Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system or the like capable of managing the weight of medicines or the like stored in a storage while reducing human intervention as much as possible.SOLUTION: An information processing system of the present disclosure is an information processing system that manages a weight of one or more types of medicines or the like stored in a storage. The information processing system includes a database for storing the type and weight of each medicine or the like stored in the storage cabinet, a user identification unit for identifying a user who uses the storage cabinet, and a weight monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not the weight of any medicine or the like has changed before and after the door of the storage cabinet is opened and closed. When the weight monitoring unit finds a medicine or the like whose weight has changed, the weight monitoring unit associates the user who entered the storage cabinet before the door of the storage cabinet was opened and was identified by the user identification unit with the type and the weight difference of the medicine or the like whose weight has changed, and stores them in the database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Chemicals, drugs, organic solvents, hazardous materials, etc. (hereinafter referred to as chemicals) are usually managed in lockable storage cabinets such as chemical cabinets, each containing a corresponding chemical bottle. For example, when a chemical is stored in a storage cabinet, the name and weight of the chemical are stored in a terminal such as a personal computer, and a label is attached to the chemical bottle to provide an ID. When the chemical is removed from the storage cabinet, the weight of the chemical bottle is measured after removal (after a portion of the chemical is transferred to another container), and the measured weight is stored in the terminal along with reading the label on the chemical bottle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an RFID tag for detecting and managing inventory of medicines and the like in terms of changes in weight without contact. This RFID identifies the weight of the medicine from the detection value of a weight sensor attached to the bottom of the medicine bottle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-094864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With the RFID of Patent Document 1, when a new medicine bottle is received, it is necessary to attach a weight sensor directly to the bottom of the bottle and input the name and weight of the medicine, which is time-consuming and requires a lot of human intervention. In particular, attaching a weight sensor to a new medicine bottle is thought to be time-consuming when a large number of medicines are stored.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and its purpose is to provide an information processing system, information processing method, and program that can manage the weight of medicines, drugs, etc. stored in a storage facility (including medicine / drug indexes such as specified quantities) while minimizing human intervention.

[0007] Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing system according to the present disclosure is an information processing system for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines or drugs stored in a storage facility. a database that stores the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage facility; a user identification unit that identifies a user who uses the storage facility; a weight monitoring unit that monitors whether the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the door of the storage cabinet is opened and closed; Equipped with. When the weight monitoring unit finds a medicine or drug whose weight has changed, it associates the user identified by the user identification unit before the storage door was opened with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed, and stores the association in the database.

[0009] The information processing method according to the present disclosure is an information processing method for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines or drugs stored in a storage facility. storing the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage in a database; A step of identifying a user who uses the storage facility; When the door of the storage cabinet is opened or closed, monitoring whether or not the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the opening or closing; When a medicine or drug whose weight has changed is found, before the door of the storage cabinet is opened, the identified user is associated with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed, and the association is stored in the database; It includes:

[0010] The program according to the present disclosure is a program for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines or drugs stored in a storage facility. A process of storing the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage in a database; A process of identifying a user who uses the storage facility; When the door of the storage cabinet is opened or closed, a process of monitoring whether or not the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the opening or closing; When a medicine or drug whose weight has changed is found, a process of associating the identified user with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed before the door of the storage cabinet is opened and storing them in the database; The above is executed by a computer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing system, information processing method, and program that can manage the weight of medicines, drugs, etc. stored in a storage facility (including medicine / drug indexes such as specified quantities) while minimizing human intervention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a medicine registration process in the information processing system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a medicine storage unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of the medicine cabinet shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a medicine storage unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0014] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0015] As described above, the RFID of Patent Document 1 not only requires time and effort, particularly when replacing with new chemicals, but also has the following problems. That is, in Patent Document 1, an antenna needs to be installed near the chemicals in order to transmit physical quantity data of the managed object using an RFID tag. Furthermore, since a power supply to the antenna is required, there is a risk of fire or explosion when storing highly volatile chemicals or the like as managed objects. In contrast, such problems do not arise with the information processing system disclosed herein.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) An information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The information processing system according to this embodiment is a system for managing the weight of chemicals, etc. stored in a storage cabinet (hereinafter also referred to as a "chemical storage cabinet") that stores one or more types of chemicals, drugs, organic solvents, hazardous materials, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "chemicals, etc."). Specifically, the information processing system according to this embodiment is a system for managing users who use the chemical storage cabinet, and for managing the weight of chemicals, etc. that arrive (enter) in the chemical storage cabinet and are shipped (dispatched) from the chemical storage cabinet. In particular, the information processing system according to this embodiment manages the weight of chemicals, etc. in the chemical storage cabinet completely without human intervention. Note that the state of the chemicals, etc. may be liquid or powdery solid as long as their weight can be measured. Furthermore, the chemical storage cabinet is provided with multiple shelves, i.e., multiple shelf levels, but the number of shelf levels may be one.

[0017] <Configuration of information processing system> First, the configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a data registration unit 10, a user identification unit 20, a weight monitoring unit 30, and a database 40. The database 40 includes a user DB 41 and a drug DB 42.

[0018] The data registration unit 10 includes a terminal device 11 operated by the manager of the medicine storehouse. The manager of the medicine storehouse uses the terminal device 11 to input data on medicines, etc. to be newly stored in the medicine storehouse. The data registration unit 10 is configured to store the data on medicines, etc. input via the terminal device 11 in the medicine DB 42. The data on medicines, etc. includes, for example, the name of the medicine, the manufacturer, the weight (contents) when new, the designated quantity of hazardous materials, etc. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data on medicines, etc. includes the storage location of each medicine, etc. in the medicine storehouse. Note that, hereinafter, the index of the designated quantity of hazardous materials, etc. is also referred to as the medicine / drug index. The medicine / drug index is an index that indicates the total amount of medicines, types, and weights that can be stored in the corresponding medicine storehouse (storage).

[0019] The user identification unit 20 is configured to identify a user who uses the medicine storeroom. The user identification unit 20 includes an IC card reader 21 installed near the medicine storeroom. The IC card reader 21 is, for example, a contactless IC card reader, and when an IC card such as a security card of a user who is authorized to use the medicine storeroom comes close, the IC card reader 21 reads user information stored in the IC card. The IC card reader 21 outputs the read user information to a control unit 31 (described later) of the weight monitoring unit 30.

