Reservation management device, reservation management system, reservation management method, and reservation management program

Abstract

To achieve a convenient dispensing reservation using either paper or electronic prescriptions.SOLUTION: A reservation management device communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, includes: a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data on the store terminal by transmitting the image data to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that transmits the image data to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal. The printing device is a printer or a multifunction machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservation management device, a reservation management system, a reservation management method, and a reservation management program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to purchase medication prescribed by a medical institution (e.g., a hospital) at a store (e.g., a pharmacy), the user (e.g., a patient) had to bring a paper prescription issued by the medical institution to the store.

[0003] In response to this, a system has been proposed in which a user can make a reservation for dispensing by using a terminal to send a photographed image of a paper prescription in advance (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5931837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although the invention described in Patent Document 1 requires that stores have facsimile machines, the use of facsimile machines has decreased in recent years. Also, receiving a large number of prescriptions via facsimile machine requires a long communication time, which can result in a time lag between when the store receives the prescription and when the store begins dispensing.

[0006] In addition to paper prescriptions, medical institutions have recently been issuing more and more electronic prescriptions. However, due to technical limitations, there is no established method for scheduling dispensing appointments with electronic prescriptions, as there is with paper prescriptions.

[0007] Furthermore, if the handling of prescription reservations for electronic prescriptions differs significantly from that for traditional paper prescriptions, confusion may arise among users and stores.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to realize a highly convenient prescription reservation system using a paper prescription or an electronic prescription.

[0009] More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a reservation management device, a reservation management system, a reservation management method, and a reservation management program that further improve the convenience of dispensing reservations when using paper prescriptions.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a reservation management device, a reservation management system, a reservation management method, and a reservation management program that enable reservations for dispensing to be made using electronic prescriptions.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a reservation management device, reservation management system, reservation management method, and reservation management program that allow reservations for dispensing to be made using either electronic or paper prescriptions, and that allow electronic and paper prescriptions to be handled with the same operational feel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to one embodiment, a reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, and is equipped with: a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data on the store terminal by sending the image data to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that sends the image data to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. According to one embodiment, a reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, and includes: a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data on the store terminal by sending the image data to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that receives a notification from the store terminal indicating that the store terminal has instructed the store terminal to output the image data to a printing device, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, and is equipped with: a prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription having been converted into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the electronic prescription to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that sends the electronic prescription to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction peripheral. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, and includes: a prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription having been converted into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the electronic prescription to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that receives from the store terminal a notification indicating that the store terminal has instructed the electronic prescription to be output to a printing device, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction peripheral. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, and includes: a prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription having been converted into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal; and a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the electronic prescription to the store terminal. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, and is equipped with: a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription converted into a format readable by the store terminal, from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that sends either the image data or the electronic prescription to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction peripheral. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, and includes: a prescription acquisition unit that receives, from the user terminal, image data of a paper prescription issued to the user, or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription converted into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal; and a printing processing unit that receives from the store terminal a notification indicating that the store terminal has instructed the image data or the electronic prescription to be output to a printing device, wherein the printing device is a printer or a multifunction peripheral. According to one embodiment, the reservation management device is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, and includes a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription having been converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal, from the user terminal, and a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by sending the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal. According to one embodiment, the reservation management system is a reservation management system that includes a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, a printing device installed in the store, and a reservation management device, wherein the user terminal includes a prescription acquisition unit that acquires image data of a paper prescription issued to the user, the reservation management device includes a reservation information receiving unit that acquires the image data from the user terminal, a reservation processing unit that transmits the image data to the store terminal, and a print processing unit that receives a print instruction from the store terminal and transmits the image data to the printing device, the store terminal includes a display unit that displays the image data received from the reservation management device, and a print instruction unit that accepts a print instruction related to the image data and transmits the print instruction to the reservation management device, and the printing device is a printer or multifunction device that prints the image data received from the reservation management device. According to one embodiment, the reservation management method is a reservation management method using a reservation management device that is communicatively connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, and includes a prescription acquisition step that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal, a reservation processing step that displays the image data on the store terminal by sending the image data to the store terminal, and a printing processing step that sends the image data to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, and is characterized in that the printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. According to one embodiment, a program causes a computer to carry out the above method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to realize highly convenient prescription reservations using paper or electronic prescriptions.

