Medication support device

Abstract

To enable continuation of subsequent processing with successful re-reading of medication-related information from an information storage medium, even if reading of the medication-related information fails once.SOLUTION: Provided is a medication support device comprising: a storage part 10 that stores medicine packs 2; a transfer part 50 that takes out the medicine packs from the storage part and transfers them to a medicine placement part where the medicine packs are disposed; an information reading part 66 that reads medication-related information from an information holding medium 6c provided on at least one of the medicine pack, the storage part, and the medicine placement part; and a control part that controls reading operation of the information reading part. When the information reading part fails to read the medication-related information with respect to the information holding medium, the control part changes a relative position of the information reading part with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading part to re-execute reading of the medication-related information with respect to the information holding medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a medication support device is known that includes a storage section that stores a medication pack, a transport section that removes the medication pack from the storage section and transports it to a medication placement section where the medication pack is placed, an information reading section that reads medication-related information from an information retention medium provided in at least one of the medication pack, the storage section, and the medication placement section, and a control section that controls the reading operation by the information reading section.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a medication support device that uses a suction pad to suck and remove the lowest-stored medication pack from an opening on the bottom of a cartridge (storage section) that stores stacked medication packs, and transfers the medicine pack to a dispensing box (medicine placement section) on a medication tray. When removing, transferring, and placing a medication pack in a dispensing box, this device uses a code reader (information reading section) to read QR codes (registered trademark) (information storage media) provided on the medication pack, cartridge, and dispensing box. Medication-related information such as the recipient's name and medication timing, read from these QR codes, is stored and used for data comparison during medication distribution, thereby preventing medication errors. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional medication support devices had the problem that if they failed to read medication-related information from an information-retaining medium such as a QR code attached to a medicine pack, they were unable to perform subsequent processing using the medication-related information that they had failed to read. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a medication support device comprising: a storage unit for storing a medication pack; a transport unit for removing the medication pack from the storage unit and transporting it to a medication placement unit where the medication pack is placed; an information reading unit for reading medication-related information from an information holding medium provided in at least one of the medication pack, the storage unit, and the medication placement unit; and a control unit for controlling the reading operation by the information reading unit, wherein when the information reading unit fails to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium, the control unit changes the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading unit to re-read the medication-related information from the information holding medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, even if an attempt to read medication-related information from an information storage medium provided on a medicine pack or the like fails once, it is possible to continue subsequent processing using the medication-related information by successfully reading it again. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of a main part of a medication dispensing device constituting a medication support device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the main part of the medication dispensing device. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view of one single-dose drug pack. (b) is a side view of the same single-dose drug pack as seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2(a). (c) is a side view of a continuous single-dose drug pack made up of a series of the same single-dose drug packs. (d) is a plan view of the continuous single-dose drug pack. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a medication tray set in the medication dispensing device. [Figure 4] 1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of attaching a label with a QR code provided in a subdivision box placed on the medication tray, and FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory diagram explaining an example of display of the label with a QR code. [Figure 5] 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge to be set in the medicine dispensing device, and FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the cartridge. [Figure 6] 6(a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a cartridge of another example different from the example of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the same cartridge. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the essential parts showing the cartridge attachment / detachment mechanism provided in the drawer section of the medication dispensing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an identification configuration for a cartridge provided in the drawer section. [Figure 9] 1A is a front view showing the configuration of the carriage of the medication dispensing device, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the carriage. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 11A to 11C are front views showing the progress of the carriage operation following FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 12A to 12C are front views showing the progress of the carriage operation following FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the operation of reading a QR code displayed on a cartridge. [Figure 14] 1A is a front view showing the main configuration of a transfer unit of the medicine dispensing device, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the main configuration of the transfer unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication dispensing device. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a medication support device including the medication distribution device. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when reading a QR code on a cartridge. [Figure 18] 10A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a movement pattern of a QR code reader during a retry operation, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a movement pattern of a QR code reader during a retry operation. [Figure 19] 10 is an operation flowchart when reading a QR code on a medication tray. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing yet another example of the movement pattern of the QR code reader during a retry operation. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing yet another example of the movement pattern of the QR code reader during a retry operation. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration for rotating a QR code reader in the example of FIG. 21; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medication support device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the main configuration of the essential parts of the medication dispensing device that constitutes the medication support device according to this embodiment will be described.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the main parts of the drug dispensing device of this embodiment, Fig. 1(a) is a front view showing the main configuration of the main parts of the drug dispensing device, and Fig. 1(b) is a side view showing the side configuration of Fig. 1(a). In Fig. 1, the left-right direction or horizontal direction (also the width direction) of the drug dispensing device 200 is the X direction, the front-back direction or depth direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction or vertical direction (also the vertical direction) is the Z direction (the same applies to each figure described later).

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the main parts of the medication dispensing device 200 include a cartridge 10, also called a storage section, a cartridge tray 20, a drawer section 80, a medication dispensing tray 30, a carriage 50, also called an extraction section, a transport section 90, and a first entrance / exit section 41 to a fourth entrance / exit section 44.

[0011] The cartridge 10 functions as a storage section of the present invention that stores, in layers, single-dose drug packs (hereinafter simply referred to as "packs"), which are drug packs in which drugs or other substances are individually packaged, or a series of single-dose drug packs (described later). A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged via cartridge trays 20 on the middle and lower levels within a main body frame 199, which serves as the device main body of the medication dispensing device 200. The cartridges 10 are configured to be detachable from the cartridge tray 20. Here, "storing in layers" means storing the packs in a substantially horizontal position or in a flat stack.

[0012] The cartridge tray 20 is configured to be able to position and store a plurality of cartridges 10. The cartridge tray 20 has the function of placing and holding at least one cartridge 10 thereon.

[0013] A plurality of cartridges 10 are arranged in a drawer section 80 via cartridge trays 20 provided at the bottom and center of a main body frame 199 of the medication dispensing device 200. In the example of FIG. 1, 4 x 5 = 20 cartridges 10 are placed and held in one drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20). Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the drawer section 80 may be referred to as the cartridge tray 20.

[0014] Each of the multiple cartridges 10 is placed and stored within a lattice-like partitioned side wall and bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20. The bottom wall of the cartridge tray 20 corresponding to each cartridge 10 is formed with a rectangular through-opening 21 for removing the pack from below the cartridge 10 by utilizing the elasticity or free deformation of the pack, as will be described later.

[0015] The drawer section 80 is configured to be able to position and hold the cartridge tray 20. A pair of slide rails 81 are attached to the outer walls of the drawer section 80, and the main body frame 199 is provided with main body rails that can engage with the slide rails 81 of the drawer section 80. This engagement between the main body rails and the slide rails 81 allows the drawer section 80, in which the cartridge tray 20 is stored and held, to be pulled out from the main body frame 199.

[0016] The medication tray 30 holds and places a plurality of subdivision boxes (described later) that serve as a medicine placement section for placing specific packs transferred by the transfer section 90. As shown in FIG. 1, two medication trays 30 are arranged in a state where they are placed above the cartridges 10 attached to the cartridge tray 20 in the top drawer section 80. Hereinafter, the installation location of the medication tray 30 (the location where the packs are handed over to the medication tray 30 for automatic medication distribution) will be referred to as the medication placement section 29.

[0017] The carriage 50 is an extracting unit that extracts a specific pack from the cartridge 10 and functions as part of the transporting unit. The transporting unit 90 has the function of transporting the pack extracted from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 and functions as part of the transporting unit. In other words, the carriage 50 and the transporting unit 90 constitute a transporting unit that extracts a specific pack from the cartridge 10 and transports it to a dispensing box on the medication tray 30, which serves as a medicine placement unit.

[0018] The first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 allow the cartridge 10 and the cartridge tray 20 to enter and exit the main body frame 199 via the drawer section 80. The cartridge 10 is inserted and set in the main body frame 199 through the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42, respectively. More specifically, the doors of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42 are opened, the drawer section 80 in which the cartridge tray 20 is set is pulled out, and the cartridge 10 or the cartridge tray 20 is attached or detached.

[0019] The third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 allow each of the two medication dispensing trays 30 arranged side by side on the top shelf of the medication dispensing device 200 to move in and out of the main body frame 199. The third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44 are provided so that a pack can be removed immediately after being placed in a subdivision box on the medication dispensing tray 30 (hereinafter also referred to as "setting" or "inserting").

[0020] As described above, the medication dispensing device 200 has two medication dispensing trays 30, and as will be described later, medication dispensing trays are prepared for each medication taking timing, such as morning, midday, evening, before bed, etc. Since a third entrance / exit section 43 and a fourth entrance / exit section 44 for the medication dispensing tray are also provided for each medication dispensing tray, it is possible to remove a different medication dispensing tray even while a medication dispensing operation is being performed on another medication dispensing tray.

[0021] 1 are arranged in two locations, one above the other, below the topmost medication tray 30, but this is not limiting and they may be arranged together on either the upper or lower side. Depending on the number of people in the care facility, the cartridge trays 20 may be arranged in three or more tiers to achieve the same effect.

[0022] Next, an outline of the medicine pack according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a single-dose drug pack, which is a drug pack in this embodiment, with Figure 2(a) being a plan view showing the general form of one single-dose drug pack in this embodiment, Figure 2(b) being a side view of this single-dose drug pack as seen from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2(a), Figure 2(c) being a side view showing a continuous body of single-dose drug packs in which these single-dose drug packs are stacked, and Figure 2(d) being a plan view showing the general form of this continuous body of packs. Note that Figures 2(b) and 2(c) are schematic views in which the drugs are not shown.