[0020] The user identification unit 20 is configured to store the user information read by the IC card reader 21, together with the time of reading (time of start of use), in the user DB 41. The user identification unit 20 receives from the user DB 41 permission / inhibition information indicating whether the user is permitted to use the medicines, etc. in the medicine storehouse, and outputs the received permission / inhibition information to the weight monitoring unit 30. In this way, the information processing system 1 manages users who use the medicines in the medicine storehouse.

[0021] Instead of the IC card reader 21, the user identification unit 20 may include, for example, an iris reader or a fingerprint authentication reader for authenticating the user by their iris or fingerprint.

[0022] The weight monitoring unit 30 is configured to monitor whether or not the weight of any of the medicines, etc. has changed before and after the door of the medicine cabinet is opened or closed. Although not shown in the figure, the medicine cabinet is provided with multiple shelves, and containers of medicines, etc. (e.g., medicine bottles) are arranged at predetermined intervals on each shelf (see FIG. 6(a) in the second embodiment described below). Note that, hereinafter, the expression "medicines, etc." may also mean containers of medicines, etc.

[0023] 1, the weight monitoring unit 30 includes a control unit 31, a medicine storage key 32, a position sensor 33, and a weight sensor 34. The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the weight monitoring unit 30. Based on the availability information received from the user identification unit 20, the control unit 31 determines whether the user is allowed to use medicines, etc. stored in the medicine storage.

[0024] The door of the medicine cabinet is provided with a proximity switch (or proximity sensor, etc.) not shown. The control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet is open or closed in response to a detection signal from this proximity switch.

[0025] Medicine cabinet key 32 is configured to be unlocked when control unit 31 determines that the user is able to use medicines, etc. Note that when control unit 31 determines that the user is unable to use medicines, etc., it may notify the user that the medicines, etc. are unavailable by a buzzer or the like, without unlocking medicine cabinet key 32. Medicine cabinet key 32 is also configured to be locked when the door of the medicine cabinet is closed.

[0026] The position sensor 33 is configured to detect the storage position of a medicine, etc., when the medicine, etc., is taken out from the medicine storage unit. The position sensor 33 may be composed of, for example, a sensor using a laser, infrared light, or ultrasonic wave. The position sensor 33 may also be composed of an optical sensor equipped with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor). The position sensor 33 may also be composed of, for example, a camera installed in the medicine storage unit. The position sensor 33 detects the storage position of the medicine, etc., taken out from the medicine storage unit based on the detection result. The position sensor 33 outputs information on the detected storage position to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 may identify the taken medicine, etc., based on information on the medicine, etc., stored in the medicine DB 42.

[0027] The weight sensors 34 are installed inside each shelf of the medicine cabinet and are configured to detect the weight of the medicines, etc. stored on the corresponding shelf. If the medicine cabinet has multiple shelves, the weight sensors 34 may be installed in the same number as the number of shelves. The weight sensors 34 are configured to detect the weights of all shelves when the medicine cabinet door is closed. Furthermore, when the position sensor 33 detects the storage position of the removed medicine, etc., the weight sensors 34 are configured to detect the weight of the shelf including the storage position. After the medicine, etc., is returned to the corresponding storage position in the medicine cabinet, for example, when the medicine cabinet door is closed, the weight sensors 34 are configured to detect the weight of the shelf including the storage position. The weight sensors 34 output the weights of the shelves detected when the medicine cabinet door is opened or closed to the control unit 31. Note that, in consideration of the swaying of liquid medicines (medicinal liquids) due to the opening and closing of the medicine cabinet door, the weight sensor 34 may detect the weight after a certain time has elapsed when detecting the opening or closing of the door.

[0028] The control unit 31 compares the weights of the shelves detected when the door of the medicine cabinet is opened and closed, received from the weight sensor 34, and determines whether the weight of any shelf has changed. If the control unit 31 determines that the weight of any shelf has changed, it is configured to identify the shelf on which the weight change occurred and calculate the weight difference. The control unit 31 is also configured to identify the medicine or the like whose weight has changed based on the detection result of the position sensor 33.

[0029] In this way, when the control unit 31 finds a medicine or the like whose weight has changed, the control unit 31 is configured to store in the medicine DB 42 of the database 40 the user identified by the user identification unit 20 before the medicine storage door was opened, in association with the type of medicine or the like whose weight has changed and the weight difference.

[0030] The user DB 41 is configured to store the affiliation and name of users who have used the medicine storage, the opening and closing times of the medicine storage door, etc. The user DB 41 also stores user information of users who have used or are authorized to use medicines, etc. in the medicine storage. The medicine DB 42 is configured to store the type and weight of each medicine, etc. stored in the medicine storage. The medicine DB 42 is also configured to store the type and weight difference of medicines, etc. whose weight has changed during the opening and closing times of the medicine storage door stored by the user DB 41. In this way, the database 40 stores user information of users who have used the medicine storage and the type and weight of medicines, etc. taken out by the users in association with each other.

[0031] The medicine DB 42 may store users authorized to use the medicine, etc., according to the type of medicine, etc. In this case, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 may unlock the medicine storage key 32 when the user identified by the user identification unit 20 is a user authorized to use the medicine, etc.

[0032] Here, the user DB 41 and the drug DB 42 of the database 40 may be provided on a server or cloud (not shown) and configured to manage the corresponding data.

[0033] <Operation of information processing system> Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the medicine registration process will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the medicine registration process in the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1. This medicine registration process is performed by the administrator of the information processing system 1 when the information processing system 1 starts operating and when new medicines or the like are stored in the medicine storehouse.

[0034] In the medicine registration process, the administrator of the information processing system 1 brings his / her IC card close to the IC card reader 21 to unlock the medicine cabinet key 32 (step S1) and open the medicine cabinet door (step S2). Then, the administrator of the information processing system 1 arranges and stores each medicine etc. in a predetermined position on each shelf (step S3). Here, when an empty medicine bottle is to be replaced with a new one, the administrator of the information processing system 1 replaces the empty medicine bottle with a new one.

