Device

Abstract

This helps to suppress the increase in size of the device used to transport the drug container. [Solution] In the drug retrieval support device (1), the order in which the drug storage units (100) are transported to the retrieval position (30) is set. Multiple such orders are set for the first drug storage unit, which is one of the drug storage units (100). Any order is designated as the first order, the order in which the drug storage units are transported to the retrieval position (30) after the first order is designated as the second order, and a drug storage unit different from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit. In this case, the position of the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is completed, which is transported to the retrieval position (30) in the first order, is controlled according to the number of second drug storage units transported to the retrieval position (30) between the first order and the second order.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a conveyance control device and a drug extraction support device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a drug dispensing device for dispensing drugs or a drug extraction support device for assisting in the extraction of drugs has been developed. In such a device, it is desirable to shorten the time required to dispense (extract) drugs.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug dispensing device provided with a storage position for storing a drug storage unit that stores drugs, a delivery position where drugs are taken out from the drug storage unit, and a standby position for waiting for the drug storage unit to move from the storage position to the delivery position. When the drugs stored in the drug storage unit transported to the delivery position are not used in the next dispensing, this drug dispensing device returns the drug storage unit containing the drugs from the standby position to the storage position. When the drugs stored in the drug storage unit transported to the delivery position are used in the next dispensing, the drug storage unit containing the drugs is made to wait at the standby position until the next dispensing. Thereby, the time required for drug dispensing is shortened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the drug dispensing device described in Patent Document 1, if the drug stored in the drug storage unit is to be used in the next dispensing, the drug storage unit containing that drug is kept in a standby position until the next dispensing. If X types of drugs from the prescription data for the current dispensing are included in the prescription data for the next dispensing, then X standby positions are required. Therefore, in order to accommodate diverse dispensing needs, it becomes necessary to secure a sufficient number of standby positions, which raises concerns that the drug dispensing device will become larger.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to suppress the increase in size of a device that transports a drug container (for example, a drug dispensing device). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a transport control device according to one aspect of the present invention has a set sequence in which a plurality of drug storage units that contain drugs are transported to an extraction position from which the drugs are extracted. A first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, has multiple sequences set. Any sequence among the multiple sequences is designated as the first sequence, the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the extraction position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit different from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit. The device controls the position of the first drug storage unit after the drug extraction is completed, in accordance with the number of second drug storage units transported to the extraction position between the first sequence and the second sequence.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a transport control device has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to drug retrieval work requests to retrieve drugs from each drug storage unit, and a sequence is set for one first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval work requests, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a drug retrieval work in a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit is controlled according to the number of drug storage units for which a sequence is set between that sequence and the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a transport control device is configured such that each of a plurality of drug storage units for storing drugs is transported to a standby position where the drug storage unit is temporarily held before being transported to a retrieval position where the drug is retrieved, and a plurality of such sequences are configured for a first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, and any sequence among the plurality of such sequences is designated as the first sequence, the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the standby position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit different from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit, the device controls the position of the first drug storage unit after it has been transported to the standby position in the first sequence and then to the retrieval position, based on (i) the second sequence and (ii) the last sequence among the sequences corresponding to the transport set for the second drug storage unit that was transported to the standby position.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a transport control device has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to a drug retrieval operation request for retrieving a drug from each drug storage unit, the drug retrieval operation includes transporting the drug storage unit to a standby position before drug retrieval, and for a single first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval operation requests, a sequence is set for each, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a drug retrieval operation in a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit is controlled according to the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit and the sequence in which transport to the standby position occurred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device that transports the drug container (for example, a drug dispensing device). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a drug dispensing support device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the above-mentioned drug dispensing support device. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the transport control of the drug storage unit, taking into account the division of dispensing steps. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the transport control of the drug storage unit by a transport control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of processing by the transport control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a drug dispensing support device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the above-mentioned drug dispensing support device. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of processing by the transport control device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the operation example 1 in chronological order. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the second example of operation in chronological order. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a drug dispensing support device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of processing by the transport control device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of the drug dispensing support device 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a drug extraction support device 1. The drug extraction support device 1 is a device that enables the extraction of drugs stored at a storage position 10 from an extraction position 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the drug extraction support device 1 has, for example, a storage position 10, a standby position 20, an extraction position 30, and a transport device 40. The drug extraction support device 1 enables the extraction of drugs from the extraction position 30 by transporting the drugs stored at the storage position 10 to the extraction position 30 according to a drug extraction operation request. The drug extraction operation request is, for example, an operation request to the drug extraction support device 1 (control unit 51 described later) based on prescription information described in a prescription delivered by a doctor to a patient or an input operation by a user. Specifically, the drug extraction operation request is a transport request for each drug storage unit 100 for extracting drugs at the extraction position 30 based on the order of drugs (order of receipt of prescriptions) in the prescription data. The prescription information includes, for example, drug information including drug name, dosage, usage method, and dosage. The prescription information is transmitted as prescription data from a higher-level system (not shown) of the drug extraction support device 1.

[0014] A plurality of types of drugs corresponding to a doctor's prescription may be grouped. Dispensing (extraction from the drug extraction support device 1) of the plurality of drugs can be performed in prescription units. Therefore, the group formed by the plurality of drugs may be composed of the drugs included in one prescription. Alternatively, the group formed by the plurality of drugs may be a unit obtained by subdividing one prescription. A group (drug group) containing at least one drug classified according to a prescription is referred to as a dispensing unit, and the boundary between each group is referred to as the boundary of dispensing.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the above-described drugs and the like are stored in a drug storage unit 100 that can store at least one type of drug. The drug storage unit 100 may store a plurality of types of drugs, or may store a number of drugs greater than the number of drugs dispensed in one prescription. In the present embodiment, the drug storage unit 100 is described as being a cassette.

