Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and program
An information providing device identifies customers, acquires prescription data, predicts waiting times, and outputs personalized content to enhance customer experience during pharmacy waits, addressing the challenge of idle time for patients.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024016535
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-19
AI Technical Summary
Patients waiting for prescription drug delivery often find it difficult to pass the time, as the prescription may not have been filled yet, and existing systems do not provide effective ways to utilize their waiting time.
An information providing device that identifies customers, acquires prescription information and dispensing status, predicts waiting time, and outputs relevant information such as promotional content or waiting time if the wait exceeds a threshold, using biometric or authentication data to enhance personalization.
Customers are provided with engaging information to utilize their waiting time effectively, enhancing customer experience and potentially increasing store sales through targeted promotions.
Smart Images
Figure 2025121220000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program, and more particularly to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program that provide customers with information to help them use their waiting time. [Background technology]
[0002] In the related technology described in Patent Document 1, terminal devices at multiple dispensing pharmacies and terminal devices at multiple hospitals are connected via a communication network. Prescription data is transmitted from the terminal device at the hospital where the patient is examined to the terminal device at the dispensing pharmacy where the patient receives the prescribed medication. At the dispensing pharmacy, a pharmacist dispenses the prescribed medication by referring to the prescription data received by the terminal device at the dispensing pharmacy. When the patient visits the pharmacy, the pharmacist hands over the dispensed prescription medication to the patient in exchange for the paper prescription issued by the hospital.
[0003] Another related technology provides customers with promotional information such as product recommendations based on information such as customer attributes and purchase history. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-183306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] When a patient visits a pharmacy, the prescription may not have been filled yet. In this case, the patient must wait at the pharmacy until the prescription is ready to be delivered. However, some patients may find it difficult to pass the time while waiting.
[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide customers who are waiting for the delivery of prescription drugs with information to help them use their waiting time. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An information providing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an identification means for identifying a customer, an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription, a prediction means for predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription, and an output means for outputting information to be provided to the customer if the predicted waiting time for the customer exceeds a threshold.
[0008] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a computer identifying a customer, acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription, predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription, and outputting information to be provided to the customer if the predicted waiting time for the customer exceeds a threshold.
[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processes: identifying a customer; acquiring information about a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription; predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information about the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription; and outputting information to be provided to the customer if the predicted waiting time for the customer exceeds a threshold value. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, customers waiting for prescription drug delivery can be provided with information to help them use their waiting time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of an information providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of an information providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of an information providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013] [Embodiment 1] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.
[0014] (Information provision system 1) 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information providing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system 1 includes a user terminal 100, a pharmacy terminal 200, a hospital terminal 300, and an information providing device 10.
[0015] The user terminal 100 is a communication device (for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal) carried by a customer visiting a pharmacy, drugstore, or dispensing section in a store such as a supermarket. An application for accessing a management server (hereinafter referred to as information providing device 10) may be pre-installed on the user terminal 100. The following describes an example in which a user visits a store that has a pharmacy, but the "pharmacy" in the description can also be read as a "drugstore" or a "dispensing section."
[0016] The customer visits the pharmacy store and presents the authentication information received by the user terminal 100 to the pharmacist.
[0017] The pharmacy terminal 200 is a communication terminal used by a pharmacist, and is communicatively connected to the information providing device 10 via a pharmacy system (not shown).
[0018] The pharmacy staff inputs authentication information (described later) presented by the customer into the pharmacy terminal 200. The pharmacy terminal 200 transmits the input authentication information to the information providing device 10. The pharmacy terminal 200 then receives prescription data from the information providing device 10. The prescription data includes information indicating the contents of the prescription.
[0019] Furthermore, the pharmacist inputs information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing (for example, the stage of progress of dispensing) into the pharmacy terminal 200. The pharmacy terminal 200 transmits the information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing to the information providing device 10.
[0020] The hospital terminal 300 is communicatively connected to the information providing device 10 via a hospital system (not shown). The hospital terminal 300 issues an electronic prescription based on the diagnosis of the patient (the same person as the customer described above). The electronic prescription includes information about the prescription as well as information to identify the patient (for example, name, sex, insured person number, My Number).