[0035] After arranging the medicines, the administrator of the information processing system 1 closes the door of the medicine cabinet (step S4). In response to the closure of the medicine cabinet door, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 locks the medicine cabinet key 32 (step S5).

[0036] Then, the administrator of the information processing system 1 uses the terminal device 11 to register the type and weight of the newly stored medicine or the like in the medicine DB 42 of the database 40 (step S6), and the medicine registration process is completed.

[0037] Next, the medicine delivery process will be described. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the medicine delivery process executed by the information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1. This medicine delivery process may be executed at all times.

[0038] In the medicine delivery process, the user identification unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined security card has been touched (brought into proximity without contact) to the IC card reader 21 (step S11). Then, the process flow waits in step S11 until the security card of the predetermined user is brought into proximity to the IC card reader 21 without contact.

[0039] If it is determined in step S11 that the security card and IC card reader 21 have come into close proximity without contact, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 acquires user information from the security card (step S12).Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the user is authorized to use the medicines and the like in the medicine storage by searching for information in the user DB 41 or the like (step S13).

[0040] If it is determined that the user is not authorized to use medicines, etc., the control unit 31 issues an error alert using a buzzer or the like without unlocking the medicine storage key 32 (step S14), and terminates the medicine delivery process.

[0041] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is permitted to use medicines, etc., the control unit 31 unlocks the medicine storage key 32 (step S15) and registers information about the user and the unlocking time in the user DB 41 (step S16).

[0042] Next, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been opened by the user based on the detection signal of the proximity switch (step S17). The control unit 31 waits in step S17 until the door of the medicine cabinet is opened by the user.

[0043] When it is determined that the door of the medicine cabinet has been opened by the user, the control unit 31 acquires the weight of each shelf detected by the weight sensor 34 installed on each shelf (step S18). In this case, the control unit 31 may output the acquired weight of each shelf to the medicine DB 42. The medicine DB 42 may temporarily store the weight of each shelf in order to determine whether or not a medicine or the like has been used.

[0044] Next, the control unit 31 determines whether any medicines, etc. have been removed from the medicine cabinet based on the change in weight of each shelf detected by the weight sensor 34, i.e., whether the weight has decreased (step S19). If it is determined that no medicines, etc. have been removed from the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal of the proximity switch (step S20).

[0045] If it is determined that the medicine cabinet door has not been closed by the user, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S19 and repeats the processes of steps S19 to S20 until medicines, etc. are taken out of the medicine cabinet. If it is determined in step S20 that the medicine cabinet door has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S29 to lock the medicine cabinet and terminate this medicine dispensing process.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that any medicine, etc. has been taken out from the medicine cabinet, the position sensor 33 detects the storage position in the medicine cabinet from which the medicine, etc. has been taken out, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 acquires the medicine name of the target medicine, etc. from the medicine DB 42 based on the detection result of the position sensor 33 (step S21).

[0047] Thereafter, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the corresponding medicine, etc. has been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine cabinet in response to an increase in weight detected by the target weight sensor 34 (step S22). Although not shown in this flowchart, when the control unit 31 detects that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed after the medicine, etc. has been taken out from the medicine cabinet and before it is returned to the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 may issue an alarm using a buzzer, etc., not shown.

[0048] If it is determined that the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the weight of another shelf has increased (step S23). In a state where the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet and the weight of another shelf has not increased, the control unit 31 repeats the processes of steps S22 to S23. Furthermore, if it is determined that the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet and the weight of another shelf has increased, the control unit 31 issues an alarm using a buzzer or the like (not shown) (step S24) to notify the user that the storage position of the medicine, etc. has shifted. In this case, the control unit 31 may repeat the processes of steps S22 to S24 until the user corrects the shift in storage position.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the corresponding medicine, etc. has been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage, the control unit 31 acquires the weight of the shelf including the corresponding location detected by the target weight sensor 34 (step S25).The control unit 31 then calculates the weight difference from the weight of the corresponding shelf acquired in step S18 (step S26), and stores the calculated weight difference in the medicine DB 42 in association with the corresponding medicine, etc. and the user registered in step S16 (step S27).

[0050] Next, after the removed medicines, etc. are returned to their predetermined storage positions in the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal from the proximity switch (step S28). The control unit 31 waits in step S28 until the door of the medicine cabinet is closed by the user. Although not shown in the figure, if the control unit 31 determines that any medicines, etc. have been removed from another shelf in the medicine cabinet before determining that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed, the control unit 31 returns to step S21 and repeats the same process.

[0051] If it is determined that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 locks the medicine cabinet key 32 (step S29) and ends this medicine delivery process.

[0052] In addition, if the weight of the relevant shelf obtained in step S25 is the same as that before the medicines, etc. were removed, i.e., if the weight difference is 0, the control unit 31 may proceed to processing in step S28 without performing processing in step S27.

[0053] Furthermore, in the medicine delivery process of this embodiment, the control unit 31 determines that the medicine, etc. has been returned to the shelf due to an increase in the weight of the shelf from which the medicine, etc. was removed, and acquires the weight of the shelf detected by the weight sensor 34. However, the timing of weight acquisition is not limited to this. For example, the medicine storage lock may be locked in step S29, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the weights of all shelves may be detected by the weight sensors 34 of each shelf, and compared with the weights of each shelf acquired in step S18.

[0054] As described above, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is an information processing system that manages the weight of one or more types of medicines, etc. stored in a medicine cabinet (storage cabinet). The information processing system 1 is configured to include a database 40 (medicine DB 42) that stores the type and weight of each medicine, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet, a user identification unit 20 that identifies users (users) using the medicine cabinet, and a weight monitoring unit 30 that monitors whether the weight of any medicine, etc. has changed before and after the medicine cabinet door is opened and closed. When a medicine, etc. whose weight has changed is found, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 is configured to associate the user identified by the IC card reader 21 of the user identification unit 20 before the medicine cabinet door was opened with the type of medicine, etc. whose weight has changed, and store the weight difference in the database 40. By configuring the information processing system 1 in this manner, the weight of medicines, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet (including, if necessary, a medicine / drug index such as a specified quantity) can be managed while minimizing human intervention. Furthermore, since the weight of chemicals and the like is basically managed without human intervention, it is possible to effectively prevent data entry errors, falsification, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required by users, thereby reducing the stress users feel when using chemicals and the like.