[0014] More specifically, it is possible to provide a reservation management device, a reservation management system, a reservation management method, and a reservation management program that further improve the convenience of dispensing reservations when using paper prescriptions.

[0015] It is also possible to provide a reservation management device, a reservation management system, a reservation management method, and a reservation management program that enable reservations for dispensing to be made using an electronic prescription.

[0016] In addition, it is possible to provide a reservation management device, reservation management system, reservation management method, and reservation management program that allow reservations for dispensing to be made using either electronic or paper prescriptions, and that allow electronic and paper prescriptions to be handled with the same operating feel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a reservation management system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a user terminal 20. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a store terminal 30. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the reservation management device 10. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reservation management system 1. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a reservation management system 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reservation management system 1. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the reservation management system 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] <Embodiment 1: Case of using paper prescriptions> First, a system for making a prescription reservation at a store using a paper prescription issued by a medical institution will be described.

[0020] 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a reservation management system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The reservation management system 1 includes a reservation management device 10, a user terminal 20, a store terminal 30, and a printing device 50.

[0021] The reservation management device 10 is an information processing device that includes a processing device, a storage device, a communication device, etc., and realizes predetermined functions by the processing device executing a program stored in the storage device. The reservation management device 10 is typically a server computer. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and distributed, or may be downloaded from a network 40 by a communication device. Note that the reservation management device 10 does not need to be a single information processing device, but may be realized by multiple information processing devices working together, or may be a virtualized information processing environment such as cloud computing.

[0022] The reservation management device 10 is communicably connected to a user terminal 20, a store terminal 30, and a printing device 50 via a network 40 such as the Internet.

[0023] The user terminal 20 is an information processing device used by a user (such as a patient). The user terminal 20 is typically a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0024] The store terminal 30 is an information processing device used by staff (for example, pharmacists) of a store (dispensing pharmacy, etc.) The store terminal 30 is typically a tablet terminal, etc.

[0025] The store is also equipped with a printing device 50 that can print image data on paper. The printing device 50 includes, for example, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, and the like.

[0026] Although only one user terminal 20 and one store terminal 30 are shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of user terminals 20 and a plurality of store terminals 30 can be connected to the reservation management device 10.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a prescription acquisition unit 21 that captures an image of a paper prescription with a camera and generates image data, a reservation information input unit 22 for inputting information necessary for a dispensing reservation, and a display unit 23.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the store terminal 30. The store terminal 30 includes a display unit 31 and a print instruction unit 32.

[0029] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the reservation management device 10. The reservation management device 10 includes a reservation information receiving unit 11, a reservation processing unit 12, a print processing unit 13, a reservation status management unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0030] The reservation information receiving unit 11 receives, from the user terminal 20, image data of a paper prescription issued to the user by the medical institution and store information (meaning information that can identify the store) at which the dispensing reservation is made. The image data can be acquired by the prescription acquisition unit 21 of the user terminal 20 capturing an image of the paper prescription. The store information is specified, for example, by the reservation information input unit 22 of the user terminal 20 accepting the selection of a store by the user. The store can be specified, for example, by selecting one from a list of stores displayed on the display device. The image data and store information are stored, for example, in the storage unit 15. As a result, the user is considered to have made a dispensing reservation with the store.

[0031] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the image data of the paper prescription received by the reservation information receiving unit 11 to the store terminal 30 of the store specified by the user. The display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 displays the image data on the display device.

[0032] The print processing unit 13 transmits the image data to a printing device 50 (including a printer, facsimile machine, or multifunction device) installed in the store in response to an operation by a store staff member using the store terminal 30 that has received the image data. At this time, the print instruction unit 32 of the store terminal 30 accepts the operation by the store staff member. The printing device 50 prints the received image data.

[0033] The reservation status management unit 14 manages the status of dispensing reservations. When a dispensing reservation is made, the reservation status management unit 14 stores reservation status information indicating the reservation status in the storage unit 15. The reservation status information may include user information (which refers to information that can identify the user) who made the dispensing reservation, reception date and time (which refers to the date and time when the dispensing reservation was accepted), printing date and time (which refers to the date and time when the image data was printed), dispensing completion date and time (which refers to the date and time when the dispensing work was completed), and prescription information (which refers to information that can identify the image data). The reservation status information may be updated in response to automatic processing by the reservation management device 10, a user's operation on the user terminal 20, or a store staff member's operation on the store terminal 30.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reservation management system 1.