[0021] In addition, the hospital terminal 300 issues authentication information (for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark), a barcode, or a reception number) linked to the electronic prescription.
[0022] Then, the hospital terminal 300 transmits the issued authentication information to the information providing device 10 via the hospital system. The hospital terminal 300 also transmits the same authentication information to the user terminal 100. The hospital terminal 300 may transmit the electronic prescription together with the authentication information to the information providing device 10. Alternatively, the hospital terminal 300 may transmit the electronic prescription linked to the authentication information to the information providing device 10 in response to a request from the information providing device 10.
[0023] Note that the customer's biometric information can also be used as the customer's authentication information. In this case, the hospital terminal 300 collects the customer's biometric information (for example, a face image, a fingerprint image, an iris image, or other biometric data) by any means and transmits the collected biometric information (an example of authentication information) to the information providing device 10. Furthermore, the issuer of the authentication information is not limited to the hospital terminal 300. The user terminal 100 may issue the authentication information and transmit the issued authentication information to the information providing device 10.
[0024] The information providing device 10 identifies a customer and obtains information about a prescription issued to the identified customer.
[0025] In one example, the information providing device 10 acquires, from the hospital terminal 300, an electronic prescription linked to the authentication information received from the pharmacy terminal 200. The information providing device 10 extracts information identifying the customer from the electronic prescription.
[0026] The information providing device 10 also acquires information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work. In one example, the information providing device 10 receives information indicating the stage of progress of dispensing (e.g., "not started," "started," or "completed") from the pharmacy terminal 200. Alternatively, the information providing device 10 may create information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work based on video images of the store captured by a camera installed in the pharmacy. For example, the information providing device 10 analyzes the video images of the store to determine whether a pharmacist is available to dispense medication, and creates information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work based on the determination result.
[0027] The information providing device 10 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of information about the prescription and information indicating the status of the prescription-based dispensing process. If the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold, the information providing device 10 outputs information to be provided to the customer. There are no particular limitations on how the threshold is determined. In one example, the threshold is 5 minutes or 10 minutes.
[0028] In one example, the information providing device 10 transmits promotional information (e.g., advertisements, coupons) to the user terminal 100. In another example, the information providing device 10 transmits information indicating a waiting time (e.g., "10 minutes left") to the user terminal 100.
[0029] The configuration and operation of the information providing device 10 according to an embodiment will be described below.
[0030] (Configuration of information providing device 10) The configuration of the information providing device 10 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information providing device 10.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the information providing device 10 includes a recognition unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a prediction unit 13, and an output unit 14.
[0032] The identification unit 11 identifies a customer. The identification unit 11 is an example of an identification means. For example, the identification unit 11 acquires, from the pharmacy terminal 200 or the user terminal 100, authentication information issued by the hospital terminal 300 together with the electronic prescription.
[0033] In another example, the identification unit 11 acquires biometric information of a customer who visits the pharmacy from a sensor 500 (FIG. 7) installed near the entrance of the pharmacy. The installation location of the sensor 500 is not limited to the entrance of the pharmacy, but may be the entrance of a store, and is not particularly limited.
[0034] The identification unit 11 outputs information indicating the identified customer (for example, authentication information or biometric information) to the acquisition unit 12.
[0035] The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about the prescription issued to the identified customer. The acquisition unit 12 is an example of an acquisition means.
[0036] For example, the acquisition unit 12 receives authentication information or biometric information as information indicating the identified customer from the identification unit 11. The acquisition unit 12 uses the authentication information or biometric information to acquire an electronic prescription (an example of information related to a prescription) linked to the authentication information or biometric information from the hospital terminal 300.
[0037] In another example, the acquisition unit 12 receives an image (hereinafter referred to as a "prescription image") (an example of information related to a prescription) obtained by photographing a paper prescription from the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 12 may create information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work based on a video of the inside of the pharmacy captured by a camera installed in the pharmacy. For example, the acquisition unit 12 analyzes the video of the inside of the store to determine whether a pharmacist is available to dispense medication, and creates information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work based on the determination result.
[0038] In order to send the prescription image from the user terminal 100 to the information providing device 10, an application installed in the user terminal 100 can be used. Alternatively, an email with the prescription image attached may be sent from the user terminal 100 to the information providing device 10.