[0055] Moreover, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to implement the following information processing method. That is, the information processing method according to this embodiment is an information processing method for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines, etc. stored in a medicine cabinet. The information processing method is configured to include the steps of: storing the type and weight of each medicine, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet in a database; identifying a user who uses the medicine cabinet; monitoring, when the medicine cabinet door is opened or closed, whether the weight of any medicine, etc. has changed before and after opening or closing; and, if a medicine or drug whose weight has changed is found, associating the user identified before the medicine cabinet door was opened with the type and weight difference of the medicine, etc. whose weight has changed in the database. By configuring the information processing method in this way, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the information processing system 1.

[0056] (Variation) Here, a modified example of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In this modified example, a case will be described in which a medicine storage cabinet is installed in a lockable room such as a medicine storage room, using the configuration of the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1. In this medicine storage room, an IC card reader (not shown) separate from the IC card reader 21 is installed near the door. A user who is permitted to enter the medicine storage room unlocks the door by touching (contactless proximity) a predetermined security card to the separate IC card reader. At this time, the information processing system 1 may acquire user information and entry time information of the user who has entered the medicine storage room, similar to the user identification unit 20. In this case, the user information and entry time information may also be stored in the user DB 41.

[0057] Meanwhile, similarly to the first embodiment, when a medicine cabinet in a medicine storage room is used, the user information acquired by the IC card reader 21 and the information on the start time of use are stored in the user DB 41.

[0058] In this modification, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30 is configured to determine whether a user who entered the medicine storage room at a predetermined entry time matches a user who started using the medicine storage room after this entry time. If it is determined that these users do not match, the control unit 31 controls the medicine storage room key 32 so that it does not unlock. This ensures the safety of the management of medicines, etc.

[0059] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 according to this modification may be configured to limit the number of users who can enter the medicine storage room. That is, when a predetermined number of users (for example, four) have entered the medicine storage room and are working by touching the separate IC card reader, the information processing system 1 may not unlock the door of the medicine storage room even if another user touches their security card to another IC card reader. This makes it possible to limit the number of people who can use the medicine storage room, thereby improving the safety of the management of medicines, etc.

[0060] (Embodiment 2) An information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. The information processing system according to this embodiment is a system that manages users who use the medicine storehouse, as well as the weight of medicines and the like that arrive at or are shipped from the medicine storehouse, similar to the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As will be described later, the information processing system according to this embodiment has at least a configuration similar to the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0061] <Medicine Storage Configuration> First, the configuration of the medicine cabinet according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the medicine cabinet according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the medicine cabinet according to this embodiment has two doors that open like a double door, and is provided with a medicine cabinet key, as in embodiment 1. Furthermore, in this example, the medicine cabinet has five shelves arranged vertically, and five containers for medicines or the like can be placed (placed) on each shelf.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5(b), the medicine storeroom is conceptually divided into 25 storage locations (sections) A to Y in a 5x5 pattern, although this is not a limitation. A weight sensor IC tag is provided inside the shelf of each storage location, as will be described later. The weight sensor IC tag can acquire the location (name) of each storage location based on the management number and the weight of the medicine or other item placed in that storage location.

[0063] Here, the usage rules of the medicine storehouse will be explained. The medicine DB described later stores necessary data to correspond to these usage rules. First, it is assumed that a predetermined medicine A is placed in each storage location of the medicine storehouse, for example, storage location A. The same type of medicine may be placed in multiple storage locations. To ensure this rule, an IC tag may be attached to a container (medicine bottle) of the medicine, etc., and the combination of this IC tag and the weight sensor IC tag of the storage location may be stored. Based on this combination, it may be confirmed that the predetermined medicine, etc. is stored. If a medicine, etc. different from the preset one, is placed in a certain storage location, an error may be notified to the administrator. Note that instead of IC tags attached to containers of the medicine, etc., devices such as acceleration sensors or beacons may be used. In this case, it is possible to determine which container of the medicine, etc. has been moved based on the detection results of the sensor.

[0064] Second, when a medicine or the like is placed in the corresponding storage location, the weight sensor IC tag measures the current weight in accordance with the change in weight and transmits a signal related to the storage location and weight information. The weight monitoring unit (described later) stores the measurement value and measurement time in the medicine DB.

[0065] Third, the weight (container weight) of a container of a medicine or the like is pre-registered in the medicine DB at each storage location, and the weight monitoring unit can monitor whether the medicine or the like at each storage location is empty based on the transmission signal of the weight sensor IC tag. For example, when a removed container of a medicine or the like is returned to the corresponding storage location, the weight monitoring unit compares the container weight stored in the medicine DB with the current weight. If the weight monitoring unit determines that a container of a medicine or the like is empty, it may notify the administrator of the information processing system of this fact.

[0066] Fourth, as described above, when a container of a medicine or the like becomes empty, the administrator of the information processing system replaces the empty container with a new container of the medicine or the like at the corresponding storage location (adds a new container). In this case, the administrator of the information processing system uses a terminal device to register the new medicine or the like in the medicine DB. In this embodiment, the weight of the medicine or the like stored in the medicine storehouse is managed based on the above rules.

[0067] <Configuration of information processing system> Next, the configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a front view of a part of the medicine storage room shown in Fig. 5. In each part of the information processing system 2, components that are the same as or similar to those in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0068] 6, information processing system 2 includes data registration unit 10, user identification unit 20, weight monitoring unit 30′, database 40, human presence sensor 50, and display unit 60. Here, weight monitoring unit 30′ differs from weight monitoring unit 30 of information processing system 1 in that it includes weight sensor IC tag 35 and UHF band IC reader 36 instead of position sensor 33 and weight sensor 34. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, weight monitoring unit 30′ according to this embodiment includes control unit 31, medicine storage key 32, weight sensor IC tag 35, and UHF band IC reader 36.

[0069] As in the information processing system 1, the user identification unit 20 receives from the user DB 41 access permission information indicating whether the user is permitted to use the medicines, etc. in the medicine cabinet, and outputs the received access permission information to the weight monitoring unit 30. The control unit 31 determines whether the user is permitted to use the medicines, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet based on the access permission information received from the user identification unit 20. The medicine cabinet key 32 is configured to be unlocked when the control unit 31 determines that the user is permitted to use the medicines, etc. Furthermore, the medicine cabinet key 32 is configured to be locked in response to the closing of the medicine cabinet door.

