Drug packaging device and drug receiving bottom part

Abstract

To provide a drug imaging device and a drug packaging device configured to perform both imaging of embossing or the like on a drug and imaging for determining a drug quantity in a pooling portion for the drug, thereby shortening processing time of a drug imaging process and the like.SOLUTION: A drug packaging device includes a drug accommodating / dispensing unit (11) that supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging portion (45) in which a drug supplied from the drug accommodating / dispensing unit (11) is packaged in a packaging sheet (S), a drug packaging introducing member (7) that drops the drug to be packaged into the packaging sheet (S) in the drug packaging portion (45), a pooling portion (50) that pools, upstream of this drug packaging introducing member (7), the drug, and a drug imaging device (6) that captures an image of the drug in the pooling portion (50). The drug imaging device (6) performs an imaging process of capturing an image of the drug in the pooling portion (50) in a non-backlit state, and an imaging process of capturing an image of the drug in the pooling portion (50) in a backlit state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine photographing device that photographs medicines such as tablets and capsules before they are packaged, and a medicine packaging device that packages the photographed medicines. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a drug packaging device including a drug supply unit that supplies various types of drug, a drug packaging unit that packages the drug supplied from the drug supply unit in packaging paper, an introduction member that introduces the packaged drug into the packaging paper in the drug packaging unit, and a drug checking unit that determines whether the drug is attached to the introduction member based on an image of the introduction member.

[0003] The drug checking section includes a drug identification section which turns the drug in a drug turning section having a pair of rotating rollers and photographs and judges the markings and printing on the drug, and a quantity determination section which photographs the drug packaged upstream of the introduction member and determines the number of drugs.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a drug information acquisition device. In this drug information acquisition device, the bottom of an imaging tray that temporarily holds a packet of drugs is formed of a row of V-shaped grooves, and by vibrating the imaging tray after the drugs are inserted, the overlapping of the packets of drugs is eliminated, and the posture of the drugs is corrected by the first and second inclined surfaces of the V-shaped groove. Two cameras are disposed facing the first and second inclined surfaces of the V-shaped groove, respectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2018 / 025852A1 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication 2015-2795 Summary of the Invention

[0006] A drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a drug supplying unit that supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging unit that packages the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit in packaging paper, and a plurality of storage units that temporarily store the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit upstream of the drug packaging unit, and is provided with a drug receiving platen that is rotated around an axis and has a plurality of openings on the same circumference around the axis, and a drug receiving bottom that has a portion that functions as the bottom of the openings and a packaging opening provided at a specific location in the area where the openings move due to the rotation of the turntable unit, and the plurality of storage units are constituted by the openings and the portion that functions as the bottom of the openings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medicine packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a packaging unit of the medicine dispensing and packaging device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medicine packing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example in which a light control member is used instead of a surface light emitting member. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a medicine storage unit and a medicine photographing device of the medicine packing device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of FIG. 4 with the first camera and the like omitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing FIG. 5 without the remaining detection camera and the like. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the medicine receiving board portion of FIG. 6, with the upper plate thereof omitted. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the medicine receiving board portion of FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a plan view of the medicine receiving board portion without the upper plate, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA with the upper plate in place. [Figure 10]An oblique view showing the medicine receiver bottom located below the medicine receiver panel. [Figure 11] 13 is an oblique view showing the bottom side of the medicine receiving panel portion. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing FIG. 6 without the medicine receiving panel portion. [Figure 13] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a part of a control system of the medicine packing device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an inspection support image in the medicine packing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing the structure of the central side of the medicine receiving panel portion. [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing the bottom side of the medicine receiving panel and the cleaning device. [Figure 17] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning switching operation unit, a motor, a cleaning device, etc. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the scraper of the cleaning device is raised from the state shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of powdered medicine recovery. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of powdered medicine recovery. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of powdered medicine recovery. [Figure 22] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement position of a second light-emitting unit, etc. FIG. [Figure 23] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the location of a third light-emitting unit, etc. FIG. [Figure 24] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the unfolding guide and a third light-emitting unit arranged within the unfolding guide. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration in which two residual detection cameras are used to detect residual medicine in a medicine packaging introduction member and in a packaging paper. [Figure 26] 26 is a flowchart outlining the photographing operation and the packing operation in the configuration example shown in FIG. 25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes a medicine storage and dispensing unit 11, which is a medicine supplying unit that can store medicines by type and dispense the medicines one by one according to packaging data created based on prescription information, a medicine guide unit 12 that receives the medicines, a medicine storage unit 5 that temporarily stores the medicines, a medicine photography device 6 of this embodiment that takes still images of the medicines supplied to the medicine storage unit 5, and a packaging unit 4 that is equipped with a packaging paper roll 400 and an ink ribbon cassette 401, prints on packaging paper S supplied from the packaging paper roll 400, and uses the packaging paper S to package the medicines that have passed through the medicine storage unit 5 one by one. The printing mechanism including the ink ribbon cassette is not necessarily required. The medicine storage and dispensing unit 11 includes a cassette for medicines in which various medicines are stored and a universal cassette that can store medicines that are not suitable for storage in the cassette. Specifically, the drug cassette is a dedicated cassette prepared for each drug, with the size of the drug dispensing path corresponding to the shape and size of each drug, and the universal cassette is a general-purpose cassette that can dispense drugs of various shapes and sizes by making the size of the drug dispensing path and driving conditions adjustable as necessary. In addition, the prescription information usually includes, for example, the drug type and quantity. However, information on the drug mark (such as the presence or absence of a mark and information on the external shape of the mark), size, shape, and color can be obtained based on the drug type by referring to the drug master table described below.

[0009] The medicine dispensing and packaging device 1 also includes a manual distribution unit 13. This manual distribution unit 13 has boxes arranged in a lattice pattern, and medicine can be placed in each box. For example, if a day's worth of medicine is prescribed for morning, afternoon, and evening, the medicine will be placed in three boxes.

[0010] The medicine dispensed from the medicine accommodating and dispensing unit 11 and the medicine manually distributed by the manual distribution unit 13 reach the medicine storage unit 5 via the medicine guiding unit 12 etc. The medicines residing in the medicine storage unit 5 are photographed as still images by the medicine photographing device 6 and then packaged in packet paper by the packaging unit 4. That is, in this embodiment, one packet of medicine is discharged by the joint operation of the medicine accommodating and dispensing unit 11 and the manual distribution unit 13. The route of the medicines discharged from the medicine accommodating and dispensing unit 11 and the manual distribution unit 13 to the medicine storage unit 5 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 etc.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the packaging unit 4 in a state in which the packet paper roll 400 and the ink ribbon cassette 401 are attached. Fig. 2 also shows the medicine packaging section 45 of the packaging unit 4. This medicine packaging section 45 introduces a medicine from an opening of the packet paper S, which is folded in half, and heat-seals the packet paper S to seal in the introduced medicine.

[0012] The packet paper S is passed, for example, so as to be hung on three guide shafts 4a, pass between the backup roller 4b and the print head 4e, and further pass so as to be hung on the guide shaft 4c. The ink ribbon R contained in the ink ribbon cassette 401 is guided by a tape guide of the packaging unit 4, passes between the backup roller 4b and the print head 4e, and after printing, is separated from the packet paper S and returns to the ink ribbon cassette 401.

[0013] 2, for example, rotatable curved guide rollers 45b, 45c are disposed in the vicinity of guide shaft 4c that guides the packet paper S (downstream in the conveying direction of the packet paper S) to curve the conveying direction of the packet paper S immediately before unfolding guide 45a of the drug packaging section 45. The packet paper S folded in half is opened by passing over the guide surface (front surface) of unfolding guide 45a. A drug packaging introduction member 7 (see FIG. 3(A), etc.) that introduces a drug into the packet paper S is provided on the non-guide surface (back surface) of unfolding guide 45a, in other words above the opened portion of the packet paper S.

[0014] The medicine packaging introduction member 7 has a shape that is narrower at the bottom. As described above, the folded packet paper S passes over the guide surface of the unfolding guide 45a, whereby the packet paper S is opened. As a result, an opening, which is the open portion of the packet paper S, is formed in a position close to the lower end of the medicine packaging introduction member 7. The opening of the packet paper S is a place that receives medicines that drop from the medicine packaging introduction member 7.

[0015] The medicine packaging section 45 also includes a heat seal member (e.g., a pair of heater rollers 45d, 45e) on the downstream side of the unfolding guide 45a in the conveying direction of the sachet paper S. Furthermore, a feed roller (not shown) is provided on the downstream side of the heater rollers 45d, 45e in the conveying direction of the sachet paper S. These heater rollers 45d, 45e are rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) including a motor, a linear gear, an intermittent gear, etc. The heater rollers 45d, 45e can run the sachet paper S at a predetermined speed. The heater rollers 45d, 45e also close the opening of the sachet paper S and seal the sachet paper S in the short side direction, so that one packet of medicine placed in the opening is individually packaged.

[0016] 3(A) shows a schematic configuration of the entire medicine packing device 1. The medicine storing unit 5 and the medicine photographing device 6 are located between the medicine accommodating and dispensing unit 11 and the packaging unit 4.

[0017] The medicine storage unit 5 has an upper plate portion 51 and a lower plate portion 52. The medicine storage unit 5 also has a medicine receiving plate portion 501 in a space between the upper plate portion 51 and the lower plate portion 52. The medicine receiving plate portion 501 includes a disk-shaped turntable portion 5010, an upper plate 5011 fixed to the upper surface side of the turntable portion 5010, and a medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 located on the lower surface side of the turntable portion 5010 and not fixed to the turntable portion 5010.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the medicine delivery section 2, the first camera 61, and the like are attached to the upper surface of the upper plate 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the turntable section 5010 and the upper plate 5011 in the medicine receiving plate section 501 can rotate around the shaft 504 in a horizontal plane on the upper surface side (within the space) of the lower plate 52. The medicine receiving bottom section 5012 is attached so as not to rotate on the lower plate 52 and is attached so as to be removable from the lower plate 52. For example, a convex portion protruding upward is provided on the lower plate 52, and the convex portion is engaged with a concave portion 5012d (see FIG. 10) on the outer periphery of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 to disable rotation. A motor 503, and the like are attached to the upper surface of the lower plate 52. Furthermore, a medicine packaging introduction member 7, a second camera 62, and the like are attached to the lower surface side of the lower plate 52.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, a gear portion 501a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the turntable portion 5010 in the medicine receiving plate portion 501, and a gear 503a is meshed with the gear portion 501a. The gear 503a is driven by the motor 503 to rotate the turntable portion 5010. The turntable portion 5010 can be intermittently rotated in the forward direction by a predetermined angle by controlling the driving of the motor 503. The turntable portion 5010 is rotated forward and backward by controlling the driving of the motor 503. The overlap of medicines in the storage portion 50 can be eliminated by rotating the turntable portion 5010 forward and backward.

