storage section is made into a cartridge and this is performed automatically.

[0060] The lid portion 14 is intended to enable staff at a care facility or the like to insert and remove the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10, and is formed long in the Z direction of the case portion 11 and with a predetermined opening width, as shown in Figure 5(a).

[0061] As shown in Fig. 5(b), the types of packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are divided according to the timing of taking the medicine, for example, 14 days' worth of medicine to be taken in the afternoon for person A. Therefore, if person A has medicine to take in the morning, evening, and before going to bed in addition to the afternoon, a total of four cartridges 10 are required. The above example is not limiting, and for example, a single cartridge 10 set for each medicine taker (person) may be used, and the packs may be arranged in the order of morning → afternoon → evening → before going to bed → morning → afternoon → evening, etc. on the first day, moving upward from the pack removal opening 17, which is the pack removal direction of the cartridge 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixed as fixed members to the bottom wall inner surface 11e of the pack removal opening 17 of the case part 11 so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is always stable. In other words, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are arranged in the pack removal opening 17 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 in a fixed state, with the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 for holding both ends of a medicine pack (such as the pack 2 or the combined pack 2A).

[0063] The end support part of the pack 2 on the side to be adsorbed is supported by the right support part 12, and the opposite end support part is supported by the left support part 13, so that the pack 2 stored and set in the cartridge 10 does not fall in the set state. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 have different support lengths for the pack 2, with the right support part 12 having a shorter support length. When the bottommost pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is adsorbed by the suction pad 52 and pulled out of the cartridge 10, the configuration and operation are such that the medicine pack such as the pack 2 bends due to elasticity or free deformation and is easy to pull out (see FIG. 11(d) described later).

[0064] At this time, because the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) are fixed, they can securely hold the tip of the next pack 2 and it will not fly out or fall due to being pulled by the previous pack 2. In addition, because the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) do not swing or rotate, the pack 2 will not get pinched during the return movement or deformed when pushed in, and it will be held in a stable state.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 5, medication-related information 6a, 6b, and 6c displayed on the medicine packs (pack 2, combined packs 2A, etc.) are exposed from the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10, and the medication-related information 6c on the medicine packs can be read by a QR code reader mounted on the carriage 50 as shown in Fig. 9, which will be described later. In Fig. 5, for the sake of simplicity, the medication-related information 6c is displayed only on the packs 2, combined packs 2A, etc. stored at the bottom of the cartridge 10, but it goes without saying that the medication-related information 6c is displayed on all packs 2, combined packs 2A, etc. stored in the cartridge 10.

[0066] Also, in cases where it is not possible to provide medication-related information 6c such as a QR code to a medicine pack (pack 2, combined packs 2A, etc.) (for example, when a packaging machine that produces packs 2, etc. is not capable of printing QR codes), a method as shown in FIG. 6 may be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a label with a QR code related to medication-related information 6c is attached to the bottom surface of the left support part 13 near the pack removal opening 17. This makes it possible to obtain the medication-related information 6c of the medicine pack (pack 2, combined packs 2A, etc.) stored in the cartridge 10. Note that, to obtain the medication-related information 6c, the QR code may be directly printed on the cartridge 10 instead of attaching a label.

[0067] Next, the mechanism and operation of the cartridge 10 set in the drawer section 80 will be described. FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the essential parts, showing the attachment / detachment mechanism of the cartridge 10 set in the drawer section 80. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a cartridge identification structure provided in the drawer section 80. As shown in FIG.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 7, the drawer section 80 is configured to allow a plurality of cartridges 10 to be attached and detached via the cartridge tray 20. The drawer section 80 is configured integrally with the cartridge tray 20 to hold the cartridge tray 20. Slide rails 81 are provided on the left and right outer wall surfaces of the case section 22 of the cartridge tray 20 in the drawer section 80, respectively, and each slide rail 81 is slidable on a main body rail disposed on the main body frame 199 side. As a result, the drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20) can be attached and detached by being pulled out from inside the main body frame 199 via the engagement between the slide rails 81 and the main body rails.

[0069] 7, the cartridge 10 is attached to and detached from the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 via engagement and disengagement between a pair of protrusions 23a formed on the inner wall surface of the case section 22 of the drawer section 80 so as to protrude inward and a pair of recesses 11c formed on the outer wall surface of the case section 11 of the cartridge 10, and engagement and disengagement between the inner wall surface of the case section 22 and four hemispherical protrusions 11d formed on the outer wall surface of the case section 11. This configuration for attaching and detaching the drawer section 80 allows the attachment and detachment of multiple cartridges 10 to be performed simply and with good operability.

[0070] In this embodiment, the connector is detachable through the fitting and engagement of the concave and convex parts. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained by providing an elastic material in the gap between the inner wall surface of the case part 22 and the outer wall surface of the case part 11, by using a magnetic structure, or by using a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0071] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, an opening 21 is formed through the bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80, and communicates with the pack removal opening 17 (see Figures 5 and 6) of the cartridge 10 when each cartridge 10 is attached to each storage section 23 of the cartridge tray 20.

[0072] 8, the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 has a storage section 23 for storing 20 cartridges 10 arranged in four horizontal columns A to D and five vertical rows 1 to 5. The drawer section 80 is provided with guide display sections such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) 25a1 to 25d5 that indicate the locations of the multiple cartridges 10 near the handle 26 that is gripped by hand when performing an attachment / detachment operation. This allows the user to know at a glance where the target cartridge 10 is located within the drawer section 80, cartridge tray 20.

[0073] 8, each storage section 23 is provided with a detection means such as a sensor or a switch for detecting whether a cartridge 10 is attached to the storage section 23. The LED 25a1 corresponds to the storage section 23 of the cartridge tray 20 corresponding to the address A1 (representing a portion or section uniquely determined by vertical columns and horizontal rows), and notifies the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 in the storage section 23 based on the result of the detection means of the storage section 23 of the address A1. Similarly, the LED 25a2 corresponds to the storage section 23 of the address A2, the LED 25a3 corresponds to the storage section 23 of the address A3, the LED 25a4 corresponds to the storage section 23 of the address A4, and the LED 25a5 corresponds to the storage section 23 of the address A5. Similarly, for the storage sections 23 corresponding to the addresses 1 to 5 of columns B to D, as shown in FIG. 8, LEDs for notifying the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 to be attached to or detached from each storage section 23 are provided in correspondence with each storage section 23.

[0074] In the case of guidance display units such as LEDs 25a1-25d5, there is a risk that a person who mounts cartridge 10 in storage unit 23 may mount cartridge 10 in a storage unit other than the storage unit 23 to which it should be mounted (risk of erroneous mounting). In such a case, for example, each cartridge 10 may be configured to be mountable only in the corresponding storage unit 23 (and not mountable in an incompatible storage unit 23).

[0075] Next, the configuration and operation of the carriage 50 (ejection section, ejection means) will be described. Fig. 9(a) is a front view showing the carriage configuration, and Fig. 9(b) is a plan view of Fig. 9(a). In order to simplify the drawings, the connection relationship diagram of the negative pressure generator 45 and the like in the carriage configuration is shown only in Fig. 9(a) and is omitted in Figs. 10, 13, etc. described later.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 9, the carriage 50 has an adsorption unit 51 that removes and holds the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. The adsorption unit 51 has a function of adsorbing and peeling off the pack 2. When adsorbing the pack 2, the adsorption unit 51 has a function of adsorbing the pack 2 by using negative pressure air converted by a negative pressure generator 45 serving as a negative pressure switching means. Also, when peeling off the pack 2, the adsorption unit 51 has a function of peeling off the pack 2 by using pressurized air converted by the negative pressure generator 45.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 9(a), the suction unit 51 converts the positive pressure from the air compressor 46, which is an air compression means, into negative pressure in the negative pressure generator 45 via the air tank 47, thereby creating a negative pressure state and suctioning the packs 2. The air compressor 46 is installed outside the transfer unit 90, and is connected to the suction unit 51 by communication members such as an air pipe 49 via the air tank 47 and the negative pressure generator 45. The air pipe 49 between the negative pressure generator 45 and the suction unit 51 is configured so that it can be determined that the suction unit 51 has suctioned the packs 2 when the negative pressure measured by a pressure sensor that measures the negative pressure falls to a predetermined value or less.

[0078] The air piping 49 is provided through a cable pair or the like together with a harness or the like so that the carriage 50 does not become taut even when it moves inside the drug dispensing device 200. That is, as shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b), the air piping 49 has a path of one turn each in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The air piping 49 is first extended from the negative pressure generator 45 along the Z-axis direction and makes one turn, then extended along the X-axis and makes one turn, and finally extended along the Y-axis and makes one turn to be connected to the suction part 51.

[0079] The suction section 51 also has a suction pad 52 that suctions the pack 2, and a suction duct 53 connected to the suction pad 52. The negative pressure generator 45 is also called a vacuum ejector valve, and is connected to the suction duct 53 via an air pipe 49. The suction pad 52 functions as an air suction means or suction member that suctions and removes the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. One end of the suction pad 52, the upper end in FIG. 9(a), is disposed to suction the pack 2. The other end of the suction pad 52, the lower end in FIG. 9(a), is attached and fixed to one end of the suction duct 53, the upper end in FIG. 9(a). The other end of the suction duct 53, the lower end in FIG. 9(a), is attached and fixed to a suction pad support member 54. The suction pad 52 and the suction duct 53 are provided in pairs in the Y direction.

[0080] The carriage 50 also has a position changing means for changing the position of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 to a substantially vertical position. The position changing means in the carriage 50 includes, as main components, a suction pad support member 54 connected to a suction portion base member 57 via a rotating shaft 55, a guide member 59 in which a uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is formed, a guide shaft 56 which is always fitted into the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59 to guide the suction pad support member 54, and a suction portion up and down movement portion.

[0081] The suction pad support member 54 is connected to the suction unit base member 57 via a rotation shaft 55. The suction pad support member 54 may be provided so as to be rotatable (i.e. swingable) within a predetermined angle range around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the suction pad support member 54, or may be provided so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the suction unit base member 57. In other words, in Fig. 9, the distance connecting the center of the rotation shaft 55 and the center of a guide rod 58 (described later) in the X direction is set so as to be always kept constant when the suction unit base member 57 moves in the vertical direction Z along the guide rod 58.

[0082] The suction unit vertical movement part has a pair of guide rods 58 provided in the Y direction to guide the suction unit base member 57 in the Z direction, an endless belt 62 wound around a drive pulley 60 and a driven pulley 61, and a drive motor 63 connected to the drive pulley 60 via a drive transmission member such as a gear or a belt. The drive motor 63 is a drive means or drive source of the suction unit vertical movement part.

[0083] The suction base member 57 is connected and fixed to the belt 62 by a belt gripper 62a fixed to the right end of the suction base member 57. A pair of guide rods 58 extend in the Z direction and are provided in the Y direction, and their lower ends are fixed to the bottom frame 50b of the take-out frame 50a provided on the carriage 50. A guided hole 57a into which the guide rod 58 is inserted is formed on the right end side of the suction base member 57. The drive pulley 60 and the driven pulley 61 are each rotatably supported by a stationary member on the take-out frame 50a side. The drive motor 63 is fixed to a stationary member on the take-out frame 50a side of the carriage 50.