[0023] The form of the medicine pack in this embodiment includes a single unit-dose medicine pack 2, a continuous body of unit-dose medicine packs 2A (hereinafter also simply referred to as "continuous pack body 2A") in which a plurality of unit-dose medicine packs 2 (two in FIG. 2(c)) are stacked in the stacking direction and joined together, for example, by staples, etc. In this embodiment, the description will be mainly focused on a single pack 2, but it goes without saying that the continuous pack body 2A is also included.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2(a), a single single-dose medicine pack 2 is made of, for example, a resin film, and contains small amounts of medicine 3, such as capsules or tablets, packed in bags. The single-dose medicine pack 2 has a bag portion 2a that covers the medicine 3, and a crimped portion 4, shown hatched, where three sides are crimped or welded. The side facing the bag portion 2a is usually folded in half, with the medicine 3 sandwiched between them, and the crimped portion 4 forms a leak-proof portion that prevents the medicine 3 from leaking from the bag portion 2a. The medicine 3 in one single-dose medicine pack 2 usually corresponds to a single dose for a patient.

[0025] The single-dose drug packs 2 are made (packaged) by a drug packaging machine installed in pharmacies, etc. The packaging paper (packaging sheet) used to package the exterior is a long rolled sheet that is folded and rolled up in an overlapping state, with the drug 3 to be taken sandwiched between the sheets. The three sides around the drug 3 other than the fold are sealed and divided into multiple doses by a crimping section 4, and the required number of single-dose drug packs 2 are formed into a continuous sheet. This continuous sheet-like single-dose drug pack is called a "continuous pack."

[0026] The continuous pack 2A shown in Figure 2(d) is a strip of multiple (three-dose) single-dose drug packs 2. The continuous pack 2A is typically provided and sold at pharmacies and other locations to users (including those who actually take the drugs in the single-dose drug packs, the caregivers who assist and support the user in taking the drugs, and staff at various nursing care facilities and medical facilities (pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, and medication supporters)). For the sake of simplicity, the following description illustrates a single pack containing drugs of the same form (capsules, tablets, etc.), but it goes without saying that different drugs may be used in a single pack depending on the user's use and purpose.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 2, the single-dose drug pack 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The packaging method in which three sides are crimped and sealed, as in this example, is generally called three-sided packaging, and most drug packaging machines on the market use this method to create packs.

[0028] The crimped portion 4 has a strip-like width of approximately 10 to 15 mm and is more rigid than the transparent or semi-transparent film-like bag portion 2a through which the medication 3 can be seen. When multiple single-dose medication packs 2 that make up the continuous pack string 2A are produced (packaged) by a medication packaging machine, a boundary portion 2b with a perforation 5 is formed in the center of the crimped portion 4 of the single-dose medication packs 2 that are adjacent to each other in a continuous sequence from upstream to downstream. A user with no dexterity issues can tear the single-dose medication pack 2 by hand at the perforation 5 or cut it near the perforation 5 with scissors or a special cutter to obtain a single single-dose medication pack 2.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2(c), a continuous pack 2A may also be used. The continuous pack 2A may be a plurality of (two shown in Figure 2c) single-dose drug packs 2 fastened together at the center of the three crimped portions 4 by a staple 8 (see Figure 2c), or may be integrated by tape, or may be an integrated package of herbal medicine packs or PTP (Press-Through-Pack) packaging sheets.

[0030] Medication-related information, such as the name of the recipient and the timing of administration, is attached to the surface of the pouch 2a of the single-dose medication pack 2. Specifically, the pack 2 shown in Fig. 2 is provided with a character string 6a indicating the name of the recipient (medication-related information) who will be taking the medication 3 in the pack 2, a character string 6b indicating the time (medication timing) to take the medication 3 (medication-related information), and a QR code (information storage medium) 6c, which is a two-dimensional code image that encodes the medication-related information including the recipient's name and the timing of administration. In the pack 2 shown in Fig. 2, the medication-related information in the form of character strings 6a and 6b and QR code 6c is attached, but this is not limiting, and only one of these may be attached, or an information storage medium such as a one-dimensional code image such as a barcode or a storage medium such as an RFID tag used when tag information is read using short-range wireless communication may be used.

[0031] Further examples of medication-related information include the type of medication prescribed in a pack (including the shape of the medication), the number of tablets, and information imprinted on the medication itself. Medication-related information may be acquired and used individually, or multiple pieces of information may be acquired and used in combination. For example, if you only want to confirm who is taking the medication, you only need to know the name of the person taking the medication. However, if you want to prevent forgetting to take an important medication, you can confirm the name of the person taking the medication, the number of tablets in the pack, and the shape of the medication. Medication-related information includes, for example, at least one of the following information: the name of the person taking the medication, the time to take the medication in the pack (dosage timing), and the type and number of tablets of the medication prescribed in the pack.

[0032] Next, the medication tray 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the medication tray 30. As shown in FIG. The medication tray 30 of this embodiment has partition walls 31, which are partition members serving as multiple dividers for arranging specific packs, and each compartment is divided by four upright partition walls 31. The 20 compartments 33 formed in the medication tray 30 can be expressed as elements of a matrix consisting of five columns in the X direction (row feed direction) and four rows in the Y direction (character feed direction). This allows each of the 20 compartments 33 in the medication tray 30 to be uniquely positioned by its element and address in the 5-column, 4-row matrix. Furthermore, the medication tray 30 has a bottom wall 32 on which the placed packs 2 are placed. Thus, the medication tray 30 is configured such that, thanks to the multiple (four) partition walls 31 and the common bottom wall 32, a specific pack (not shown) placed in a specific compartment 33 is reliably placed in the specific compartment 33 without mixing with packs (not shown) in other compartments 33 or falling off the bottom wall 32.

[0033] In the medication tray 30 shown in Figure 3, the "Floor A After-Lunch Medication Tray" displayed on the front outer wall indicates that this is a medication tray on which packs to be taken after lunch by multiple medication users residing on the same floor A, for example in a nursing home, are placed.

[0034] The medication tray 30 shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where a detachable dividing box 34 is used in each compartment 33. The dividing box 34 holds packs 2 containing medication to be taken after lunch for a total of 20 people, ranging from Mr. A to Mr. T, who are residents of a nursing home or the like. That is, the medication tray 30 shown in the figure is used when specific packs are placed via the dividing box 34 in predetermined (specific) compartments 33 separated by multiple partitions. Note that the operation of placing packs 2 on the medication tray 30 may not use the dividing box 34, in which case each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30 functions as a medication placement section.

[0035] Next, an example of a label with a QR code placed in a subdivision box used in the medication tray 30 will be described. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of attaching a label with a QR code to be placed inside a dispensing box used in a medication tray, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram explaining an example of displaying a label with a QR code.

[0036] In order to specify the dispensing location of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10, a QR code label 7 on which a character string 6a representing the name of the recipient, a character string 6b representing the timing of taking the medication, and a QR code 6c encoding the name of the recipient and the timing of taking the medication are printed is attached and placed by adhering it to the bottom of the inside of the dispensing box 34 of the medication tray 30.

[0037] The QR code on the QR-coded label 7 is read by the QR code reader 67, which is a medication-related information reading unit serving as an information reading unit described later, and the QR code (information on the name of the recipient and the timing of medication) is linked to the coordinates of the X and Y positions, which are the position information of the carriage 50, so that the pack removed from the cartridge 10 can be dispensed to an appropriate position. The QR-coded label 7 may be, for example, a sticker-like label attached directly to the dispensing box 34, or may be attached to a separately prepared plate and placed inside the dispensing box 34.

[0038] Also, a label with a QR code 6c may be affixed to each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30, or if the subdivision box 34 is not used, the above-mentioned plate may be placed in each compartment 33. When the subdivision box 34 is used, the subdivision box 34 containing the packs 2 can be removed from the medication tray 30 and the correct pack 2 can be handed to the resident (medication user), so there is little risk of picking up the wrong pack or dropping the pack.

[0039] In each compartment 33 of the medication tray 30, the set or insertion position is determined for each recipient depending on the pack to be taken. In other words, multiple compartments 33 in the medication tray 30 may be assigned to multiple recipients at the same medication timing. Also, if a specific recipient does not take medicine at a specific medication timing, it is possible to prevent a pack from being placed for that specific recipient at that specific medication timing.

[0040] Not limited to the medication tray 30, an example may also be possible in which multiple compartments 33 of the medication tray 30 are allocated according to the medication timing of each recipient. Specifically, multiple compartments 33 may be allocated according to the medication timing of the packs 2 to be taken in the morning, midday, evening, and before bedtime, and also for each recipient. In such an example of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 can be managed by floor or by room where multiple recipients live, and the packs 2 for that day (or several days) can be distributed to the medication tray 30 in advance. Furthermore, by allocating each compartment 33 according to the medication timing, for example, morning, midday, evening, and before bedtime, it is possible to prevent mistakes in the timing of medication for each recipient.

