Storage container for detecting opening, reader terminal, and opening detection system

Abstract

To improve the reliability of opening detection.SOLUTION: A storage container 10 for detecting opening includes: a first storage part 12 in which a packaging material 20 having a housing part 22 and an IC tag 25 for wireless communication for detecting opening of the housing part 22 is stored; and a second storage part 14 in which a reader terminal 40 having a reading part 41 for the IC tag 25 is stored. The second storage part 14 is configured to store the reading part 41 at a predetermined position 14P. The first storage part 12 is provided so as to overlap the predetermined position 14P when viewed in plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a storage container for tamper detection, a reader terminal, and an tamper detection system that can improve the reliability of tamper detection. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in packaging materials having a storage section for storing tablets or the like, it is known to use a wireless IC tag (for example, an RFID tag) to detect whether the storage section has been opened, and one example of this is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The opening management system described in Patent Document 1 has a mechanism in which, when a cover section covering the storage section is opened and the conductor pattern corresponding to the storage section is disconnected, the disconnection state is read by a reader / writer via the RFID tag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 183362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The reader / writer described in Patent Document 1 is said to be placed near the package body having the storage section and the detection stage having the RFID tag. However, even if the reader / writer is placed near the RFID tag, depending on the distance and angle between them, it may not be able to read the tag properly, and as a result, opening may not be detected.

[0005] The present technology was developed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to improve the reliability of opening detection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The storage container for detecting openings related to the present technology comprises a first storage section in which packaging material having a storage section and an IC tag for wireless communication for detecting opening of the storage section is stored, and a second storage section in which a reader terminal having a reading section for the IC tag is stored, wherein the second storage section is configured to store the reading section of the reader terminal at a predetermined position, and the first storage section is arranged to overlap the predetermined position of the second storage section in a plan view.

[0007] Furthermore, each of the first storage section and the second storage section may have an entrance for putting in and taking out stored items, and an engagement section for maintaining the entrance in a closed state.

[0008] The second storage section may have a shape and size that conform to the reader terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, a plurality of the first storage sections may be arranged side by side in a plan view.

[0010] The device may further include a third storage section provided on the opposite side of the second storage section from the first storage section, and a shielding section that serves as an electromagnetic shield between the second storage section and the third storage section.

[0011] The packaging material and the reader terminal may be portable in a stored state.

[0012] The reader terminal according to the present technology is a reader terminal to be stored in the second storage section of the storage container for opening detection described above, and has an identification section that indicates the appropriate orientation when stored in the second storage section.

[0013] The opening detection system related to the present technology comprises the above-mentioned opening detection storage container, the packaging material stored in the first storage section of the opening detection storage container, and the reader terminal stored in the second storage section of the opening detection storage container, wherein the packaging material has multiple storage sections, and multiple IC tags are provided for each storage section, and the reader terminal can read each IC tag and individually detect the opening of each storage section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present technology, it is possible to improve the reliability of opening detection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an opening detection system according to embodiment 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the packaging material and the reader terminal inserted into the opening detection container; [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the packaging material [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a reader terminal [Figure 5] Front view of the storage container for tamper detection [Figure 6] Rear view of the tamper-detection container [Figure 7] Cross section of line II in Figure 5 [Figure 8] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the framed line II in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Front view of an opening detection container according to a second embodiment [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view of the tamper-detection container taken along line III-III in Figure 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. In this embodiment, an tamper-evident storage container 10 and an tamper-evident system 60 using the same will be illustrated. Note that some of the drawings show an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, and the directions of the axes are drawn so as to be common to all the drawings.

[0017] The opening detection system 60 is a system for detecting the opening of a packaging material 20 that contains a tablet medicine 90 (an example of a contained object, see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this embodiment, the contained object is exemplified as a medicine 90, but the contained object may be food, chemicals, precision parts, or other objects other than the medicine 90, as long as they are to be used or consumed after being opened.

[0018] 1 and 2, the opening detection system 60 includes at least an opening detection storage container 10, packaging material 20 stored in the opening detection storage container 10, and a reader terminal 40. The reader terminal 40 is capable of wireless communication with an information processing terminal 70. The information processing terminal 70 is also connected to a communication network 75 and is capable of communicating with an external server via the communication network 75.