[0084] When the suction unit base member 57 moves up and down by the operation of the drive motor 63, the suction unit base member 57 moves in the Z direction along each guide rod 58, so that it is possible to keep the posture of the suction unit base member 57 in the XY plane constant in a substantially horizontal state. Note that the suction unit up and down movement unit is not limited to the above-mentioned belt-driven up and down reciprocating motion mechanism, and may be a reciprocating linear motion mechanism using a rack and pinion or the like.

[0085] A pair of guide members 59 are provided on both sides of the suction portion 51 in the Y direction with the suction pad support member 54 in between, and their lower ends are fixed to the bottom frame 50b. The guide shafts 56 are provided to protrude from both ends of the suction pad support member 54 in the Y direction and are provided to always fit into guide grooves 59a of the guide members 59 to guide the suction pad support member 54. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the guide shafts 56 are provided below the rotation shaft 55 of the suction pad support member 54 in the Z direction with a certain distance from the rotation shaft 55.

[0086] When the suction unit base member 57 moves in the Z direction by operating the drive motor 63, the posture of the suction unit base member 57 in the XY plane is kept constant in an approximately horizontal state, and the guide shaft 56 of the suction pad support member 54 moves in the Z direction along the uniquely shaped guide groove 59a, so that the posture of the suction pad 52 can be rotated approximately 90 degrees (in FIG. 9(a) , the state when the suction unit 51 is rotated approximately 90 degrees is shown by a thick dashed line). Here, the approximately horizontal state includes the horizontal state, and also means being within a predetermined angle tolerance range with respect to the horizontal.

[0087] The uniquely shaped guide groove 59a comprises a first guide groove portion formed to extend relatively far in the Z direction so as to maintain the orientation of the suction pad 52 facing upward as shown by the solid line in Figure 9(a) via the suction pad support member 54 in a substantially horizontal state by the guidance of the guide shaft 56, and a second guide groove portion which communicates with and connects to this first guide groove portion and is formed to gradually draw a gentle arc to the right as it goes downward, thereby rotating the orientation of the suction pad support member 54 and the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 9, the carriage 50 is equipped with a QR code reader 66 as a medication-related information reading unit or medication-related information reading means that reads the medication-related information 6c (see Fig. 5) in the form of a QR code displayed on the pack 2 or the like stored in the cartridge 10. This QR code reader 66 has a code reading unit 66a at its top that reads the medication-related information 6c, and also functions as a medication-related information reading unit 65 (see Figs. 15 and 16 described below).

[0089] The QR code reader 66 is attached to the side of the carriage 50. The QR code reader 66 is also used to read a QR code related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on a label (see FIG. 6) affixed to the left support portion 13 of the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10. The operation of reading the QR code related to the medication-related information 6c by the code reading portion 66a of the QR code reader 66 will be described as being performed immediately before the carriage 50 removes the pack 2 from the cartridge 10.

[0090] 9, the carriage 50 also has a tag information reader 67 mounted thereon that reads information from the RFID tag 37 attached to the subdivision box 34 described in FIG. 4. This tag information reader 67 has a tag reader 67a at its lower portion that also functions as the medication-related information reader 65, and is attached to the side of the carriage 50 below the QR code reader 66. The operation of reading information (medication-related information 6c) from the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 by the tag reader 67a of the tag information reader 67 will be described as being performed immediately before the drug distribution operation of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 to the subdivision box 34 of the drug distribution tray 30.

[0091] Next, the operation of the carriage 50 will be described. 10 to 12 are front views showing the progress of the operation of the carriage 50. FIG. In order to simplify the explanation and make it easier to understand, it is assumed that the carriage 50 is moved by the movement of the transport unit 90 in Fig. 1 to be located in the vicinity of the lower side of the cartridge tray 20 held in the upper one of the two drawer units 80 arranged above and below the main body frame 199 in Fig. 1. It is also assumed that the cartridge 10 shown in Fig. 5 and the cartridge tray 20 shown in Fig. 1 are used. In order to simplify the explanation and make it easier to understand, the QR code reader 66 and the tag information reading device 67 are intentionally omitted from Figs. 11(b) to 11(g) and Figs. 12(i) and 12(j).

[0092] In FIG. 10(a), the carriage 50 can be moved in the X and Y directions in the lower area of ​​the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20 by the transport unit 90 in FIG. 1. First, as shown in the figure, the carriage 50 moves to below the cartridge tray 20 holding the cartridge 10 storing the pack 2 to be removed. Then, the carriage 50 takes a position where the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66 of the carriage 50 is substantially directly below the cartridge tray 20 and the cartridge 10 (reading range 9 from the opening 21 of the cartridge tray 20 to the QR code related to the medication-related information 6c of the pack 2 stored at the bottom inside the cartridge 10 can be read). After that, the carriage 50 reads the QR code related to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the pack 2 by the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66.

[0093] Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly from the position shown in FIG. 10(a) to one end side (the right side in the figure) in the X direction as shown in FIG. 11(b) by the transfer unit 90 shown in FIG. 1 to a position where the lowest pack 2 can be taken out from the same cartridge 10. At this time, the drive motor 63 of the suction unit vertical movement unit is stopped, and the suction pad 52 is located below the upper surface position of the take-out unit (meaning the upper surface position of the take-out frame 50a of the carriage 50). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the drive motor 63 is operated to move the suction pad 52 upward, enter through the pack take-out opening 17 between the right support unit 12 and the left support unit 13, come into contact with the pack 2 located at the lowest position of the cartridge 10, and simultaneously suck the pack 2. At this time, the negative pressure generator 45 has been driven in advance to generate negative pressure, and is in a state where the suction operation of the pack 2 can be performed.

[0094] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(d), the drive motor 63 rotates in the reverse direction, causing the suction pad 52 to move downward while suctioning the pack 2, thereby pulling out the tip side (meaning the side that is suctioned by the suction pad 52; the same applies below) of the pack 2 from within the cartridge 10.

[0095] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(e), the carriage 50 is moved in the lateral X direction by the operation of the transport unit 90 to pull out the rear end side of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. Immediately after that, as shown in FIG. 11(f) to FIG. 11(g), the drive motor 63 is operated to rotate the pack 2, which is held by suction on the suction pad 52, from its substantially horizontal state by approximately 90 degrees to a substantially vertical state (hereinafter also referred to as a substantially vertical state) from the substantially horizontal state. The rotational movement at this time is performed by the guide shaft 56 provided on the suction pad support member 54 moving along the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59. The drive source at this time can be a series of operations of the single drive motor 63.

[0096] In this embodiment, when removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, the carriage 50 is positioned below the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20, and the pack 2 is removed from below the cartridge 10. In this way, by removing the pack 2 from below the cartridge 10, the next pack 2 automatically moves downward (towards the pack removal opening 17) due to the weight of the pack 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 and the movable plate 16, so that the carriage 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration regardless of the remaining amount of packs 2 in the cartridge 10.

[0097] 12(h), the carriage 50 equipped with the suction pad 52 holding the pack 2 in a substantially vertical position is carried to a predetermined position by the transport unit 90. Then, when the tag reading unit 67a of the tag information reading device 67 of the carriage 50 reaches the predetermined position within a range where wireless communication with the RFID tag 37 provided at the bottom of a predetermined subdivision box 34 (or a predetermined section 33) of the medication tray 30 is possible (a range where the number of magnetic flux lines I passing through the antenna of the RFID tag 37 is equal to or greater than the number required for wireless communication of the RFID tag 37), the tag reading unit 67a reads information (medication-related information) from the RFID tag 37.

[0098] Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly from the position in FIG. 12(h) to the other end side in the X direction (left side in the figure) as shown in FIG. 12(i) by the transfer unit 90 in FIG. 1, so as to move to a position where the removed pack 2 can be inserted into the subdivision box 34 (or the predetermined compartment 33) from which the information of the RFID tag 37 has been read. Then, when the carriage 50 moves to a position where the pack 2 can be inserted (substantially directly above the subdivision box 34 (or the predetermined compartment 33)), the negative pressure generator 45 is driven for a short time to generate a positive pressure (positive pressure) from the negative pressure. This releases the suction and holding of the pack 2 by the suction pad 52, and the pack 2 is inserted into the predetermined subdivision box 34 (or the predetermined compartment 33) and stored (see FIG. 12(j)).

[0099] After repeating the above steps multiple times and storing the required packs 2 in the designated subdivision boxes 34 (or designated compartments 33) of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 is ejected from the device through the third entrance / exit section 43 (see Figure 1) and is received by staff at a care facility or a medication support person.

[0100] Next, the operation of reading the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c of the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 6 by the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The cartridge 10 shown in Figure 6 differs from the cartridge 10 shown in Figure 5 only in that the display position of the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c has been changed from the bag portion 2a of the pack 2 to the bottom wall surface of the left support portion 13 of the cartridge 10.

[0101] 13, in order to read the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support section 13 of the cartridge 10, the carriage 50 is moved to a position where the code reading section 66a of the QR code reader 66 of the carriage 50 is in a reading range 9 where the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support section 13 of the cartridge 10 can be read. Then, the carriage 50 reads the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support section 13 of the cartridge 10 by the code reading section 66a of the QR code reader 66. The other operations of the carriage 50 are the same as those described in FIGS. 11(b) to 11(g) and 12(h) to 12(i).

[0102] Next, the configuration and operation of the transport unit 90 will be described. FIG. 14(a) is a front view showing the main configuration of the transfer section 90, and FIG. 14(b) is a side view of FIG. 14(a). 1, the cartridges 10 are arranged on a plane below the drug distribution tray 30 arranged at the top of the main body frame 199, and the drug distribution tray 30 is located above the upper cartridge 10, so the carriage 50 moves in three directions, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In this way, the transport unit 90 has a configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in order to transport the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 to be delivered to the drug distribution tray 30.

[0103] The configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the X direction is the X-direction transport section 91, the configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the Y direction is the Y-direction transport section 101, and the configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the Z direction is the Z-direction transport section 111, and each has a similar configuration.

[0104] The X-direction transport section 91 has an X adapter 96 attached to the carriage 50, an X guide member 97 that guides the carriage 50 in the X direction via the X adapter 96, an endless belt 94 wound around a drive pulley 92 and a driven pulley 93, and a drive motor 95 for X-direction transport that is connected to the drive pulley 92 via a drive force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 98 (two of the three are hidden by the carriage 50 and cannot be seen) are attached to the X adapter 96 so as to be able to roll while clamping the X guide member 97. The X adapter 96 is also connected and fixed to the endless belt 94 via a belt gripping section.

[0105] With the above-described configuration of the X-direction transport unit 91, when the drive motor 95 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 94 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 92, so that the endless belt 94 rotates and moves, and the carriage 50 moves in the X direction along the X guide member 97 together with the X adapter 96.