[0041] Next, an example of the cartridge 10 will be described. FIG. 5(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge, FIG. 6(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cartridge different from that of FIG. 5(a), FIG. 5(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 5(a), and FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. 6(a). Note that in each of the longitudinal cross-sectional views of FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 6(a), in order to simplify the drawings, the pack 2 is shown schematically with the crimped portion 4 of the pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 omitted. For the same purpose, cross-sectional hatching of the support portions (right support portion 12, left support portion 13, etc.) is also omitted and shown schematically. Note that the cartridges 10 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 have the same configuration, such as shape, but differ in the display position and display member of the QR code 6c. The configuration, such as shape, will be described representatively using FIG. 5.

[0042] The cartridge 10 is mainly composed of a case portion 11, a lid portion 14, a pack removal opening 17, a movable plate 16, a pack attitude maintaining portion 15, and a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions.

[0043] The case portion 11 has the function of storing a plurality of packs 2 or a pack string 2A (hereinafter, the pack 2 will be described as a representative). The case portion 11 is formed integrally or separately using, for example, resin. The lid portion 14 has the function of allowing the pack 2 to be inserted. The pack removal opening 17 is formed in the lower portion or bottom of the case portion 11, and is an opening for removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, and has the function of allowing the pack 2 to pass through when it is removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50.

[0044] The movable plate 16 has the function of preventing the packs 2 from tipping over, and of moving the lowest pack 2 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17 after the first pack of the maximum number of packs 2 that can be stored in the case section 11 has been removed. The pack posture maintaining section 15 has the function of maintaining the posture of the packs 2. The right support section 12 and the left support section 13 also have the function of supporting or holding the packs 2 in the case section 11.

[0045] In this embodiment, the removal portion for the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is located at the lower or bottom portion within the cartridge 10. That is, the removal portion is configured to include a right support portion 12 and a left support portion 13 as support portions or support members that support the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 at multiple points, and a pack removal opening 17.

[0046] When the carriage 50 is used to remove a pack 2 from the cartridge 10, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are configured to allow the pack 2 to pass through. On the other hand, when the pack 2 is not being removed from the cartridge 10, the right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 are configured to restrict the passage of the pack 2 so that a plurality of packs 2 are stored and held within the case portion 11.

[0047] As described above, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are support parts that support or hold the pack 2 in the cartridge 10, and are each provided immovably so that the removal operation of the pack 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 can be stabilized. The right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixed members that are provided in a state of being fixed or secured to the bottom wall inner surface 11e of the right bottom wall end and the left bottom wall end of the pack removal opening 17, respectively.

[0048] The pack removal opening 17 has the function of passing a suction pad 52 of a carriage 50 (described later) to remove the pack 2, and also has the function of passing the removed pack 2 and the suction pad 52. In other words, the pack removal opening 17 and the right and left bottom wall ends that surround the pack removal opening 17 function as pack removal passages.

[0049] In the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 5, a position 52' (hereinafter also referred to as the "suction pad position") at which the suction pad 52 suctions a pack 2 stored in the cartridge 10 is indicated by a circular, two-dot chain line in FIG. 5(b). The right support portion 12 and the left support portion 13 support the pack 2 in the cartridge 10 so that the pack 2 does not fall through the pack removal opening 17. As will be explained later in the operation of the carriage 50, when the lowest pack 2 in the cartridge 10 is removed while being sucked by the suction pad 52, the suction pad 52 is positioned to suck the pack 2 at two suction pad positions in the Y direction near both ends of the right support portion 12. When the lowest pack 2 is removed from the cartridge 10 by the suction pad 52, the two suction pads 52 pass near both ends of the right support portion 12 in the Y direction and suck and hold the pack 2.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, by providing suction pad positions 52' at two locations near both ends of the right support portion 12 in the Y direction, it is possible to prevent the suction pads 52 from failing to adsorb the packs 2 and remove the packs 2. That is, because the packs 2 on both sides in the Y direction are adsorbed by the suction pads 52, the film bag portion 2a of the pack 2 is stretched by the adsorption of the two suction pads and can withstand deformation. This makes it possible to reliably support or hold the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 while also making it easy to smoothly remove the packs 2.

[0051] The pack orientation maintaining portion 15 is made of sponge rubber with appropriate elasticity. The movable plate 16 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The pack orientation maintaining portion 15 and the movable plate 16 also properly maintain the orientation of the multiple packs 2 stored in the case portion 11 (as shown in FIG. 5(a) , they maintain the orientation of the packs 2 in an orderly, approximately horizontal state along the Z direction). To fulfill this function, the movable plate 16 is configured to descend downward in the Z direction within the case portion 11 by its own weight, thereby reliably moving at least one pack 2 remaining in the case portion 11 to the vicinity of the pack removal opening 17.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5(a), a long groove 11a is formed in the side wall of the case portion 11, extending in the Z direction with a predetermined width in the X direction. A flanged shaft 16a is provided at one end of the movable plate 16, protruding from the long groove 11a. The movable plate 16 can maintain the position of the packs 2 in the Z direction by guiding the shaft 16a along the long groove 11a in the Z direction. In Figure 5, the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are stacked in a substantially horizontal position, and are stored with the drug-enclosed portion on the left side of the figure in a bulged position (not shown), but the detailed state of these packs 2 is omitted.

[0053] The packs 2 are set into the case 11 in order from the pack removal openings 17 on the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 side upwards. The timing for refilling the cartridge 10 with packs 2 may be, for example, when a user (resident) is examined at a nursing facility or the like (usually every two weeks) or when the packs 2 in the cartridge 10 run out. If there are packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 when refilling, refilling is performed following the remaining packs 2. Setting the packs 2 into the cartridge 10 and refilling the packs 2 are usually performed by staff at a nursing facility or the like, but this does not necessarily apply if the storage part is configured as a cartridge and this is done automatically.

[0054] The lid portion 14 is intended to enable staff at care facilities and the like to insert and remove the packs 2 stored in the cartridge 10, and as shown in Figure 5(a), it is formed long in the Z direction of the case portion 11 and has a predetermined opening width.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5(b), the types of packs 2 in the cartridge 10 are divided by the timing of when to take the medicine, such as a 14-day supply of morning medicine for person A (specifically, Midori Ebina). Therefore, if person A (Midori Ebina) takes medicine not only in the morning but also in the afternoon, evening, and before bed, a total of four cartridges 10 are required.

[0056] This is not limiting to the example, and for example, a single cartridge 10 may be set for each medication recipient (person), and the order may be as follows, moving upward from the pack removal opening 17, which is the pack removal direction of the cartridge 10: morning → noon → evening → before bed on the first day → morning → noon → evening, etc.

[0057] In this embodiment, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are fixed as fixed members to the inner surface 11e of the bottom wall of the pack removal opening 17 of the case part 11 so that the removal operation of the packs 2 from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 is always stable. In other words, the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are arranged in the pack removal opening 17 at the bottom of the cartridge 10 in a fixed state so that the right support part 12 and the left support part 13 are for holding both ends of the medicine pack (the pack 2, the continuous pack body 2A, etc.).

[0058] The end support portion on the side where pack 2 is adsorbed is supported by right support portion 12, and the end support portion on the opposite side is supported by left support portion 13, so that pack 2 stored and set in cartridge 10 does not fall while set. Right support portion 12 and left support portion 13 have different support lengths for supporting pack 2, with right support portion 12 having a shorter support length. When the bottommost pack 2 stored in cartridge 10 is adsorbed by suction pad 52 and pulled out of cartridge 10, the configuration and operation are such that pack 2 or other medicine pack bends due to elasticity or free deformation, making it easy to pull out.

[0059] At this time, because the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) are fixed, they can securely hold the tip of the next pack 2 and it will not fly out or fall due to being pulled by the previous pack 2. In addition, because the support parts (right support part 12 and left support part 13) do not swing or rotate, the pack 2 will not be pinched or deformed by being pushed in during the return movement, and it will be held in a stable state.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the character strings 6a and 6b and the QR code 6c displayed on the medicine pack (such as the pack 2 or the continuous pack 2A) are exposed from the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10, and the QR code 6c on the medicine pack can be read by a QR code reader 66 mounted on the carriage 50. In Figure 5, for the sake of simplicity, the QR code 6c is displayed only on the pack 2 or continuous pack 2A stored at the bottom of the cartridge 10, but it goes without saying that the QR code 6c is displayed on all of the packs 2 and continuous packs 2A stored in the cartridge 10.

[0061] Furthermore, when a code image such as a QR code 6c cannot be provided on the medicine pack (pack 2, continuous pack body 2A, etc.) (for example, when the packaging machine that produces the pack 2, etc., is not capable of printing code images), a method as shown in FIG. 6 may be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a label with a QR code 6c is attached to the bottom surface of the left support portion 13 near the pack removal opening 17. This makes it possible to obtain medication-related information for the medicine pack (pack 2, continuous pack body 2A, etc.) stored in the cartridge 10. Note that, to obtain the medication-related information, the QR code 6c may be printed directly on the cartridge 10 instead of attaching a label with the QR code 6c.

[0062] Next, the mechanism and operation of the cartridge 10 mounted in the drawer section will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of the essential parts showing the mechanism for attaching and detaching the cartridge 10 provided in the drawer section. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating the identification structure of the cartridge 10 provided in the drawer section.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the drawer section 80 is configured so that multiple cartridges 10 can be attached and detached via the cartridge tray 20. The drawer section 80 is configured integrally with the cartridge tray 20 to hold the cartridge tray 20. Slide rails 81 are provided on the left and right outer wall surfaces of the case section 22 of the cartridge tray 20 in the drawer section 80, respectively, and each slide rail 81 is slidable on a main body rail disposed on the main body frame 199 (see Figure 1). As a result, the drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20) can be attached and detached by being pulled out from inside the main body frame 199 while the slide rails 81 engage with the main body rails.