[0020] The medicine receiving disc 501, which includes the turntable 5010 and the medicine receiving bottom 5012, has, for example, eight storage sections 50. Each storage section 50 temporarily stores the medicine before the medicine is packaged. The eight storage sections 50 are positioned at regular intervals on the same circumference centered on the axis 504. The medicine supplied to each storage section 50 is supported by the medicine receiving bottom 5012. The turntable 5010 is detachable from the medicine receiving bottom 5012.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, each storage section 50 is composed of a tube section (opening) 50a made of a transparent material (such as resin) that transmits light, and a portion of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 that functions as the bottom section of the tube section 50a, and medicine is stored inside the tube section 50a. The medicine receiving bottom section 5012 is arranged horizontally, and the direction perpendicular to this is the vertical direction. The imaging optical axis of cameras 61, 62, and 66 described later is vertical toward the portion of the medicine receiving bottom section 5012 that functions as the bottom section of the tube section (opening) 50a. In addition, an inclined mirror section 6a that forms a frustum-shaped mirror surface that is spaced upward from the outer circumferential surface of the tube section 50a is arranged on the periphery side of the tube section 50a.

[0022] The cylinder 50a is located at the center of the inclined mirror 6a. The lower end of the inclined mirror 6a is in contact with the outer periphery of the lower end of the cylinder 50a. The upper end surface of the cylinder 50a is processed to a frosted glass surface (finely uneven surface) or a light-impermeable surface. In addition, a square opening that matches the planar shape of the cylinder 50a is formed in the upper plate 5011 at the location where the cylinder 50a is located, and the medicine can reach the inside of the cylinder 50a through the square opening. In addition, the upper plate 5011 is entirely transparent, or at least the portion located above the inclined mirror 6a is transparent.

[0023] The inner shape of the cylindrical portion 50a is a polygonal cylinder made up of a plurality of planes, and is, for example, a hexagonal shape in plan view of the cylindrical portion 50a. The outer shape of the cylindrical portion 50a is a circle. In addition, the inclined mirror portion 6a reflects light from above toward the cylindrical portion 50a, so that the medicine inside the cylindrical portion 50a can be illuminated with side light (light in a direction intersecting with the photographing optical axis of the camera 61). If a large amount of the side light is obtained, the marking of the medicine can be photographed suitably. In addition, instead of the inclined mirror portion 6a, a light emitting element that emits light toward the side surface of the cylindrical portion 50a may be provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 50a.

[0024] 9(A) and 9(B), the connection points R1 between the six adjacent faces of the cylindrical portion 50a of the storage portion 50 are formed in a curved shape (R: radius). The lower end of the cylindrical portion 50a forms, for example, a hexagonal opening in a plan view.

[0025] The medicine receiving bottom 5012 is made of a transparent material (such as resin) that transmits light. In addition, a packaging opening 5012a is formed at a predetermined position of the medicine receiving bottom 5012, as shown in FIG. 10. The medicine packaging introduction member 7 is located below the packaging opening 5012a, and when the tubular portion 50a of the storage portion 50 is located above the packaging opening 5012a, the medicine in the storage portion 50 falls into the medicine packaging introduction member 7 and reaches the packet paper S. That is, the packaging opening 5012a is located at a specific location in the area where the tubular portion (opening) 50a moves due to the rotation of the turntable portion 5010. Similarly, an opening is formed in the lower plate portion 52 at a position corresponding to the packaging opening 5012a.

[0026] When the turntable 5010 of the medicine receiving table 501 rotates on the medicine receiving bottom 5012, each storage section 50 moves sequentially to the first medicine receiving position P1, the second medicine receiving position P2, the third medicine receiving position P3, the non-processing position P4, the fourth medicine receiving position P5, the medicine photographing position P6, the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position) where the packaging opening 5012a is formed, and the remaining medicine confirmation position P8, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. A plurality of wheels 56 (see Figure 11) are attached to the lower surface of the turntable 5010, and the load of the turntable 5010 can be received by the medicine receiving bottom 5012 while maintaining a certain gap between the upper surface of the medicine receiving bottom 5012 and the bottom surface of the turntable 5010 so that they do not slide against each other. This gap reduces adverse effects on the rotation of the turntable 5010 caused by drug powder (drug debris) and the like, and reduces the number of cleaning operations. In addition, a drug powder recovery groove 5012c (see FIG. 10) is formed in the drug receiver bottom 5012 at a position inside the outer circumferential edge.

[0027] At the first medicine receiving position P1, the medicine transferred by the medicine transferring unit 2 falls into the storage unit 50 located at the position P1. The medicine transferring unit 2 has a hopper 21 located below the medicine guiding unit 12 and above the remaining medicine confirmation position P8. Furthermore, the medicine transferring unit 2 has a belt-driven transfer unit 22. This transfer unit 22 is located between the lower part of the hopper 21 and the first medicine receiving position P1, and transfers the medicine received from the hopper 21 into the storage unit 50 at the first medicine receiving position P1. In addition, by providing an ionizer that emits ions toward the inside of the hopper 21, it is possible to suppress adhesion of the medicine to the inside of the hopper 21 due to static electricity.

[0028] To the second medicine receiving position P2, medicines are supplied from another medicine supply unit.

[0029] At the third medicine receiving position P3, medicines supplied from a universal cassette (not shown) are supplied into the storage section 50 located at the position P3 through the guide tube 201 and the supply opening 201a. The universal cassette can supply medicines regardless of the shape of the medicine, and automatically discharges the medicine instead of manually dispensing the medicine. As described above, the medicine containing and dispensing unit 11 includes a plurality of cassettes, some of which are universal cassettes. By providing an ionizer that emits ions toward the inside of the guide tube 201, it is possible to prevent the medicine from adhering to the inside of the guide tube 201 and the storage section 50 due to static electricity.

[0030] At the fourth medicine receiving position P5, the medicines supplied from the manual distribution unit 13 are supplied into the storage unit 50 located at the position P5 via a hopper and a supply opening 202 (not shown).

[0031] At the medicine photographing position P6, medicines (for example, a packet of medicines) are temporarily stored in the storage section 50 located at the position P6. The medicine photographing device 6 is located near the medicine photographing position P6.

[0032] The drug photographing device 6 has a photographing section 60 for photographing a subject in still images. In this embodiment, the photographing section 60 includes a first camera 61 for photographing the drug in the storage section 50 located at the drug photographing position P6 in color from above, a second camera 62 for photographing the drug in the storage section 50 in color from below, an upper illumination section 63 for illuminating the drug in the storage section 50 from above, the inclined mirror section 6a (a light-emitting element instead of the inclined mirror section 6a may be used) for illuminating the drug in the storage section 50 from the side, and a lower illumination section 64 for illuminating the drug in the storage section 50 from below.

[0033] The area around the light entrance of the first camera 61 is in contact with the outer surface of the housing 6001 of the upper illumination unit 63. Furthermore, a seal member (O-ring or the like) is disposed at this contact area. This seal member prevents dust and the like from entering the housing 6001 from the first camera 61 side.

[0034] The photographing section 60 of the medicine photographing device 6 is provided with a surface light emitting member 65 below the lower illumination section 64. The portion of the lower plate section 52 corresponding to the medicine photographing position P6 is transparent or has an opening. The surface light emitting member 65 has, for example, a rectangular shape and can be switched between a surface light emitting state and a transparent state. In the surface light emitting state, the medicine is photographed in backlight for the first camera 61. The surface light emitting member 65 is, for example, composed of a rectangular transparent light guide plate and a light emitting element (LED, etc.) that emits light toward the edge of the transparent light guide plate. The surface light emitting member 65 is in a transparent state when the light emitting element is not lit. The surface light emitting member 65 may be located above the lower illumination section 64.

[0035] The lower illumination unit 64 and the surface light emitting member 65 are disposed in the housing 6002. The area around the light entrance of the second camera 62 is in contact with the outer surface of the housing 6002. Furthermore, a seal member (O-ring or the like) is disposed at this contact area. This seal member prevents dust and the like from entering the housing 6002 from the second camera 62 side.

[0036] Then, under the control of the controller 8 shown in FIG. 13, the photographing unit 60 performs a first photographing process in which the upper illumination unit 63 is turned on and the drug in the storage unit 50 is photographed from above using the first camera 61 in a non-backlit state (either front light, side light, or a mixture of front light and side light), a second photographing process in which the surface light-emitting member 65 is turned on and the drug in the storage unit 50 is photographed from above using the first camera 61 in a backlit state, and a third photographing process in which the lower illumination unit 64 is turned on and the drug in the storage unit 50 is photographed from below using the second camera 62 in a non-backlit state (either front light, side light, or a mixture of front light and side light).

[0037] The combinations of the above-mentioned shooting processes and lighting processes are shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0038] By performing the second photographing process, the medicine in the storage section 50 is photographed in a backlit state, and an image of the medicine is obtained in which the bottom side of the storage section 50 is bright and the medicine is dark. That is, the number of medicines can be determined by counting the number of medicine shadows (dark areas) in the photographed image.

[0039] The upper first camera 61 is located above the medicine photographing position P6. The upper first camera 61 includes a mirror 61a that reflects an image inside the storage section 50 in the horizontal direction, an image pickup element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 61b that receives the image reflected by the mirror 61a, and various lenses that focus the image on the image pickup element 61b.

[0040] The lower second camera 62 is located below the medicine photographing position P6. The lower second camera 62 includes a mirror 62a that reflects an image inside the storage section 50 in the horizontal direction, an image pickup element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 62b that receives the image reflected by the mirror 62a, and various lenses that focus the image on the image pickup element 62b.

[0041] The upper illumination unit 63 is composed of a number of light-emitting elements (LEDs, etc.) arranged in a ring shape, and has a transparent or hollow structure that transmits light at the center. The ring-shaped light-emitting elements are located outside the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50 and above the inclined mirror portion 6a. The light emitted from the upper illumination unit 63 is reflected laterally by the inclined mirror portion 6a and guided into the storage unit 50 (tube portion 50a) in a side light state, and a part of the light emitted from the upper illumination unit 63 reaches the inside of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50 as a direct light for the first camera 61.

[0042] When light enters the tube portion 50a from the upper end surface, the light is emitted from the inner peripheral surface of the tube portion 50a, and a bright pattern is formed on the bottom of the tube portion 50a (the part of the drug receiving bottom portion 5012). If the upper end surface of the tube portion 50a is processed to a frosted glass surface (finely uneven surface) or a light-impermeable surface, the occurrence of the bright pattern can be suppressed. This can prevent the bright pattern from being reflected in the captured image and causing a negative effect on drug identification. In addition, by processing the lower end surface of the tube portion 50a in the same way, the illumination light from below is suppressed from passing through the tube portion 50a.

[0043] A gap of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less may be formed between the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 50a and the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012. When such a gap is formed, shadows on the captured image of the medicine close to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 50a are reduced.

[0044] The connection points R1 of the hexagonal surface portions of the cylindrical portion 50a of the storage portion 50 have a curved (R) shape as described above. Here, in a structure in which the connection points R1 of the surface portions do not have the curved shape, light from the outside is refracted at the connection points R1 of the surface portions, causing uneven illumination on the bottom surface of the storage portion 50. When the cylindrical portion 50a has a curved shape at the connection points R1, the light is diffused toward the cylindrical portion 50a by the curved shape, so that uneven illumination is less likely to occur. It is preferable that the thickness of the curved shape portion and other portions is the same. In addition, if the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 50a is rectangular, overlapping of the medicine in the storage portion 50 is easily eliminated.