[0106] Y-direction transport unit 101 has a Y adapter 106 attached to carriage 50, a Y guide member 107 that guides carriage 50 in the Y direction via Y adapter 106, an endless belt 104 wound around drive pulley 102 and driven pulley 103, and a drive motor 105 for transport in the Y direction that is connected to drive pulley 102 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 108 are attached to Y adapter 106 so as to be able to roll while clamping Y guide member 107. In addition, Y adapter 106 is connected and fixed to endless belt 104 via belt gripping portion 104a.

[0107] With the above-described configuration of the Y-direction transport section 101, when the drive motor 105 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 104 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 102, causing the endless belt 104 to rotate and run, and the carriage 50 moves in the Y direction along the Y guide member 107 together with the Y adapter 106.

[0108] The Z-direction transfer section 111 includes a pair of Z adapters 116 attached to both ends of the X-direction of the X-guide member 97, a pair of Z guide members 117 that guide the carriage 50 in the Z direction via the X-guide member 97 and the pair of Z adapters 116, an endless belt 114 wound around a driving pulley 112 and a driven pulley 113, and a drive motor 115 for Z-direction transfer that is connected to the driving pulley 112 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. In the Z-direction transfer section 111, the driving pulley 112, the driven pulley 113, and the endless belt 114 are provided on both sides in the X direction, but the drive motor 115 is provided only on one of the driving pulleys 112. Three rollers 118 are attached to each of the Z adapters 116 so as to be rotatable while clamping the Z guide member 117. Also, each of the Z adapters 116 is connected and fixed to each of the endless belts 114 via each of the belt gripping parts 114a.

[0109] With the above-described configuration of the Z-direction transport section 111, when the drive motor 115 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 114 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 112, causing the endless belt 114 to rotate and move, and the carriage 50 moves in the Z direction along the Z guide member 117 together with the X guide member 97 and the Z adapter 116.

[0110] In FIG. 14, the carriage 50 moves in three axial directions, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis. However, in a configuration in which, for example, the cartridge 10 is arranged on the upper side of the carriage 50 and the medication tray 30 is arranged on the lower side, the carriage 50 only needs to move in the X-axis and the Y-axis, thereby reducing the number of axes of movement by one.

[0111] Next, the control configuration of the medicine dispensing device 200 will be described. FIG. 15 is a control block diagram showing a main control configuration of the medicine dispensing device 200. As shown in Fig. 15, the drug dispensing device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a function as a control unit 150, which is a control means for controlling the operation of each part of the drug dispensing device 200. The CPU includes a memory unit 152 and a timer unit 153. The CPU issues a notification to staff or an instruction for the operation of the device at a timing according to a program based on various inputs including those from a sensor described later.

[0112] The CPU may have a timer (timekeeping) function in addition to the calculation and control functions. The storage unit 152 on the control unit 150 side has a RAM (a memory that can be read and written at any time), also called a main storage device (main memory), and a ROM (read only memory). The ROM stores in advance programs that the CPU can read (for example, programs that execute processes such as control flowcharts described later) and various data. The various data include, for example, data on the relationship between the sections 33 and subdivision boxes 34 of the medicine distribution tray 30 assigned to each user and the medicine packs 2, data on the relationship between the sections 33 and subdivision boxes 34 of the medicine distribution tray 30 assigned to each medication timing and the medicine packs 2, and data on the relationship between the sections 33 and subdivision boxes 34 of the medicine distribution tray 30 assigned to each medication order and the medicine packs 2.

[0113] A touch panel 151 serving as a user interface is electrically connected to an input / output port of the control unit 150. The user interface is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a combination of an input unit and a display unit separate from each other (a keyboard and an LED display unit).

[0114] In addition, the input port of the control unit 150 is electrically connected to various sensors, including a medicine distribution tray detection sensor 156 that detects the type of medicine distribution tray 30 stored in the device and the presence or absence of the medicine distribution tray 30, and a cartridge detection sensor 157 that detects the presence or absence of the cartridge 10. In addition, the input port of the control unit 150 is electrically connected to various sensors, including drawer entrance opening / closing sensors 159a and 159b that detect the opening and closing of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42, and medicine distribution tray entrance / exit section opening / closing sensors 160a and 160b that detect the opening and closing of the third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44. The medicine distribution tray detection sensor 156, the cartridge detection sensor 157, the drawer entrance / exit section opening / closing sensors 159a and 159b, and the medicine distribution tray entrance / exit section opening / closing sensors 160a and 160b are shown only in FIG. 15.

[0115] Also electrically connected to the input port of the control unit 150 are an HP sensor 99 for an HP sensor X that detects a home position (hereinafter abbreviated as "HP") of the X-direction transport portion 91 of the carriage 50, an HP sensor 109 for an HP sensor Y that detects the HP of the Y-direction transport portion 101 of the carriage 50, and an HP sensor 119 for an HP sensor Z that detects the HP of the Z-direction transport portion 111 of the carriage 50. Also electrically connected to the input port of the control unit 150 is an HP sensor 158 for an HP sensor P that detects the HP of the suction portion 51 (particularly the suction pad 52) of the carriage 50.

[0116] Furthermore, the input port of the control unit 150 is electrically connected to a QR code reader 66 (code reading unit 66a) as a medication-related information reading unit 65 arranged on the carriage 50, and a tag information reading device 67 (tag reading unit 67a) as a medication-related information reading unit 65.

[0117] The output port of the control unit 150 is electrically connected, via various motor drivers X to Z, P, to a drive motor 95 of the X-direction transfer unit 91, a drive motor 105 of the Y-direction transfer unit 101, a drive motor 115 of the Z-direction transfer unit 111, and a drive motor 63 for changing the attitude of the suction pad 52. The output port of the control unit 150 is also electrically connected, via a negative pressure generator driver, to a negative pressure generator (ejector valve) 45 which is an actuator for the negative pressure generator.

[0118] An alarm unit may be electrically connected to the output port of the control unit 150. This alarm unit notifies the state of each unit of the device by light such as an LED, sound including voice, or vibration. It is equipped with a speaker, light, etc. to notify the staff of the timing of taking medicine even if they are away from the device.

[0119] External medicine information is also input to the control unit 150 through the I / O, stored in the memory unit 152, and used for allocating medicines to recipients, etc. The LEDs 25a1 to 25d5 of the drawer unit 80 may be electrically connected.

[0120] When input information from the touch panel 151, various signals from the various HP sensors 99, 109, 119, 158, and various sensors are input to the control unit 150, the following command signals are output from the CPU of the control unit 150. That is, the CPU outputs instructions to the sound device and light device of the display device (including the notification unit) of the touch panel 151, the LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, the negative pressure generator 45, the drive motor 63, the drive motor 95, the drive motor 105, the drive motor 115, or drivers corresponding to the LEDs.

[0121] An HP sensor 158 for the HP sensor P and a drive motor 63 outputted via a motor driver P are used to drive and control the suction part up and down movement mechanism. The CPU of the control unit 150 has a function of executing various control operations described below and shown in the control flowcharts.

[0122] Next, the control of the medication support device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of the medication support device of this embodiment. The medication support device 300 of this embodiment is composed of the above-mentioned medication distribution device 200 and a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC") 210 connected to the medication distribution device 200 so as to be able to communicate (transmit and receive data). The PC 210 mainly consists of five well-known device configurations. That is, the PC 210 is composed of a control device, a calculation device, a storage device, an input device, and an output device. The control device of the PC 210 has a CPU, and executes programs and issues instructions to other devices. The calculation device of the PC 210 executes programs and performs calculations. The PC 210 storage device has a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device, and stores data such as programs and text. The input device of the PC 210 has a mouse, keyboard, microphone, etc., and transmits data and instructions to the computer. The output device of the PC 210 has a display, printer, speaker, etc., and outputs data from the computer.

[0123] The PC 210 performs a function that can be called a host computer that manages and supports the medication dispensing device 200. The PC 210 is connected to a pharmacy or the like that supplies medication via a communication network.

[0124] The pack information management system 212, which is realized by the execution of a management application (hereinafter referred to as the "management app") 211 by the PC 210, reads and manages medication-related information of the medicine pack 2. The medication distribution information management system 213, which is realized by the management app 211, reads and manages medication distribution information including at least the recipient's name and the timing of medication administration. The medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230, which is realized by the management app 211, assists the medication distribution confirmation work performed by a medication assistant after the medication distribution work on the medication distribution tray 30 is completed, and assists the medication assistant in the three-point medication confirmation work when assisting the recipient in taking the medication, and constitutes a medication administration assistance device 400, which will be described later.

[0125] The management application 211 reads a medication distribution information file 219 that includes medication information for each recipient, medication distribution timing, etc., generated externally (for example, at a pharmacy that supplies medication based on a prescription issued by a doctor, etc.). The management application 211 also reads data input from a setting file 217 that records setting information, etc., that was set once in the PC 210.

[0126] Data output from the management application 211 as needed includes a file output as a log file 216 according to the change contents, a medication distribution history file 215 that summarizes the medication distribution history, etc. Furthermore, as needed, each form 218 is output from the PC 210 via the management application 211. Note that the functions of the management application 211 of the PC 210, etc. may be provided in the medication distribution device 200.

[0127] In the medication distribution information management system 213, by storing the results of medication distribution and change history as records, the actual results of medication distribution can be stored as traceability information, which can be reviewed in the event of a problem.

[0128] The pack information management system 212 manages medication-related information of the medicine pack, including at least the name of the recipient and the timing of medication, and the operation of the above-mentioned medication dispensing device 200 is further explained as follows. As shown in Fig. 9, the medication dispensing device 200 has a QR code reader 66 and a tag information reading device 67 mounted on a carriage 50. The carriage 50 moves to the vicinity of the cartridge 10 that stores the medicine pack (the unit-drug pack 2 or the combined pack 2A), and the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66 can read the QR code related to the medication-related information 6c.

[0129] When the medication-related information 6c is displayed on the surface of the medicine pack as shown in Fig. 5, the QR code is visible from the pack removal opening 17 as shown in Fig. 10(a) and can be read by the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66. Even when the medication-related information 6c is displayed on the left support portion 13 of the bottom wall surface of the cartridge 10 as shown in Fig. 6, the medication-related information 6c is displayed at the pack removal opening 17, so the QR code relating to the medication-related information 6c can be similarly read by the code reading unit 66a of the QR code reader 66.

[0130] 12(h), when the carriage 50 moves to the subdivision box 34 of the medicine distribution tray 30 while holding the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10, the information of the RFID tag 37 can be read by the tag reading unit 67a of the tag information reading device 67. The information thus read by the QR code reader 66 or the tag information reading device 67 is transmitted to the pack information management system 212 in the PC 210 via the communication module 214.