[0064] 7, the cartridges 10 are attached to and detached from the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 through engagement and disengagement between a pair of protrusions 23a formed on the inner wall surface of the case section 22 of the drawer section 80 and protruding inward, and a pair of recesses 11c formed on the outer wall surface of the case section 11 of the cartridge 10, and through engagement and disengagement between the inner wall surface of the case section 22 and four hemispherical protrusions 11d formed on the outer wall surface of the case section 11. This attachment and detachment configuration of the drawer section 80 makes it possible to attach and detach multiple cartridges 10 simply and with good operability.

[0065] In the above example, attachment and detachment are achieved by fitting or engaging recessed and projecting portions, but this is not limiting, and the same effect can be achieved by providing an elastic material in the gap between the inner wall surface of case portion 22 and the outer wall surface of case portion 11, by using a magnetic force, or by using a snap-fit ​​structure. Also, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, an opening 21 is formed through the bottom wall of cartridge tray 20 of drawer portion 80, which opens into pack removal opening 17 of cartridge 10 when each cartridge 10 is attached to each storage portion 23 of cartridge tray 20.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge tray 20 of the drawer section 80 has storage sections 23 that store 20 cartridges 10, arranged in four horizontal columns (A to D) and five vertical columns (1 to 5). The drawer section 80 is provided with guide displays such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 25a1 to 25d5 near the handle 26 that is gripped by hand during installation and removal operations, so that the installation locations of the multiple cartridges 10 can be seen. Each storage section 23 is provided with detection means such as a sensor or switch, and the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 is electrically (automatically) identified and the results are reported by the guide displays. This makes it possible to know at a glance where the target cartridge 10 is located within the drawer section 80 (cartridge tray 20).

[0067] 8, LED 25a1 indicates the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 to be attached or detached to storage section A1 (representing a section or partition uniquely determined by vertical columns and horizontal rows) of cartridge tray 20. Similarly, LED 25a2 corresponds to the section of storage section A2 of cartridge tray 20, LED 25a3 corresponds to the section of storage section A3 of cartridge tray 20, LED 25a4 corresponds to the section of storage section A4 of cartridge tray 20, and LED 25a5 corresponds to the section of storage section A5 of cartridge tray 20. Similarly, for storage sections 1 to 5 in columns B to D, as shown in FIG. 8, LEDs are provided corresponding to each storage section to indicate the presence or absence of a cartridge 10 to be attached or detached to each storage section.

[0068] Furthermore, to identify each storage unit, it is advisable to equip the storage unit with a number, barcode, QR code, or contactless IC tag, and have the system memorize which storage unit contains which medication. Then, after the drawer with the storage unit attached is set into the device main unit, the device main unit will identify each storage unit. This allows the device to retrieve and pick the correct pack without making a mistake.

[0069] Next, the configuration of the carriage 50 will be described. Fig. 9(a) is a front view showing the carriage configuration, Fig. 9(b) is a plan view of Fig. 9(a), and Figs. 10 to 12 are front views showing the progression of carriage operation. In order to simplify the drawings, the connection relationship diagram of the negative pressure generator 45 and other components in the carriage configuration is shown only in Fig. 9(a) and is omitted in Figs. 10, 13, etc.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, the carriage 50 has a suction unit 51 that removes and holds the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. The suction unit 51 has the function of suctioning and peeling off the pack 2. When suctioning the pack 2, it has the function of suctioning the pack 2 using negative pressure air converted by a negative pressure generator 45 serving as negative pressure switching means. When peeling off the pack 2, it has the function of peeling off the pack 2 using pressurized air converted by the negative pressure generator 45.

[0071] As shown in Figure 9(a), the suction unit 51 converts positive pressure from an air compressor 46, which is an air compression means, into negative pressure in a negative pressure generator 45 via an air tank 47, thereby creating a negative pressure state and suctioning the packs 2. The air compressor 46 is installed outside the transfer unit 90, and is connected to the suction unit 51 via a communication member such as an air pipe 49, via the air tank 47 and the negative pressure generator 45. A pressure sensor that measures negative pressure is provided in the air pipe 49 between the negative pressure generator 45 and the suction unit 51. When the negative pressure measured by the pressure sensor falls below a predetermined value, it can be determined that the suction unit 51 has suctioned the packs 2.

[0072] The air piping 49 is provided through a cable pair or the like together with a harness or the like so that the carriage 50 does not become taut even when it moves inside the medication dispensing device 200. That is, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the air piping 49 has a path of one turn each in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The air piping 49 first extends from the negative pressure generator 45 along the Z-axis direction and makes one turn, then extends along the X-axis and makes one turn, and finally extends along the Y-axis and makes one turn to be connected to the suction unit 51.

[0073] The suction unit 51 also has a suction pad 52 that suctions the pack 2, and a suction duct 53 connected to the suction pad 52. The negative pressure generator 45 is also called a vacuum ejector valve, and is connected to the suction duct 53 via an air pipe 49. The suction pad 52 functions as an air suction means or suction member that suctions and removes the pack 2 from the cartridge 10. One end of the suction pad 52, that is, the upper end in FIG. 9(a), is disposed to suction the pack 2 as described above. The other end of the suction pad 52, that is, the lower end in FIG. 9(a), is attached and fixed to one end of the suction duct 53, that is, the upper end in FIG. 9(a). The other end of the suction duct 53, that is, the lower end in FIG. 9(a), is attached and fixed to a suction pad support member 54. The suction pad 52 and the suction duct 53 are provided as a pair in the Y direction.

[0074] The carriage 50 also has a position changing means for changing the position of the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 to a substantially vertical position. The position changing means in the carriage 50 is mainly composed of a suction pad support member 54 connected to a suction unit base member 57 via a rotation shaft 55, a guide member 59 in which a uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is formed, a guide shaft 56 that is always fitted into the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59 to guide the suction pad support member 54, and a suction unit vertical movement unit.

[0075] The suction pad support member 54 is connected to the suction unit base member 57 via a rotation shaft 55. The suction pad support member 54 may be provided so as to be rotatable (i.e., swingable) within a predetermined angle range around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the suction pad support member 54, or may be provided so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft 55 fixed to the suction unit base member 57. In other words, in Fig. 9, the distance connecting the center of the rotation shaft 55 and the center of a guide rod 58 (described later) in the X direction is set so as to always be kept constant when the suction unit base member 57 moves in the vertical direction Z along the guide rod 58.

[0076] The suction unit vertical movement unit has a pair of guide rods 58 provided in the Y direction, an endless belt 62 wound around a drive pulley 60 and a driven pulley 61, and a drive motor 63 connected to the drive pulley 60 via a drive transmission member such as a gear or a belt. The guide rod 58 guides the suction unit base member 57 in the Z direction. The drive motor 63 is a drive means or drive source for the suction unit vertical movement unit.

[0077] The suction unit base member 57 is coupled to and fixed to the belt 62 by a belt gripping portion 62a fixed to the right end of the suction unit base member 57. A pair of guide rods 58 extend in the Z direction and are provided in the Y direction, with their lower ends fixed to the bottom frame 50b of the take-out frame 50a provided on the carriage 50. A guided hole 57a into which the guide rod 58 is inserted is formed on the right end side of the suction unit base member 57. The drive pulley 60 and the driven pulley 61 have their pulley shafts rotatably supported by immovable members on the take-out frame 50a side. The drive motor 63 is fixed to an immovable member on the take-out frame 50a side of the carriage 50.

[0078] When the suction unit base member 57 moves up and down by operation of the drive motor 63, the suction unit base member 57 moves in the Z direction along each guide rod 58, making it possible to keep the posture of the suction unit base member 57 in a substantially horizontal state in the XY plane. Note that the suction unit up and down movement unit is not limited to the above-mentioned belt-driven up and down reciprocating motion mechanism, but may also be a reciprocating linear motion mechanism using a rack and pinion or the like.

[0079] A pair of guide members 59 are provided on both sides of the suction section 51 in the Y direction, sandwiching the suction pad support member 54 therebetween, and their lower ends are fixed to the bottom frame 50b. The guide shafts 56 are provided to protrude from both ends of the suction pad support member 54 in the Y direction, and are provided to always fit into guide grooves 59a of the guide members 59 to guide the suction pad support member 54. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the guide shafts 56 are provided below the rotation shaft 55 of the suction pad support member 54 in the Z direction, at a certain distance from the rotation shaft 55.

[0080] When the drive motor 63 is operated to move the suction unit base member 57 in the Z direction, the posture of the suction unit base member 57 in the XY plane is kept constant in an approximately horizontal state, and the guide shaft 56 of the suction pad support member 54 moves in the Z direction along the uniquely shaped guide groove 59a, making it possible to rotate the posture of the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees (in FIG. 9(a), the state when the suction unit 51 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees is shown by a thick dashed line). Here, the term "approximately horizontal state" includes a horizontal state and also means being within a predetermined angle tolerance range with respect to the horizontal.

[0081] The uniquely shaped guide groove 59a is composed of a first guide groove portion that is formed to extend relatively far in the Z direction so as to maintain the orientation of the suction pad 52 facing upward as shown by the solid line in Figure 9(a) via the suction pad support member 54 that is in a substantially horizontal state, guided by the guide shaft 56, and a second guide groove portion that is connected to and communicates with the first guide groove portion, and is formed to gradually draw a gentle arc to the right as it goes downward, so as to rotate the orientation of the suction pad support member 54 and the suction pad 52 by approximately 90 degrees.