[0045] The lower illumination unit 64 is made of a number of light-emitting elements (such as LEDs) arranged in a ring shape at a position outside the inner circumference of the tube portion 50a located at the drug photography position P6 so as not to interfere with backlight photography, and has a transparent or hollow structure that transmits light at the center. The emission optical axis of the light-emitting element is not limited to the upward direction. The emission optical axis of the light-emitting element may be, for example, directed toward the bottom center of the storage portion 50.

[0046] Also, the first, second and third photographing processes may be performed multiple times (for example, five times) within a certain time. In particular, it is preferable to set the time interval between the first photographing process and the third photographing process within a certain time. Also, by increasing the shutter speed during the first and third photographing, blurring of the photographed image of the medicine can be suppressed. Here, the turntable part 5010 of the medicine receiving board part 501 rotates intermittently, and immediately after the storage part 50 stops on the medicine photographing position P6, the medicine in the storage part 50 is in a vibrating or rolling state. If it is necessary to wait for this vibrating or rolling state to subside, the time required to photograph the medicine will be longer.

[0047] As described above, when the same subject is photographed multiple times within a certain period of time, multiple images are obtained, so that an image in which the marking or printed surface of the medicine faces the camera is obtained stochastically, and the recognition rate of the marking, etc. can be improved. In addition, when the time interval between the first photographing process and the third photographing process is a certain period of time, the position of the medicine in the first photographing process and the position of the same medicine in the third photographing process are unlikely to shift, so whether or not the medicine is the same in both photographed images can be estimated from the correspondence between the positions of the medicine in the image photographed from above by the first photographing process and the image photographed from below by the third photographing process within the certain period of time.

[0048] In addition, the medicine check unit (determination unit) 82 may adopt, for example, an image with the largest number of medicine shadows (dark areas) from among the multiple images obtained in the second photographing process, determine the number of medicines based on this adopted image, and determine whether the required number of medicines is present in the storage unit 50 by comparing this determined number with the number of medicines indicated in the prescription information (packaging data). Alternatively, the image with the largest total area of ​​medicine shadows (dark areas) may be adopted. In addition, the medicine check unit 82 may select the images obtained in the first and third photographing processes at the time closest to the time of photographing the adopted image as images for determining the type of medicine. In addition, it is preferable to perform the second photographing process before the storage unit 50 stops on the medicine photographing position P6 after the turntable unit 5010 of the medicine receiving table unit 501 rotates intermittently. Since the medicines may overlap each other after the stop, it is preferable to perform the second photographing process as described above.

[0049] When the medicine check unit 82 judges that the number of medicines and medicine information described later are not correct for the medicines in the storage unit 50 located on the medicine photographing position P6 by referring to the packaging data (characteristic data described later), the controller 8 may rotate the turntable unit 5010 of the medicine receiving table unit 501 forward and backward to roll the medicines in the storage unit 50, and may perform the first, second and third photographing processes again. Alternatively, an alert may be output as an error process.

[0050] On the other hand, when the medicine check unit 82 judges that the number of medicines in the storage unit 50 located on the medicine photographing position P6 and the medicine information described later are correct by referring to the packaging data (characteristic data described later), the controller 8 rotates the turntable unit 5010 of the medicine receiving plate unit 501 forward by 45 degrees to move the storage unit 50 on the medicine photographing position P6 to the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position) where the packaging opening 5012a is formed. As a result, the medicine in the storage unit 50 reaches the packaging paper S from the packaging opening 5012a through the medicine packaging introduction member 7.

[0051] A first residual detection camera 601, a second residual detection camera 602, and a third residual detection camera 603 are located above the above-mentioned medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position). In addition, a lighting unit consisting of an LED or the like is provided to illuminate the shooting range of each residual detection camera. Note that sensors may be used instead of the residual detection cameras 601, 602, and 603.

[0052] The first residue detection camera 601 photographs the inside of the opening of the packing paper S through the packaging opening 5012a. Based on the photographed result, it can be confirmed automatically or by an inspector visually checking the image whether or not there is any medicine (medicine that should have been packaged in advance) or foreign matter inside the opening of the packing paper S.

[0053] In addition, the second residue detection camera 602 photographs the relay portion 71 of the medicine packaging introduction member 7. Based on the photographing result, it is possible to automatically or visually confirm whether or not the medicine is attached to the relay portion 71 of the medicine packaging introduction member 7.

[0054] In addition, the third residue detection camera 603 photographs the final portion of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 (the lower portion of the shooter portion 72 located below the relay portion 71). Based on the photographing result, it is possible to automatically or visually confirm whether or not medicine is attached to the final portion of the medicine packaging introduction member 7.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination section includes a first light-emitting section 451, a second light-emitting section 452, and a third light-emitting section 453.

[0056] The first light-emitting unit 451 illuminates the inside of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 from a position above the medicine discharge position P7. A part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting unit 451 is not blocked by the medicine packaging introduction member 7, but exits from an opening at the bottom of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 and reaches the vicinity of the position between the heater rollers 45d and 45e.

[0057] 22, second light-emitting unit 452 illuminates the vicinity of the position between heater roller 45d and heater roller 45e from a position on the side of medicine packaging introduction member 7. The light emitted from second light-emitting unit 452 passes through packet paper S and reaches the opening of packet paper S opened by the guide surface (front surface) of unfolding guide 45a.

[0058] As shown in Figs. 23 and 24, the third light emitting unit 453 is attached in a recess on the non-guide surface (back surface) of the unfolding guide 45a, and illuminates the vicinity of the position between the heater roller 45d and the heater roller 45e, similar to the second light emitting unit 452. The light emitted from the third light emitting unit 453 reaches the opening of the packet paper S without passing through the packet paper S. A transparent cover 45aa is attached to the opening side of the recess of the unfolding guide 45a to cover the third light emitting unit 453, so that medicine powder and the like do not fall on the third light emitting unit 453. The third light emitting unit 453 can be positioned near the opening of the folded packet paper S, so that it can brightly illuminate the inside of the opening of the packet paper S. Note that the electric wire connected to the third light emitting unit 453 is, for example, passed between the unfolding guide 45a and the cover 45aa and is taken out of the recess.

[0059] The brightness (amount of light) of the first light-emitting unit 451, the second light-emitting unit 452, and the third light-emitting unit 453 may be adjustable by a dimmer. Furthermore, the third light-emitting unit 453 is not limited to being positioned within the recess of the non-guide surface (back surface) of the unfolding guide 45a. The third light-emitting unit 453 itself may enter through the opening of the packet paper S and be positioned within the opening to illuminate the inside of the opening. For example, the third light-emitting unit 453 is supported by a thin rod-shaped or wire-shaped support member and enters through the opening of the packet paper S and is positioned within the opening. The support source may be the non-guide surface (back surface) of the unfolding guide 45a or the tip of the shooter unit 72.

[0060] In the above example, three residue detection cameras 601, 602, 603 are arranged above the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position), but the configuration is not limited to this. All or a part of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 may be arranged to be movable laterally, etc., and the residue detection cameras arranged at the moved positions may capture images of the inside of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 after the movement. This makes it possible to reduce the number of residue detection cameras arranged on the storage section 50, and to avoid a complicated structure due to dense arrangement of cameras on the storage section 50.

[0061] Alternatively, two residue detection cameras (A) and (B) may be arranged above the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position). In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 25, the residue detection camera (A) has a deep depth of field and captures an area from relay section 71 to approximately the middle position of shooter section 72 of medicine packaging introduction member 7 (hereinafter referred to as the upper area). The residue detection camera (B) also has a deep depth of field and captures an area from approximately the middle position of shooter section 72 of medicine packaging introduction member 7 to the opening of the packet paper S (hereinafter referred to as the lower area). The capture ranges of the two residue detection cameras (A) and (B) overlap at approximately the middle position of shooter section 72.

[0062] Even in the configuration in which the above-mentioned two residual detection cameras (A) and (B) are arranged, it is preferable that the illumination unit has three light-emitting units (a), (b), and (c). For example, the light-emitting unit (a) is arranged near the installation position of the residual detection camera, the light-emitting unit (b) is arranged in the packaging unit 4 (preferably the drug packaging unit 45), and the light-emitting unit (c) is arranged on the non-guide surface (rear surface) side of the unfolding guide 45a.

[0063] In one example of control in a configuration having the above two residue detection cameras (A) and (B), the residue detection camera (A) photographs the upper region with only the light-emitting unit (a) turned on (first photographing operation). That is, in the first photographing operation, the upper region of the inner wall surface of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 is set as the photographing range, and this first photographing operation is used to determine whether or not the medicine is attached to the inner wall surface.

[0064] On the other hand, with all of the light-emitting units (a), (b), and (c) turned on, the upper and lower regions are photographed by the residual detection cameras (A) and (B) (second photographing operation). That is, in the second photographing operation, the entire inner wall surface of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 and the opening of the sachet paper S are set as the photographing range, and if it is determined that there is even one medicine inside the entire inner wall surface of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 and the opening of the sachet paper S at a stage where the medicine to be packaged has not started to be dropped into the opening of the sachet paper S, it is determined that there is a residual medicine. In the second photographing operation, by emitting light not only from the light-emitting unit (a) but also from the light-emitting units (b) and (c), the total amount of light of the illumination is increased and the opening of the sachet paper S can be illuminated from multiple directions, so that even if there is even one medicine inside the opening of the sachet paper S, it can be accurately detected. It is also possible to use a mode in which the light-emitting unit (a) is not emitted in the second photographing operation.

[0065] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26, the second photographing operation is performed with the Kth packet (K is a natural number with a maximum value of the set number of packets N) of medicine located at medicine photographing position P6 (S1). When K=1, information can be obtained as to whether or not remaining medicine in a medicine package based on another preceding prescription remains in the opening of the packaging paper S of the current prescription at medicine discharge position P7. When K=2 or later, information can be obtained as to whether or not a medicine that should be packaged earlier in the current prescription remains in the opening of the packaging paper S in a subsequent package. Note that when several blank packets are generated between different prescriptions, the second photographing operation when K=1 may be omitted.

[0066] After the second photographing operation, when the turntable unit 5010 rotates 45 degrees, the Kth packet of medicine according to the current prescription is dropped from the medicine discharge position P7 through the medicine packaging introduction member 7 into the opening of the packet paper S (S2). The situation of this dropping is photographed by the first photographing operation (S3). That is, with only the light emitting unit (a) turned on, the upper region is photographed by the residual detection camera (A).

[0067] The residual detection photography for the Kth packet of the current prescription begins with the above-mentioned first photography operation (S3). If the result of the first photography operation indicates that no medicine is attached to the inner wall of the medicine packaging introduction member 7, and if the Kth packet is packaged in a state in which part of the medicine to be packaged has moved to the position of the succeeding K+1th packet while the packet corresponding to the Kth drug is being packaged, the next second photography operation will detect residual medicine within the opening of the packet paper S.