[0131] Since the QR code reader 66 and the tag information reading device 67 are mounted on the carriage 50, it is possible to detect the name of the recipient and the location of the cartridge 10 in which the medicine pack to be taken by the recipient is stored by moving the carriage 50 in the medicine dispensing device 200 (see FIG. 1, etc.). In other words, by reading the QR code with the QR code reader 66 at the position coordinates (e.g., X: row, Y: column, Z: row) of the cartridge 10 corresponding to the location of the cartridge 10 in the medicine dispensing device 200, it is possible to link the position coordinates of the carriage 50 corresponding to the location of the cartridge 10 with the QR code related to the medicine-taking-related information 6c.

[0132] Next, the contents of the management application screen displayed on the display screen 220 of the PC 210 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a management application screen displayed on the display screen of the PC 210. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 17, the name of each resident (medicine recipient) and the medication timing corresponding to each medication recipient are displayed in a matrix table, and the position coordinates of the cartridge 10 in which the medicine pack to be taken is stored are displayed. This makes it possible to manage the medication recipient, the medication timing corresponding to this medication recipient, and the position coordinates of the cartridge 10 in which the medicine pack to be taken is stored.

[0133] In the example of Figure 17, for example, in the case of a resident (medicine recipient) "Mr. A," when the medication timing is noon, the carriage 50 indicates that the medicine in the medicine pack 2 of the cartridge 10 located at the corresponding position coordinates [(1 (column)-1 (column)-1 (row))] is supplied to the resident to take the medicine.

[0134] The above also applies to which compartment 33 (or subdivision box 34) of the medication tray 30 the medicine pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 located at the corresponding position coordinates should be inserted into, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0135] The medication distribution information management system 213 will be described below with reference to the medication table shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a medication table as an example showing the contents of a medication distribution information file. In nursing facilities, medication is generally managed in a list such as the medication chart shown in Figure 18 so that it is clear who should take what and when. In the medication chart shown in Figure 18, a row is created for each resident, and in each row, a "X" is displayed on the date and timing for each resident to take the medication (medicine stored in a medicine pack).

[0136] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a management application screen that is displayed on the display screen when the contents of the medication distribution information file are read into the medication distribution information management system 213. As shown in FIG. The medication distribution information management system 213 reads the contents of the medication distribution information file shown in the medication table in Fig. 18, and thereby it becomes possible to compare the medication distribution information with the medication-taking-related information. As shown in Fig. 19, a page for reading the medication distribution information file 219 on the management application 211 is prepared on the display screen 220. On this screen display, a file containing medication distribution information can be read into the medication distribution information management system 213 by dragging and dropping it with a mouse operation. This reading is performed by recognizing and storing the numerical values ​​corresponding to each matrix position of the table on the application, since the resident information file is used as the format.

[0137] 20(a) to 20(d) are diagrams for explaining management application screen displays when the read medication distribution information is expanded by period. FIG. 20(a) is an example of a designation operation for extending the read-in medication distribution information to a specified date. By performing registration on a monthly basis to be managed, medication distribution management data for that month is generated. Instead of extending the read-in medication distribution information to a specified date on a monthly basis (FIG. 20(a)), a calendar display may be displayed as shown in FIG. 20(b) to allow the date to be specified, or a calendar display may be displayed as shown in FIG. 20(c) to allow the selection of two periods, a start period and an end period. Furthermore, a method of setting a period may be used as shown in FIG. 20(d).

[0138] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on which the generated medication management data is displayed after the number of registration days is specified. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing that, on the display screen shown in Fig. 21, if there is a change in the execution of medication for each medication recipient before the medication execution operation, the change can be made. On the display screen 220 shown in FIG. 22, if there is a change in the medication distribution for each patient before the medication distribution operation, the setting can be changed to "Distribute medication" or "Do not distribute medication" (displayed on the right side of the display screen 220 in FIG. 22).

[0139] To execute medication distribution, when the execute button 221 on the display screen 220 in FIG. 21 is clicked with the mouse, the medication-taking related information is compared with the medication-distribution related information, and after it is confirmed that the medication-taking related information and the medication-distribution related information match, the medication is distributed.

[0140] For example, in the display screen 220 of Fig. 21, when dispensing medicine for 7 / 15 (Thursday), the name of the recipient (Mr. A) and the timing of taking medicine (afternoon), which are the medicine dispensing-related information marked with a black circle, are recognized, and the carriage 50 moves to the corresponding position coordinate (1-1-1) of the cartridge 10 in which the medicine pack 2 is stored based on the medicine-taking-related information of Fig. 17, and takes out the medicine pack 2. Next, based on the medicine-taking-related information of Fig. 17, the carriage 50 moves to the position coordinate (1-1-1) of the specified section 33 (or subdivision box 34) of the medicine dispensing tray 30, and stores the medicine pack 2. By repeating this operation for the items marked with a black circle, the storage (medication dispensing work) of the medicine pack 2 in each subdivision box 34 of the specified medicine dispensing tray 30 can be completed.

[0141] In addition, on the display screen 220 on which the medication distribution management list shown in Fig. 21 is displayed, the medication distribution management list can be printed by clicking a print button 222 with a mouse. A medication distribution list printed from the medication distribution management list in Fig. 21 is shown in Fig. 23. Based on this printed medication distribution list, a nurse or the like can make a final check of the results of the medication distribution work (medication distribution confirmation work) by comparing it with the medicine packs 2 in each subdivision box 34 of the medication distribution tray 30 on which medication has been distributed, and by handing over the medication distribution list in Fig. 23 to the caregiver who will assist with medication administration, the caregiver can also confirm the medication distribution work by assisting with medication. Methods of confirmation include filling in the circles or drawing diagonal lines to make it easier to understand.

[0142] Next, a description will be given of a medication assistance device 400 serving as an information display system that assists a medication assistant in checking three points when assisting a patient in taking medication. The three-point medication confirmation task refers to the task of checking three things when a medication assistant assists a patient in taking their medication: the medication for each patient (small box 34 containing the medication), the medication assistant providing the medication assistance, and the patient themselves.

[0143] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic configuration of a medication assistance device 400 in this embodiment. The medication assistance device 400 of this embodiment is composed of the above-mentioned PC 210 and a smartphone 410, which is a communication terminal device that functions as both an information display device and an information reading device. The PC 210 functions as a medication confirmation assistance system 230 by a management application 211, and executes a process to assist a medication assistant in checking three points of medication when assisting a patient in taking the medication.

[0144] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a medication assistance device 400 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the smartphone 410 functions as an information reading device that reads information from the RFID tag 37 attached to the subdivision box 34 in which the user's medicine pack 2 is stored, and an information display device that displays user-related information related to the user based on the information read from the RFID tag 37.

[0145] The smartphone 410 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 411 as a control unit, a storage unit 412, and an input / output interface (I / F) 413.

[0146] The CPU 411 has a calculation and control function, and issues instructions for various processes and device control at timings according to a program based on input from the input / output I / F 413 .

[0147] The storage unit 412 has a RAM (a memory that can be read and written at any time) also called a main storage device, and a ROM (a read-only memory) also called an auxiliary storage device. The ROM stores in advance programs that the CPU 411 can read (for example, a medication management program using the RFID tag 37) and various data.

[0148] The input / output I / F 413 includes a tag information reading / writing unit 414 as an information reading unit that reads information from the RFID tag 37 provided on the subdivision box 34, an information display / operation unit 415 as a user interface, and a communication unit 416.

[0149] The tag information reading / writing unit 414 performs near field wireless communication (NFC) with the RFID tag 37 in the subdivision box 34 within a wireless communication range (a range in which the number of magnetic flux lines I passing through the antenna of the RFID tag 37 is equal to or greater than the number required for wireless communication of the RFID tag 37). The tag information reading / writing unit 414 can read information from and rewrite information on the RFID tag 37 through near field wireless communication.

[0150] The information display / operation unit 415 has a function as an information display unit that displays information related to the patient and an operation reception unit that receives operations by a patient-taking assistant. The information display / operation unit 415 is, for example, configured with a touch panel, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a combination of an input unit and a display unit that are separate (a keyboard and an LED display unit).

[0151] The communication unit 416 has a function of performing data communication with an external device such as the PC 210 via the communication network 430. The PC 210 realizes a medication confirmation assistance system 230 including a database unit 231 and a communication unit 232 by the management application 211. The database unit 231 stores, for example, a database in which recipient information (assisted information) such as a recipient ID, recipient name, recipient face photo, medication information, medication timing information, cautions when taking medication, requests from family members, and comment information on matters to be handed over by nurses, caregiver information such as a caregiver ID and a caregiver name, nurse information such as a nurse ID and a nurse name, administrator information such as an administrator ID and an administrator name, and information held in the RFID tag 37 (identification information such as a unique ID of the RFID tag 37), and recipient-related information such as the results of medication preparation and the results of medication assistance are associated with each other.

[0152] The communication unit 416 communicates with the communication unit 232 of the PC 210 via the communication network 430 to refer to the information in the database of the database unit 231, send instructions for processing using the database of the database unit 231, or receive processing results. In this database, for example, information that can uniquely identify information related to a recipient, such as the name of the recipient and the timing of taking the medicine, is managed from information (such as a unique ID) read from the RFID tag 37.

[0153] According to this embodiment, by reading the information on the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 in which the medicine packs 2 for each recipient are collected for each medication timing by the smartphone 410 of the medication assistant, it becomes possible to uniquely identify the recipient-related information (name of the recipient, medication timing, etc.) corresponding to the subdivision box 34 by referring to the database unit 231 of the PC 210. The PC 210 can also be replaced by a cloud server.

[0154] In addition, the function of the medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230 of the PC 210 may be provided in the smartphone 410. In this case, when a medication assistant uses the smartphone 410 to perform the three-point medication confirmation work, it is not necessary to use the PC 210, and the system can be completed using only the smartphone 410.

[0155] In this embodiment, when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task, as shown in FIG. 26, the medication confirmation target subdivision box 34 is taken out from the compartment 33 of the medication tray 30 where medication has already been distributed. Then, the smartphone 410, in a state where the CPU 411 is executing a medication management program (standby information), is brought close to the taken-out subdivision box 34. As a result, magnetic flux lines generated by the antenna coil of the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410 pass through the antenna coil of the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34, and power is supplied to the RFID tag 37. Then, the RFID tag 37 transmits predetermined information (such as a unique ID) on the magnetic flux, and the information is received by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410.

[0156] The CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 communicates with the medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230 of the PC 210 via the communication unit 416 based on the information of the RFID tag 37 received by the tag information reading / writing unit 414, and refers to the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210. Then, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 acquires the recipient-related information (name of recipient, timing of taking medication, etc.) corresponding to the subdivision box 34 from the read information (information of the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34).

[0157] Thereafter, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 executes a process for displaying the obtained patient-related information on the touch panel of the information display / operation unit 415. As a result, the patient-related information (such as the patient's name, patient's facial photo, timing of taking medicine, points to note when taking medicine, matters to be handed over, and name of the assistant) of the patient corresponding to the subdivision box 34 from which the information of the RFID tag 37 was read is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410, for the medication assistant.