[0082] 9, the carriage 50 is equipped with a QR code reader 66 that reads the QR code 6c displayed on the pack 2 or the like stored in the cartridge 10. The QR code reader 66 has an upper reading unit 66a at its top that reads the QR code 6c, and also functions as a medication-related information reading unit 65.

[0083] The upper QR code reader 66 is attached to the side of the carriage 50. The upper QR code reader 66 can also be used to read the QR code 6c displayed on a label (see FIG. 6) attached to the left support portion 13 of the pack removal opening 17 of the cartridge 10. The operation of reading the QR code 6c by the upper reading portion 66a of the upper QR code reader 66 is performed, for example, immediately before the carriage 50 removes the pack 2 from the cartridge 10.

[0084] 9, the carriage 50 also has a lower QR code reader 67 mounted thereon that reads the QR code associated with the QR code 6c on the label 7 affixed to the dispensing box 34 described in FIG. 4. The lower QR code reader 67 has a lower reading unit 67a at its bottom that also functions as the medication-related information reading unit 65, and is attached to the side of the carriage 50 below the upper QR code reader 66. The operation of reading the QR code 6c on the dispensing box 34 by the lower reading unit 67a of the lower QR code reader 67 is performed, for example, immediately before the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 is dispensed into the dispensing box 34 of the medication tray 30.

[0085] Next, the operation of the carriage 50 will be described. Here, for the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, it is assumed that the carriage 50 is moved by the movement of the transfer unit 90 in Fig. 1 to a position below the cartridge tray 20 held in the upper of the two drawer units 80 arranged above and below the main body frame 199 in Fig. 1. It is also assumed that the cartridge 10 shown in Fig. 5 and the cartridge tray 20 shown in Fig. 1 are used. In addition, for the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, the QR code 6c, the upper QR code reader 66, and the lower QR code reader 67 are not shown in Figs. 11(b) to 11(g), 12(i), and 12(j).

[0086] 10(a), the carriage 50 can be moved in the X and Y directions in the area below the cartridge 10 and cartridge tray 20 by the transport unit 90 of FIG. 1. First, as shown in the figure, the carriage 50 moves to below the cartridge tray 20 holding the cartridge 10 that stores the pack 2 to be removed. That is, the carriage 50 moves to a position where the upper reading unit 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66 of the carriage 50 is approximately directly below the cartridge tray 20 and cartridge 10 (reading range 9 from the opening 21 of the cartridge tray 20 to which the QR code 6c of the pack 2 stored at the bottom inside the cartridge 10 can be read). At this position, the carriage 50 reads the QR code 6c displayed on the pack 2 with the upper reading unit 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66.

[0087] Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly to the right in the X direction from the position shown in FIG. 10(a) by the transfer unit 90 shown in FIG. 1 to a position where the lowest pack 2 can be removed from the same cartridge 10. At this time, the suction pad 52 is positioned below the upper surface of the removal unit (meaning the upper surface of the removal frame 50a of the carriage 50). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the drive motor 63 is actuated to move the suction pad 52 upward, enter through the pack removal opening 17 between the right support unit 12 and the left support unit 13, and contact the lowest pack 2 of the cartridge 10, simultaneously sucking the pack 2. At this time, the negative pressure generator 45 has been driven in advance to generate negative pressure, and is ready to suck the pack 2.

[0088] Next, as shown in Figure 11(d), the drive motor 63 is rotated in the reverse direction, causing the suction pad 52 to move downward while adsorbing the pack 2, and the tip side (meaning the side adsorbed by the suction pad 52; the same applies below) of the pack 2 as one end side is pulled out from inside the cartridge 10.

[0089] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(e), the carriage 50 is moved in the horizontal X direction by the operation of the transfer unit 90, and the rear end of the pack 2 is pulled out from the cartridge 10. Immediately thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 11(f) to 11(g), the drive motor 63 rotates the pack 2, which is held by suction on the suction pad 52, from its substantially horizontal state by approximately 90 degrees, changing it from the substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state (hereinafter also referred to as a substantially vertical state). This rotational movement occurs because the guide shaft 56 provided on the suction pad support member 54 moves along the guide groove 59a of the guide member 59, so that the position of the pack 2 can be changed from the substantially horizontal state to a substantially vertical state. This can be achieved by a series of operations of the single drive motor 63 as the drive source.

[0090] 12(h), the carriage 50 equipped with the suction pad 52 holding the pack 2 in a substantially vertical position is carried to a predetermined position by the transport unit 90. As a result, the lower reading unit 67a of the QR code reader 67 of the carriage 50 enters the reading range 9 of the QR code 6c displayed at the bottom of a predetermined subdivision box 34 (or a predetermined compartment 33) of the medication tray 30, and the lower reading unit 67a reads the QR code 6c.

[0091] Next, the carriage 50 is moved slightly to the right in the X direction from the position shown in Figure 12(h) to the position shown in Figure 12(i) by the transport unit 90 shown in Figure 1, and is stopped at a position where the pack 2 can be inserted into a predetermined dispensing box 34 (or a predetermined compartment 33) of the same medication tray 30. When the carriage 50 is thus transported to approximately directly above the predetermined dispensing box 34 (or a predetermined compartment 33) of the medication tray 30 where the pack 2 can be inserted, the negative pressure generator 45 is driven for a short time to generate a pressurized (positive) pressure from the negative pressure. As a result, pressurized air is blown onto the pack 2 from the suction pad 52, releasing the suction hold of the pack 2, and the pack 2 is inserted into the predetermined dispensing box 34 (or a predetermined compartment 33) of the medication tray 30 (see Figure 12(j)).

[0092] After performing the above operation multiple times and inserting the required packs 2 into the designated compartments 33 of the medication tray 30, the medication tray 30 is ejected from the device through the third entrance / exit section 43 (see Figure 1) and is received by staff at a nursing facility or other facility or a medication support person.

[0093] When the QR code 6c of the cartridge 10 shown in Fig. 6 is read by the upper reading unit 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66 of Fig. 9, the QR code 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support part 13 of the cartridge 10 is read, as shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the carriage 50 is moved to the left in the X direction to a position where the upper reading unit 66a of the QR code reader upper part 66 of the carriage 50 is in the reading range 9 where the QR code 6c displayed on the bottom wall surface of the left support part 13 of the cartridge 10 can be read. Other operations of the carriage 50 are the same as those described in Figs. 11(b) to 11(g) and 12(h) to 12(i).

[0094] As described above, in this embodiment, when removing the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, the carriage 50 is positioned below the cartridge 10 and cartridge tray 20, and the pack 2 is removed from below the cartridge 10. In this way, by removing the pack 2 from below the cartridge 10, the next pack 2 automatically moves downward (towards the pack removal opening 17) due to the weight of the pack 2 remaining in the cartridge 10 and the movable plate 16. Therefore, regardless of the amount of packs 2 remaining in the cartridge 10, the carriage 50 can perform the same operation with a simple configuration.

[0095] Next, the configuration and operation of the transfer unit 90 will be described. FIG. 14(a) is a front view showing the main configuration of the transfer section, and FIG. 14(b) is a side view of FIG. 14(a). 1, the cartridges 10 are lined up on a plane below the medication tray 30 arranged at the top of the main body frame 199 in the Z direction, and the medication tray 30 is located above the upper cartridge 10, so the carriage 50 moves in three directions: the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In this way, the transport unit 90 is configured to move the carriage 50 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in order to transport the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 by the carriage 50 to be delivered to the medication tray 30.

[0096] The configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the X direction is the X-direction transport section 91, the configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the Y direction is the Y-direction transport section 101, and the configuration for moving the carriage 50 in the Z direction is the Z-direction transport section 111, and each has a similar configuration.

[0097] The X-direction transport unit 91 has an X adapter 96 attached to the carriage 50, an X guide member 97 that guides the carriage 50 in the X direction via the X adapter 96, an endless belt 94 wound around a drive pulley 92 and a driven pulley 93, and a drive motor 95 for X-direction transport that is connected to the drive pulley 92 via a drive force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 98 (two of the three are hidden by the carriage 50 and cannot be seen) are attached to the X adapter 96 so that they can roll while sandwiching the X guide member 97. The X adapter 96 is also connected and fixed to the endless belt 94 via a belt grip.

[0098] With the above-described configuration of the X-direction transport unit 91, when the drive motor 95 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 94 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 92, causing the endless belt 94 to rotate and move, and the carriage 50 moves in the X direction along the X guide member 97 together with the X adapter 96.

[0099] Y-direction transfer unit 101 includes a Y adapter 106 attached to carriage 50, a Y guide member 107 that guides carriage 50 in the Y direction via Y adapter 106, an endless belt 104 wound between drive pulley 102 and driven pulley 103, and a drive motor 105 for Y-direction transfer that is connected to drive pulley 102 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. Three rollers 108 are rotatably attached to Y adapter 106 in a state in which they sandwich Y guide member 107. Y adapter 106 is also connected and fixed to endless belt 104 via belt gripping portion 104a.

[0100] With the above-described configuration of the Y-direction transport unit 101, when the drive motor 105 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 104 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 102, causing the endless belt 104 to rotate and run, and the carriage 50 moves in the Y direction along the Y guide member 107 together with the Y adapter 106.