[0019] The information processing terminal 70 may be a general-purpose terminal such as a smartphone or computer, or may be a dedicated terminal for this system. The information processing terminal 70 is intended to be used by patients as well as medical professionals at hospitals or pharmacies that have prescribed the drug 90, but the user is not particularly limited. Multiple information processing terminals 70 may be provided, and each may be used by a different user.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the packaging material 20 of this embodiment is a PTP (press-through package), and comprises at least a sheet-like container 23 having a storage section 22 in which a tablet medicine 90 is stored, a lid material 24 attached to the sheet-like container 23 and covering an opening 22A of the storage section 22 (the outlet for removing the medicine 90), and an IC tag 25 for wireless communication to detect the opening of the storage section 22.

[0021] However, the packaging material 20 is not limited to a PTP, and may be, for example, a single-dose medicine bag (sachet) that contains multiple tablets or powdered medicine. As described above, the contents may be something other than the pharmaceutical product 90, and in that case, a suitable type of packaging material 20 may be used as appropriate. The packaging material 20 is not limited to a material that seals the contents, and may be, for example, a sealing member that is peeled off when the packaging material is opened. Below, a specific mechanism for detecting opening will be described for the case where the packaging material 20 is a PTP.

[0022] The sheet-like container 23 is a resin container in which a plurality of circular storage sections 22 are formed, each conforming to the shape of a medicine 90, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The lid material 24 is a sheet-like composite material in which various layers are laminated, and is made of a thin material that can be pressed through. The lid material 24 includes a conductive layer on which wiring that forms an antenna and is connected to an IC tag 25 is formed. The lid material 24 is attached to the sheet-like container 23 to cover the opening 22A of the storage section 22 and seal the storage section 22. The planar shape of the sheet-like container 23 is, for example, rectangular, and the lid material 24 also has a planar shape conforming to this.

[0023] 3, the IC tag 25 is disposed on the surface of the lid member 24 opposite to the sheet-like container 23. The IC tag 25 and the wiring in the lid member 24 are configured to receive a signal transmitted from the information processing terminal 70 and to transmit a signal in response to the signal to the information processing terminal 70. As a wireless communication method, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is used, but other NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies may also be used.

[0024] One IC tag 25 is mounted in each storage section 22. Data including unique ID information is recorded in the built-in memory of the IC tag 25. Each IC tag 25 can individually communicate wirelessly with the reader terminal 40 (can be read out without contact).

[0025] When the user pushes the medicine 90 in the storage section 22 toward the lid member 24, the lid member 24 is torn and the storage section 22 is opened. At this time, the IC tag 25 corresponding to that storage section 22 and the wiring inside the lid member 24 are disconnected and become non-conductive, and the IC tag 25 cannot communicate with the reader terminal 40. Therefore, if the reader terminal 40 can receive a reply signal from the IC tag 25, the storage section 22 corresponding to that IC tag 25 is determined to be unopened. On the other hand, if the reader terminal 40 cannot receive a reply signal, the storage section 22 is determined to be opened.

[0026] The mechanism for determining whether the storage section 22 has been opened is not limited to the above-described method in which the reader terminal 40 determines whether a predetermined signal is received before and after the opening. For example, the reader terminal 40 may be configured to determine whether the storage section 22 has been opened by receiving different signals before and after the opening.

[0027] 2, the reader terminal 40 includes at least a reading unit 41 for reading the IC tag 25, a communication module 43 for communicating with the mobile information terminal 70, and a housing 45 for accommodating the reading unit 41 and the communication module 43. The reading unit 41 and the communication module 43 are configured to include an antenna and a control circuit according to the respective communication methods. The reader terminal 40 may have a function for writing data to the built-in memory of the IC tag 25.

[0028] 2 and 4, the housing 45 of the reader terminal 40 is flat, and has a protruding surface 45A1 on one of its main surfaces 45A. The protruding surface 45A1 is formed to correspond to the position and range where the reading unit 41 in the housing 45 can read the IC tag 25.