[0068] After the first photographing operation, a packaging operation for one package is performed (S4). Next, K is incremented (S5), and it is determined whether K has exceeded N (S6). If K has not exceeded N, the process proceeds to the second photographing operation for the subsequent package of medicine (S1). If K has exceeded N, K is reset (S7), and photographing processing is performed for the package of the next prescription.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 12, a third camera 66 is located below the remaining medicine confirmation position P8. After the medicine stored in the storage section 50 is delivered to the medicine packaging section 45, the third camera 66 photographs the inside of the storage section 50 that has moved to the remaining medicine confirmation position P8. For example, the third camera 66 includes a mirror 66a that reflects an image of the inner peripheral surface of the tube section 50a of the storage section 50 located at the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 in the horizontal direction, an image pickup element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 66b that receives the image reflected by the mirror 66a, and various lenses that form an image on the image pickup element 66b. In addition, a lower illumination unit 67 is provided above the mirror 66a. Depending on the photographing result of the third camera 66, it can be confirmed automatically or by an inspector visually checking the image whether or not medicine remains on the inner wall surface and in the inner space of the tube section 50a.

[0070] The printing mechanism having ink ribbon cassette 401 prints the patient's name, morning, afternoon, evening, etc., before the medicines are packaged, and even if an error is detected in the medicine identification process or automatic inspection, the error information cannot be printed on the corresponding medicine-packaged packaging paper. Therefore, a post-printing unit may be provided that prints error information, such as a mark indicating a defect or a number indicating the number of missing medicines, on the medicine-packaged packaging paper portion that has passed through heater rollers 45d, 45e.

[0071] When presenting the print layout on the packaging paper to the user, the print layout can be confirmed via a monitor of the medicine packaging device 1 or based on an actually printed packaging paper. The latter confirmation method is preferably not accompanied by the medicine supply operation.

[0072] 13 shows a schematic block diagram of the control system of the medicine packing device 1. A storage unit 80 connected to the controller 8 of the medicine packing device 1 stores a so-called master table (database of medicines, etc.), prescription information for each patient, image data captured by the first, second and third cameras 61, 62 and 66 and the first, second and third residual detection cameras 601, 602 and 603, and the like. The controller 8 controls the illumination, shooting operation timing, and the like of the first, second and third cameras 61, 62 and 66 and the first, second and third residual detection cameras 601, 602 and 603.

[0073] The image output unit 81 of the controller 8 performs a process of storing the images captured by the first to third cameras 61, 62, 66, etc. in the storage unit 80. The image output unit 81 can also read out the captured images, etc. from the storage unit 80 and display them on the monitor as an inspection support image. The inspector can inspect the medicine in the storage unit 50 by looking at the inspection support image displayed on the monitor.

[0074] The inspection support image may be displayed on the monitor by, for example, processing by the controller 8, in which the upper image of the drug taken by the first camera 61 and the lower image of the drug taken by the second camera 62 are associated as front and back images for each drug that is presumed to be the same drug. The association of the front and back images is performed by arranging the images side by side or vertically. Whether or not the drugs are the same can be presumed from the correspondence relationship between the drug positions in the images taken from the top and bottom by the first and third photographing processes within the certain time period. Furthermore, the association of the front and back images may be performed for all of the multiple images, or may be performed for a specific image among the multiple images. The specific photographed image may be an image in which the marking or the like can be recognized by the drug check unit 82. FIG. 14 shows an example of an inspection support image. In this image, patient information, information on the drug administered to the patient (drug name and drug image), and front and back images of each drug, which are cut out from the entire image of the inside of the reservoir taken for each package, are displayed.

[0075] Furthermore, the inspection support image may include, in addition to the photographed image of the medicine in the storage unit 50, an image in which reference images of medicines to be packaged are arranged among reference images of medicines previously stored in the storage unit 80. The reference images may be images photographed in the photographing environment of the medicine packaging device 1, images photographed in a medicine room in which the medicine packaging device 1 is installed, or images provided by a medicine manufacturer.

[0076] The drug check unit 82 of the controller 8 judges the number of drugs present in the storage unit 50 located at the drug photographing position P6 based on the image photographed by the first camera 61. Since the first camera 61 photographs the shadows of the drugs by backlighting, the drug check unit 82 counts the number of dark areas of a predetermined size (area) or more in the photographed image, for example, and outputs this number of areas as the number of drugs. The dark areas include not only circular areas but also annular areas. The predetermined size can be made different for each drug based on the size data for each drug stored in the storage unit 80.

[0077] Moreover, the drug check unit 82, as a determination unit, can recognize marks such as stamps, which are drug information of the drug, in the photographed images photographed in the first photographing process and the third photographing process, and determine the drug. Furthermore, the drug check unit 82 can automatically determine whether or not the drug specified in the prescription information (packaging data) is present in the storage unit 50 by determining whether the specified drug matches the drug mark indicated in the prescription information (packaging data) in the storage unit 80 (drug master table).

[0078] Furthermore, the drug check unit 82, as a judgment unit, judges other drug information (the area (size) of the drug in a planar view, the shape of the drug in a planar view, and all or part of the surface color of the drug) that is characteristic of each drug obtained by the photographing. The drug check unit 82 can also automatically determine whether or not a drug specified in the prescription information (packaging data) is present in the storage unit 50 by judging the degree of agreement between the drug information and characteristic data of each drug (the area (size) of the drug in a planar view, the shape of the drug in a planar view, and all or part of the surface color of the drug) indicated in the prescription information (packaging data) in the memory unit 80 (drug master table).

[0079] Furthermore, the drug check unit 82 can automatically determine whether or not a drug specified in the prescription information (packaging data) is present in the storage unit 50 by image matching, which compares the captured image of the drug (drug information) with a reference image of each drug (characteristic data of each drug) previously stored in the storage unit 80 and determines the degree of agreement. The reference image (for image matching) used by the drug check unit 82 does not have to be the same as the reference image (for visual confirmation) in the inspection support image described above.

[0080] The adhesion determination unit 83 of the controller 8 determines adhesion of a drug to the inner wall of the drug packaging introduction member 7 and adhesion of a drug to the inner wall of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50, based on the images taken by the first, second, and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, and 603, and the image taken by the third camera 66. For example, the adhesion determination unit 83 determines adhesion of a drug to the inner wall surface of the tube portion 50a by comparing an image taken by the third camera 66 of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50 located at the remaining drug confirmation position P8 with a basic image taken in a state where no drug is attached to the inner wall surface.

[0081] The basic image is, for example, an image taken immediately before the first packaging process of the day is performed, and this image is stored in the storage unit 80. In addition, as an example of the drug adhesion determination, for example, when the number of pixels having the same brightness value or pixels within a predetermined range for each pixel of the image sensor does not meet a predetermined ratio with respect to the total number of pixels, it is determined that the drug is attached to the inner wall of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50. When it is determined that the drug is attached to the inner wall of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50, the controller 8 can output an alert. At that time, the drug packaging process may be continued or interrupted. In addition, the controller 8 may store the captured image in the storage unit 80 when it is determined that the drug is attached to the inner wall of the tube portion 50a of the storage unit 50.

[0082] The timing control unit 84 of the controller 8 controls the photographing timing of the first, second and third cameras 61, 62, 66, the first, second and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603, the upper illumination unit 63, the lower illumination unit 64 and the surface light emitting member 65, etc., in response to the rotational operation of the turntable unit 5010 of the medicine receiving board unit 501. In this embodiment, still photography is simultaneously performed at the medicine photographing position P6 (first and second cameras 61, 62), the medicine discharge position P7 (first, second and third residual detection cameras 601, 602, 603), and the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 (third camera 66) every time the turntable unit 5010 of the medicine receiving board unit 501 rotates intermittently by 45 degrees. In addition, the timing control unit 84 performs photography in the order of, for example, the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process. Of course, other shooting orders may be used. Furthermore, the timing control section 84 can also control the timing of lighting the upper illumination section 63 and the lower illumination section 64 and the timing of switching the light amount during shooting.

[0083] The timing at which the third camera 66 photographs the remaining medicine checking position P8 is exemplified below. 1. The remaining medicine checking position P8 is photographed when the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharging position P7. 2. The remaining medicine checking position P8 is photographed after the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharging position P7 (e.g., a predetermined time (1 second) after the movement).

[0084] It is also possible to place the third camera 66 at the medicine discharge position P7 to check for remaining medicine. In this case, an image is captured after the storage section 50 moves to the medicine discharge position P7 (a predetermined time (1 second) after the movement, for example).

[0085] The drive control unit 85 of the controller 8 controls the motor 503. This control includes not only the intermittent 45-degree rotation of the turntable part 5010 of the medicine receiving plate part 501, but also the control of eliminating overlapping of the medicines in the storage part 50 by rotating the turntable part 5010 forward and backward at a speed faster than the speed of the 45-degree rotation.

[0086] With the above configuration, the first photographing process can photograph the markings of the medicine placed with the side with the markings facing up, and the third photographing process can photograph the markings of the medicine placed with the side with the markings facing down. This makes it possible to identify the medicine in the storage unit based on the images obtained in the first and third photographing processes, even for medicines with markings only on one side. In addition, it is possible to determine the number of medicines by the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the second photographing process. That is, it is possible to make the photographing location for photographing the markings of the medicine and the photographing location for determining the number of medicines the same, and the medicine photographing process can be performed quickly. It is also possible to perform only one of the first photographing process and the third photographing process.

[0087] In this embodiment, the timing control unit 84 executes each photographing process multiple times for the medicine (same subject) in a specific storage unit 50. This photographing process does not mean that the first photographing process and the third photographing process are executed once each (a total of two times), but rather that the first photographing process and the third photographing process are executed multiple times. Here, if the medicine in a vibrating or rolling state is waited to stop before photographing it, the time required to photograph the medicine will be longer. As described above, when the same subject is photographed multiple times within a certain period of time, multiple images are obtained, so that an image in which the imprinted or printed surface of the medicine faces the camera is stochastically more likely to be obtained, and the recognition rate of the imprint, etc. can be improved.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, by performing the first, second, and third photographing processes at one location (medicine photographing position P6), the storage section 50 does not move and the medicine does not vibrate or roll each time it is photographed, which has the advantage of reducing blurring of the photographed medicine image. Also, by performing the first, second, and third photographing processes at one location in this way, it is only necessary to wait once for the vibration and rolling of the medicine to stop, so that even if photographing is performed after waiting for the vibration and rolling of the medicine to stop, it is possible to shorten the photographing process time.

[0089] By providing the third camera 66, it becomes possible to detect medication adhering to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion 50a, and to inform the user that there is a risk that the packaged medication does not conform to the prescription information (packaging data).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 11, a cleaning member 55 for cleaning the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is provided on the bottom side of the turntable 5010 at a location not forming the storage section 50. This cleaning member 55 can prevent medicine powder (medicine waste) on the medicine receiving bottom 5012 from being packaged together with the medicine. The cleaning member 55 includes, for example, a scraper 55a and a support section 55b for supporting the scraper 55a. The support section 55b may be movably supported on the turntable 5010 so that the scraper 55a can be brought into contact with and separated from the medicine receiving bottom 5012. When the turntable 5010 rotates around the axis 504 with the scraper 55a in contact with the medicine receiving bottom 5012, the medicine powder on the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is scraped by the scraper 55a toward the storage recess 5012b and the medicine powder recovery groove 5012c described below.