[0070] The weight sensor IC tags 35 include 25 weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y respectively provided inside the shelves of storage positions A to Y. Note that FIG. 7 shows as part of the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35C provided inside the shelves of storage positions A to C in the medicine cabinet. Each weight sensor IC tag 35A to 35Y is configured to identify the storage position where a medicine or the like stored in the medicine cabinet is placed and to detect the weight of the medicine or the like at that storage position. Each weight sensor IC tag 35A to 35Y is configured to emit a signal indicating a management number indicating the storage position and the detected weight.

[0071] For example, as shown in Fig. 7, medicines etc. stored in the medicine cabinet are stored in storage position A, and a weight sensor IC tag 35A is provided inside the shelf. In this way, the medicine cabinet of this example can store 25 medicines etc. A to Y, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0072] The UHF band IC reader 36 is configured to receive signals transmitted from the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y. The UHF band IC reader 36 outputs the received signals to the control unit 31.

[0073] The control unit 31 is configured to determine whether any medicine, etc. has been removed from the medicine storehouse in accordance with all signals received from the UHF band IC reader 36. When the control unit 31 determines that a certain medicine, etc. has been removed from the medicine storehouse, it is configured to calculate the difference in weight of the medicine, etc. before and after the removal.

[0074] The human presence sensor 50 is configured to detect a person in front of the medicine cabinet. When the human presence sensor 50 detects the presence of a person in front of the medicine cabinet, it outputs a signal indicating the detection to the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30′. When the human presence sensor 50 detects a person, the control unit 31 is configured to start supplying power to the weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36 of the weight monitoring unit 30′ provided in the medicine cabinet, i.e., to start the system of the weight monitoring unit 30′. Note that after the human presence sensor 50 detects a person, the control unit 31 may start supplying power to the weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36 only if the user identified by the user identification unit 20 is authorized to use the medicines, etc. in the medicine cabinet. By using the human presence sensor 50, the weight of the medicines, etc. in the medicine cabinet can be monitored while reducing the power consumption of the entire information processing system 2.

[0075] The control unit 31 acquires the signal received by the UHF band IC reader 36 when power supply to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36 begins, and controls the drug DB 42 of the database 40 to update the weight of each drug, etc. stored in the drug storehouse based on the acquired signal.

[0076] When the user opens the door of the medicine cabinet after power supply is started and medicine cabinet key 32 is unlocked, control unit 31 is configured to obtain the weight of the medicines, etc. at each storage position based on the signals received from each of weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y. Furthermore, control unit 31 is configured to obtain the weight of the medicines, etc. at each storage position based on the signals received from each of weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y when, for example, an open medicine cabinet door is closed. Control unit 31 is then configured to determine whether the weight of the medicines, etc. at each storage position has changed based on the signals received from each of weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y before and after the medicines, etc. are removed.

[0077] When it is determined that the weight of the medicine or the like at each storage position has changed, the control unit 31 is configured to calculate the weight difference of the medicine or the like and store it in the medicine DB 42 of the database 40 (update the data).

[0078] The display unit 60 is configured to display a chemical / drug index of a chemical or the like, for example, a designated quantity under the Fire Service Act or a PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register). The display unit 60 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a display counter.

[0079] The control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30' is configured to calculate drug / drug indices for all drugs, etc. stored in the drug storehouse based on the type and weight of each drug, etc. stored in the drug DB 42. The control unit 31 outputs information on the calculated drug / drug index to the display unit 60, which is configured to display the drug / drug index received from the control unit 31. By configuring the display unit 60 in this manner, the manager of the information processing system 2 can take into consideration the safety of the management of drugs, etc. Note that the display unit 60 may not only be installed in the drug storehouse, but may also be set in a room where the manager waits (management room), etc. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may transmit the display content of the display unit 60 to the terminal device 11, causing it to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 11.

[0080] <Operation of information processing system> Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a medicine storage entry process will be described. Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of a medicine storage release process executed by the information processing system 2 shown in Figure 6. This medicine storage release process may be executed at all times.

[0081] In the medicine delivery process of this example, the weight monitoring unit 30' is in a system sleep state in which power is not supplied to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36. First, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30' determines whether the human presence sensor 50 has been activated based on a detection signal from the human presence sensor 50 (step S31). The control unit 31 waits in step S31 until a detection signal is received from the human presence sensor 50.

[0082] When the control unit 31 receives the detection signal from the human sensor 50, it starts the system of the weight monitoring unit 30′ (step S32). That is, the control unit 31 starts supplying power to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36.

[0083] When the weight monitoring unit 30' system is started, the user identification unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined security card has come into contact with the IC card reader 21 (step S33).

[0084] If it is determined that the security card of the predetermined user has not been brought close to the IC card reader 21 in a non-contact manner, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S34). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process flow returns to step S33, and the control unit 31 repeats the processes of steps S33 and S34 until the predetermined security card is brought close to the IC card reader 21 in a non-contact manner or the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0085] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S34 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 31 transitions the weight monitoring unit 30' to a system sleep state (step S35) and ends the medicine delivery process, thereby reducing the power consumption of the entire information processing system 2.

[0086] If it is determined in step S33 that the security card and the IC card reader 21 are in close proximity without contact, the control unit 31 acquires user information from the security card (step S36).Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the user is permitted to use the medicines and the like in the medicine storage room by searching for information in the user DB 41 or the like (step S37).

[0087] If it is determined that the user is not authorized to use medicines, etc., the control unit 31 issues an error alert using a buzzer or the like without unlocking the medicine storage key 32 (step S38), transitions the weight monitoring unit 30' to a system sleep state (step S39), and terminates the medicine delivery process.

[0088] On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is permitted to use medicines, etc., the control unit 31 unlocks the medicine storage key 32 (step S40) and registers information about the user and the unlocking time in the user DB 41 (step S41).

[0089] Next, the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30' determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been opened by the user based on the detection signal of the proximity switch (step S42). The control unit 31 waits in step S42 until the door of the medicine cabinet is opened by the user.