[0029] The protruding surface 45A1 also serves as an identification unit that indicates the appropriate orientation of the reader terminal 40 when the reader terminal 40 is inserted into the second storage section 14 (described later) of the tamper-proof storage container 10. Because the protruding surface 45A1 is not provided on the other main surface 45B, the user can insert the reader terminal 40 into the second storage section 14 while identifying the orientation of the reader terminal 40 so that the protruding surface 45A1 faces the first storage section 12 (the IC tag 25 side in the first storage section 12). This ensures that the protruding surface 45A1 of the reader terminal 40 is positioned on the IC tag 25 side in the second storage section 14. As a result, the IC tag 25 can be reliably read by the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40.

[0030] 5 to 7, the storage container 10 for opening detection includes a first storage section 12 for storing the packaging material 20, a second storage section 14 for storing the reader terminal 40, and a third storage section 16. The third storage section 16 is a section that can be used to store items other than the packaging material 20 and the reader terminal 40, and its use can be selected arbitrarily by the user. For example, the third storage section 16 can be used to store a sheet of paper on which dosage information for the medicine 90 is written, or to store another medicine that is not subject to opening detection.

[0031] The tamper-evident storage container 10 is bag-shaped and made of a transparent resin (e.g., polypropylene). The material of the tamper-evident storage container 10 may be a lightweight material such as cloth or paper, other than resin, and does not have to be transparent. Furthermore, the overall shape of the tamper-evident storage container 10 is not limited to a bag shape (pouch shape), and it may be a box shape (case shape), etc.

[0032] The opening detection storage container 10 can be carried while storing items (at least the packaging material 20 and the reader terminal 40), which means that the storage location is not limited, improving convenience.

[0033] 7, the first storage section 12, the second storage section 14, and the third storage section 16 are each bag-shaped and have openings (first opening 12S, second opening 14S, and third opening 16S) for putting items into and taking them out of the internal space. In addition, the first storage section 12, the second storage section 14, and the third storage section 16 each have engagement sections 12A, 14A, and 16A for maintaining the openings 12S, 14S, and 16S in a closed state.

[0034] 8, the engagement portions 12A, 14A, and 16A are concave and convex portions that are engaged by the user's pressure, but the configuration is not limited and they may be concave and convex portions that are engaged by a zipper, etc. By providing the engagement portions 12A, 14A, and 16A, even when the opened container 10 is carried with stored items inside, it is possible to prevent the stored items from unexpectedly falling out.

[0035] The second storage section 14 has a shape and size that conform to the shape of the reader terminal 40. As a result, when the reader terminal 40 is stored in the second storage section 14, the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40 is easily aligned with a predetermined position (predetermined planar area) 14P of the second storage section 14. The predetermined position 14P is illustrated as a shaded area surrounded by a dashed line (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 5).

[0036] However, the second storage section 14 does not have to have the same shape and size as the reader terminal 40, as long as it is configured to store the protruding surface 45A1 of the reader terminal 40 (and therefore the reading unit 41 inside it) in the predetermined position 14P. For example, if the opening detection storage container 10 is box-shaped and the second storage section 14 is tray-shaped, the tray-shaped second storage section 14 can be provided with a partition wall that divides the internal space, allowing the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40 to be stored in the predetermined position 14P of the second storage section 14.

[0037] 2 and 5, the first storage section 12 is arranged so as to overlap with a predetermined position 14P of the second storage section 14 in a plan view. The first storage section 12 according to this embodiment has a shape and size that conforms to the packaging material 20, and its planar size is smaller than that of the predetermined position 14P of the second storage section 14 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a central position 12B of the first storage section 12 in the X-axis direction (the width direction of the bag, a direction intersecting with the Y-axis direction that is the insertion direction of the packaging material 20) is arranged so as to overlap with a central position 14B of the second storage section 14.

[0038] In this way, the IC tag 25 of the packaging material 20 stored in the first storage section 12 is positioned so as to overlap the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40 stored in the predetermined position 14P of the second storage section 14 in a plan view. This limits the distance and angle between the IC tag 25 and the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40 to a predetermined range. As a result, it is possible to prevent the IC tag 25 from being successfully read by the reader terminal 40, thereby improving the reliability of opening detection.