[0039] The acquisition unit 12 outputs, to the prediction unit 13, information about the prescription issued to the identified customer (for example, an electronic prescription or a prescription image).
[0040] The prediction unit 13 predicts the waiting time of the customer based on at least one of information about the prescription and information indicating the status of the dispensing work based on the prescription. The prediction unit 13 is an example of a prediction means.
[0041] For example, the prediction unit 13 receives a prescription image or an electronic prescription as information about the prescription from the acquisition unit 12. Then, the prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time using information about the prescription (for example, the prescription image or the electronic prescription). For example, the prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time based on the type or amount of medicine included in the prescription. In another example, the prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time based on the presence or absence of a time-consuming process (for example, a process of mixing medicines such as powder, syrup, and ointment, or a process of packaging medicines). For these time-consuming processes, an estimate of the time required for the process may be specified. If a time-consuming process exists, the prediction unit 13 may use this estimated time to predict the customer's waiting time.
[0042] In another example, the prediction unit 13 receives information indicating the progress of prescription dispensing from the pharmacy terminal 200. Then, the prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time using the information indicating the dispensing work status.
[0043] The prediction unit 13 outputs information indicating the predicted waiting time of the customer to the output unit 14.
[0044] The output unit 14 receives information indicating the predicted customer waiting time from the prediction unit 13. The output unit 14 determines whether the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold. If the predicted customer waiting time exceeds the threshold (e.g., 5 minutes or 10 minutes), the output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer. The output unit 14 is an example of an output means.
[0045] For example, the output unit 14 transmits promotional information (e.g., advertisements or coupons) and / or information indicating the customer's waiting time (e.g., "10 minutes left") to the user terminal 100. In another example, the output unit 14 displays the promotional information and information indicating the waiting time on signage or a monitor (including a television receiver) installed in the store. In this way, by promoting products suitable for the customer during the waiting time, it is possible to increase the store's sales.
[0046] The output unit 14 may determine the content of the information to be provided to the customer depending on the length of the predicted waiting time and the types of medicines included in the prescription.
[0047] For example, if the predicted waiting time is 5 minutes or more and less than 10 minutes, the output unit 14 transmits a coupon to the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the output unit 14 can change the discount rate (degree of discount) of the coupon depending on the predicted waiting time. On the other hand, if the predicted waiting time is 10 minutes or more, the output unit 14 transmits an advertisement for reading material or a coupon to the user terminal 100.
[0048] In another example, the output unit 14 estimates the physical condition and symptoms of the customer based on the type of medicine included in the prescription, and transmits advertisements for products suitable for the customer's physical condition and symptoms (e.g., cough, fever) to the user terminal 100. Note that the physical condition of the customer can also be estimated based on the customer's biometric information (e.g., face image) (Embodiment 3).
[0049] How the output unit 14 determines the content of the information to be provided to the customer depending on the predicted waiting time length and the types of drugs included in the prescription is not limited to the specific example described here. The output unit 14 can determine the content of the information to be provided to the customer in various ways other than these examples.
[0050] (Operation of information providing device 10) The operation of the information providing device 10 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the information providing device 10.
[0051] The identification unit 11 identifies a customer (S101). The identification unit 11 outputs information indicating the identified customer to the acquisition unit 12.
[0052] The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about the prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription (S102). The acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired information to the prediction unit 13.
[0053] The prediction unit 13 predicts the waiting time of the customer based on at least one of the biometric information of the customer and the information related to the prescription (S103). The prediction unit 13 outputs information indicating the predicted waiting time of the customer to the output unit 14.
[0054] The output unit 14 determines whether the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold (S104). If the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold (Yes in S104), the output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer (S105).
[0055] On the other hand, if the predicted waiting time of the customer is equal to or less than the threshold value (No in S104), the output unit 14 does not output information to be provided to the customer.
[0056] This completes the operation of the information providing device 10 according to the embodiment.
[0057] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies a customer. The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of the information about the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer when the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold.
[0058] In this way, if the predicted customer wait time exceeds a threshold, customers waiting for prescription delivery can be provided with information on how to use their waiting time.