[0035] The prescription acquisition unit 21 of the user terminal 20 acquires image data of a paper prescription issued to the user by a medical institution. Also, the reservation information input unit 22 accepts the designation of a store (step S101).

[0036] The user terminal 20 transmits the image data and the store information of the dispensing reservation destination to the reservation management device 10 (step S102).

[0037] The reservation information receiving unit 11 of the reservation management device 10 receives the image data and the store information from the user terminal 20 (step S103). The image data and the store information are stored in the storage unit 15.

[0038] Here, the reservation management device 10 may transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 that the dispensing reservation has been accepted (Step S104).

[0039] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 15 to the store terminal 30 (step S105).

[0040] The display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 displays the received image data on a display device (for example, the screen of a tablet terminal) (step S106).

[0041] The print instruction unit 32 of the store terminal 30 transmits a print instruction to the reservation management device 10 in response to an operation by the store staff member (step S107).

[0042] In step S107, the store staff may not issue a print instruction to the print instruction unit 32. For example, this may occur when the contents of the prescription are illegible or when the drug cannot be dispensed because it is out of stock. In this case, a print instruction is not sent to the reservation management device 10, and the processes from step S108 onwards are not executed.

[0043] The print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10 transmits the image data to the printer 50 in the store based on the print instruction (step S108). The printer 50 in the store prints out the received image data. The store staff can start dispensing work when the image data is printed.

[0044] When the print processing unit 13 transmits the image data to the printing device 50 in the store, the reservation management device 10 may transmit to the user terminal 20 a notification indicating that dispensing has started in the store (step S109).

[0045] The reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 updates the reservation status information (step S110). The display unit 23 of the user terminal 20 and the display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 can acquire the reservation status information from the reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 and display it on a display device. The user or store staff can perform processes such as canceling a dispensing reservation or updating the reservation status via the management screen provided by the display unit 23 or the display unit 31.

[0046] According to this embodiment, a user can make a prescription reservation without bringing a paper prescription to the store, and the prescription process can then begin at the store. In particular, when image data is sent directly to a printer or multifunction device via data communication, faster and larger-capacity communication is possible than with facsimile communication. This allows the store to begin prescription preparation more quickly, and the user can receive the medication promptly. When the user arrives at the store, store staff can collect the original paper prescription, confirm that it matches the image data, and then provide the medication.

[0047] In this embodiment, the configuration in which the reservation management device 10 transmits image data to the printing device 50 in the store has been disclosed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other device may transmit image data to the printing device 50. For example, in step S108, the store terminal 30 receives a print instruction from a store staff member and transmits image data to the printing device 50 in the store. In response, the printing device 50 in the store prints out the received image data. This configuration further reduces the time required to print out the image data. In this case, the reservation management device 10 and the printing device 50 do not need to be able to communicate directly. In this case, the store terminal 30 transmits a notification to the print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10 that the print instruction has been issued. In response, the print processing unit 13 can transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 indicating that dispensing has started in the store (step S109), and the reservation status management unit 14 can execute a process to update the reservation status information (step S110).

[0048] <Embodiment 2: Cases where electronic prescriptions are used> Next, a system for making a prescription reservation at a store using an electronic prescription will be described. Note that explanations of parts that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate.

[0049] 6 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the reservation management system 1 according to the second embodiment. The reservation management system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a reservation management device 10, a user terminal 20, a store terminal 30, a printing device 50, and an electronic prescription management device 60.

[0050] The electronic prescription management device 60 is communicably connected to the reservation management device 10, the user terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 via a network 40 such as the Internet.

[0051] The electronic prescription management device 60 is an information processing device that stores electronic prescriptions issued by medical institutions. The electronic prescription management device 60 receives electronic prescriptions issued by medical institutions from their terminal devices (not shown) and stores them in a storage device. This typically includes electronic prescription management services operated by payment funds and the National Health Insurance Association in Japan.

[0052] The electronic prescription management device 60 transmits a stored electronic prescription to the user terminal 20, the reservation management device 10, or the store terminal 20 in response to a request from these devices. At this time, the device requesting the electronic prescription (the user terminal 20, the reservation management device 10, or the store terminal 20) needs to specify for which patient the electronic prescription is being requested. Typically, these devices verify the identity of the user by reading an identification card (including My Number card), authenticating with secret information such as a password, biometric authentication, or the like, and then request the electronic prescription for the user from the electronic prescription management device 60.