[0158] Here, in order to improve work efficiency, some conventional information display devices that display the patient-related information of the patient automatically display the patient-related information when information is read from an information storage medium such as the RFID tag 37 of the dispensing box 34. In the case of such information display devices, if information is read from the information storage medium without the patient's knowledge, the patient may not realize that the patient-related information of the patient is being displayed on the information display device. In particular, when the information storage medium is a wireless tag such as the RFID tag 37, the patient may easily unconsciously place the wireless tag within the wireless communication range, and the patient may easily read information from the wireless tag without noticing.

[0159] As a result, for example, a medication assistant may leave the information display device with the patient-related information displayed thereon, and the patient-related information displayed on the information display device may be seen by a third party. Since the patient-related information includes information that is not desirable for a third party to see, such as the patient's personal information and information about the medications they are taking, it is necessary to prevent the patient-related information from being seen by a third party.

[0160] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the smartphone 410 reads information from the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34, an operation instruction is given to the medication assistant to perform a predetermined display operation to display the medication-user-related information before the medication-user-related information is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410. According to this, even if the information of the RFID tag 37 is read by the smartphone 410 without the medication assistant realizing it, the medication-user-related information will not be displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 unless the medication assistant performs a predetermined display operation. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the medication-user-related information of the medication user is displayed on the smartphone 410 without the medication assistant realizing it, and it is possible to prevent the medication-user-related information displayed on the smartphone 410 from being seen by a third party.

[0161] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the control of the smartphone 410 when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task in this embodiment. When a medication assistant is performing the three-point medication check task, if the medication management app on the smartphone 410 is not running, the assistant performs an operation to start the medication management app, causes the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 to execute a medication management program, and puts the medication management app into standby mode (S1).

[0162] Thereafter, the medication assistant brings the smartphone 410 close to the subdivision box 34 of the medication target that has been taken out from the medication distribution tray 30 where medication has been distributed. As a result, when the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 comes within the wireless communication range of the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410, the information of the RFID tag 37 is read by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410, and the medication management app in standby state is started (S2). Note that, by writing the application name in advance to the RFID tag 37, it is not necessary to perform a prior operation of starting the medication management application on the smartphone 410 in the standby state (S1). That is, the medication management application is automatically started (S2) when the information on the RFID tag 37 is read by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410.

[0163] Thereafter, in this embodiment, the CPU 411 executing the medication management program functions as an operation instruction unit, and before displaying the recipient-related information on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410, displays, as an operation instruction, an intention confirmation screen as shown in Fig. 28 on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 as to whether or not to perform a three-point medication check (S3). Then, in order to perform the three-point medication check, the medication assistant performs an intention confirmation operation of touching a button displayed as "Perform three-point medication check" on the intention confirmation screen shown in Fig. 28, and the information display / operation unit 415 accepts this as a display operation (Yes in S4).

[0164] At this time, in this embodiment, authentication processing of the medication assistant is also performed on the intention confirmation screen for confirming the three points of medication. In the authentication processing of the medication assistant, for example, the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 functions as an assistant reception unit, and the medication assistant is prompted to input an ID and password on the intention confirmation screen for confirming the three points of medication displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 in processing step S3. In this case, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 performs ID / password authentication to determine whether the input ID and password match those registered in advance.

[0165] Alternatively, in the authentication process for the medication assistant, for example, the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410 functions as an assistant reception unit, and on the intention confirmation screen for the three-point medication confirmation, the medication assistant brings an ID card held by the medication assistant close to the smartphone 410, and reads information on the RFID tag of the ID card by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410. In this case, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 performs ID card authentication to determine whether the read information matches information registered in advance.

[0166] When the medication assistant who has been authenticated in the medication assistant authentication process performs an intention confirmation operation on the medication three-point confirmation intention confirmation screen (Yes in S4), the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 communicates with the medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230 of the PC 210 via the communication unit 416 based on the information of the RFID tag 37 received by the tag information reading / writing unit 414, and refers to the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210. Then, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 obtains the recipient-related information (name of the recipient, timing of taking medication, etc.) corresponding to the repartition box 34, and displays a medication three-point confirmation screen as shown in Fig. 29 including the recipient-related information on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 (S7). The three-point medication confirmation screen shown in Figure 29 displays information related to the patient, such as the name of the medication assistant (caregiver), the date and time of medication, the timing of medication, a photo of the patient's face, the name of the patient (Mr. A), and any points to note and anything to be handed over when taking the medication.

[0167] After that, the medication assistant checks whether there are any mistakes with the person taking the medicine while looking at the contents of the three-point medication confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410, and then presses the "identification confirmation" button on the three-point medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. 29. The medication assistant also checks whether there are any mistakes with the medicine (subdivision box 34) and the precautions and handover matters when taking the medicine. Then, when the medication assistant has finished assisting the person taking the medicine, he / she touches the "medication assistance completed" button on the three-point medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. 29 displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410. When an error such as refusal to take the medicine / dropping the medicine occurs, the "medication assistance error" button on the three-point medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. 29 is touched, and for example, the medicine that could not be taken is photographed, and the medication assistant's implementation comment is recorded. At that time, if a QR code is attached to the medicine, the QR code can also be photographed, and the medication information at the time of the error can be further registered.

[0168] When the medication assistant touches the "Medication assistance completed" button on the three-point medication confirmation screen, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 transmits a report of the medication assistance results for the medication recipient, medication date and time, and medication timing, and information on the medication assistant who performed the medication assistance, to the medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230 of the PC 210 via the communication unit 416. The medication distribution confirmation assistance system 230 of the PC 210 records the report results in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 according to the results of the report received (S8). The smartphone 410 then puts the medication management app into standby mode (Yes in S9).

[0169] In this embodiment, a process of displaying an explanatory screen on the touch panel for explaining how to read the RFID tag 37 as shown in Fig. 30 may be performed at a predetermined timing (S6). However, since this explanatory screen is often unnecessary for a medication assistant who already knows how to read the RFID tag 37, for example, the explanatory screen shown in Fig. 30 may be displayed only when the process of reading the information of the RFID tag 37 and displaying the medication-related information is the first process (initial process) within a predetermined period (Yes in S5). This predetermined period may be, for example, a fixed time period, such as within 5 minutes from the previous process.

[0170] According to this embodiment, even if the medication assistant unknowingly reads the information on the RFID tag 37 with the smartphone 410, when the medication assistant touches the display operation of "Perform three-point medication confirmation" button on the intention confirmation screen shown in FIG. 28, the three-point medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. 29 will not be displayed on the smartphone 410 unless the medication assistant is authenticated by entering the medication assistant's ID and password, or by reading the employee card to authenticate the medication assistant.

[0171] According to this, the three-point medication confirmation screen shown in FIG. 29 is displayed on the smartphone 410 only when the medication assistant performs a predetermined display operation on the smartphone 410, and the three-point medication confirmation screen of FIG. 29 is displayed on the smartphone 410 according to the clear intention of the medication assistant. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the three-point medication confirmation screen of FIG. 29, which displays the patient-related information of the patient, is displayed on the smartphone 410 without the medication assistant realizing it. This makes it possible to prevent the patient-related information on the three-point medication confirmation screen displayed on the smartphone 410 from being seen by a third party.

[0172] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, every time the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410 reads information from the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 (S2), the intention confirmation screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed (S3). However, a medication assistant generally performs medication assistance for each of the medication recipients corresponding to the multiple subdivision boxes 34 (multiple subdivision boxes 34 containing medications for multiple medication recipients who have the same medication timing) arranged on the medication tray 30 in sequence within a short period of time as a series of tasks. In such a series of tasks, in order to check the medication-related information of each medication recipient on the medication three-point confirmation screen of FIG. 29, it is necessary to perform display operations on the intention confirmation screen and authentication of the medication assistant every time the information on the RFID tag 37 of each subdivision box 34 is read, which places a burden on the medication assistant.

[0173] On the other hand, considering that the confirmation work of the three-point medication confirmation screen for each recipient of each dispensing box 34 is carried out sequentially within a short period of time, it is rare for an incident to occur in which the medication assistant accidentally reads the information on the RFID tag 37 of the dispensing box 34 with smartphone 410 without realizing it during the series of tasks for those recipients, and then leaves the smartphone behind without realizing it.

[0174] Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, even if the information on the RFID tag 37 is read by the smartphone 410 (S2), the intention confirmation screen shown in FIG. 28 (a screen for confirming the intention of the medication assistant and authenticating the medication assistant) may be displayed only for the first time (when the process of reading the information on the RFID tag 37 and displaying the medication-related information is the first process within a predetermined period) (Yes in S5, S3). According to this, in a series of operations for the medication recipients, when confirming the medication-related information of each medication recipient on the medication three-point confirmation screen in FIG. 29, the intention confirmation of the medication assistant and authentication of the medication assistant are performed on the intention confirmation screen in FIG. 28 only when the medication-related information of the first medication recipient is confirmed on the medication three-point confirmation screen. Then, for the second or subsequent medication recipients in the series of operations, the intention confirmation of the medication assistant and authentication of the medication assistant on the intention confirmation screen in FIG. 28 are omitted, and the medication assistant can confirm the medication three-point confirmation screen without performing the intention confirmation operation and authentication of the medication assistant. Therefore, the workload of the medication assistant can be reduced without substantially increasing the risk that the medication-relevant information displayed on the smartphone 410 will be seen by a third party.

[0175] Furthermore, when the information of the RFID tag 37 read by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410 is not associated with any of the recipient-related information registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210, if the medication assistant is an assistant with authority to register recipient-related information (for example, an assistant with nurse authority rather than caregiver authority), a registration process for new recipient-related information may be performed. In this case, after selecting whether or not to perform new registration, the registration process can be proceeded as is.

[0176] For example, as shown in Fig. 32, the information of the RFID tag 37 is read by the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410 (S2), and after the operation of the intention confirmation and authentication of the medication assistant is performed on the intention confirmation screen shown in Fig. 28 (Yes in S4), the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 acquires the patient-related information associated with the information of the RFID tag 37 from the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210. At this time, if the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 does not contain the patient-related information associated with the information of the RFID tag 37 and the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 cannot acquire the patient-related information (No in S11), a registration process is performed to acquire new patient-related information to be associated with the information of the RFID tag 37 and register it in the database (S12).

[0177] In this registration process, the CPU 411 functions as a registration processing unit, and displays, for example, a registration screen as shown in FIG. 33 on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410. On this registration screen, the medication assistant can input patient-related information (such as the patient's name and timing of taking medication) of the new patient corresponding to the subdivision box 34 to which the RFID tag 37 is provided. The CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 transmits the input patient-related information of the new patient from the communication unit 416 to the PC 210 in association with the information of the RFID tag 37. As a result, the information of the RFID tag 37 and the input patient-related information of the new patient are registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 in a state in which they are associated with each other.

[0178] In the registration process, the medication assistant operates the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 to input the medication-related information of the new medication recipient, and can also obtain the medication-related information of the new medication recipient by other methods. For example, the medication-related information of the new medication recipient may be obtained based on a captured image obtained by capturing an image of an information display medium such as paper on which the medication-related information of the new medication recipient is displayed, using an imaging means.