[0039] 6 and 7, the third storage section 16 is provided on the opposite side of the second storage section 14 from the first storage section 12. The third storage section 16 according to this embodiment has the same shape and size as the second storage section 14, but the shape and size can be changed as appropriate depending on the intended use of the third storage section 16.

[0040] <Embodiment 2> An tamper-evident storage container 110 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The tamper-evident storage container 110 differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided with a plurality of first storage sections 112 and a shielding section 50. In the second embodiment, the same configurations, actions, and effects as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0041] 9, the storage container for opening detection 110 is provided with a plurality of (two in the figure) first storage sections 112. The first storage sections 112 are provided so as to be aligned side by side in the X-axis direction.

[0042] In this way, a plurality of packaging materials 20 can be stored in a plurality of first storage sections 112. Furthermore, since the plurality of first storage sections 112 are arranged side by side in a plan view, the IC tags 25 of the packaging materials 20 in each first storage section 112 overlap with the reading unit 41 of the reader terminal 40 in a plan view. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the IC tags 25 of each packaging material 20 cannot be successfully read by the reader terminal 40 even when a plurality of first storage sections 112 are provided. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of opening detection while storing a plurality of packaging materials 20.

[0043] 10, the opening detection storage container 110 is provided with a shielding portion 50 that serves as an electromagnetic shield between the second storage section 14 and the third storage section 16. The shielding portion 50 according to this embodiment is a metal film attached to the inner surface of the bag that constitutes the third storage section 16, but it may also be a thin metal plate or the like. It may also be attached to the inner surface of the bag that constitutes the second storage section 14, or may be included as part of the material of the bag.

[0044] By providing the shielding section 50, when an item stored in the third storage section 16 includes another IC tag or a metal material, it is possible to prevent erroneous communication or interference with the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the reading section 41 of the reader terminal 40. As a result, it is possible to further improve the reliability of opening detection.

[0045] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0046] (1) The configuration of the illustrated tamper-evident containers 10 and 110 is an example and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the tamper-evident containers 10 and 110 may be provided with an insertion hole for passing a power supply cable of the reader terminal 40 therethrough. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10, 110...storage container for opening detection, 12, 112...first storage section, 12A, 14P, 16A...engagement section, 12S, 14S, 16S...entrance / exit, 14...second storage section, 14P...predetermined position, 16...third storage section, 20...PTP (packaging material), 25...IC tag, 40...reader terminal, 45A1...projection surface (identification section), 50...shielding section, 60...opening detection system

Claims

1. a first storage section for storing a packaging material having a storage section and an IC tag for wireless communication for detecting opening of the storage section; a second storage section for storing a reader terminal having a reader unit for reading the IC tag; the second storage section is configured to store the reading section of the reader terminal at a predetermined position, The first storage section is arranged to overlap the predetermined position of the second storage section in a plan view.

2. 2. The storage container for detecting openings according to claim 1, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section each have an entrance for inserting and removing stored items, and an engaging portion for maintaining the entrance in a closed state.

3. 3. The storage container for opening detection according to claim 1, wherein the second storage section has a shape and size that conform to the reader terminal.

4. 3. The storage container for opening detection according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the first storage sections are arranged side by side in a plan view.

5. a third storage section provided on the opposite side of the second storage section from the first storage section; 3. The storage container for opening detection according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding portion that serves as an electromagnetic shield between the second storage portion and the third storage portion.

6. 3. The storage container for opening detection according to claim 1, which is portable with the packaging material and the reader terminal stored therein.

7. 3. A reader terminal to be stored in the second storage section of the storage container for opening detection according to claim 1 or 2, the reader terminal having an identification section that indicates an appropriate orientation when stored in the second storage section.

8. The storage container for opening detection according to claim 1 or 2, The packaging material stored in the first storage section of the opening detection storage container; the reader terminal is stored in the second storage section of the opening detection storage container, The packaging material has a plurality of storage sections, a plurality of IC tags are provided for each of the storage sections; The reader terminal is an opening detection system capable of reading each of the IC tags and individually detecting the opening of each of the storage sections.

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