[0053] If this scheme is followed as is, in order to start dispensing at a store, the user must first visit the store and verify their identity at the store, and then the store terminal 20 must download the user's electronic prescription from the electronic prescription management device 60 using the results of the identity verification. This means that the user cannot make a dispensing reservation before visiting the store. In other words, this is less convenient than the case of using a paper prescription in the first embodiment.

[0054] On the other hand, the reservation management system 1 according to the second embodiment makes it possible to make a reservation for dispensing at a store using an electronic prescription by utilizing various technical innovations that will be disclosed below.

[0055] The user terminal 20 includes a prescription acquisition unit 21, a reservation information input unit 22, and a display unit 23 (see FIG. 2).

[0056] The prescription acquisition unit 21 performs identity verification of the user. In addition, it transmits the identity verification result to the electronic prescription management device 60 and acquires the electronic prescription by requesting the user to download the electronic prescription.

[0057] The display unit 23 displays the electronic prescription obtained from the electronic prescription management device 60.

[0058] The reservation information input unit 22 accepts the designation of the store for which the dispensing reservation is to be made. The designation of the store can be executed, for example, by the user selecting one from a store list displayed on the display device.

[0059] Furthermore, if the acquired electronic prescription is data that cannot be deciphered on the store terminal 30, the reservation information input unit 22 converts the electronic prescription into a format that allows the prescription contents to be deciphered on the store terminal 30. Formats that allow the prescription contents to be deciphered include, for example, plain or structured text data (including XML, HTML, CSV, etc.), image data suitable for screen display or printing (including screenshot images of the electronic prescription, PDF, PostScript data, etc.), and binary data or encrypted data that can be deciphered on the store terminal 30.

[0060] The reservation information input unit 22 transmits the store information specified by the user and an electronic prescription in a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal 30 to the reservation management device 10.

[0061] The prescription acquisition unit 21, the reservation information input unit 22, and the display unit 23 may typically be implemented as one function of a medicine notebook app. The medicine notebook app is a general term for an application program that enables a user to view prescription information and dispensing information for drugs, specific health checkup information, medical expense notification information, and the like. When a user performs identity verification in the medicine notebook app, the medicine notebook app downloads the information about the user stored in a specified server and stores it in the medicine notebook app. The user can view the stored information at any time. Identity verification in the medicine notebook app may typically be performed by reading an identification card (including a My Number card), authentication using secret information such as a password, biometric authentication, or the like. The server storing the information may include, for example, an electronic prescription management device 60 or My Number Portal in Japan.

[0062] The store terminal 30 includes a display unit 31 and a print instruction unit 32 (see FIG. 3).

[0063] The display unit 31 receives the user's electronic prescription from the reservation management device 10 and displays it.

[0064] The print instruction unit 32 accepts an instruction to print an electronic prescription from the store staff and notifies the reservation management device 10 of this.

[0065] The reservation management device 10 includes a reservation information receiving unit 11, a reservation processing unit 12, a print processing unit 13, a reservation status management unit 14, and a storage unit 15 (see FIG. 4).

[0066] The reservation information receiving unit 11 receives the electronic prescription in a decipherable format and store information for the dispensing reservation destination from the user terminal 20. The received electronic prescription and store information are stored in, for example, the storage unit 15. As a result, the user is considered to have made a dispensing reservation with the store.

[0067] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the electronic prescription in a decipherable format received by the reservation information receiving unit 11 to the store terminal 30 of the store specified by the user. The display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 displays the received electronic prescription on the display device.

[0068] The print processing unit 13 sends the electronic prescription to a printing device 50 installed in the store in response to a print instruction operation by a store staff member using the store terminal 30 that has received the electronic prescription in a readable format. The printing device 50 prints the received electronic prescription.

[0069] The reservation status management unit 14 manages the status of dispensing reservations. When a dispensing reservation is made, the reservation status management unit 14 stores reservation status information indicating the reservation status in the storage unit 15. The reservation status information can be updated in response to automatic processing by the reservation management device 10, a user's operation on the user terminal 20, or a store staff member's operation on the store terminal 30.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reservation management system 1.