[0101] The Z-direction transfer unit 111 includes a pair of Z adapters 116 attached to both ends of the X guide member 97 in the X direction, a pair of Z guide members 117 that guide the carriage 50 in the Z direction via the X guide member 97 and the pair of Z adapters 116, an endless belt 114 wound between a drive pulley 112 and a driven pulley 113, and a drive motor 115 for Z-direction transfer that is connected to the drive pulley 112 via a driving force transmission member such as a gear or a belt. In the Z-direction transfer unit 111, the drive pulley 112, the driven pulley 113, and the endless belt 114 are provided on both sides in the X direction, but the drive motor 115 is provided only on one of the drive pulleys 112. Three rollers 118 are attached to each Z adapter 116 so as to be rotatable while sandwiching the Z guide member 117. Furthermore, each Z adapter 116 is connected and fixed to each endless belt 114 via each belt gripping portion 114a.

[0102] With the above-described configuration of the Z-direction transport unit 111, when the drive motor 115 is driven, the drive force is transmitted to the endless belt 114 via the drive force transmission member and the drive pulley 112, causing the endless belt 114 to rotate and run, and the carriage 50 moves in the Z direction along the Z guide member 117 together with the X guide member 97 and the Z adapter 116.

[0103] In Figure 14, the carriage 50 is designed to move in three axial directions: the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. However, if, for example, the cartridge 10 is arranged above the carriage 50 and the medication tray 30 is arranged below it, the carriage 50 only needs to move in the X-axis and Y-axis, thereby reducing the number of moving axes by one.

[0104] In this embodiment, the QR code reader is configured to be divided into two parts: an upper QR code reader 66 with an upper reading section 66a, and a lower QR code reader 67 with a lower reading section 67a, but they may also be combined into one.

[0105] The operation of reading the QR code 6c can be controlled to start automatically upon detecting that the cartridge, the medication tray, or both have been stored. The operation of reading the QR code 6c can be performed immediately before the medicine pack is removed from the cartridge or immediately before the medicine is dispensed to the medication tray, or it can be set arbitrarily by user operation, and there is no need to limit the implementation method. By reading the QR code 6c on the carriage side and the QR code 6c on the medication tray (subdivision box) side and storing each piece of information, it can be used for data comparison when dispensing medicine.

[0106] Next, the control configuration of the medication dispensing device 200 will be described. FIG. 15 is a control block diagram showing the main control configuration of the medication dispensing device. As shown in Fig. 15, the medication dispensing device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as a control unit 150 that controls the operation of each part of the medication dispensing device 200. The CPU has a built-in memory unit, timer unit, etc. The CPU issues notifications to staff and instructions for device operation at a timing according to a program based on various inputs including those from sensors described below.

[0107] The CPU has calculation and control functions, and may also have a timer (timekeeping) function. The storage unit 152 on the control unit 150 side has a RAM (random access memory), also called a main memory, and a ROM (read-only memory). The ROM pre-stores programs that the CPU can read (for example, programs such as control flowcharts described below) and various data. Examples of the various data include data relating to the sections 33 and multiple subdivision boxes 34 of the medication tray 30 assigned to each recipient and the medicine packs, data relating to the sections 33 and multiple subdivision boxes 34 of the medication tray 30 assigned for each medication timing and the medicine packs, and data relating to the sections 33 and multiple subdivision boxes 34 of the medication tray 30 assigned for each medication order and the medicine packs.

[0108] The input / output ports of the CPU are electrically connected to a touch panel 151 as a user interface. The user interface is not limited to the touch panel 151, and may be, for example, a combination of a keyboard and an LED display unit in which the input unit and the display unit are separate.

[0109] The input port of the CPU is also electrically connected to various sensors, including a medication tray detection sensor 156 that detects the type of medication tray 30 stored in the device and the presence or absence of the medication tray 30, and a cartridge detection sensor 157 that detects the presence or absence of the cartridge 10. The input port of the CPU is also electrically connected to various sensors, including drawer entrance / exit opening / closing sensors 159a and 159b that detect the opening and closing of the first entrance / exit section 41 and the second entrance / exit section 42, and medication tray entrance / exit opening / closing sensors 160a and 160b that detect the opening and closing of the third entrance / exit section 43 and the fourth entrance / exit section 44. The medication tray detection sensor 156, cartridge detection sensor 157, drawer entrance / exit opening / closing sensors 159a and 159b, and medication tray entrance / exit opening / closing sensors 160a and 160b are only shown in FIG. 15 .

[0110] Also electrically connected to the input port of the CPU are an HP sensor 99 for HP sensor X that detects the home position (hereinafter abbreviated as "HP") of the X-direction transfer section 91 of the carriage 50, an HP sensor 109 for HP sensor Y that detects the HP of the Y-direction transfer section 101 of the carriage 50, and an HP sensor 119 for HP sensor Z that detects the HP of the Z-direction transfer section 111 of the carriage 50. Also electrically connected to the input port of the CPU is an HP sensor 158 for HP sensor P that detects the HP of the suction section 51 (or suction pad 52) of the carriage 50.

[0111] In addition, the input port of the CPU is electrically connected to an upper QR code reader 66 (upper reading unit 66a) as a medication-related information reading unit 65 arranged on the carriage 50 and a lower QR code reader 67 (lower reading unit 67a) as a medication-related information reading unit 65.

[0112] The output port of the CPU is electrically connected via various motor drivers X to Z, P to a drive motor 95 for the X-direction transfer section 91, a drive motor 105 for the Y-direction transfer section 101, a drive motor 115 for the Z-direction transfer section 111, and a drive motor 63 for changing the attitude of the suction pad 52. The output port of the CPU is also electrically connected via a negative pressure generator driver to a negative pressure generator actuator, that is, a negative pressure generator (ejector valve) 45.

[0113] An alarm unit may be electrically connected to the output port of the CPU. This alarm unit notifies the status of each part of the device by light such as an LED, sound including voice, or vibration. The alarm unit also includes a speaker, light, etc. to notify staff, etc., of the timing of taking medication even when they are away from the device.

[0114] External medicine information is also input to the CPU via the I / O, stored in the memory unit 152, and used for allocating medicines to recipients, etc. The LEDs 25a1 to 25d5 of the drawer unit 80 may be electrically connected.

[0115] When input information from touch panel 151, various signals from various HP sensors 99, 109, 119, 158, and various sensors (not shown) are input to the CPU, the CPU outputs the following command signals: That is, the CPU outputs instructions to the audio device and light device of the display device (including the notification unit) of touch panel 151, LEDs 25a1 to 25d5, negative pressure generator 45, drive motor 63, drive motor 95, drive motor 105, drive motor 115, or drivers corresponding to the LEDs.

[0116] An HP sensor 158 for the HP sensor P and a drive motor 63 driven via a motor driver P are used to drive and control the suction unit up and down movement mechanism. The CPU has the function of executing various control operations described below and shown in the control flowcharts.

[0117] Next, the control configuration of the medication dispensing device 200 will be described. FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of the medication dispensing device 200. As shown in Fig. 16, the medication support device 300 of this embodiment is composed of the above-mentioned medication dispensing device 200 and a storage unit 170 connected to the medication dispensing device 200 so as to be able to communicate (transmit and receive) with the medication dispensing device 200. The storage unit 170 can be considered an external storage device with a larger storage capacity than the main storage device with a smaller storage capacity provided in the medication dispensing device 200, and may be composed of a server or personal computer (PC) capable of transmitting and receiving data via network communication. The storage unit 170 may be integrated within the medication dispensing device 200 to constitute the medication support device 300.

[0118] The memory unit 170 stores pack information read data and medication dispensing information read data as medication-related information related to the QR code 6c provided on at least one of the cartridge, the medicine pack, and the medication dispensing tray, which are read by the medication-related information reading unit 65 (upper QR code reader 66, lower QR code reader 67), which is an information reading unit provided in the medication dispensing device 200. The memory unit 170 transmits and receives the stored pack information read data and the stored medication dispensing information read data to and from the medication dispensing device 200.

[0119] Here, a supplementary explanation will be given about reading the QR code 6c. When the QR code 6c is provided on the surface of the medicine pack as shown in Fig. 5, the QR code is visible from the pack removal opening 17 as shown in Fig. 10(a), and can be read by the upper reading unit 66a of the upper QR code reader 66. Even when the QR code 6c is displayed on the left support portion 13 on the bottom wall surface of the cartridge 10 as shown in Fig. 6, the QR code 6c is displayed at the pack removal opening 17 as shown in Fig. 13, and can be similarly read by the upper reading unit 66a of the upper QR code reader 66. Furthermore, when the carriage 50 moves to above the subdivision box 34 of the medicine distribution tray 30 while holding the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 as shown in Fig. 12(h), the QR code 6c is similarly read by the lower reading unit 67a of the lower QR code reader 67. In this way, the information read by the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67 is transmitted to the storage unit 170 via the communication module 175 and stored as pack information read data and medication information read data.

[0120] Since the upper QR code reader 66 and the lower QR code reader 67 are mounted on the carriage 50, it is possible to detect the name of the recipient and the location of the cartridge 10 storing the medicine pack that the recipient is to take by moving the carriage 50 within the medication dispensing device 200. In other words, when the QR code of the cartridge 10 is read by the upper QR code reader 66 with respect to the position coordinates (e.g., X: row, Y: column, Z: row) of the cartridge 10 corresponding to the location of the cartridge 10 within the medication dispensing device 200, it is possible to link the position coordinates of the carriage 50 corresponding to the location of the cartridge 10 with the QR code related to the QR code 6c.