[0059] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which, after authenticating a customer, the customer is identified using customer identification information.
[0060] In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0061] (Information provision system 2) Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information provision system 2 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the information provision system 2 includes a user terminal 100, a pharmacy terminal 200, a hospital terminal 300, and an information provision device 20. The information provision system 2 further includes a reception machine 400.
[0062] The reception machine 400 authenticates customers who visit the pharmacy. For example, the reception machine 400 acquires a QR code or reception number issued by the hospital terminal 300, or the customer's biometric information (all of which are examples of authentication information). Furthermore, the reception machine 400 accepts information identifying the customer (for example, My Number or insured person number) (hereinafter referred to as "customer identification information") from the customer.
[0063] The reception machine 400 transmits the authentication information acquired from the customer and the input customer identification information to the information providing device 20, and requests the information providing device 20 to authenticate the customer. The reception machine 400 receives the authentication result of the customer from the information providing device 20. Alternatively, the reception machine 400 may authenticate the customer instead of the information providing device 20. In this example, the reception machine 400 acquires authentication information linked to the electronic prescription from the information providing device 20, and authenticates the customer by comparing the authentication information acquired from the customer with the authentication information acquired from the information providing device 20.
[0064] If the information providing device 20 (or the reception machine 400) has successfully authenticated the customer, the reception machine 400 transmits the authentication information acquired from the customer to the terminal 200 of the pharmacy.
[0065] The pharmacy terminal 200 transmits the authentication information received from the reception machine 400 to the information providing device 20. Then, the pharmacy terminal 200 receives the prescription data from the information providing device 20.
[0066] The information providing device 20 according to one embodiment identifies a customer and obtains information about a prescription issued to the identified customer.
[0067] In one example, the information providing device 20 acquires, from the hospital terminal 300, an electronic prescription linked to the authentication information received from the pharmacy terminal 200. The information providing device 20 extracts information identifying the customer from the electronic prescription.
[0068] Furthermore, the information providing device 20 acquires information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work. In one example, the information providing device 20 receives information indicating the stage of dispensing progress (e.g., "not started," "started," or "completed") from the pharmacy terminal 200.
[0069] The information providing device 20 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of information about the prescription and information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work. If the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold, the information providing device 20 outputs information to be provided to the customer.
[0070] In one example, the information providing device 20 transmits promotional information (e.g., advertisements, coupons) to the user terminal 100. In another example, the information providing device 20 transmits information indicating a waiting time (e.g., "10 minutes left") to the user terminal 100.
[0071] The configuration and operation of the information providing device 20 according to one embodiment will be described below.
[0072] (Configuration of information providing device 20) The configuration of the information providing device 20 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information providing device 20.
[0073] 5, the information providing device 20 includes an identification unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a prediction unit 13, and an output unit 14. The information providing device 20 further includes an authentication unit 25.
[0074] The authentication unit 25 authenticates the customer using authentication information issued based on information about the prescription. The authentication unit 25 is an example of an authentication means.
[0075] For example, the authentication unit 25 receives authentication information input by a customer and customer identification information from the reception machine 400 (FIG. 4). The authentication unit 25 authenticates the customer by comparing the authentication information linked to the customer identification information with the authentication information input by the customer.
[0076] Thereafter, the authentication unit 25 transmits the authentication result of the customer (indicating whether the authentication of the customer was successful or unsuccessful) to the reception machine 400.
[0077] (Operation of information providing device 20) The operation of the information providing device 20 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the information providing device 20.
[0078] The authentication unit 25 authenticates the customer using authentication information issued based on information about the prescription (S201). The authentication unit 25 transmits the authentication result of the customer to the recognition unit 11.
[0079] The identification unit 11 determines whether the authentication of the customer has been successful (S202). If the authentication of the customer has failed (No in S202), the flow returns to step S201.
[0080] On the other hand, if the customer authentication is successful (Yes in S202), the identification unit 11 identifies the customer (S203). The identification unit 11 outputs information indicating the identified customer to the acquisition unit 12.
[0081] The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about the prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription (S204). The acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired information to the prediction unit 13.