[0091] The shaft 504 has a flange at its lower part, and this flange is fixed to the lower plate 52. A bearing is fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft 504, and the rectangular protrusion 504a is rotatably supported on the outer periphery of this bearing (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 7, the center of the medicine receiving board 501 is formed with a substantially cylindrical central square opening 501b having a square opening into which the rectangular protrusion 504a fits, so that the medicine receiving board 501 can be detachably attached to the square protrusion 504a.

[0092] 15, the central square opening 501b is connected and fixed to a cylindrical rising portion 501c located away from the outer periphery of the central square opening 501b by a plurality of connecting ribs 501f. The cylindrical rising portion 501c is a member located at the center of the turntable 5010 and fixed to the turntable 5010. In addition, the turntable 5010 has a plurality of guide columns 501g formed in an annular gap formed between the outer periphery of the central square opening 501b and the cylindrical rising portion 501c, protruding in the axial direction of the shaft 504.

[0093] The cleaning switching moving part 501d (see FIG. 17) is inserted into the circular gap. The cleaning switching moving part 501d has a plurality of holes into which the guide columns 501g are inserted, and these holes allow the cleaning switching moving part 501d to move linearly in the axial direction of the shaft 504 and to rotate around the shaft 504 together with the rotating platen 5010. The cleaning switching moving part 501d has a notch 501k (see FIG. 17) through which the connecting rib 501f passes. The support plate 501h of the rotating platen 5010 is located below the cleaning switching moving part 501d. The support plate 501h is a member located on the center side of the rotating platen 5010 and fixed to the rotating platen 5010. The support plate 501h is shown by virtual lines in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 17, a coil spring 501j is disposed between the cleaning switching operation part 501d and the support plate part 501h, and the cleaning switching operation part 501d is urged upward by this coil spring 501j. When cleaning the medicine powder, the cleaning switching operation part 501d is moved downward. The downward movement of the cleaning switching operation part 501d is performed by a motor 5060. The motor 5060 and a support mechanism 5061 that supports the motor 5060 are attached to the upper plate part 51.

[0095] The support mechanism 5061 has a plurality of guide pillars 5061a erected in the axial direction of the shaft 504, and the guide pillars 5061a engage with the pressing member 5061b guided in the up-down direction by the guide pillars 5061a. A feed screw 5061c is screwed into a screw hole formed in the center of the pressing member 5061b. When the feed screw 5061c is driven by the motor 5060, the pressing member 5061b moves up and down. A plurality of wheel parts 5061d that contact the upper surface of the cleaning switching operation part 501d are attached to the lower surface side of the pressing member 5061b. That is, even when the cleaning switching operation part 501d is pressed down by the pressing member 5061b, the cleaning switching operation part 501d (the rotating disk part 5010) contacts the pressing member 5061b via the wheel parts 5061d, and can smoothly rotate around the axis of the shaft 504. The motor 5060 may be disposed at a position other than the center of the support mechanism 5061 .

[0096] A rack portion 551 having teeth formed in the axial direction of the shaft 504 is fixed to a side surface of the cleaning switching operation portion 501d. Then, as shown in Fig. 16, a notch for exposing the rack portion 551 is formed in the cylindrical rising portion 501c.

[0097] The cleaning member 55 has a shaft portion 553. The shaft portion 553 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 554 provided on the support portion 55b. A gear portion 552 meshed with the rack portion 551 is fixed to one end side of the shaft portion 553. When the cleaning switching operation portion 501d is lowered by the driving of the motor 5060 during cleaning, as shown in FIG. 18, the rack portion 551 is lowered, the gear portion 552 rotates, and the shaft portion 553 rotates. The scraper 55a fixed to the shaft portion 553 rises up as the shaft portion 553 rotates, and the edge portion of the scraper 55a contacts the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012. After cleaning is completed, the motor 5060 rotates in reverse to perform the above-mentioned operation.

[0098] That is, in this embodiment, medicine packaging device 1 includes a medicine supplying section (medicine containing and dispensing unit 11) that supplies various medicines, a medicine packaging section 45 that packages the medicines supplied from the medicine supplying section in packaging paper S, a storage section 50 that temporarily stores the medicines supplied from the medicine supplying section upstream of the medicine packaging section 45, and a cleaning member 55 that is provided on medicine receiving board section 501 and serves as a cleaning device that cleans medicine powder on medicine receiving bottom section 5012. Medicine packaging device 1 may be configured to include the cleaning device without including the imaging section 60.

[0099] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cleaning device, the edge of the cleaning member 55 (scraper 55a) may be switchable between a state in which it is raised and a state in which it is in contact with the medicine receiving bottom 5012.

[0100] As an example of the above switching, the drug packaging device 1 is equipped with a cleaning switching operation unit 501d that rotates together with the turntable unit 5010 and is capable of moving linearly in the axial direction of a shaft 504 that rotationally supports the turntable unit 5010, and that switches between a state of contacting the drug receiving bottom 5012 of the cleaning member 55 and a state of not contacting the drug receiving bottom 5012 by linear movement in the axial direction of the shaft 504, and a drive unit (motor 5060, support mechanism 5061, etc.) that moves the cleaning switching operation unit 501d in the axial direction of the shaft 504.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above cleaning device, the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 may be rotatable, as described below.

[0102] If the cleaning member 55 (scraper 55a) is integrated with the turntable portion 5010, when the turntable portion 5010 is removed from the medicine packaging device 1, the cleaning member 55 (scraper 55a) also comes off, making it easier to clean the medicine receiving bottom portion 5012 and the lower plate portion 52.

[0103] In this embodiment, a cleaning switching operation unit 501d for switching the cleaning operation of the cleaning member 55 is attached to the rotating plate 5010, and a motor 5060 and a support mechanism 5061 for operating the cleaning switching operation unit 501d are attached to the upper plate 51. That is, since the medicine receiving plate 501 itself of the medicine storage unit 5 does not have a drive system, the medicine receiving plate 501 can be easily removed from the medicine packaging device 1. The medicine receiving plate 501 may be removed as a whole including the medicine receiving bottom 5012, or may be removed as a component not including the medicine receiving bottom 5012.

[0104] Furthermore, the provision of the medicine receiving bottom 5012 makes it difficult for medicine powder to adhere to the lower plate 52. Furthermore, the medicine receiving bottom 5012 can be removed from the lower plate 52 for washing. In the structure shown in FIG. 4 etc., the user can grasp the handle 505 and lift up the upper plate 51 (including the motor 5060, the support mechanism 5061, etc.) to expose the top side of the medicine receiving board 501, and in this state can detach the medicine receiving board 501 from the shaft 504 (rectangular protrusion 504a).

[0105] The scraper 55a (shaft 553) extends from the outer periphery of the turntable 5010 to the center of the turntable 5010. The end of the scraper 55a located at the center is eccentrically positioned on the delayed side from the outer periphery in the forward rotation direction of the turntable 5010 from the center of the turntable 5010. This allows the medicine powder scraped off on the medicine receiver bottom 5012 to be moved to the center of the medicine receiver bottom 5012 by the rotation of the turntable 5010.

[0106] In the configuration including the cleaning member 55, medicine powder is removed from the medicine receiving bottom 5012 when the turntable 5010 rotates. This eliminates the need for the user to clean the medicine receiving bottom 5012. Without this effort, it is possible to solve problems such as inappropriate illumination due to medicine powder in the storage section 50 located at the medicine photographing position P6, and misidentifying a lump of medicine powder as a single medicine.

[0107] The cleaning of the medicine powder by the cleaning member 55 may be automatically performed each time the prescribed person of the medicine is changed. Not limited to this, for example, the medicine powder cleaning may be automatically performed each time the packaging process for a set number of packets (for example, 10 packets) is completed. The medicine powder cleaning may be performed when dirt on the bottom of the storage section 50 located at the medicine shooting position P6 is detected by a sensor or a camera image, or when the user presses the cleaning switch. When it is determined that cleaning is necessary, the supply of medicine to the storage section 50 may be stopped and all medicines present in the storage section 50 at that time may be packaged. However, when the prescribed medicine for the morning, afternoon, and evening is only of a single type (which can be determined by the prescription information), there is no problem even if the medicine and its medicine powder are packaged together, so the necessity of cleaning may not be determined.

[0108] Also, the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 may be stored in the storage recess 5012b (see FIG. 10) of the medicine receiving bottom 5012. Alternatively, the cleaning member 55 may be provided so as to drop the medicine powder from the packaging opening 5012a. The medicine powder dropped from the packaging opening 5012a may be packaged in the packing paper S located below the packaging opening 5012a. That is, the medicine powder at the medicine receiving bottom 5012 may be collected by the cleaning member 55 and packaged in the packing paper S. For example, after the packing paper into which the medicine has been dropped from the packaging opening 5012a is sealed to complete the medicine packaging, the unpackaged portion of the packing paper is moved below the packaging opening 5012a. Then, the cleaning member 55 is moved in the direction of the packaging opening 5012a, and the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 is dropped from the packaging opening 5012a. This prevents the medicine and the medicine powder from being packaged together. If the packing paper containing the powdered medicine collected by the cleaning member 55 is present in the continuous packing strip, a packing paper cutter (not shown) may be operated to separate the packing paper containing the powdered medicine from the continuous packing strip. At this time, it is preferable to print information that can identify the prescription on the leading packing paper of the succeeding continuous packing strip.

[0109] The timing at which the cleaning member 55 starts cleaning may be any timing other than the simultaneous timing of dropping the medicine from the packaging opening 5012a and the timing at which the medicine powder is dropped by the cleaning member 55. For example, the timing at which the cleaning member 55 starts cleaning is after the medicine has been discharged from all of the storage sections 50 in which the medicine has been stored, in other words, after all of the storage sections 50 in which the medicine has been stored have been moved to the medicine discharge position P7.

[0110] Also, instead of the surface light emitting member 65, as shown in FIG. 3(B), a light control member 68 may be provided below the bottom surface of the storage section 50 and above the lower illumination section 64. This light control member 68 can be switched between a transparent state and a semi-transparent state. The first photographing process and the third photographing process are performed depending on the transparent state of the light control member 68, and the second photographing process is performed depending on the semi-transparent state of the light control member 68 and the lighting of the lower illumination section 64. As the light control member 68, a liquid crystal film that becomes a transparent film by passing electricity through a milky white film can be used.

[0111] The combinations of the above shooting and lighting processes are shown in Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0112] In the first photographing process, the light adjusting member may be made semi-transparent.

[0113] In addition, it is preferable that the upper illumination unit 63 and the lower illumination unit 64 are capable of adjusting the light amount. When it is possible to know whether the currently stored medicine indicated by the prescription information (packaging data) is marked, the light amount when the marked medicine is photographed may be less than the light amount for the non-marked medicine. By reducing the light amount when the marked medicine is photographed, it is possible to suppress the phenomenon in which the shadow of the mark disappears and becomes unrecognizable due to the excessive light amount. Here, the light amount refers to the total amount of light flux passing through a certain surface within a certain time. The light amount adjustment is an increase or decrease in the light flux from the illumination units 63, 64 to the storage unit 50, and can be performed by increasing or decreasing the light flux of each LED by pulse width modulation processing of the voltage applied to the LEDs constituting the illumination units 63, 64, for example, or by increasing or decreasing the total light flux to the storage unit 50 by increasing or decreasing the number of the LEDs turned on.