[0121] Next, the operation flow when reading the QR code 6c will be described. First, the operation of reading the QR code 6c by the upper reading portion 66a of the QR code reader 66, which is performed immediately before the operation of the carriage 50 to remove the pack 2 from the cartridge 10, will be described.

[0122] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation when the QR code 6c on the cartridge 10 side is read. First, it is checked whether the cartridge has been set (installed) (Step S10). If the cartridge has been set, the QR code reader 66 starts reading the medication-related information (Step S11). To explain in more detail, a sensor, switch, or the like detects that the cartridge has been installed in a predetermined location. Then, for example, after the cover installed on the device is closed and safety is confirmed, the reading operation starts automatically (the same applies below).

[0123] Next, the carriage moves to the target cartridge, and the QR code reader 66 reads the medication-related information from the QR code 6c (steps S12 to S13, see FIG. 10(a)). Next, it is checked whether the QR code reader 66 has successfully read the medication-related information (step S14). In step S14, if the QR code reader has successfully read the medication-related information (YES in step S14), the cartridge position and the medication-related information are stored (step S15). When all of the above operations (steps S12 to S15) have been completed, the operation ends (step S16). In step S16, if the operations in steps S12 to S15 have not all been completed, the process returns to step S12 and the same operations are repeated.

[0124] On the other hand, in step S14, there are cases where reading of the medication-related information by the QR code reader 66 fails. For example, if the QR code 6c is damaged or has defects due to dirt, reading of the QR code 6c may fail. Also, reflections from lighting may cause whiteout in the read image of the QR code, resulting in reading failure. In such cases, if the damage or defects due to dirt on the QR code 6c are minor, or if reading fails due to reflections from lighting, changing the reading position (relative position) of the QR code reader 66 relative to the QR code 6c may result in successful reading.

[0125] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the QR code reader 66 fails to read the medication-related information (NO in step S14), a retry operation is performed in which the position of the QR code reader 66 is moved and the reading is attempted again (step S21). As a movement pattern during the retry operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 18(a), the reading position of the QR code reader 66 for the QR code 6c is changed from the initial reading position P1 in the X direction (to the right in the figure) to a second reading position P2. By changing the reading position in this way, it may be possible to successfully read a QR code 6c that is slightly damaged or missing due to dirt. Furthermore, by changing the reading position in this way, the positional relationship between the QR code reader 66 and the lighting changes, which changes the state of the lighting reflection, and this may result in successful reading of the QR code 6c.

[0126] Thereafter, a retry operation (step S21) is performed to check whether or not the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader 66 (step S22). If the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader (YES in step S22), the cartridge position and the medication-related information are stored (step S23). Thereafter, the reading position of the QR code reader 66 for the QR code 6c is returned from the changed second reading position P2 to the initial reading position P1 (step S25), and the process returns to step S12.

[0127] On the other hand, if reading fails even after the retry operation (NO in step S22), the cartridge number of the reading error is stored (step S24). After that, the reading position on the QR code reader 66 for the QR code 6c is returned from the changed second reading position P2 to the initial reading position P1 (step S25), and the process returns to step S12.

[0128] As in this embodiment, by inserting an operation of returning to the initial reading position after the retry operation (step S25), the subsequent control operation can be the same whether or not a retry operation is performed, making control easier.

[0129] In this example, when reading of the QR code 6c fails, the QR code reader 66 is moved and the retry operation is performed only once, but the retry operation may be performed multiple times. In this case, it is preferable that the second and subsequent retry operations are performed at a different reading position from the previous retry operations.

[0130] For example, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the reading position on the QR code reader 66 for the QR code 6c is changed from the initial reading position P1 in the X direction (to the right in the figure) to a second reading position P2, and a first retry operation is performed. If reading still fails in this retry operation, the reading position on the QR code reader 66 is then changed from the second reading position P2 in the Y direction (downward in the figure) to a third reading position P3, and a second retry operation is performed. If reading still fails in this retry operation, the reading position on the QR code reader 66 is then changed from the third reading position P3 in the X direction (leftward in the figure) to a fourth reading position P4, and a third retry operation is performed. If reading still fails in the third retry operation, the cartridge number of the reading error is stored.

[0131] In the example of Fig. 18(b), the retry operation is performed up to three times, but it may be performed up to two times, or up to four times or more. Also, in the example of Fig. 18(b), if a retry operation is performed, it is preferable to return the reading position on the QR code reader 66 from the changed reading positions P2 to P4 to the initial reading position P1 before returning to step S12.

[0132] 18(a) and 18(b), the reading operation of the QR code reader 66 is started after the reading position of the QR code reader 66 is changed (after the movement of the QR code reader 66 is completed), but this is not limited to this. For example, the reading operation of the QR code reader 66 may be performed while the reading position of the QR code reader 66 is being changed (while the QR code reader 66 is moving). In this case, it is possible to increase the probability of successfully reading the QR code 6c.

[0133] Next, the operation of reading the QR code 6c by the lower reading unit 67a of the lower QR code reader 67, which is performed immediately before the pack 2 removed from the cartridge 10 is dispensed into the subdivision box 34 of the medication tray 30, will be described.

[0134] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation when the QR code 6c on the medication tray 30 side is read. First, it is checked whether the medication tray 30 has been set (installed) (Step S30). If the medication tray 30 has been set, the QR code reader 67 starts reading medication-related information (Step S31). To explain in more detail, a sensor, switch, or the like detects that the medication tray 30 has been installed in a predetermined location. Then, for example, after a cover installed on the device has been closed and safety has been confirmed, the reading operation is automatically started.

[0135] Next, the carriage moves to the target medication tray 30, and the QR code reader 67 reads the medication-related information from the QR code 6c (steps S32 to S33, see FIG. 12(h)). Next, it is checked whether the QR code reader 67 has successfully read the medication-related information (step S34). In step S34, if the QR code reader 67 has successfully read the medication-related information (YES in step S34), the medication tray position and the medication-related information are stored (step S35). When all of the above operations (steps S32 to S35) have been completed, the operation ends (step S36). In step S36, if the operations in steps S32 to S35 have not all been completed, the process returns to step S32 and the same operations are repeated.

[0136] On the other hand, in step S34, reading of the medication-related information by the lower QR code reader 67 may also fail, as in the case of reading of the medication-related information by the upper QR code reader 66 described above.

[0137] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the reading of the medication-related information by the QR code reader 67 fails (NO in step S34), a retry operation is performed in which the position of the QR code reader 67 is moved and the reading is attempted again (step S41). As a movement pattern during the retry operation, for example, as in the example shown in FIG. 18(a), the reading position of the QR code reader 67 for the QR code 6c is changed from the initial reading position P1 in the X direction (to the right in the figure) to a second reading position P2. By changing the reading position in this way, it may be possible to successfully read a QR code 6c that is slightly damaged or missing due to dirt. Furthermore, by changing the reading position in this way, the positional relationship between the QR code reader 67 and the lighting changes, which changes the state of the lighting reflection, and this may result in successful reading of the QR code 6c.

[0138] Thereafter, a retry operation (step S41) is performed to check whether the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader 67 (step S42). If the medication-related information has been successfully read by the QR code reader (YES in step S42), the medication tray position and the medication-related information are stored (step S43). Thereafter, the reading position of the QR code reader 67 for the QR code 6c is returned from the changed second reading position P2 to the initial reading position P1 (step S45), and the process returns to step S32.

[0139] On the other hand, if the reading fails even after the retry operation (NO in step S42), the medication tray number of the reading error is stored (step S44). After that, the reading position of the QR code reader 67 for the QR code 6c is returned from the changed second reading position P2 to the initial reading position P1 (step S45), and the process returns to step S32.

[0140] When reading of the QR code 6c fails, the retry operation of moving the QR code reader 66 and retrying the reading may be performed multiple times, as in the example shown in Figure 18(b). The content of the retry operation (for example, the movement pattern) may be different when reading the QR code 6c on the cartridge 10 side and when reading the QR code 6c on the medication tray 30 side.

[0141] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movement pattern during the retry operation (change of the reading position (relative position) of the QR code reader relative to the QR code 6c) is movement (change of the relative position) in directions (X direction, Y direction) approximately parallel to the display surface of the QR code 6c, but is not limited to this.

[0142] For example, the movement pattern during the retry operation may be, as shown by symbol M1 in Fig. 20, to change the relative position of the QR code reader with respect to the QR code 6c in the direction (Z direction) that is approximately perpendicular to the display surface of the QR code 6c. In this case, the imaging distance (focal length) between the QR code 6c and the QR code reader changes, and it may be possible to successfully read a QR code 6c that is slightly damaged or missing due to dirt. Furthermore, as a result of changing the positional relationship between the QR code reader and the lighting, the state of the lighting reflection may change, and it may be possible to successfully read the QR code 6c.