[0071] The prescription acquisition unit 21 of the user terminal 20 acquires an electronic prescription from the electronic prescription management device 60. The reservation information input unit 22 accepts the designation of a store. The reservation information input unit 22 also converts the electronic prescription into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal 30 (Step S201).

[0072] The user terminal 20 transmits the electronic prescription in a decipherable format and the store information of the dispensing reservation destination to the reservation management device 10 (step S202).

[0073] The reservation information receiving unit 11 of the reservation management device 10 receives the electronic prescription and store information in a decipherable format from the user terminal 20 (step S203). The received electronic prescription and store information are stored in the storage unit 15.

[0074] Here, the reservation management device 10 may transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 that the dispensing reservation has been accepted (step S204).

[0075] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the electronic prescription in a readable format stored in the storage unit 15 to the store terminal 30 (step S205).

[0076] The display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 displays the received electronic prescription on a display device (for example, the screen of a tablet terminal) (step S206).

[0077] The print instruction unit 32 of the store terminal 30 transmits a print instruction to the reservation management device 10 in response to an operation by the store staff member (step S207).

[0078] In step S207, the store staff may not issue a print instruction to the print instruction unit 32. For example, this may occur when the medicine cannot be dispensed because it is out of stock. In this case, the print instruction is not sent to the reservation management device 10, and the processes from step S208 onwards are not executed.

[0079] Based on the print instruction, the print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10 sends the electronic prescription in a readable format to the printing device 50 in the store (step S208). The printing device 50 in the store prints out the received electronic prescription. Once the electronic prescription has been printed, the store staff can begin dispensing the medicine.

[0080] When the printing processing unit 13 sends the electronic prescription in a decipherable format to the store's printing device 50, the reservation management device 10 may send a notification to the user terminal 20 indicating that dispensing has begun at the store (step S209).

[0081] The reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 updates the reservation status information (step S210). The display unit 23 of the user terminal 20 and the display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 can acquire the reservation status information from the reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 and display it on a display device. The user or store staff can perform processes such as canceling a dispensing reservation or updating the reservation status via the management screen provided by the display unit 23 or the display unit 31.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the user terminal 20 converts the electronic prescription obtained from the electronic prescription management device 60 into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal 30 and then transmits it to the appointment management device 10. The appointment management device 10 provides the store terminal 30 with the electronic prescription in a decipherable format. This allows the store terminal 30 to accept a dispensing appointment and start dispensing before the user arrives at the store, without obtaining the electronic prescription directly from the electronic prescription management device 60. Note that when the user arrives at the store, the store staff can verify the user's identity at the store terminal 30, obtain the electronic prescription directly from the electronic prescription management device 60, and provide the medication after confirming that it matches the electronic prescription in a decipherable format that was received in advance.

[0083] In this embodiment, the configuration in which the reservation management device 10 transmits an electronic prescription in a readable format to the printing device 50 in the store has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other device may transmit an electronic prescription in a readable format to the printing device 50. For example, in step S208, the store terminal 30 receives a print instruction from the store staff member and transmits an electronic prescription in a readable format to the printing device 50 in the store. In response, the printing device 50 in the store prints out the received electronic prescription. In this case, the reservation management device 10 and the printing device 50 do not need to be able to communicate directly. In addition, in this case, the store terminal 30 transmits a notification that the print instruction has been issued to the print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10. In response, the print processing unit 13 can transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 indicating that dispensing has started at the store (step S209), and the reservation status management unit 14 can execute a process to update the reservation status information (step S210).

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case where a user makes a dispensing reservation on the user terminal 20 and then visits the store to pick up the medication is mainly assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the user makes a dispensing reservation on the user terminal 20, store staff can provide the user with online medication instructions, and after verifying the user's identity online during the session, the medication can be shipped to the user. In other words, if identity verification can be performed online, medication can be provided without the user having to visit the store.

[0085] <Embodiment 3: Cases where paper prescriptions and electronic prescriptions are used> Next, we will explain a system for making a prescription reservation at a store using a paper prescription and an electronic prescription. Since this embodiment is a combination of embodiments 1 and 2, explanations of parts that overlap with embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0086] The reservation management system 1 according to the third embodiment includes a reservation management device 10, a user terminal 20, a store terminal 30, a printing device 50, and an electronic prescription management device 60 (see FIG. 6).

[0087] The user terminal 20 includes a prescription acquisition unit 21, a reservation information input unit 22, and a display unit 23 (see FIG. 2).