[0179] FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a medication assistance device according to one example of implementing this method. In this example, an image of a drug information sheet (see FIG. 35) displaying patient-related information of a new patient is captured using an image information reading unit 417 (camera) as imaging means provided in an input / output interface (I / F) 413 of the smartphone 410. A drug information sheet is a document that describes the name of the drug, its efficacy and effects, usage and dosage, and notes on side effects, etc., as an explanation of the drug prescribed by a pharmacy to a patient based on prescription information issued by a doctor to the patient.

[0180] In this example, during registration processing, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 displays a registration screen as shown in Fig. 36 on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410. On this registration screen, a button "Automatically read medicine information" is displayed, and when the medication assistant touches this button, the CPU 411 starts up the image information reading unit 417 (camera) to make the image information reading unit 417 (camera) of the smartphone 410 capable of capturing an image of the medicine information sheet as shown in Fig. 35.

[0181] Then, when the medication assistant operates the smartphone 410 to capture an image of the medication information sheet in Fig. 35, various information (including the patient-related information) displayed on the medication information sheet is acquired as text information by the OCR (Optical Character Reader) function of the image information reading unit 417 (camera). Then, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 displays a registration screen on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410, in which the acquired patient-related information has been input, as shown in Fig. 37.

[0182] The medication assistant looks at the registration screen of FIG. 37, checks the entered patient-related information, and if there are no errors, touches the "Registration Complete" button. As a result, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 associates the entered patient-related information with the information of the RFID tag 37, and transmits it from the communication unit 416 to the PC 210. As a result, the information of the RFID tag 37 and the patient-related information of the entered new patient are registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 in a mutually associated state. The entered patient-related information is finally checked by a person who has the authority to manage medication, such as a nurse. In addition, if the medicine is provided with QR code information associated with information equivalent to the drug information document, the QR code may be captured to obtain the drug information, instead of the drug information document.

[0183] In addition, during the registration process, a notification setting may be made possible to notify the medication recipient of the timing of taking the medication. Generally, medication is often taken at regular times such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before going to bed, but some medications are taken at times that deviate from these regular times. For example, some medications, such as eye drops, are taken every two hours. For such medications that are taken at irregular times, the timing must be managed separately from the regular times. Notification settings are useful in managing these irregular times.

[0184] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 38, when a medication timing including "irregular" is entered in the medication timing field on the registration screen, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 functions as a notification unit and displays a "notification setting transition" button on the registration screen. When the medication assistant touches the "notification setting transition" button, the CPU 411 displays a notification setting screen as shown in Fig. 39 on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410.

[0185] In this notification setting screen, the medication assistant can input notification setting information such as notification time, notification interval, notification method, etc. according to irregular medication timing. As a result, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 displays a notification screen as shown in Fig. 40 on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 according to the input notification setting information when the notification timing arrives.

[0186] In addition, facility staff who communicate with the patient's family, nurses who manage the patient's medication, medication assistants, etc. may input comments about the patient using the smartphone 410 and register them in the database as patient-related information. For example, when the medication assistance content is changed from the initial medication assistance content (medication assistance content registered in the database) due to a change in the patient's situation (change in the patient's physical condition, the patient's planned activities such as going to the hospital or going out, etc.), a comment describing the change can be registered in the database as patient-related information. In this way, when the medication assistant checks the patient-related information about the patient on the three-point medication confirmation screen during medication assistance, the assistant can check the comment to confirm that the medication assistance content has been changed.

[0187] As a specific example, a nurse who is a medication manager operates the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 to display a registration screen for the medication recipient-related information of the corresponding medication recipient. On this registration screen, as shown in Fig. 41, the medication recipient-related information that has already been registered is displayed, and a "special treatment" button is also displayed. When the medication assistant touches the "special treatment" button, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 causes a special treatment input screen as shown in Fig. 42 to be displayed on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410.

[0188] In this special treatment input screen, the nurse who is the medication manager can input a comment about the corresponding medication recipient. In the example of Fig. 42, in the case where medication is to be stopped for a certain period (4 / 1 to 4 / 3) due to a change in the medication recipient's physical condition or the like, a comment consisting of the change start date, change end date, and comment content is input. The CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 transmits information such as the comment input on the special treatment input screen from the communication unit 416 to the PC 210. As a result, the input information such as the comment is registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 in association with the information of the corresponding RFID tag 37.

[0189] FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing another example of the control of the smartphone 410 when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation task. In this example, before the three-point medication confirmation screen in Fig. 29 is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 (S7), it is determined whether or not the medication assistant authenticated in the assistant authentication in process step S4 matches the scheduled medication assistant registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 (S22). Specifically, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 functions as an assistant matching unit, and for example, refers to the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 to check whether or not the scheduled medication assistant included in the medication-user-related information associated with the information read from the RFID tag 37 of the subdivision box 34 matches the medication assistant authenticated in the assistant authentication in process step S4.

[0190] If the result of this comparison is that the actual medication assistant and the person scheduled to assist with medication do not match (No in S22), a highlighting process is performed to highlight part of the medication-related information on the three-point medication confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 in processing step S7 (S23). As a result, if the actual medication assistant and the person scheduled to assist with medication do not match, a three-point medication confirmation screen with the contents of "Notes on medication and handover information" highlighted, as shown in Fig. 44, for example, is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 (S7).

[0191] According to this, when a substitute assistant assists a patient when the usual medication assistant (the person scheduled to assist) is unable to assist with medication, even if the substitute assistant does not fully understand the patient's situation, the risk of a medication-related incident occurring, such as failing to read the contents of the "Precautions when taking medication and items to be handed over" can be reduced.

[0192] On the other hand, if the actual medication assistant and the person scheduled to assist with medication match (No in S22), a three-point medication confirmation screen in which the contents of "Notes on taking medication and matters to be handed over" are not highlighted is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 (S7), as shown in Fig. 29. In this case, the medication assistant (the person scheduled to assist with medication) who is always in charge has a good grasp of the medication user's condition, so there is little risk of a medication-related incident occurring, and the "Notes on taking medication and matters to be handed over" is not highlighted. This makes it possible to avoid diluting the effect of highlighting due to excessive use of highlighting.

[0193] In addition, in this embodiment, in the database of database unit 231 of PC 210, patient-related information for each patient (patient information (information on the person being assisted) such as patient ID, patient name, facial photo of the patient, medication information, information on timing of taking the medication, points to note when taking the medication, requests from family members, and comment information on matters to be handed over by the nurse, and patient-related information such as caregiver ID, caregiver name, nurse information such as nurse ID, nurse name, administrator ID, administrator name, and information held in RFID tag 37 (identification information such as the unique ID of RFID tag 37), and results of medication preparation, results of medication assistance, etc.) is registered in association with information on RFID tag 37 of each patient's dispensing box 34, but other information may also be associated. For example, when multiple drug recipients are to be managed as a group, group identification information that identifies the drug recipient group to which the multiple drug recipients belong may be registered in the database of database section 231 of PC 210 as drug recipient-related information for each drug recipient.

[0194] Examples of drug recipient groups include grouping multiple drug recipients corresponding to multiple dispensing boxes 34 set on the same medication tray 30, grouping multiple drug recipients by specific section (first floor, second floor, etc.) within a care facility, or grouping multiple drug recipients by care facility.

[0195] 45(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing registration screens for an example of a recipient group in which a plurality of recipients are grouped by floor in a care facility. In this example, during the registration process, a registration screen such as that shown in FIG. 45(a) or FIG. 45(b) is displayed on the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410. These registration screens are provided with an item called "Group ID" as group identification information. The medication assistant can operate the information display / operation unit 415 (touch panel) of the smartphone 410 to input the floor on which each medication recipient is located as "Group ID", such as "1F" or "2F".

[0196] Then, when the medication assistant touches the "Registration Complete" button on the registration screen, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 associates the input "group ID" with the information of the RFID tag 37, and transmits it from the communication unit 416 to the PC 210. As a result, the information of the RFID tag 37 and the input "group ID" are registered in the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210 in a mutually associated state.

[0197] According to this example, since it becomes possible to perform medication management for a plurality of recipients as a group, it becomes possible to perform processing related to medication management (predetermined group-related processing) on ​​a group basis.

[0198] FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the smartphone 410 when a three-point medication confirmation task is performed using the group ID of a recipient group. In this control example, as group relationship processing using the group ID of the medication group, when a medication assistant performs a three-point medication confirmation screen on the touch panel of smartphone 410 (S7), if the group ID of the medication user differs from the group ID of the previous medication user who performed the three-point medication confirmation, a process is executed to issue a warning to the medication assistant.

[0199] Specifically, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 functions as a processing execution unit that executes predetermined group relationship processing, and before displaying the three-point medication confirmation screen on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 (S7), it refers to the database in the database unit 231 of the PC 210 to determine whether the group ID associated with the information read from the RFID tag 37 of the dispensing box 34 (the group ID of the current medication recipient) matches the group ID associated with the information read immediately before from the RFID tag 37 of another dispensing box 34 (the group ID of the previous medication recipient) (S31).

[0200] If the result of this determination is that the group ID of the current recipient matches the group ID of the previous recipient (Yes in S31), a three-point medication confirmation screen including the group ID as shown in Fig. 47 is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 (S7). In this case, no particular warning is displayed.

[0201] On the other hand, if the group ID of the current recipient does not match the group ID of the previous recipient (No in S31), a process (warning display process) is performed to add a warning display to the three-point medication confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 in processing step S7 (S32). As a result, if the group ID of the current recipient does not match the group ID of the previous recipient, a three-point medication confirmation screen with a warning display added saying "Different from previous group ID. Please check if it is correct" is displayed on the touch panel of the smartphone 410, for example, as shown in FIG. 48 (S7).

[0202] According to this, in a series of medication assistance tasks in which a medication assistant uses a medication distribution tray 30 containing the portioning boxes 34 of multiple medication recipients on the same floor of a nursing facility to assist each of the medication recipients in turn, if a portioning box 34 of a medication recipient on another floor is included in the medication distribution tray 30, a warning display can be displayed to alert the medication assistant. As a result, even if a portioning box 34 of a medication recipient on another floor is mixed in by mistake, the medication assistant can notice this and contribute to preventing medication errors.

[0203] In addition, since a group ID (group specific information) is registered as patient-related information for each patient in the database of the database section 231 of the PC 210, it becomes possible to perform, for example, a process of displaying the medication progress status for each group ID on the touch panel of the smartphone 410 as a specified group-related process.

[0204] Specifically, the medication assistant operates the smartphone 410 to display, on the touch panel of the smartphone 410, a menu screen for checking the medication progress status, as shown in FIG. 49, for example. When the medication assistant touches this menu screen, a group selection screen for selecting a group for checking the medication progress status is displayed, as shown in FIG. 50, for example. When the medication assistant touches and selects, for example, "1F" on this group selection screen, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 refers to the database of the database unit 231 of the PC 210, for example, and checks the contents of the report results included in the medication-related information of each medication recipient associated with the group ID of the selected "1F."