[0143] Furthermore, for example, the movement pattern during the retry operation may be, as shown by symbol M2 in FIG. 21 , a change in the relative position of the QR code reader with respect to the QR code 6c, such as by rotating (rotating) the QR code reader around an axis in the Y direction, thereby changing the tilt angle of the QR code reader with respect to the normal direction of the display surface of the QR code 6c. In this case, the imaging distance (focal length) between the QR code 6c and the QR code reader changes, and it may be possible to successfully read a QR code 6c that is slightly damaged or damaged due to dirt. Furthermore, as a result of the change in the positional relationship between the QR code reader and the lighting, the state of reflection of the lighting may change, and it may be possible to successfully read the QR code 6c. In this case, too, the change in the positional relationship between the QR code 6c and the QR code reader may be possible to successfully read a QR code 6c that is slightly damaged or damaged due to dirt. Furthermore, as a result of the change in the positional relationship between the QR code reader and the lighting, the state of reflection of the lighting may change, and it may be possible to successfully read the QR code 6c.

[0144] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration for rotating (pivoting) a QR code reader around an axis in the Y direction. 22, the drive mechanism that rotates (turns) the QR code reader around an axis in the Y direction is composed of a driven pulley 71 provided on the QR code readers 66, 67, a drive pulley 73 provided on the motor shaft of a drive motor 72, and an end-shaped belt 74 wound around the driven pulley 71 and the drive pulley 73. When the drive motor 72 is driven under the control of the control unit 150, the QR code readers 66, 67 rotate around the axis in the Y direction via the drive pulley 73, the belt 74, and the driven pulley 71. This changes the relative position of the QR code readers 66, 67 with respect to the QR code 6c so as to change the tilt angle with respect to the normal direction of the display surface of the QR code 6c.

[0145] The drive mechanism that rotates (turns) the QR code reader around an axis in the Y direction is not limited to the example in Fig. 22. For example, it may be a drive mechanism that rotates (turns) the QR code reader around an axis in the Y direction using a solenoid, or a movement mechanism that rotates (turns) the entire carriage on which the QR code reader is mounted.

[0146] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. [First aspect] The first aspect is a medication support device 300 comprising: a storage section (e.g., cartridge 10) that stores a medication pack (e.g., a single-drug package pack 2); a transport section (e.g., carriage 50 and transport section 90) that removes the medication pack from the storage section and transports it to a medication placement section (e.g., dispensing box 34) where the medication pack is placed; an information reading section (e.g., upper QR code reader 66 and lower QR code reader 67) that reads medication-related information (e.g., the name of the person taking the medication, the timing of taking the medication, etc.) from an information holding medium (e.g., a QR code 6c) provided on at least one of the medication pack, the storage section, and the medication placement section; and a control section 150 that controls the reading operation by the information reading section, wherein when the information reading section fails to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium, the control section changes the relative position of the information reading section with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading section to re-read the medication-related information from the information holding medium. The information reading unit that reads medication-related information from an information retention medium provided in at least one of the medicine pack, the storage unit, and the medicine placement unit may fail to read the medication-related information. In this case, in this aspect, the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information retention medium is changed, and the information reading unit re-attempts to read the medication-related information from the information retention medium. Therefore, even if the information reading unit fails to read the medication-related information once, if the re-attempted reading is successful, subsequent processing using the medication-related information can be continued.

[0147] [Second mode] A second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the information storage medium is a code image (for example, a QR code 6c) that encodes the medication-related information. This means that even if an attempt to read the code image fails once, if the reading is successful on a second attempt, it will be possible to continue subsequent processing using the medication-related information obtained based on the code image.

[0148] [Third aspect] A third aspect is the second aspect, characterized in that the change in the relative position includes a change in a direction substantially parallel to a display surface of the code image. According to this, when retrying reading after failing to read a code image, the positional relationship between the code image and the information reading unit is changed from when the code image failed, making it more likely that the retry will be successful.

[0149] [Fourth aspect] A fourth aspect is the second or third aspect, characterized in that the change in the relative position includes a change in a direction substantially perpendicular to the display surface of the code image. According to this, when retrying reading after failing to read a code image, the positional relationship between the code image and the information reading unit is changed from when the code image failed, making it more likely that the retry will be successful.

[0150] [Fifth mode] A fifth aspect is characterized in that in any of the second to fourth aspects, the change in the relative position includes a change in the tilt angle of the code image with respect to the normal direction of the display surface. According to this, when retrying reading after failing to read a code image, the positional relationship between the code image and the information reading unit is changed from when the code image failed, making it more likely that the retry will be successful.

[0151] [Sixth aspect] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to fifth aspects, the information reading unit reads the medication-related information from each information holding medium provided in the medicine pack or the storage unit and the medicine placement unit, and the change in the relative position is different when reading the medication-related information from the information holding medium of the medicine pack or the storage unit and when reading the medication-related information from the information holding medium of the medicine placement unit. This allows the appropriate relative position changes to be adopted when reading medication-related information from the information holding medium in the medicine pack or storage section and when reading medication-related information from the information holding medium in the medicine placement section, thereby increasing the probability of successful reading when re-reading each time.

[0152] [Seventh aspect] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth aspects, the control unit causes the information reading unit to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium provided in at least one of the drug pack and the storage unit when the drug pack is removed from the storage unit by the transfer unit. This makes it possible to stably acquire medication-related information relating to the medicine pack that the transporting unit removes from the storage unit and transports, or the storage unit from which the transporting unit removes the medicine pack.

[0153] [Eighth aspect] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh aspects, when the medicine pack transported by the transport unit is placed in the medicine placement unit, the control unit causes the information reading unit to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium provided in at least one of the medicine pack and the medicine placement unit. This allows the transfer unit to stably acquire medication-related information related to the medicine placement unit where the medicine pack is placed.

[0154] [Ninth aspect] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth aspects, the control unit returns the relative position to the relative position before the change after re-reading the medication-related information. According to this, by returning to the original relative position after re-reading, the subsequent control operation can be the same whether the reading fails and is re-read or not, making control easier.

[0155] [Tenth aspect] A tenth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to ninth aspects, when the information reading unit fails to read the medication-related information again after re-reading the medication-related information, the control unit further changes the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading unit to re-read the medication-related information. This allows the operation of changing the relative position and re-reading the medication-related information from the information storage medium to be performed multiple times, thereby increasing the probability of successful reading.

[0156] [Eleventh aspect] The 11th aspect is characterized in that, in any of the 1st to 10th aspects, the control unit reads the medication-related information using the information reading unit even while changing the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information holding medium. This makes it possible to increase the probability of successfully reading medication-related information from the information storage medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 2: Single-dose drug pack 2A: Pack Continuum 3: Drugs 4: Crimping section 5: Perforation 6a, 6b: String 6c: QR code 7: Label 9: Reading range 10: Cartridge 11: Case part 12: Support part right 13: Support part left 14: Lid 15: Pack position maintaining section 16: Movable plate 17: Pack removal opening 20: Cartridge tray 21: Opening 22: Case part 23: Storage area 25a1~25a5: LED 29:Pharmacy distribution department 30: Medication tray 31: Partition wall 32: Bottom wall 33: Section 34: Small box 50: Carriage 51: Adsorption part 52: Suction pad 65: Medication-related information reading unit 66: On the QR code reader 66a: Upper reading section 67: Under the QR code reader 67a: Lower reading section 80: Drawer section 81: Slide rail 90: Transfer section 91:X direction transfer section 101:Y direction transfer section 111:Z direction transfer section 150: Control unit 151: Touch panel 199: Main frame 200: Medicine distribution device 300: Medication support device P1~P4: Reading positions [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0158] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-172887

Claims

1. a storage section for storing the medicine pack; a transfer unit that removes the medicine pack from the storage unit and transfers it to a medicine placement unit where the medicine pack is placed; an information reading unit that reads medication-related information from an information storage medium provided in at least one of the medicine pack, the storage unit, and the medicine placement unit; A control unit that controls the reading operation by the information reading unit, The control unit is characterized in that when the information reading unit fails to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium, the control unit changes the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading unit to re-read the medication-related information from the information holding medium.

2. The medication support device according to claim 1, The medication support device is characterized in that the information storage medium is a code image in which the medication-related information is encoded.

3. The medication support device according to claim 2, A medication support device characterized in that the change in the relative position includes a change in a direction approximately parallel to the display surface of the code image.

4. The medication support device according to claim 2, A medication support device characterized in that the change in the relative position includes a change in a direction approximately perpendicular to the display surface of the code image.

5. The medication support device according to claim 2, A medication support device characterized in that the change in the relative position includes a change in the inclination angle of the code image with respect to the normal direction of the display surface.

6. The medication support device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the information reading unit reads the medication-related information from each information storage medium provided in the medicine pack or the storage unit and the medicine placement unit, A medication support device characterized in that the changes in the relative position are different when reading the medication-related information from the information holding medium of the medication pack or the storage unit and when reading the medication-related information from the information holding medium of the medication placement unit.

7. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A medication support device characterized in that the control unit causes the information reading unit to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium provided in at least one of the medication pack and the storage unit when the medication pack is removed from the storage unit by the transport unit.

8. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A medication support device characterized in that when the medication pack transported by the transport unit is placed in the medication placement unit, the control unit causes the information reading unit to read the medication-related information from the information holding medium provided in at least one of the medication pack and the medication placement unit.

9. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The medication support device is characterized in that the control unit returns the relative position to the relative position before the change after re-reading the medication-related information.

10. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The medication support device is characterized in that when the information reading unit fails to read the medication-related information again after re-reading the medication-related information, the control unit further changes the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information holding medium and causes the information reading unit to re-read the medication-related information.

11. The medication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A medication support device characterized in that the control unit reads the medication-related information using the information reading unit even while changing the relative position of the information reading unit with respect to the information storage medium.

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