[0114] In addition, in the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process, for photographing that is a combination that can be performed simultaneously, simultaneous photographing of the combination may be performed. In addition, the light amount adjustment of the illumination may be in two stages, a first light amount and a second light amount that is less than the first light amount, and the medicine photographing may be performed sequentially, for example, in the order of the first photographing process at the first light amount → the first photographing process at the second light amount → the second photographing process → the third photographing process at the first light amount → the third photographing process at the second light amount. In addition, the shutter speed of the first and second cameras when photographing the imprinted medicine may be faster than the shutter speed for the non-imprinted medicine. By adjusting the shutter speed in this way, it is possible to obtain the effect of suppressing the phenomenon in which the shadow of the imprint disappears and becomes unrecognizable, similar to the above-mentioned light amount adjustment.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process were performed at one medication photographing position P6, but this is not limited to the above, and the first photographing process, the second photographing process, and the third photographing process may be performed at a plurality of medication photographing positions.

[0116] In the above embodiment, all of the medicines in one package (the same package) are stored together in one storage section 50 by the processing of the controller 8, and the above-mentioned photographing is performed, but this is not limited thereto. Instead of storing all of the medicines in one package together in one storage section 50 by the processing of the controller 8, the medicines in one package may be shared and stored in different storage sections 50 in terms of space or time, and the shared storage photographing may be performed to photograph the medicines (the medicines with less content) thus shared and stored. Shared storage conditions indicating whether or not the medicines in the same package should be shared and stored are stored in the sorting information section 88 of the controller 8. When the controller 8 determines that the medicines in the same package are medicines that should be shared and stored based on the shared storage conditions stored in the sorting information section 88 (the controller 8 operates as a sorting determination section), the controller 8 shares and stores the medicines in the same package in the multiple storage sections 50, and performs medicine photographing processing, medicine dispensing processing, and the like.

[0117] For example, in a mode in which one packet of multiple medicines are distributed to storage sections 50 at spatially separate positions, the controller 8 distributes and stores one packet of multiple medicines in multiple (e.g., two) storage sections 50, and performs the above-mentioned imaging at one or multiple medicine imaging positions. After the multiple storage sections 50 pass the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position), the medicines are packaged in packaging paper, and finally, the multiple medicines in the same package are packaged together.

[0118] As an example, when the multiple drugs in the same package are A, B, C, and D, the controller 8 operates cassette a containing drug A and cassette b containing drug B to store drugs A and B in one storage section 50, and then operates cassette c containing drug C and cassette d containing drug D to store drugs C and D in the next storage section 50. Then, the controller 8 sequentially photographs the one storage section 50 and the next storage section 50 at drug photographing position P6.

[0119] As an embodiment in which one packet's worth of medicines are distributed to different storage sections 50 in terms of time, the controller 8 stores one packet's worth of medicines in one storage section 50 at different times, and performs the above-mentioned photography at the medicine photography position P6 at different times. In this case, the turntable section 50 rotates multiple times, causing the one storage section 50 to pass the medicine discharge position P7 (packaging position) multiple times, so that all of the one packet's worth of medicines are dropped into the packaging paper that is stopped moving.

[0120] In this way, when a single package of medicine is stored in a storage section 50 that is spatially or temporally separate, and the medicine in the storage section 50 is photographed, the medicine can be photographed appropriately. That is, when many medicines are present in one storage section 50, the medicines are likely to pile up or overlap with each other, and the photographed image is often poor. In contrast, when the medicines are photographed in the above-mentioned shared storage, the probability of the medicines piling up or overlapping with each other is reduced, and the medicine can be photographed appropriately. In addition, when an inspector visually inspects based on the photographed medicine image, the inspection is made easier because the number of medicines in the image is reduced.

[0121] In a system in which multiple medicines for one dosing period are divided into two or more packages and dispensed, even if multiple medicines are present in one package, the multiple medicines in each package may be photographed separately as described above. In other words, regardless of whether one package is for one dosing period or not, multiple medicines in the same package are photographed separately as described above.

[0122] Here, the medicine photographing device 6 can also be defined as a device including a medicine photographing section and a medicine sorting section for the shared storage. The medicine photographing section is, for example, a photographing section 60 that photographs the medicines in the storage section 50. The medicine sorting section is, for example, a medicine storage unit 5 that shares and stores a plurality of medicines in the same package in the storage section 50, and a controller 8.

[0123] The shared storage of drugs in the shared storage photography can also be performed as follows. (1) Shared storage of drugs is performed so that the number of drugs stored in the same storage section 50 does not exceed a set number (for example, 2). (2) Shared storage of drugs is performed so that drugs registered as similar to each other in the drug master table are not stored in the same storage section 50 (similar drugs are photographed separately). For example, one drug A is stored in one storage section 50, and one similar drug A' (A≒A') is stored in another storage section 50. Note that if drug B (B≠A, B≠A') is included, this drug B may be stored together with drug A or drug A' (drug A and drug A' are photographed separately). Note that information registered as similar to each other in the drug master table is not necessarily required. A reference image or characteristic data (size, shape, color, or a combination thereof) stored in the medicine master table may be used as a criterion to determine whether there is a similar medicine among the medicines corresponding to each prescription information, and the medicines may be divided and stored. (3) The medicines are divided and stored so that the same kind of medicine is separated from the other kinds of medicine and stored in the same storage section 50. For example, two medicines A are stored in one storage section 50, and medicine B (A≠B) is stored in another storage section 50. (4) The medicines are divided and stored so that the storage sections 50 are divided according to the difference in the supply source of the medicine. For example, the medicines supplied by hand and the medicines supplied by cassette are divided and stored in different storage sections 50. Also, for example, the medicines supplied by cassette and the medicines supplied by universal cassette may be divided and stored in different storage sections 50. (5) The medicines are divided and stored so that the number of medicines that exceeds the number of medicines that can be inspected in one inspection is not stored in the same storage section 50. The number is greater if the bottom area of ​​storage section 50 is larger, and is smaller if the bottom area of ​​storage section 50 is smaller. Note that shared storage may be performed when the ratio of the integrated value of the planar area (projected area) of each drug to the bottom area of ​​storage section 50 is greater than a threshold value, instead of the number of drugs. (6) When packaging drugs including drugs whose characteristic data (including reference images) are not registered in memory section 80 (drug master table), the unregistered drugs are shared and stored in a storage section 50 separate from the storage section 50 that contains the other drugs.In addition, the stored unregistered medicine may be photographed and the image may be registered in the medicine master table as a reference image. After the medicine is registered in the medicine master table, the medicine may be treated as a registered medicine and no shared storage of the unregistered medicine may be performed. (7) When packaging medicines including medicines whose attributes are registered in the memory unit 80 (medicine master table) as high-risk products or other items requiring shared storage, the high-risk medicines are shared and stored in a storage unit 50 separate from the storage unit 50 that contains other medicines.

[0124] The shared storage conditions (2) to (7) and the set number (1) above, which indicate whether or not to execute shared storage of medicines based on the set number and the presence or absence of similar medicines, are stored in the sorting information unit 88 of the controller 8. Information on the presence or absence of similar medicines and the drug type of the similar medicines, which are used as execution conditions, are stored in advance in the storage unit 80 (medicine master table). In the medicine master table, information on the mark, and either or both of a reference image and characteristic data (size, shape, color) are registered for each medicine, and further, as described above, the presence or absence of similar medicines and the type information of the similar medicines are registered. Note that the area (size) of the medicine in a planar view, the shape of the medicine in a planar view, the surface color of the medicine, etc. can be used as criteria for registering similar medicines in the medicine master table. Similar medicines include medicines determined by human judgment as similar medicines, as well as medicines mechanically selected by a similarity determination algorithm based on a predetermined similarity criterion. Whether or not the same type of medicine exists in one package is determined based on prescription information (packaging data). Moreover, the controller 8 can also discriminate between medicines that are manually dispensed and medicines that are dispensed via a cassette from the medicine storage information for each cassette and the usage setting information of the manual dispenser 13 .

[0125] An example of the shared storage process based on the shared storage conditions is shown below. The controller 8 functions as a sorting determination unit using information in the sorting information unit 88. The controller 8 (medicine packaging device) determines whether the packaging process based on the prescription is When at least two types of drugs are packaged in the same package and have similar characteristics (see (2) above), When different types of drugs are included in the same package (see (3) above), When the medicines to be packaged in the same package include medicines supplied to the storage unit 50 through manual medicine input by a person and medicines supplied through a medicine cassette (see (4) above), When the medicines to be packaged in the same package include medicines whose characteristic data (including reference images) are not registered in the memory unit 80 (see (6) above) When it is determined that at least one of the above cases or a combination of a plurality of cases applies, shared storage is executed.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, the controller 8 (medicine packaging device) photographs the unregistered medicine stored in the storage section 50 and registers the image in the medicine master table as a reference image (see (6) above). After the medicine is registered in the medicine master table, the medicine is treated as a registered medicine and no shared storage is performed for unregistered medicines (see (6) above).

[0127] Furthermore, for example, the drug packaging device 1 may include a drug supplying section (drug containing and dispensing unit 11) that supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging section 45 that packages the drugs supplied from the drug supplying section in packaging paper S, a storage section 50 that temporarily stores the drugs supplied from the drug supplying section upstream of the drug packaging section 45, an imaging section 60 (the number of cameras is not limited) that images the inside of the storage section 50, and a controller 8 that, when drug characteristic data (including reference images) specified by the prescription information is not stored in the memory section 80, creates drug characteristic data for the drugs supplied in the first packet based on the image captured by the imaging section 60 and counts the number of such drugs in the second packet and thereafter by referring to this characteristic data.

[0128] In this embodiment, the medicine is dispensed as follows. (α) If the drug to be dispensed according to the prescription is contained in a cassette, it is dispensed from that cassette. (β) If the drug to be dispensed according to the prescription is not contained in a cassette and the drug can be dispensed from the universal cassette, the drug is dispensed from the universal cassette. The case where the drug can be dispensed from the universal cassette is when the drug is compatible with the universal cassette and the universal cassette is not set to a mode for dispensing other drugs. (γ) If the medicine cannot be dispensed from the universal cassette, the medicine is dispensed from the manual distribution unit 13.

[0129] Here, it is assumed that five drugs A, B, C, D, and E indicated in the packaging data are divided and stored in (A, B, C) and (D, E), and automatic drug identification processing for three drugs A, B, and C in one storage section 50 using captured images is performed as follows: Three comparison processes are performed for any one of three drug image portions in an image captured for one storage section 50, comparing the drug image portion with the features of each of drugs A, B, and C (drug size, drug image for matching, etc.), two comparison processes are performed for the next any one drug image portion with the features of the remaining drugs, and one comparison process is performed for the last drug image portion with the features of the last drug (a total of six comparisons). Similarly, when three drugs A, B, and C are stored in three storage sections 50, one each, out of five drugs A, B, C, D, and E indicated in the packaging data, it is possible to perform a total of six comparison processes without narrowing down the matching targets, as described above. These can be said to be comparison processes (automatic drug identification processes) performed without narrowing down the matching targets for the drugs in the storage sections 50 that are stored in a shared manner. Note that in the above case, drugs A, B, and C indicated in the packaging data are not necessarily stored, and there is a risk that drug CC will be stored instead of drug C due to a malfunction.