[0088] The prescription acquisition unit 21 has the functions of both the first and second embodiments. That is, when a medical institution issues a paper prescription, the image data is acquired by capturing an image of the paper prescription using a camera. Alternatively, when a medical institution issues an electronic prescription, the electronic prescription is acquired from the electronic prescription management device 60 after identity verification.

[0089] The reservation information input unit 22 has the functions of both the first and second embodiments. That is, it accepts the designation of the store where the dispensing reservation is made. In the case of a paper prescription, it transmits image data and store information to the reservation management device 10. In the case of an electronic prescription, it converts the electronic prescription into a format that can be deciphered by the store terminal 30 and transmits it to the reservation management device 10 together with the store information.

[0090] The display unit 23 displays image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription.

[0091] The store terminal 30 includes a display unit 31 and a print instruction unit 32 (see FIG. 3).

[0092] The display unit 31 receives image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a readable format from the reservation management device 10 and displays it.

[0093] The print instruction unit 32 accepts a print instruction operation from the store staff and notifies the reservation management device 10 of that fact.

[0094] The reservation management device 10 includes a reservation information receiving unit 11, a reservation processing unit 12, a print processing unit 13, a reservation status management unit 14, and a storage unit 15 (see FIG. 4).

[0095] The reservation information receiving unit 11 receives image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format, and store information for the dispensing reservation destination from the user terminal 20. The received image data of the paper prescription or the electronic prescription in a decipherable format and store information are stored in, for example, the storage unit 15. As a result, the user is considered to have made a dispensing reservation with the store.

[0096] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the image data of the paper prescription or the electronic prescription in a decipherable format received by the reservation information receiving unit 11 to the store terminal 30 of the store specified by the user.

[0097] In response to a print instruction operation by the store staff, the print processing unit 13 transmits image data of the paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a readable format to a printing device 50 installed in the store. The printing device 50 prints the received image data of the paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a readable format.

[0098] The reservation status management unit 14 manages the status of dispensing reservations.

[0099] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reservation management system 1.

[0100] The prescription acquisition unit 21 of the user terminal 20 acquires image data by capturing an image of a paper prescription using a camera. Alternatively, the prescription acquisition unit 21 acquires an electronic prescription from the electronic prescription management device 60. When the electronic prescription is acquired, the reservation information input unit 22 converts the electronic prescription into a format that can be interpreted by the store terminal 30. The reservation information input unit 22 also accepts the designation of the store (Step S301).

[0101] The user terminal 20 transmits image data of the paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format and store information of the prescription reservation destination to the reservation management device 10 (step S302).

[0102] The reservation information receiving unit 11 of the reservation management device 10 receives image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format and store information from the user terminal 20 (step S303). The received image data or electronic prescription and store information are stored in the storage unit 15.

[0103] Here, the reservation management device 10 may transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 that the dispensing reservation has been accepted (step S304).

[0104] The reservation processing unit 12 transmits the image data of the paper prescription stored in the storage unit 15 or the electronic prescription in a decipherable format to the store terminal 30 (step S305).

[0105] The display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 displays the received image data or electronic prescription on a display device (for example, the screen of a tablet terminal) (step S306).

[0106] The print instruction unit 32 of the store terminal 30 transmits a print instruction to the reservation management device 10 in response to an operation by the store staff member (step S307).

[0107] In step S307, the store staff may not issue a print instruction to the print instruction unit 32. For example, this may occur when the drug cannot be dispensed because it is out of stock. In this case, the print instruction is not sent to the reservation management device 10, and the processes from step S308 onwards are not executed.

[0108] Based on the print instruction, the print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10 sends image data of the paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a readable format to the printing device 50 in the store (step S308). The printing device 50 in the store prints out the received image data or electronic prescription. Once the image data or electronic prescription has been printed, the store staff can begin dispensing work.

[0109] When the printing processing unit 13 sends image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a readable format to the store's printing device 50, the reservation management device 10 may send a notification to the user terminal 20 indicating that dispensing has begun at the store (step S309).

[0110] The reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 updates the reservation status information (step S310). The display unit 23 of the user terminal 20 and the display unit 31 of the store terminal 30 can acquire the reservation status information from the reservation status management unit 14 of the reservation management device 10 and display it on a display device. The user or store staff can perform processes such as canceling a dispensing reservation or updating the reservation status via the management screen provided by the display unit 23 or the display unit 31.