[0082] The prediction unit 13 predicts the waiting time of the customer based on at least one of the biometric information of the customer and the information related to the prescription (S205). The prediction unit 13 outputs information indicating the predicted waiting time of the customer to the output unit 14.
[0083] The output unit 14 determines whether the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold (S206). If the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold (Yes in S206), the output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer (S207).
[0084] On the other hand, if the predicted waiting time of the customer is equal to or less than the threshold value (No in S206), the output unit 14 does not output information to be provided to the customer.
[0085] This completes the operation of the information providing device 20 according to the embodiment.
[0086] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies a customer. The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of the information about the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer when the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold.
[0087] In this way, if the predicted customer wait time exceeds a threshold, customers waiting for prescription delivery can be provided with information on how to use their waiting time.
[0088] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the authentication unit 25 authenticates the customer using authentication information issued based on information about the prescription, thereby preventing prescription drugs from being handed over to the wrong customer or sales promotion information or advertisements from being provided to the wrong customer.
[0089] [Embodiment 3] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. In this third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the physical condition of a customer is estimated and information on how to use the waiting time is not provided to customers who are not feeling well.
[0090] In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first or second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0091] (Information provision system 3) 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an information providing system 3 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the information providing system 3 includes a user terminal 100, a pharmacy terminal 200, a hospital terminal 300, and an information providing device 30. The information providing system 3 further includes a sensor 500.
[0092] The sensor 500 detects customers who visit the pharmacy store. For example, the sensor 500 is a capacitance sensor, an optical (image) sensor, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. In another example, the sensor 500 is a beacon (radio wave sensor). In this example, the sensor 500 detects radio waves emitted by the user terminal 100. The sensor 500 may be provided in the reception machine 400 (FIG. 4) described in the second embodiment.
[0093] The sensor 500 also collects biometric information of the customer (for example, a face image, a fingerprint image, an iris image, or other biometric data). The sensor 500 transmits the collected biometric information of the customer (sensor data) to the information providing device 30.
[0094] The information providing device 30 according to one embodiment identifies a customer and obtains information about prescriptions issued to the identified customer.
[0095] In one example, the information providing device 30 identifies a customer based on biometric information (an example of customer identification information) received from the sensor 500. Then, the information providing device 30 obtains an electronic prescription linked to the customer identification information from the hospital terminal 300. The information providing device 30 extracts information identifying the customer from the electronic prescription.
[0096] The information providing device 30 also acquires information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work. In one example, the information providing device 30 receives information indicating the stage of dispensing progress (e.g., "not started," "started," or "completed") from the pharmacy terminal 200.
[0097] Furthermore, the information providing device 30 estimates the physical condition of the customer based on at least one of the customer's biological information and the information on the prescription.
[0098] The information providing device 30 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of information about the prescription and information indicating the status of prescription-based dispensing work. If the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold, the information providing device 30 outputs information to be provided to the customer.
[0099] In one example, the information providing device 30 transmits promotional information (e.g., advertisements, coupons) to the user terminal 100. In another example, the information providing device 30 transmits information indicating a waiting time (e.g., "10 minutes left") to the user terminal 100.
[0100] However, if it is estimated that the customer is in poor health (or not in good health), the information providing device 30 will not output information to be provided to the customer even if the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold.
[0101] The configuration and operation of the information providing device 30 according to one embodiment will be described below.
[0102] (Configuration of information providing device 30) The configuration of the information providing device 30 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information providing device 30.
[0103] 8, the information providing device 30 includes a recognition unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a prediction unit 13, and an output unit 14. The information providing device 30 further includes an estimation unit 35.
[0104] The estimation unit 35 estimates the physical condition of the customer based on at least one of the customer's biological information and the information on the prescription. The estimation unit 35 is an example of an estimation means.
[0105] For example, the estimation unit 35 receives biometric information of a customer (e.g., a face image, a fingerprint image, an iris image, or other biometric data) from the sensor 500 as sensing data collected from the customer. The estimation unit 35 estimates the physical condition of the customer using the biometric information of the customer. In this example, the estimation unit 35 can use an estimator obtained by learning the relationship between the biometric information of the customer and the state of the customer's physical condition to estimate the physical condition of the customer.