[0205] The report results included in the medication-related information of each recipient are items in which the progress of medication assistance for each recipient is recorded. As specific examples, when a nurse or other person with authority to manage medication has finished checking the medication in the subdivision box 34 on the medication tray 30, "nurse preparation complete" is recorded, when the medication tray 30 is handed over from the nurse to a medication assistant such as a caregiver, "caregiver receipt complete" is recorded, when the medication assistance by the medication assistant is completed, "medication assistance completed", and when the emptied subdivision box 34 (subdivision box 34 with an empty medicine pack inside) is collected after medication assistance, "medication container collection completed" is recorded.

[0206] After checking the contents of the report results included in the medication-related information of each recipient associated with the selected group ID of "1F", the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 displays the progress status for the recipient group corresponding to this group ID of "1F" on the touch panel of the smartphone 410, for example, on a medicine preparation status confirmation screen as shown in Fig. 51. By looking at the screen shown in Fig. 51, it is possible to check the progress of medication assistance for multiple recipients belonging to the recipient group of "1F" (multiple recipients on the first floor of the nursing facility), thereby improving so-called traceability on a group basis.

[0207] The above-mentioned example is an example of managing groups of users on each floor in the same nursing facility, but for example, groups of users may be managed by each nursing facility. In this case, it is possible to check the progress of medication assistance at each nursing facility for each nursing facility. In particular, as shown in FIG. 52, by connecting the PC 500 of the pharmacy that supplies the drug to the PC 210 and the smartphone 410 of each nursing facility A and B via the communication network 430, for example, a pharmacist or the like can check the progress of medication assistance at each nursing facility A and B on the PC 500 of the pharmacy that supplies the drug, and can check medication management abnormalities at the nursing facilities A and B to which the pharmacy supplied the drug.

[0208] In the above description, when checking the patient-related information for the multiple subdivision boxes 34 set on the medication tray 30, the medication assistant needs to read the information on the RFID tags 37 of each subdivision box 34 one by one using the tag information reading / writing unit 414 of the smartphone 410. In order to simplify this reading operation, for example, an information reading device capable of collectively reading information from the RFID tags 37 of the multiple subdivision boxes 34 set on the medication tray 30 may be used.

[0209] FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information reading device capable of collectively reading information from the RFID tags 37 of a plurality of subdivision boxes 34. As shown in FIG. The information reading device 600 includes an antenna device 610 and a reader / writer 620 .

[0210] The antenna device 610 includes an antenna stand 611 as an antenna member that reads information from the RFID tag 37 provided in each subdivision box 34 set in the medicine distribution tray 30. The antenna stand 611 has a mounting surface 611a on the upper surface on which the medicine distribution tray 30 can be placed, and an antenna coil is disposed inside the antenna stand 611.

[0211] The antenna coil is a planar coil wound a predetermined number of times along the outer periphery of the mounting surface 611a in a plane parallel to the mounting surface 611a, and is connected to the antenna substrate 613. The antenna substrate 613 passes a predetermined current through the antenna coil to generate magnetic flux inside the antenna coil. As a result, the magnetic flux passes through a magnetic flux passing area (inside the coil) of the antenna coil of the RFID tag 37, causing the RFID tag 37 to generate power.

[0212] The antenna substrate 613 receives information from the RFID tag 37 by magnetic flux changes caused by wireless communication of the RFID tag 37, and transmits information to be written to the RFID tag 37 by controlling the current flowing through the antenna coil to cause a predetermined magnetic flux change in the antenna coil.

[0213] The reader / writer 620 is connected to the antenna board 613 of the antenna stand 611, and controls the antenna board 613. Specifically, the reader / writer 620 controls reading information from the RFID tag 37 by the antenna coil via the antenna board 613 and writing information to the RFID tag 37.

[0214] The reader / writer 620 is communicably connected to the smartphone 410, and the reader / writer 620 can be controlled from the smartphone 410. When providing medication assistance for the subdivision boxes 34 on the medication tray 30, the medication assistant can operate the smartphone 410 to read information from the RFID tags 37 of the subdivision boxes 34 on the medication tray 30 all at once using the information reading device 600, and obtain the read information on the smartphone 410.

[0215] When the medication distribution tray 30 with the medication already distributed is placed on the placement surface 611a of the antenna stand 611 of the antenna device 610, the information of the RFID tags 37 of all the subdivision boxes 34 set on the medication distribution tray 30 is read by the reader / writer 620 and sent to the smartphone 410. As a result, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 acquires all the medication recipient-related information (such as the name of the medication recipient, the timing of taking medication, etc.) corresponding to all the subdivision boxes 34 from the database unit 231 of the PC 210 based on the information of the RFID tags 37 of all the subdivision boxes 34 on the medication distribution tray 30 acquired from the reader / writer 620.

[0216] As a result, the CPU 411 of the smartphone 410 can obtain the patient-related information corresponding to each subdivision box 34 without having to read the information on the RFID tag 37 of each subdivision box 34 one by one, and can display the three-point medication confirmation screen on the touch panel of the smartphone 410. This can improve the work efficiency of the medication assistant in assisting with medication.

[0217] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. [First aspect] The first aspect is an information display device (e.g., a smartphone 410) that includes an information display unit (e.g., an information display / operation unit 415) that displays patient-related information related to the patient (e.g., the patient's name, a photo of the patient's face, the date and time of taking the medicine, the timing of taking the medicine, precautions and handover information when taking the medicine, the name of the assistant, etc.) based on information read by an information reading unit (e.g., a tag information reading / writing unit 414) from the patient's medicine or an information retaining medium (e.g., an RFID tag 37) provided in a medicine storage unit (e.g., a dispensing box 34) in which the medicine is stored, and an operation receiving unit (e.g., an information display / operation unit 415) that receives operations from a medication assistant, wherein the information display unit displays the patient-related information (e.g., a three-point medication confirmation screen) when the information reading unit reads information, on the condition that the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation (e.g., an intention confirmation operation). In an information display device that displays the patient-related information of a patient based on information read by an information reading unit from an information holding medium provided in a drug or drug storage unit, the patient-related information is often automatically displayed when the information is read from the information holding medium in order to improve work efficiency. In this case, if the information reading unit reads the information without the patient's knowledge, the patient may not realize that the patient-related information of the patient is displayed on the information display device. As a result, for example, the patient-related information may be left unattended by the patient's information display device, and the patient-related information displayed on the information display device may be seen by a third party. The patient-related information includes information that is not preferred to be seen by a third party, such as the patient's personal information and information on the drug being taken, and it is therefore necessary to prevent the patient-related information from being seen by a third party. According to this aspect, when the information reading unit reads the information, the information display unit displays the patient-related information on the condition that the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation. According to this, even if the information reading unit reads the information without the medication assistant noticing, the patient-related information will not be displayed unless the medication assistant performs a predetermined operation on the operation receiving unit. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the patient-related information of the medication recipient is displayed on the information display device without the medication assistant noticing, and it is possible to prevent the patient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by a third party.

[0218] [Second aspect] The second aspect is an information display unit (e.g., information display / operation unit 415) that displays patient-related information related to the patient (e.g., patient name, patient face photo, date and time of taking the medicine, timing of taking the medicine, points to note when taking the medicine, matters to be handed over, name of assistant, etc.) based on information read by an information reading unit (e.g., tag information reading / writing unit 414) from the patient's medicine or an information storage medium (e.g., RFID tag 37) provided in a medicine storage unit (e.g., subdivision box 34) in which the medicine is stored, and assistant identification information (e.g., medication assistant name, medication assistant name, etc.) that identifies the medication assistant who will assist the patient in taking the medicine and an assistant reception unit (e.g., an information display / operation unit 415) that receives the medication assistant's ID and password, and information on the medication assistant's ID card, and the information display unit displays the medication assistant-related information (e.g., a three-point medication confirmation screen) when the information reading unit reads information, provided that the assistant-specific information received by the assistant reception unit (e.g., an ID and password used in the medication assistant's authentication process, and information on the ID card held by the medication assistant) is authenticated. According to this aspect, when the information reading unit reads the information, the information display unit displays the recipient-related information on the condition that the caregiver identification information received by the caregiver receiving unit is authenticated. According to this, even if the information reading unit reads the information without the medication assistant's knowledge, the recipient-related information will not be displayed unless the caregiver identification information is authenticated. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the recipient-related information of the medication recipient is displayed on the information display device without the medication assistant's knowledge, and it is possible to prevent the recipient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by a third party.

[0219] [Third aspect] A third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the information reading unit reads information from the information holding medium when it becomes possible to read information from the information holding medium, even if there is no operation to start information reading on the operation receiving unit. In this aspect, the information reading unit automatically reads information from the information storage medium without the need to perform an operation to start reading information on the operation reception unit, so that the number of work steps is reduced and work efficiency is improved. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the patient-related information from being seen by a third party while improving work efficiency.

[0220] [Fourth aspect] A fourth aspect is the information storage medium according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the information storage medium is a wireless tag. The information holding medium provided in the medicine storage unit may be a code image such as a QR code. When the information holding medium is a code image, an imaging means is used as the information reading unit. In this case, the information of the code image cannot be read unless the code image falls within the imaging area of ​​the imaging means. Therefore, it is unlikely that the information of the code image is read without the medication assistant realizing it, and the medication-user-related information of the medication user is displayed on the information display device without the medication assistant realizing it. In contrast, when the information storage medium is a wireless tag, the information in the wireless tag can be read simply by entering the wireless communication range of the information reading unit, which can easily lead to a situation where the information in the code image is read without the medication assistant realizing it, and the medication-user-related information of the medication user is displayed on the information display device without the medication assistant realizing it. According to this aspect, even in the case of wireless tags where such a situation is likely to occur, it is possible to prevent information related to the recipient from being seen by third parties.

[0221] [Fifth aspect] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the information display unit displays the patient-related information based on the information read by the information reading unit until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the operation receiving unit receives the specified operation and displays the patient-related information, even if the operation receiving unit does not accept the specified operation. This makes it possible to avoid the hassle of having to perform a specified operation each time when displaying patient-related information for multiple patients without any time gap (for example, within a specified period of time belonging to the same day or medication timing) after the patient-related information is displayed.

[0222] [Sixth aspect] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the information display unit acquires and displays the patient-related information associated with the information read by the information reading unit, and has a registration processing unit that, when the patient-related information is not associated with the information read by the information reading unit, acquires new patient-related information to be associated with the information, and performs a registration process to associate the information with the new patient-related information. According to this, if the information in the information storage medium read by the information reading unit is not associated with the patient-related information, the registration process of the new patient-related information can be proceeded with. Note that the registration process by the registration processing unit may be performed when a person having the authority to register the patient-related information has been authenticated and logged in in advance.

[0223] [Seventh aspect] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the registration processing unit acquires the new patient-related information based on an image obtained by imaging an information display medium on which the new patient-related information is displayed, using an imaging means. This reduces the burden of input work and improves work efficiency in the process of registering new patient-related information.