[0090] When it is determined that the door of the medicine cabinet has been opened by the user, the control unit 31 acquires information on the type and weight of the medicine etc. from each of the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y via the UHF band IC reader 36 (step S43). Note that the control unit 31 may update the information stored in the medicine DB 42 based on the acquired information.

[0091] The control unit 31 determines whether any medicines or the like have been removed from the medicine cabinet based on the weight information from each of the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y (step S44). If it determines that no medicines or the like have been removed from the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal from the proximity switch (step S45).

[0092] If it is determined that the door of the medicine cabinet has not been closed by the user, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S44 and repeats the processes of steps S44 to S45 until the medicines, etc. are removed from the medicine cabinet. If it is determined in step S45 that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S54.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that any medicine, etc. has been taken out of the medicine storehouse, the control unit 31 compares the management number of the corresponding weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y with the information stored in the medicine DB 42 to obtain the medicine name of the taken out medicine, etc. (step S46). Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the weight of the corresponding weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y has changed again (step S47). This change in weight again means that the corresponding medicine, etc. has been returned to its storage location.

[0094] If it is determined that there is no further weight change, the control unit 31 determines whether the weights of the other weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y have increased (step S48). If there is no further weight change in the corresponding weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y but the weights of the other weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y have increased, this means that the removed medicine, etc. has been placed in a different storage location. Therefore, if it is determined that the weights of the other weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y have increased, the control unit 31 issues an alarm using a buzzer or the like (not shown) (step S49) to notify the user that the storage location of the medicine, etc. has shifted. In this case, the control unit 31 may repeat the processes of steps S47-S49 until the user corrects the shift in storage location.

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S47 that there has been another weight change, the control unit 31 calculates the weight difference of the relevant medicine, etc. based on the weight information from the corresponding weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y (step S50).The control unit 31 then stores the calculated weight difference in the medicine DB 42 in association with the relevant medicine, etc. and the user registered in step S41 (step S51).The control unit 31 also calculates the medicine / drug index (specified quantity, etc.) that has changed according to the weight difference, and displays the calculated medicine / drug index on the display unit 60 (step S52).

[0096] Then, after the removed medicines, etc. are returned to their predetermined storage positions in the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal from the proximity switch (step S53). The control unit 31 waits in step S53 until the door of the medicine cabinet is closed by the user. Although not shown in the figure, if the control unit 31 determines that any medicines, etc. have been removed from another storage position in the medicine cabinet before determining that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed, the control unit 31 returns to step S46 and repeats the same process.

[0097] Although not shown in the drawings, if it is detected that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed before the relevant medicine, etc. has been returned to a predetermined storage position in the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 may notify the terminal device 11 of an error. Also, although not shown in the drawings, if, in the determination of step S47, one medicine, etc. has been taken out and the weight of another weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y has changed, this means that two medicines, etc. have been taken out. In this case, the control unit 31 may compare the management number of the other weight sensor IC tag 35A-35Y with the information stored in the medicine DB 42, obtain the name of the medicine, etc. that has been separately taken out, and may also monitor this medicine, etc.

[0098] If it is determined in step S53 that the medicine cabinet door has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 locks the medicine cabinet key 32 (step S54), stops power supply to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36, and puts the weight monitoring unit 30' into a system sleep state (step S55). This causes the control unit 31 to end the medicine delivery process.

[0099] As with the medicine delivery processing in embodiment 1, the control unit 31 may lock the medicine cabinet key 32 and terminate power supply to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36 simply by determining that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user.

[0100] As described above, the information processing system 2 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the weight monitoring unit 30' includes weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y that identify storage locations where medicines, etc. stored in the medicine storehouse are placed, detect the weights of the medicines, etc. at the storage locations, and emit signals indicating the identified storage locations and the detected weights, a UHF band IC reader 36 that receives the signals emitted from each of the weight sensor IC tags 35A-35Y, and a control unit 31 that determines whether any medicines, etc. have been removed from the medicine storehouse in accordance with all signals received from the UHF band IC reader 36, and, if it is determined that a certain medicine, etc. has been removed from the medicine storehouse, calculates the difference in weight of the medicine, etc. before and after removal. By configuring the information processing system 2 in this way, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0101] Moreover, the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment may further include a human presence sensor 50 that detects a person in front of the medicine storeroom, and may be configured so that the control unit 31 starts supplying power to the weight sensor IC tags 35A to 35Y and the UHF band IC reader 36 when the human presence sensor 50 detects a person. By configuring the information processing system 2 in this way, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power consumption when operating the information processing system 2.

[0102] Moreover, the information processing system 2 according to this embodiment may further include a display unit 60 that displays a drug / medication index, and the control unit 31 may be configured to calculate a drug / medication index for all drugs, etc. stored in the drug storehouse based on the types and weights of all drugs, etc. stored in the drug storehouse, which are stored in the drug DB 42, and the display unit 60 may be configured to display the drug / medication index calculated by the control unit 31. By configuring the information processing system 2 in this way, the administrator of the information processing system 2 can take into consideration the safety of the management of drugs, etc.

[0103] (Embodiment 3) An information processing system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 13. The information processing system according to this embodiment is a system that manages users who use the medicine storehouse, as well as the weight of medicines and the like that are received in or shipped from the medicine storehouse, similar to the information processing systems 1 and 2 according to the first and second embodiments.

[0104] <Configuration of information processing system> First, the configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 3 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a medicine storage room according to the third embodiment. In each part of the information processing system 3, components that are the same as or similar to those in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing system 3 includes a data registration unit 10, a user identification unit 20, a weight monitoring unit 30", and a database 40. Here, the weight monitoring unit 30" differs from the weight monitoring unit 30 of the information processing system 1 in that it includes a drive unit 37 and a camera 38 instead of a position sensor 33. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the weight monitoring unit 30" according to this embodiment includes a control unit 31, a medicine storage key 32, a weight sensor 34, a drive unit 37, and a camera 38.

[0106] Here, the configuration of the medicine cabinet will be described in association with the weight monitoring unit 30" according to the present embodiment. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, the medicine cabinet has, although not limited to, 2 x 2 shelves. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the medicine cabinet according to the third embodiment. Two medicines or the like can be placed on each shelf, and in this example, the weight sensor 34 includes four weight sensors 341 to 344 installed inside each shelf. The weight detected by each of the weight sensors 341 to 344 is output to the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30".