[0106] For example, the estimation unit 35 estimates the physical condition of the customer by analyzing the customer's complexion, facial movements, gaze, blinking, pupil diameter, iris movements, facial expressions, etc. contained in the captured image of the customer's face.
[0107] Alternatively, the estimation unit 35 may estimate the physical condition of the customer by estimating the customer's emotions based on the body movements of the customer obtained from a captured image of the customer.
[0108] Alternatively, the estimation unit 35 may estimate the physical condition of the customer based on the customer's body temperature detected by an infrared sensor (an example of the sensor 500). For example, if the customer's body temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold, the estimation unit 35 estimates that the customer's physical condition is poor.
[0109] In another example, the estimation unit 35 acquires information about a prescription issued to a customer from the acquisition unit 12. The estimation unit 35 estimates the physical condition of the customer based on the prescription issued to the customer. In this example, the estimation unit 35 can use a table that shows the correspondence between the prescription drugs indicated on the prescription, the types of drugs included in the prescription drugs, and the physical condition of the customer.
[0110] (Operation of information providing device 30) The operation of the information providing device 30 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the information providing device 30.
[0111] The identification unit 11 identifies a customer (S301). The identification unit 11 outputs information indicating the identified customer to the acquisition unit 12.
[0112] The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about the prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription (S302). The acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired information to the prediction unit 13 and the estimation unit 35.
[0113] The prediction unit 13 predicts the waiting time of the customer based on at least one of the biometric information of the customer and the information related to the prescription (S303). The prediction unit 13 outputs information indicating the predicted waiting time of the customer to the output unit 14.
[0114] The estimation unit 35 estimates the physical condition of the customer based on at least one of the biological information of the customer and the information on the prescription (S304).
[0115] The output unit 14 determines whether the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold value (S305).
[0116] If the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold (Yes in S305), the output unit 14 further determines whether the estimated physical condition of the customer is good (S306).
[0117] If the estimated physical condition of the customer is good (Yes in S306), the output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer (S307).
[0118] On the other hand, if the predicted waiting time of the customer is below the threshold (No in S305) or if the estimated physical condition of the customer is not good (No in S306), the output unit 14 does not output information to be provided to the customer.
[0119] This completes the operation of the information providing device 30 according to the embodiment.
[0120] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies a customer. The acquisition unit 12 acquires information about a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The prediction unit 13 predicts the customer's waiting time based on at least one of the information about the prescription and the information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription. The output unit 14 outputs information to be provided to the customer when the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold.
[0121] In this way, if the predicted customer wait time exceeds a threshold, customers waiting for prescription delivery can be provided with information on how to use their waiting time.
[0122] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the estimation unit 35 estimates the customer's physical condition based on at least one of the customer's biometric information and information about the prescription. If the estimated customer's physical condition is poor (or not good), no information is output to be provided to the customer, even if the predicted customer waiting time exceeds a threshold. This prevents the customer from being bothered by providing unnecessary information to a customer who is not feeling well.
[0123] (Hardware configuration) Each of the components of the information providing devices 10, 20, and 30 described in the first to third embodiments represents a functional block. Some or all of these components are realized by an information processing device such as that shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.
[0124] 10, the computer 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a main memory 112, a storage device 113, an input interface 114, a display controller 115, a data reader / writer 116, and a communication interface 117. These components are connected to each other via a bus 121 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. Note that the computer 110 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of the CPU 111.
[0125] The CPU 111 loads the programs (codes) of this embodiment stored in the storage device 113 into the main memory 112 and executes them in a predetermined order to perform various calculations. The main memory 112 is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The programs of this embodiment are provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 120. The programs of this embodiment may be distributed over the Internet connected via the communication interface 117.
[0126] Specific examples of the storage device 113 include a hard disk drive and a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory. The input interface 114 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and input devices 118 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display controller 115 is connected to a display device 119 and controls the display on the display device 119.
[0127] The data reader / writer 116 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and the recording medium 120, reads programs from the recording medium 120, and writes processing results from the computer 110 to the recording medium 120. The communication interface 117 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and other computers.
[0128] Specific examples of the recording medium 120 include general-purpose semiconductor storage devices such as CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) and SD (Secure Digital), magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, or optical recording media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory).