[0224] [Eighth aspect] An eighth aspect is characterized in that in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the device further comprises a notification unit that notifies the recipient of the timing of taking the medicine. This can prevent patients from forgetting to take medicines that are taken at irregular intervals.

[0225] [Ninth aspect] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth aspects, it has a comment input unit for inputting comments regarding the medication recipient, and a comment registration unit for registering the comments inputted into the comment input unit as the medication recipient-related information of the medication recipient. With this, for example, when the timing of taking the medication is changed from the original timing due to a change in the patient's situation, useful comments for assisting with taking the medication can be quickly recorded and the comments can be checked when assisting with taking the medication.

[0226] [Tenth aspect] A tenth aspect, in any of the first to ninth aspects, has an assistant receiving unit that receives assistant identification information that identifies a medication assistant who will assist the medication recipient in taking the medication, and an assistant matching unit that compares registered information of a person scheduled to assist the medication recipient with the assistant identification information received by the assistant receiving unit, and is characterized in that, when the comparison by the assistant matching unit does not match between the person scheduled to assist the medication recipient in taking the medication and the medication assistant in the assistant identification information, the information display unit highlights a part of the medication recipient-related information related to the medication recipient. According to this, when a substitute assistant assists a patient when the usual medication assistant (the person scheduled to assist) is unable to assist with medication, even if the substitute assistant does not have a sufficient understanding of the patient's condition, the highlighting can reduce the risk of medication-related incidents occurring, such as overlooking important patient-related information.

[0227] [Eleventh aspect] The 11th aspect is characterized in that, in any of the 1st to 10th aspects, it has a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined group related processing based on group identification information (e.g., a group ID) that identifies a drug recipient group to which a plurality of drug recipients belong. This makes it possible to perform medication management for multiple recipients as a group, so that processing related to medication management (predetermined group-related processing) can be performed on a group-by-group basis.

[0228] [12th aspect] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the processing execution unit executes a process of issuing a warning to the medication assistant as the specified group relationship processing when group identification information of a medication recipient corresponding to the information read by the information reading unit differs from group identification information of a medication recipient corresponding to the information previously read by the information reading unit. According to this, for example, in a series of medication assistance tasks in which assistance is provided to multiple users belonging to the same group in succession, if medication belonging to users belonging to different groups is mixed in, a warning display can be displayed to alert the medication assistant.

[0229] [13th aspect] A 13th aspect is characterized in that, in the 11th or 12th aspect, the processing execution unit executes a process of displaying the medication progress status for each group identification information as the specified group relationship processing. This makes it possible to check the progress of medication assistance for multiple users belonging to a user group, thereby improving traceability on a group basis.

[0230] [14th aspect] A fourteenth aspect is a program for causing a computer of an information display device (e.g., smartphone 410) of any of the first to thirteenth aspects to function, characterized in that the program causes the computer to function as the information display unit. This makes it possible to provide an information display device that can prevent the patient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by third parties.

[0231] [15th aspect] The 15th aspect is an information display system comprising an information reading device 600 that reads information from an information holding medium provided in a drug storage unit in which the drug is stored or the drug is held by a patient, and an information display device (e.g., a smartphone 410) that displays patient-related information relating to the patient based on the information read by the information reading device, characterized in that the information display device is any of the information display devices of the 1st to 13th aspects. This makes it possible to provide an information display system that can prevent the patient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by third parties.

[0232] [16th aspect] The 16th aspect is an information display system comprising an information reading device 600 that reads information from an information holding medium provided in a drug storage unit in which the drug is stored or a drug recipient, and an information display device (e.g., a smartphone 410) that displays drug recipient-related information related to the drug recipient based on the information read by the information reading device, wherein the information display device is any of the information display devices of the 11th to 13th aspects, the information reading device reads information from each information holding medium provided in a plurality of drug storage units in a batch, and the information display system is characterized in that it has a group management unit that associates and manages the same group-specific information for a plurality of drug recipients corresponding to the plurality of drug storage units from which the information reading device has read information in a batch. According to this, when managing the medication of multiple medication recipients as a group, the information from each information retention medium installed in multiple medication storage units can be read all at once, thereby improving the work efficiency of medication assistance.

[0233] [17th aspect] A 17th aspect is an information display method comprising an information reading step of reading information from an information holding medium provided in a drug storage unit in which the drug is stored or the drug is administered by an information reading unit, and an information display step of displaying drug-administer-related information relating to the drug administering person on a display unit based on the information read in the information reading step, wherein the information display step displays the drug-administer-related information on the display unit on the condition that an operation receiving unit of an information display device receives a predetermined operation when the information reading unit reads information in the information reading step. This makes it possible to prevent the recipient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by a third party.

[0234] [18th aspect] An 18th aspect is an information display method comprising an information reading step of reading information by an information reading unit from an information holding medium provided in a drug storage unit in which the drug is stored or the drug is administered by the drug administering unit, and an information display step of displaying drug administer-related information relating to the drug administering unit on a display unit based on the information read in the information reading step, wherein the information display step displays the drug administer-related information on the display unit when the information reading unit reads information in the information reading step, on the condition that the caregiver identification information received by an assistant receiving unit of the information display device is authenticated. This makes it possible to prevent the recipient-related information displayed on the information display device from being viewed by a third party. [Explanation of symbols]

[0235] 1: Pack Continuum 2: Medicine Pack 2A: Pack combination 6a-6c: Medication-related information 10: Cartridge 20: Cartridge tray 30: Medication tray 31: Partition wall 32: Bottom wall 33: Section 34: Small box 35 :Structure 35a: Bottom wall part 36: Label 37: RFID tags 40: Evacuation area 50: Carriage 51: Adsorption part 52: Suction pad 65: Medication-related information reading unit 66: QR code reader 66a: Code reader 67: Tag information reader 67a: Tag reader 80: Drawer section 90: Transfer section 150: Control section 151: Touch panel 152: Storage section 153: Timer section 200: Medicine distribution device 210: PC 211: Management app 212: Pack information management system 213: Medication Information Management System 230: Medication confirmation support system 231: Database Department 232: Communications Department 300: Medication support device 400: Medication assistance device 410: Smartphone 411: CPU 412: Storage section 413: Input / Output Interface 414: Tag information read / write unit 415: Information display / operation section 416: Communications Department 417: Image information reading unit 430: Communication Networks 500: PC 600: Information reading device 610: Antenna equipment 611: Antenna stand 611a: Placement surface 613: Antenna board 620: Reader / writer [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0236] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5940723

Claims

1. an information display unit that displays information related to a patient based on information read by an information reading unit from the patient's medicine or an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored; An information display device comprising: an operation reception unit that receives an operation by a medication assistant, The information display device is characterized in that the information display unit displays the medication-related information when the information reading unit reads information, on the condition that the operation receiving unit receives a predetermined operation.

2. an information display unit that displays information related to a patient based on information read by an information reading unit from the patient's medicine or an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored; an assistant receiving unit that receives assistant identification information that identifies an assistant who will assist the patient in taking the medicine, The information display device is characterized in that when the information reading unit reads information, the information display unit displays the medication-taking patient-related information, provided that the caregiver identification information accepted by the caregiver accepting unit is authenticated.

3. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, The information display device is characterized in that the information reading unit reads information from the information holding medium when it becomes possible to read information from the information holding medium, even if there is no operation to start reading information on the operation receiving unit.

4. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, 13. An information display device, wherein the information carrying medium is a wireless tag.

5. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, The information display device is characterized in that after the operation accepting unit accepts the specified operation and displays the medication-user-related information, the information display unit displays the medication-user-related information based on the information read by the information reading unit until a specified period of time has elapsed after the operation accepting unit accepts the specified operation and displays the medication-user-related information, even if the operation accepting unit does not accept the specified operation.

6. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, The information display unit acquires and displays the recipient-related information associated with the information read by the information reading unit, This information display device is characterized by having a registration processing unit that, when the information read by the information reading unit is not associated with the patient-related information, acquires new patient-related information to be associated with the information, and performs a registration process to associate the information with the new patient-related information.

7. 7. The information display device according to claim 6, The information display device is characterized in that the registration processing unit acquires the new patient-related information based on an image obtained by imaging an information display medium on which the new patient-related information is displayed using an imaging means.

8. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, An information display device comprising: a notification unit that notifies the patient of the timing of taking the medicine.

9. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, A comment input unit for inputting comments regarding the patient; and a comment registration unit that registers a comment inputted into the comment input unit as the recipient-related information of the recipient.

10. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, an assistant receiving unit that receives assistant identification information that identifies an assistant who will assist the patient in taking the medicine; a caregiver matching unit that matches registration information of a person who is going to assist the person taking the medicine with the caregiver identification information received by the caregiver receiving unit, The information display device is characterized in that when the comparison by the assistant matching unit does not match the scheduled medication assistant in the registration information and the medication assistant in the assistant identification information, it highlights a portion of the medication-user-related information related to the medication user.

11. 3. The information display device according to claim 1, 1. An information display device comprising: a process execution unit that executes a predetermined group-related process based on group identification information that identifies a recipient group to which a plurality of recipients belong.

12. 12. The information display device according to claim 11, The information display device is characterized in that the processing execution unit executes a process of issuing a warning to the medication assistant as the specified group relationship processing when the group identification information of a medication recipient corresponding to the information read by the information reading unit differs from the group identification information of a medication recipient corresponding to the information previously read by the information reading unit.

13. 12. The information display device according to claim 11, The information display device, wherein the process execution unit executes, as the predetermined group-related process, a process of displaying a medication progress status for each of the group-specific information.

14. A program for causing a computer of the information display device according to claim 1 or 2 to function, A program causing the computer to function as the information display unit.

15. an information reading device that reads information from an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored or the medicine of the user; An information display device that displays recipient-related information related to the recipient based on the information read by the information reading device, 3. An information display system comprising the information display device according to claim 1 or 2 as the information display device.

16. an information reading device that reads information from an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored or the medicine of the user; An information display device that displays recipient-related information related to the recipient based on the information read by the information reading device, The information display device according to claim 11 is used as the information display device, The information reading device reads information from each information storage medium provided in the plurality of medicine storage units at once, An information display system comprising: a group management unit that associates and manages the same group-specific information for multiple drug recipients corresponding to the multiple drug storage units whose information has been collectively read by the information reading device.

17. an information reading step of reading information from an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored or the medicine is taken by a user, using an information reading unit; and an information display step of displaying recipient-related information related to the recipient on a display unit based on the information read in the information reading step, The information display method is characterized in that the information display process displays the medication-user-related information on the display unit when the information reading unit reads information in the information reading process, on the condition that an operation receiving unit of the information display device receives a predetermined operation.

18. an information reading step of reading information from an information storage medium provided in a medicine storage unit in which the medicine is stored or the medicine is taken by a user, using an information reading unit; and an information display step of displaying recipient-related information related to the recipient on a display unit based on the information read in the information reading step, The information display method is characterized in that, when the information reading unit reads information in the information reading process, the medication-taking-person-related information is displayed on the display unit, provided that the caregiver-specific information received by the caregiver reception unit of the information display device is authenticated.

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