[0111] According to this embodiment, the user terminal 20 can make a dispensing reservation with the same operational feel regardless of whether the medical institution has issued a paper prescription or an electronic prescription. Similarly, the store terminal 30 can accept a dispensing reservation and start dispensing with the same operational feel regardless of whether the medical institution has issued a paper prescription or an electronic prescription.

[0112] In this embodiment, the configuration in which the reservation management device 10 transmits image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format to the printing device 50 in the store has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and any other device may transmit image data of a paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format to the printing device 50. For example, in step S308, the store terminal 30 receives a print instruction from the store staff and transmits image data of the paper prescription or an electronic prescription in a decipherable format to the printing device 50 in the store. In response, the printing device 50 in the store prints out the received image data or electronic prescription. In this case, the reservation management device 10 and the printing device 50 do not need to be able to communicate directly. In this case, the store terminal 30 transmits a notification that the print instruction has been issued to the print processing unit 13 of the reservation management device 10. In response, the print processing unit 13 can transmit a notification to the user terminal 20 indicating that dispensing has started at the store (step S309), and the reservation status management unit 14 can execute a process to update the reservation status information (step S310).

[0113] The present invention can also be implemented using hardware, and any processing can be implemented by having a central processing unit (CPU) execute a computer program. In this case, the computer program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, and random access memories (RAMs)). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Reservation management device 11 Reservation information receiving section 12 Reservation Processing Unit 13 Print processing unit 14 Reservation Status Management Department 15 Storage area 20 User terminal 21 Prescription Acquisition Department 22 Reservation information input section 23 Display section 30 store terminals 31 Display section 32 Print instruction section 40 Network 50 Printing device 60 Electronic prescription management device

Claims

1. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that transmits the image data to the store terminal and displays the image data on the store terminal; a print processing unit that transmits the image data to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal; The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

2. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, a prescription acquisition unit that receives image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that transmits the image data to the store terminal and displays the image data on the store terminal; a print processing unit that receives, from the store terminal, a notification indicating that the store terminal has issued an instruction to output the image data to a printing device; The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

3. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription being converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the electronic prescription to the store terminal; A print processing unit that sends the electronic prescription to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

4. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription being converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the electronic prescription to the store terminal; A printing processing unit that receives a notification from the store terminal indicating that the store terminal has instructed a printing device to output the electronic prescription, The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

5. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives from the user terminal an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription being converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the electronic prescription to the store terminal; Reservation management device.

6. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives, from the user terminal, image data of a paper prescription issued to the user or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal; A print processing unit that transmits either the image data or the electronic prescription to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

7. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives, from the user terminal, image data of a paper prescription issued to the user or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal; A print processing unit that receives a notification from the store terminal indicating that the store terminal has instructed a printer to output the image data or the electronic prescription, The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. Reservation management device.

8. A reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user and a store terminal used in a store, A prescription acquisition unit that receives, from the user terminal, image data of a paper prescription issued to the user or an electronic prescription issued to the user, the electronic prescription converted into a format that can be deciphered at the store terminal; a reservation processing unit that displays the image data or the electronic prescription on the store terminal by transmitting the image data or the electronic prescription to the store terminal; Reservation management device.

9. A reservation management system including a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, a printing device installed in the store, and a reservation management device, The user terminal a prescription acquisition unit that acquires image data of a paper prescription issued to the user; The reservation management device a reservation information receiving unit that acquires the image data from the user terminal; a reservation processing unit that transmits the image data to the store terminal; a print processing unit that receives a print instruction from the store terminal and transmits the image data to the printing device, The store terminal a display unit that displays the image data received from the reservation management device; a print instruction unit that receives a print instruction related to the image data and transmits the print instruction to the reservation management device, The printing device a printer or multifunction device that prints the image data received from the reservation management device Reservation management system.

10. A reservation management method using a reservation management device that is communicably connected to a user terminal used by a user, a store terminal used in a store, and a printing device installed in the store, comprising: a prescription acquisition step of receiving image data of a paper prescription issued to the user from the user terminal; a reservation processing step of transmitting the image data to the store terminal and displaying the image data on the store terminal; a printing processing step of transmitting the image data to the printing device in response to an operation on the store terminal, The printing device is a printer or a multifunction device. How to manage reservations.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 10.

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