[0130] In the above-mentioned shared storage photography, by using the drug sorting information indicating the correspondence between each storage section 50 and the supply source (i.e., drug name) of the drug dispensed to each storage section 50, it is possible to narrow down the matching target for the drug in the storage section 50 and improve the efficiency of the automatic drug identification process. For example, the content of the sorting information for four drugs is "one drug in the No. 15 drug cassette and one drug in the No. 18 drug cassette are stored in the storage section at the first drug receiving position P1, and after the turntable section 5010 is rotated forward by 45 degrees, one drug in the No. 19 drug cassette and one drug in the No. 20 drug cassette are stored in the storage section at the first drug receiving position P1." In this case, the position of the storage section 50 can be specified by the amount of rotation of the turntable section 5010, so that the specified storage section 50 can be linked to the drug name of the No. 15 drug cassette and the drug name of the No. 18 drug cassette. Then, the storage section 50 reaches the drug photographing position P6, and the drug image (drug information) photographed there is linked to the drug characteristic data (including reference images) derived from the drug name of drug cassette No. 15 and the drug name of drug cassette No. 18, thereby narrowing down the matching targets.

[0131] Here, for example, even if six drugs are stored in three each of the two storage sections 50, if the drug sorting information is not stored, it is not possible to narrow down the matching targets for the drugs in the storage sections 50, and as described above, in the automatic drug identification, 6 comparison processes → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 comparison processes are performed, requiring 21 comparison processes. In contrast, if six drugs are stored in three each of the two storage sections 50 and the drug sorting information is stored, the matching targets for the drugs in the storage sections 50 are narrowed down, and six comparison processes are performed for the three drugs in each storage section 50, requiring only a total of 12 comparison processes.

[0132] That is, in a configuration in which automatic drug identification processing of drugs is performed based on drug images obtained by photographing drugs in storage section 50, the shared storage is performed based on the drug sorting information, and drug image capture is performed, and in the automatic drug identification processing, candidates for drug characteristic data (reference image) to be compared with the photographed drug image (drug information) are selected based on the drug sorting information, so that it is possible to narrow down matching targets for drugs in storage section 50 and improve the efficiency of the automatic drug identification processing. With such a configuration, the advantages of reducing drug overlap by reducing the number of drugs in storage section 50 and improving the efficiency of the automatic drug identification processing can be obtained.

[0133] In addition, if the six drugs are stored one by one in six storage sections 50 and the drug sorting information is stored and used, it is possible to suffice with six comparison processes in which one drug image portion in the captured image in each storage section 50 is compared one-to-one with the drug characteristics based on the drug sorting information.

[0134] Even in the embodiment in which the six drugs are stored one by one, the number of drugs in storage section 50 is confirmed by photographing in backlight, making it possible to detect the mistake of multiple drugs being supplied to storage section 50.

[0135] On the other hand, when the medicines are stored one by one, the number of times the storage section 50 is photographed increases, and the processing time required for packaging increases. For example, in the above case (1), if the number of medicines stored at the same time is, for example, two, the number of times the medicines A, B, and C are photographed can be reduced to two. When the number of medicines in the same package is four, the number of times the medicines are photographed is also two. When the number of medicines in the same package is five, the number of times the medicines are photographed is three. Although the number of times the medicines are photographed increases in this way, it is possible to reduce the number of times the comparison process is performed in the automatic medicine identification process by using the medicine sorting information.

[0136] In the above cases (2) to (4), the medicine sorting information is also associated with the photographed images of the divided and stored medicines.

[0137] The controller 8 distributes the medicine corresponding to one dosing period among a plurality of storage sections 50 according to a specific criterion as follows. The specific criteria are: (α) When two of the drugs in the same period are similar (β) When different types of drugs are included (each drug of the same type is discharged into the same reservoir) (γ) When the drug supply source includes the manual supply unit 13 and the drug cassette These are the three points: Furthermore, the controller 8 specifies candidates for reference images to be used for comparison with the medicine contained in the captured image based on the above sorting information (narrows down the medicine matching targets).

[0138] In the above case (2), the medicine present in the storage section 50 is a specific medicine supplied from a specific cassette such as the medicine storage and dispensing unit 11, and the medicine information in the captured image can be compared with the above-mentioned specific medicine information, narrowing down the medicine information to be compared. In particular, since the matching target for comparison can be narrowed down to one for similar medicines that are difficult to distinguish from the captured image alone, the advantage is that the medicine can be quickly identified and misidentification is unlikely to occur. In other words, with this configuration, the advantages of reducing the number of medicines in the storage section 50, reducing overlap of medicines, improving the efficiency of automatic identification processing, and suppressing misidentification of similar medicines are obtained.

[0139] In the above cases (3) and (4), the matching targets of the drugs supplied to the storage unit 50 can also be narrowed down from the viewpoint of whether the drug type is the same or not and from the viewpoint of the drug supply source. Since the drug information in the captured image can be compared with the drug information narrowed down as described above, there is an advantage that the drug can be identified quickly and misidentification is unlikely to occur. In other words, this configuration also has the same advantages as the above case (2).

[0140] Furthermore, in the case of (4) above, when the medicines supplied manually and the medicines supplied in a cassette are stored separately in different storage units 50, it is also possible to make the standard for automatic inspection of the medicines supplied manually and the standard for automatic inspection of the medicines supplied in a cassette different from each other. For example, the threshold value of the degree of agreement when making a positive judgment for the medicines supplied manually is set higher than the threshold value for the medicines supplied in a cassette. Also, the inspection method may be switched between the manual supply and the cassette supply. For example, for the medicines supplied manually, visual inspection by an inspector is performed on the photographed image, and for the medicines supplied in a cassette, automatic inspection is performed by a discrimination process using the photographed image based on experience that there are fewer errors. Furthermore, the information used for automatic inspection of the medicines supplied manually and the cassette supply may be different. For example, for the medicines supplied in a cassette, the information used for automatic inspection of the medicine is the color and shape of the medicine, and for the medicines supplied manually, the information used for automatic inspection of the medicine is not only the color and shape but also the marking (printing).

[0141] In the above embodiment, the medicine powder dropped from the packaging opening 5012a is packaged in the packaging paper S located below the packaging opening 5012a, but the cleaning method is not limited to this. The cleaning method described below can reduce the consumption of the packaging paper S due to the medicine powder cleaning. In addition, when the medicine powder cleaning is performed in the middle of packaging a long-term prescription, it is possible to avoid the creation of a package containing medicine powder in the middle of a continuous package wrapper. For example, in a long-term package in which the prescribed medicines for morning, afternoon, and evening are the same type, it is considered that there is no particular problem even if the medicine powder generated by this packaging process is included together with the medicine, so in such a case, the medicine powder cleaning may not be performed. Whether the prescribed medicines for morning, afternoon, and evening are the same type can be determined based on the prescription information.

[0142] As an example of medicine powder cleaning without using the packaging paper S, as shown in FIG. 19, a configuration is conceivable in which the relay section 71 of the medicine packaging introduction member 7 is moved laterally relative to the shooter section 72, which is a section located below the relay section 71, and a medicine powder collection box 74 is positioned in the location where the relay section 71 is no longer present. For example, when the medicine powder is cleaned by the cleaning member 55 after the medicine packaging process is once completed, the relay section 71 is moved laterally, and the medicine powder collection box 74 is positioned in place of the relay section 71, and the medicine powder dropped from the packaging opening 5012a is collected by the medicine powder collection box 74. After collecting the medicine powder, the medicine powder collection box 74 is retracted laterally, and the relay section 71 is positioned above the shooter section 72.

[0143] The relay unit 71 and the medicine powder collection box 74 may be moved manually or by an actuator such as a motor. As an example, a mechanism may be adopted in which a support member supporting the relay unit 71 and the medicine powder collection box 74 is supported rotatably in a horizontal plane by a vertical shaft, and the positions of the relay unit 71 and the medicine powder collection box 74 are switched by this rotation. As an example, a gear portion (rack portion) may be provided on the support member, and the support member may be rotated by driving a drive gear meshed with the gear portion. The medicine powder collection box 74 is removable from the support member, and accumulated medicine powder can be disposed of in a predetermined place.

[0144] In addition, when relay unit 71 is configured to be manually removable, in order to prevent an error in the orientation when relay unit 71 is reattached to chute unit 72, for example, the N pole of a magnet may be positioned at a predetermined position of relay unit 71 and the S pole may be positioned at a position, for example, 180 degrees offset from the N pole, while the S pole of a magnet may be positioned at a proper mounting position of the mounting unit of relay unit 71 of drug packaging introduction member 7 and the S pole may be positioned at a position similarly 180 degrees offset from the N pole. According to this, when relay unit 71 is attached in the proper orientation, the magnet on the mounting unit side and the magnet on relay unit 71 side attract each other to position the relay unit, whereas when relay unit 71 is attached in an inappropriate orientation, the magnet on the mounting unit side and the magnet on relay unit 71 side repel each other, so that it is known that the mounting orientation of relay unit 71 is not proper.

[0145] For example, a slit may be formed on a part of the side surface of the relay part 71, and ions emitted by an ionizer may be introduced into the relay part 71 through the slit to prevent the drug from adhering to the relay part 71 due to static electricity. In such a configuration, it is necessary to ensure that the position of the slit is not reversed from the normal position, and the magnet arrangement structure described above, which allows the user to know whether the installation orientation of the relay part 71 is appropriate, is useful. In addition to magnets, a structure may be adopted in which a recess or protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the relay part 71, while a protrusion or recess is provided at the installation location of the relay part 71, so that the recess and protrusion cannot be fitted together if the installation orientation of the relay part 71 is not appropriate, and the recess and protrusion can be fitted together only if the installation orientation of the relay part 71 is appropriate.

[0146] Another example of medicine powder cleaning that does not use packaging paper S is a configuration in which relay section 71 of medicine packaging introduction member 7 is moved laterally relative to shooter section 72 below relay section 71, and relay section 71 is provided with bottom section 71a that can be opened and closed, as shown in Fig. 20. Bottom section 71a is made of, for example, a disk-shaped member having a diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical shape of relay section 71, and can be opened and closed by rotating vertical shaft section 71b. This opening and closing may be performed manually or by an actuator such as a motor.

[0147] For example, when the medicine packaging process is once completed and the medicine powder is to be cleaned off by cleaning member 55, bottom portion 71a of relay portion 71 is closed. After cleaning, relay portion 71 is moved laterally. A medicine powder collection box 74 is disposed below relay portion 71 that has been moved laterally. By opening bottom portion 71a of relay portion 71 that has been moved laterally, the collected medicine powder can be dropped into medicine powder collection box 74. After the medicine powder has been discarded, relay portion 71 is returned to its position above shooter portion 72.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is fixed, but for example, a gear portion may be partially formed on the side of the medicine receiving bottom 5012, and a drive gear driven by a motor or the like may be meshed with the gear portion to allow the medicine receiving bottom 5012 to rotate by a predetermined angle. Making the medicine receiving bottom 5012 rotatable in this manner also reduces the amount of packaging paper S consumed by cleaning the medicine powder.