[0107] Furthermore, on each shelf, a rotating plate (turntable) 39A-39H is provided above a storage position where the medicines etc. should be placed, and medicines etc. A-H set and stored in the medicine DB 42 are placed (arranged) thereon. The driving unit 37 is configured to rotate the rotating plates 39A-39H at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be when the door of the medicine storage closes, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was closed, etc.

[0108] Furthermore, as to which of the rotating plates 39A to 39H to rotate, only the minimum number of rotating plates 39A to 39H required may be rotated based on the detection result of weight sensor 34. For example, if weight sensor 341 detects a change in weight after the door of the medicine storage cabinet is opened, this means that medicine A or B has been taken out of the medicine storage cabinet, and therefore, in the medicine dispensing process described below, control unit 31 may rotate only rotating plates 39A and 39B.

[0109] Camera 38 is provided in the medicine cabinet and configured to photograph medicines, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet. Camera 38 may be installed, for example, on a side wall or inside a door of the medicine cabinet, as shown in Fig. 11. There is no limit to the number of cameras 38 that can be installed, as long as they can photograph all medicines, etc. stored in the medicine cabinet.

[0110] In this embodiment, while the door of the medicine cabinet is open by a user, the camera 38 may photograph the medicines, etc. placed inside the medicine cabinet in order to determine whether any medicines, etc. are taken out of the medicine cabinet. The photographed data of the camera 38 is output to the control unit 31 of the weight monitoring unit 30".

[0111] When the door of the medicine cabinet is opened by a user, the control unit 31 acquires the weight of each shelf detected by each of the weight sensors 341 to 344 and stores it in the medicine DB 42 of the database 40.

[0112] The control unit 31 is configured to determine whether any medicines or the like are removed from the medicine storehouse based on the photographic data of the camera 38. The control unit 31 is configured to acquire the weight of each shelf detected by the weight sensors 341 to 344, and to determine and monitor whether there is a change in the weight.

[0113] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 determines that there is a change in weight in any of the weight sensors 341 to 344, it is configured to identify which medicine or the like corresponding to the weight sensor 341 to 344 has been taken out based on the data captured by the camera 38.

[0114] Thereafter, the control unit 31 monitors the weight detected by the corresponding weight sensor 341-344 and determines whether the weight of the corresponding shelf has increased. An increase in weight of the corresponding shelf means that the removed medicine or the like has been returned to the corresponding storage position. The control unit 31 acquires the weight detected by the corresponding weight sensor 341-344, compares it with the weight stored in the medicine DB 42, and calculates the weight difference.

[0115] The control unit 31 is configured to store in the drug DB 42 of the database 40 the user identified by the user identification unit 20 before the drug storage door is opened, in association with the type and weight difference of the drug or the like whose weight has changed.

[0116] <Operation of information processing system> Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 3 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing an example of medicine delivery processing executed by the information processing system 3 shown in Figure 10. This medicine delivery processing may be executed at all times. Note that steps S61 to S67 in Figure 12 are substantially the same as steps S11 to S17 in Figure 3 described in embodiment 1, and therefore redundant description will be omitted.

[0117] In the medicine delivery process according to this embodiment, when the control unit 31 determines that the door of the medicine cabinet has been opened by the user (YES in step S67), the control unit 31 acquires the weight of each shelf from the weight sensors 341-344 and monitors changes in the weight (step S68). Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the weight of any shelf has changed based on the weight information from the weight sensors 341-344 (step S69). When the control unit 31 determines that the weight of any shelf has not changed, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal of the proximity switch (step S70).

[0118] If it is determined that the medicine cabinet door has not been closed by the user, the control unit 31 proceeds to step S69 and repeats the processes of steps S69 to S70 until medicines, etc. are taken out of the medicine cabinet. If it is determined in step S70 that the medicine cabinet door has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 locks the medicine cabinet key (step S71) and ends this medicine dispensing process.

[0119] When it is determined that the weight of any shelf has changed, the control unit 31 instructs the camera 38 to take an image of the inside of the medicine cabinet, and the camera 38 starts taking an image of the inside of the medicine cabinet (step S72). At this timing, the control unit 31 may identify the medicine or the like that has been taken out of the medicine cabinet based on the weight sensor 341-344 that has experienced a weight change and the image data of the camera 38.

[0120] In response to the increase in weight of the shelf where the weight change occurred, the control unit 31 determines whether the corresponding chemicals, etc. have been returned to the corresponding shelf in the chemical storage cabinet (step S73). Although not shown in this flowchart, when the control unit 31 detects that the door of the chemical storage cabinet has been closed after the chemicals, etc. have been removed from the chemical storage cabinet and before they are returned to the chemical storage cabinet, the control unit 31 may sound an alarm using a buzzer, etc. (not shown).

[0121] If it is determined that the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the weight of another shelf has increased (step S74). In a state where the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet and the weight of another shelf has not increased, the control unit 31 repeats the processes of steps S73 to S74. Furthermore, if it is determined that the corresponding medicine, etc. has not been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage cabinet and the weight of another shelf has increased, the control unit 31 issues an alarm using a buzzer or the like (not shown) (step S75) to notify the user that the storage position of the medicine, etc. has shifted. In this case, the control unit 31 may repeat the processes of steps S73 to S75 until the user corrects the shift in storage position.

[0122] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that the corresponding medicine, etc. has been returned to the corresponding shelf in the medicine storage unit, the control unit 31 acquires the weight of the corresponding shelf from the corresponding weight sensor 341-344 (step S76). Then, the control unit 31 calculates the weight difference between this weight and the weight of the corresponding shelf acquired in step S68 (step S77). Note that, if the control unit 31 has identified the medicine, etc. that has been removed from the medicine storage unit, it may stop photographing the inside of the medicine storage unit by the camera 38 at the timing when the weight of the corresponding shelf increases.

[0123] Next, after the removed medicines, etc. are returned to the predetermined storage positions in the medicine cabinet, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user based on the detection signal of the proximity switch (step S78). The control unit 31 waits in step S78 until the door of the medicine cabinet is closed by the user.