[0129] (Addendum) A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
[0130] (Appendix 1) an identification means for identifying a customer; an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; a prediction means for predicting a waiting time of the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; and an output means for outputting information to be provided to the customer when the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold. Information provision device.
[0131] (Appendix 2) The identification means identifies the customer using biometric information of the customer. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1,
[0132] (Appendix 3) The acquisition means acquires the information about the prescription from an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription or image data obtained by photographing the prescription. 3. The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2.
[0133] (Appendix 4) The acquisition means acquires the information indicating the status of the prescription-based dispensing process from a terminal of a pharmacy that performs the prescription-based dispensing process. 3. The information providing device according to claim 1 or 2.
[0134] (Appendix 5) The prediction means predicts the waiting time of the customer based on the type of medicine used in dispensing based on the prescription. 5. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0135] (Appendix 6) The prediction means predicts the waiting time of the customer based on the information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription. 5. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0136] (Appendix 7) The output means determines the content of the information to be provided to the customer in accordance with the predicted length of the waiting time. 7. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
[0137] (Appendix 8) and an authentication means for authenticating the customer using authentication information issued based on the information about the prescription. 8. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
[0138] (Appendix 9) If authentication of the customer fails, the identification means does not identify the customer. 9. The information providing device according to claim 8,
[0139] (Appendix 10) The medical device further includes an estimation means for estimating a physical condition of the customer based on at least one of the biological information of the customer and the information related to the prescription, When it is estimated that the customer is in poor health, the output means does not output the information to be provided to the customer even if the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold. 10. The information providing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9,
[0140] (Appendix 11) The output means determines the content of the information to be provided to the customer based on the estimated physical condition of the customer. 11. The information providing device according to claim 10,
[0141] (Appendix 12) The computer Identify the customer, Obtaining information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; If the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold, output information to be provided to the customer. Information provision method.
[0142] (Appendix 13) A process for identifying a customer; A process of acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; a process of predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; outputting information to be provided to the customer when the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.
[0143] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 11 that are subordinate to Supplementary Note 1 (information providing device) may also be subordinate to Supplementary Note 12 (information providing method) and Supplementary Note 13 (program) in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 11. Furthermore, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems.
[0144] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to several embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. Furthermore, various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configurations and details of the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]
[0145] 1 Information provision system 2. Information provision system 3 Information provision system 10 Information provision device 11 Identification unit 12 Acquisition Department 13 Prediction Department 14 Output section 20 Information provision device 25 Authentication Section 30 Information provision device 35 Estimation part
Claims
1. an identification means for identifying a customer; an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; a prediction means for predicting a waiting time of the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; and an output means for outputting information to be provided to the customer when the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold. Information provision device.
2. The identification means identifies the customer using biometric information of the customer.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1.
3. The acquisition means acquires the information about the prescription from an electronic prescription corresponding to the prescription or image data obtained by photographing the prescription.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1.
4. The prediction means predicts the waiting time of the customer based on the type of medicine used in dispensing based on the prescription.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1.
5. The prediction means predicts the waiting time of the customer based on the information indicating the status of dispensing work based on the prescription.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1.
6. The output means determines the content of the information to be provided to the customer in accordance with the predicted length of the waiting time.
2. The information providing device according to claim 1.
7. and an authentication means for authenticating the customer using authentication information issued based on the information about the prescription.
7. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing device is a device for providing information to a user.
8. The medical device further includes an estimation means for estimating a physical condition of the customer based on at least one of the biological information of the customer and the information related to the prescription, When it is estimated that the customer is in poor physical condition, the output means does not output the information to be provided to the customer even if the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds the threshold.
7. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing device is a device for providing information to a user.
9. The computer Identify the customer, Obtaining information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; If the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold, output information to be provided to the customer. Information provision method.
10. A process for identifying a customer; A process of acquiring information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating the status of dispensing based on the prescription; a process of predicting a waiting time for the customer based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the status of the dispensing operation based on the prescription; outputting information to be provided to the customer when the predicted waiting time of the customer exceeds a threshold; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Region surface specialization network system relating to separation of dispensing from medical practice
JP2002183306A