[0149] For example, the remaining medicine confirmation position P8 may not be used for remaining medicine confirmation, but may be used as a medicine powder collection position P8A for collecting medicine powder as shown in FIG. 21, and the medicine powder collection box 74 may be positioned below the medicine powder collection position P8A. When cleaning the medicine powder with the cleaning member 55, the medicine receiver bottom 5012 is rotated 45 degrees to position the packaging opening 5012a at the medicine powder collection position P8A. In this state, the turntable 5010 is rotated to drop the medicine powder collected by the cleaning member 55 from the packaging opening 5012a into the medicine powder collection box 74. The medicine powder collection position may be set at a position other than the medicine powder collection position P8A. The medicine powder collection box 74 is detachably provided on the bottom side of the lower plate 52.

[0150] In addition, as described above, if the medicine receiving bottom 5012 is configured to be rotatable, it is advantageous for eliminating overlapping of medicines in the storage section 50. In the example of eliminating overlapping of medicines shown above, the overlapping of medicines in the storage section 50 is eliminated by the forward and reverse rotation of the turntable section 5010 within a predetermined range driven by the motor 503, but if the rotation range of the turntable section 5010 is small, the medicine located at the center of the storage section 50 may not hit the wall surface of the tube section 50a, and the overlapping of medicines may not be eliminated. Therefore, even when the overlapping of medicines is eliminated, the medicine receiving bottom 5012 may be rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the turntable section 5010. As a result, even if the rotation range for eliminating overlapping of the turntable section 5010 itself is small, the relative displacement amount between the turntable section 5010 and the tube section 50a increases, so that the wall surface of the tube section 50a can be abutted against the medicine located at the center of the storage section 50 to eliminate the overlapping of medicines.

[0151] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope.

[0152] (Regarding one aspect of the present disclosure) In the above conventional device, the drug identification process has the disadvantage that the structure is complicated and the drug photographing process takes a long time because the photographing location for photographing the drug's markings and the like is different from the photographing location for determining the number of drugs. In addition, in the above conventional device, the drug's external shape information is obtained by processing the image of the drug photographed in a non-backlit state, so it is difficult to accurately identify the external shape information of drugs that are the same color as the background color.

[0153] The present invention may provide a drug photographing device and a drug packaging device that photograph the markings on the drug and photograph the number of drugs in the drug storage section, thereby speeding up the drug photographing process and improving the accuracy of determining the number of drugs.

[0154] The drug photography device of the present invention is a drug photography device equipped with a photography unit that takes still photographs of drugs, and the photography unit performs a photography process of photographing the drugs in a storage unit, where the drugs are temporarily stored before packaging, in a non-backlit state, and a photography process of photographing the drugs in the storage unit in a backlit state.

[0155] With the above configuration, the imaging process in which the image is taken in the non-backlit state can capture the markings or the like on the medicine, making it possible to identify the medicine in the storage section. In addition, the number of medicines in the storage section can be easily counted by the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the imaging process in which the image is taken in the backlit state. In other words, the imaging of the markings or the like on the medicine and the imaging of the number of medicines are both performed in the medicine storage section, so that the medicine imaging process can be speeded up and the accuracy of the number of medicines can be improved.

[0156] The photographing unit may perform a first photographing process of photographing the drug in the storage unit from one side in a non-backlit state, a second photographing process of photographing the drug in the storage unit in the backlit state, and a third photographing process of photographing the drug in the storage unit from the other side in a non-backlit state.

[0157] With the above configuration, the first photographing process can photograph the markings of a medicine placed with the side with the markings facing upward, and the third photographing process can photograph the markings of a medicine placed with the side with the markings facing downward. This makes it possible to identify the medicine in the storage unit based on the images obtained in the first and third photographing processes, even for medicines with markings on only one side. In addition, the number of medicines in the storage unit can be easily counted based on the shadow image of the medicine obtained by the second photographing process.

[0158] The photographing unit may include a first camera that photographs the drug in the storage unit from above, an upper illumination unit that illuminates the drug in the storage unit from above, a second camera that photographs the drug in the storage unit from below, and a lower illumination unit that illuminates the drug in the storage unit from below.

[0159] In addition, the photographing unit may be provided with a surface emitting member on the underside of the bottom surface of the storage unit that can be switched between a surface emitting state and a transparent state, and the first photographing process and the third photographing process may be performed depending on the transparent state of the surface emitting member, and the second photographing process may be performed depending on the surface emitting state of the surface emitting member.

[0160] The photographing unit may be provided with a dimming member on the underside of the bottom surface of the storage unit that can be switched between a transparent state and a translucent state, and the first photographing process and the third photographing process may be performed depending on the transparent state of the dimming member, and the second photographing process may be performed depending on the translucent state of the dimming member and the lighting of the lower lighting unit.

[0161] The photographing unit may perform each photographing process multiple times for the same subject within a certain period of time. Here, if the medicine in the vibrating or rolling state in the storage unit is waited to stop before photographing, the time required to photograph the medicine will be long. As described above, when the same subject is photographed multiple times within a certain period of time, multiple images are obtained, so that an image in which the imprinted or printed surface of the medicine faces the camera direction is more likely to be obtained stochastically, and the recognition rate of the imprint, etc. can be improved.

[0162] In addition, the drug packaging device of the present invention may include a drug supplying unit which supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging unit which packages the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit in packaging paper, a drug photographing device having a plurality of storage units which temporarily store the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit upstream of the drug packaging unit, and an image output unit which outputs an image photographed by the drug photographing device.

[0163] With the above configuration, an inspector can visually check the medicine in the storage section using the image captured by the medicine photographing device, and can therefore properly check the medicine in the medicine packet.

[0164] In addition, the drug packaging device of the present invention may include a drug supplying unit which supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging unit which packages the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit in packaging paper, a drug photographing device having a plurality of storage units which temporarily store the drugs supplied from the drug supplying unit upstream of the drug packaging unit, and a determination unit which determines the number of drugs in the storage units and drug information based on an image photographed by the drug photographing device.

[0165] With the above configuration, the determination section can automatically determine the number of medicines and medicine information in the storage section when packaging the medicines.

[0166] The medicine packaging device may further include a third camera that photographs the inside of the storage unit at a position where the medicine stored in the storage unit is delivered to the medicine packaging unit. In this way, the photographing by the third camera makes it possible to find medicine attached to the storage unit, and when such medicine is found, it is possible to inform the user that the packaged medicine may not be as prescribed.

[0167] The drug packaging device is provided with a drug receiving disk section that is rotated around an axis, has a plurality of openings on the same circumference around the axis, and drug is supplied to the openings from the drug supply section, and has a drug receiving bottom section that has a portion that functions as the bottom of the openings and a packaging opening provided at a specific location in the area where the openings move by rotation of the turntable section, and the plurality of storage sections are formed by the openings and the portion that functions as the bottom of the openings, and a cleaning member that cleans the drug receiving bottom by rotation of the turntable section may be provided on the bottom side of the turntable section that does not form the openings.

[0168] According to this, the cleaning member removes the medicine powder on the bottom of the medicine receiver, which saves the user the trouble of cleaning the bottom of the medicine receiver. Furthermore, cleaning with the cleaning member solves problems such as inappropriate lighting caused by the medicine powder in the storage unit and mistaking a lump of medicine powder for a single medicine.

[0169] According to the present invention, by photographing the markings on the medicine and photographing the number of medicines in the medicine storage area, it is possible to speed up the medicine photography process and improve the accuracy of determining the number of medicines.

[0170] Furthermore, the present specification includes, for example, the following configurations.

[0171] A medicine receiving bottom portion provided in a medicine packaging device, The rotary disk is rotated around an axis and has a plurality of openings on the same circumference around the axis. The rotary disk is located on the lower surface side of the rotary disk. The packaging device has a portion that functions as a bottom of the opening, and a packaging opening that is provided at a specific location in an area where the opening moves due to rotation of the turntable, the opening and the portion functioning as a bottom of the opening constitute a plurality of storage portions for temporarily storing medicine before packaging; The medicine receiving bottom has a medicine powder recovery groove provided at a position inside its outer peripheral end.

[0172] The medicine powder recovery groove is a groove provided in a part of the bottom side of the turntable that does not form the opening, and through which medicine powder on the bottom of the medicine receiver is scraped up by a cleaning member that cleans the bottom of the medicine receiver by rotating the turntable.

Claims

1. A medicine packaging device having a medicine supplying unit that supplies various medicines, a medicine packaging unit that packages the medicines supplied from the medicine supplying unit in packaging paper, and a plurality of storage units that temporarily store the medicines supplied from the medicine supplying unit upstream of the medicine packaging unit, a rotating disk portion that is rotated around an axis and has a plurality of openings on the same circumference around the axis; a medicine receiving bottom portion having a portion that functions as a bottom portion of the opening portion and a packaging opening provided at a specific portion of an area in which the opening portion moves by rotation of the turntable portion; The drug receiving plate portion has A medicine packaging device, wherein the plurality of storage sections are formed by the openings and the portions that function as bottoms of the openings.

2. The medicine dispensing and packaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning member provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the turntable that does not form the opening, the cleaning member cleaning the bottom of the medicine receiver by rotating the turntable.

3. The cleaning member is The rotating disk portion is provided so as to extend from the outer periphery side of the rotating disk portion to the center side of the rotating disk portion, 3. The medicine packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the end side of the cleaning member located on the central side is eccentrically positioned from the center of the turntable portion to the side lagging behind the outer circumferential end in the forward rotation direction of the turntable portion.

4. The medicine dispensing and packaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cleaning member is switchable between a state in which an edge of the cleaning member is raised and a state in which the edge of the cleaning member is in contact with the medicine receiver bottom.

5. The drug dispensing and packaging device according to claim 2 , further comprising a detection unit that detects dirt on a bottom of the storage unit.

6. 6. The medicine dispensing and packaging device according to claim 5, wherein when the detection unit detects dirt on the bottom of the storage unit, the cleaning member cleans the bottom of the medicine receiver by rotating the turntable unit.

7. A medicine powder collection box is provided below the medicine receiving bottom, The medicine receiving bottom is rotatable, A drug packaging device as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein when the drug receiving bottom rotates to position the packaging opening above the drug powder collection box, the rotation of the turntable causes the drug powder collected by the cleaning member to fall from the packaging opening.

8. A medicine receiving bottom portion provided in a medicine packaging device, The rotary disk is rotated around an axis and has a plurality of openings on the same circumference around the axis. The rotary disk is located on the lower surface side of the rotary disk. The packaging device has a portion that functions as a bottom of the opening, and a packaging opening that is provided at a specific location in an area where the opening moves due to rotation of the turntable, the opening and the portion functioning as a bottom of the opening constitute a plurality of storage portions for temporarily storing medicine before packaging; A medicine receiving bottom portion that is removably attached to the medicine packaging device.

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