[0124] When it is determined that the door of the medicine cabinet has been closed by the user, the control unit 31 locks the medicine cabinet key 32 (step S79).

[0125] Then, after the door of the medicine cabinet is closed (or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was closed), the control unit 31 controls the drive unit 3 to rotate the rotating plates 39A-39H. While rotating the rotating plates 39A-39H, the control unit 31 causes the camera 38 to capture an image of the inside of the medicine cabinet (step S80). The control unit 31 identifies medicines, etc., whose weights have changed, based on the image data of the camera 38 acquired in step S72 and the image data of the camera 38 acquired in step S80 (step S81). At this time, the control unit 31 may refer to the medicine data stored in the medicine DB 42.

[0126] Then, the control unit 31 stores the weight difference between the shelves in the medicine DB 42 in association with the identified medicines etc. and the user registered in step S66 (step S82), and ends this medicine delivery process.

[0127] As described above, in the information processing system 3 according to this embodiment, the weight monitoring unit 30" is configured to include weight sensors 341-344 that detect the weight of each of the plurality of shelves, a drive unit 37 that rotates, at a predetermined timing, rotating plates 39A-39H on which medicines, etc. are placed, a camera 38 that photographs the medicines, etc. stored in the medicine storehouse, and a control unit 31 that monitors the weight of each shelf detected by the weight sensors 341-344, and, if there is a change in weight, identifies the type of medicine, etc. taken out of the medicine storehouse based on the data photographed by the camera 38, and calculates the weight difference of the medicine, etc. according to the change in weight. By configuring the information processing system 3 in this way, it is possible to achieve effects similar to those of the information processing system 1 of embodiment 1.

[0128] Some or all of the processes in the information processing systems 1 to 3 described above can be implemented as computer programs that can be installed in the information processing systems 1 to 3. Such programs can be stored on various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and provided to a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The programs may also be provided to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can provide the programs to a computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0129] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1, 2, 3 Information Processing System 10 Data Registration Section 11 Terminal equipment 20 User identification section 21 IC card reader 30 Weight Monitoring Department 31 Control Unit 32 Medicine Cabinet Key 33 Position Sensor 34, 341~344 Weight sensor 35, 35A~35Y Weight sensor IC tag 36 UHF band IC reader 37 Drive unit 38 Camera 40 databases 41 User DB 42 Drug DB

Claims

1. An information processing system for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in a storage facility, a database that stores the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage facility; a user identification unit that identifies a user who uses the storage facility; a weight monitoring unit that monitors whether or not the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the door of the storage cabinet is opened and closed; Equipped with When the weight monitoring unit finds a medicine or drug whose weight has changed, the weight monitoring unit associates the user identified by the user identification unit before the door of the storage cabinet was opened with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed, and stores the association in the database. Information processing system.

2. The weight monitoring unit a position sensor that detects the storage position of the medicine or drug taken out from the storage cabinet; a weight sensor that detects the weight of the medicine / drug at the storage position detected by the position sensor; a control unit that identifies the type of medicine or drug taken out from the storage cabinet based on the storage position detected by the position sensor and calculates the weight difference of the medicine or drug before and after the taking out; Including, The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The weight monitoring unit one or more weight sensor IC tags that identify storage locations where the one or more types of medicines / drugs stored in the storage cabinet are placed, detect the weight of the one or more types of medicines / drugs at each of the storage locations, and emit signals indicating the identified storage locations and the detected weights; a UHF band IC reader for receiving signals transmitted from each of the one or more weight sensor IC tags; a control unit that determines whether any medicine or drug has been taken out of the storage cabinet in response to the signal received by the UHF band IC reader, and calculates the weight difference of the medicine or drug before and after the taking out; Including, The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. Further provided is a human presence sensor that detects a person in front of the storage facility, the control unit starts supplying power to the one or more weight sensor IC tags when the human presence sensor detects a human. The information processing system according to claim 3 .

5. the control unit controls the database to update the weight of each of the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage facility based on a signal received by the UHF band IC reader at the start of power supply to the one or more weight sensor IC tags. The information processing system according to claim 4 .

6. The storage cabinet has a plurality of shelves, Each of the plurality of shelves is provided with one or more rotating plates for placing the one or more types of medicines or drugs thereon, The weight monitoring unit a weight sensor that detects the weight of each of the plurality of shelves; a drive unit that rotates the one or more rotary plates at a predetermined timing; a camera for photographing the one or more types of medicines and drugs stored in the storage facility; a control unit that monitors the weight of each of the plurality of shelves detected by the weight sensor, and when there is a change in the weight, identifies the type of medicine or drug taken out of the storage cabinet based on the data photographed by the camera, and calculates the weight difference of the medicine or drug according to the change in weight; Including, The information processing system according to claim 1 .

7. Further provided with a display unit that displays a medicine / drug index, the weight monitoring unit calculates drug / drug indexes for all of the one or more types of drugs / medicines stored in the storage facility based on the type and weight of each of the one or more types of drugs / medicines stored in the database; the display unit displays the medicine / drug index calculated by the weight monitoring unit. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. The door of the storage facility is provided with a lock, The database stores users who are authorized to use the one or more types of medicines and drugs, the weight monitoring unit unlocks the lock on the storage unit if the user identified by the user identification unit is the authorized user; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

9. An information processing method for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines or drugs stored in a storage facility, comprising: storing the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines / drugs stored in the storage in a database; A step of identifying a user who uses the storage facility; a step of monitoring whether or not the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the door of the storage cabinet is opened and closed; When a medicine or drug whose weight has changed is found, before the door of the storage cabinet is opened, the identified user is associated with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed, and the association is stored in the database; An information processing method, including:

10. A program for managing the weight of one or more types of medicines or drugs stored in a storage facility, a process of storing the type and weight of each of the one or more types of medicines / drugs stored in the storage in a database; A process of identifying a user who uses the storage facility; a process of monitoring whether or not the weight of any medicine or drug has changed before and after the door of the storage cabinet is opened and closed; When a medicine or drug whose weight has changed is found, a process of associating the identified user with the type and weight difference of the medicine or drug whose weight has changed and storing them in the database before the door of the storage cabinet is opened; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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