[0016] The storage position 10 is a place for storing at least one drug storage unit 100. At the storage position 10, drugs such as tablets, pills, capsules, external medications such as ointments or eye drops, powders, or aqueous solutions, drug sheets (e.g., PTP ((Press Through Package))), sub-packaged products obtained by sub-packaging drugs, or ampoules or vials may be stored. Alternatively, at the storage position 10, drugs dispensed from a device different from the drug extraction assistance device 1 may be stored.

[0017] The standby position 20 is provided between the storage position 10 and the extraction position 30. The standby position 20 is a place for temporarily waiting for the drug storage unit 100 (the drug storage unit 100 before being transported to the extraction position 30) that is transported from the storage position 10 and delivered to the extraction position 30. Also, the standby position 20 is a place for temporarily waiting for the drug storage unit 100 that is transported from the extraction position 30 and returned to the storage position 10.

[0018] The standby position 20 may have a plurality of placement parts 21 on which the drug storage unit 100 can be placed. Thereby, it becomes possible to wait for a plurality of drug storage units 100 at the standby position 20. However, it is sufficient if at least one placement part 21 is provided at the standby position 20. Also, the number of the placement parts 21 may be referred to as the number of waiting possibilities, which is the number of drug storage units 100 that can wait at the standby position 20.

[0019] The standby position 20 may separately have at least one first placement part for temporarily waiting for the drug storage unit 100 transported from the storage position 10 and at least one second placement part for temporarily waiting for the drug storage unit 100 transported from the extraction position 30. However, the standby position 20 may not have the first placement part and the second placement part, and the drug storage unit 100 transported from the extraction position 30 may be transported to the original placement part 21 on which the drug storage unit 100 was placed.

[0020] The retrieval position 30 is the location where the drug stored in the drug storage section 100 is retrieved from the drug storage section 100. The retrieval of the drug at the retrieval position 30 is performed by the user of the drug retrieval support device 1. The user may be an unqualified person who does not possess the qualifications of a pharmacist, nurse, or doctor, or a qualified person who does possess such qualifications. However, the drug retrieval support device 1 may be equipped with a drug retrieval device that retrieves the drug from the drug storage section 100 at the retrieval position 30.

[0021] In this embodiment, the retrieval position 30 is provided with an opening for retrieving the drug from the drug storage unit 100, and a sliding shutter 31 that opens and closes the opening by opening and closing in the vertical direction of the paper. The shutter 31 is normally in a closed state and opens when the drug storage unit 100 is transported to that position. A close button (not shown) may be provided at the retrieval position 30. In this case, the shutter 31 may close when the close button is pressed.

[0022] The drug retrieval support device 1 may have multiple retrieval positions 30. For example, the drug retrieval support device 1 may have a retrieval position 30 where the drug indicated in the prescription data is transported, and a retrieval position 30 that enables the retrieval of the drug based on input operations by the user. Also, for example, if the drug retrieval support device 1 receives multiple prescription data sets that are different from each other (for example, if prescription data is received for each patient), it may assign a retrieval position 30 to each prescription data set.

[0023] Although the drug dispensing support device 1 is described as a device that enables the dispensing of drugs at the dispensing position 30, it may also function as a device that enables the filling of drugs into the drug storage section 100 at the dispensing position 30. In this case, the filling of drugs may be performed by the user, or it may be performed by a drug filling device that fills the drug storage section 100 with drugs at the dispensing position 30. The same applies to other embodiments.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the transport device 40 includes a first transport device 41 and a second transport device 42. The first transport device 41 is a device that transports the drug container 100 between the storage position 10 and the standby position 20. The second transport device 42 is a device that transports the drug container 100 between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30. However, the transport of the drug container 100 between the storage position 10 and the standby position 20, and between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30, may be performed by a single transport device.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first transport device 41 transports the drug storage unit 100 within the storage position 10 (removing the drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 and storing the drug storage unit 100 in the storage position 10), but this is not limited to this. A device other than the first transport device 41 may perform the transport.

[0026] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the drug retrieval support device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the drug retrieval support device 1 may further include a transport control device 50 and a touch panel 60. The transport control device 50 is a device that controls the transport of drugs stored in the storage position 10 by controlling the transport device 40. In this embodiment, the transport control device 50 controls the first transport device 41 and the second transport device 42. The touch panel 60 functions as a display device that displays various information and as an input device that accepts input operations from the user.

[0027] <Configuration of the transport control device 50> The transport control device 50 includes, for example, a control unit 51 and a storage unit 55. The storage unit 55 stores, for example, data that associates the drug storage unit 100 with the type of drug stored in the drug storage unit 100, and data indicating the storage location of each drug storage unit 100.

[0028] The control unit 51 includes, for example, an extraction order management unit 511, a calculation unit 512, a quantity determination unit 513, a transport control unit 514, a shutter control unit 515, an input / output control unit 516, and a transport order management unit 517.

[0029] The retrieval order management unit 511 manages the retrieval order of multiple types of medications to be retrieved from the retrieval position 30, based on the received prescription data or input operations by the user. For example, the retrieval order management unit 511 may determine the order in which the medications are listed in the prescription data (the order in which the prescription is received) as the order in which the medications are retrieved. Alternatively, for example, if the input / output control unit 516 receives an instruction to change the retrieval order, the retrieval order management unit 511 may change the retrieval order of the medications according to the instruction to change. Alternatively, for example, if the retrieval order management unit 511 receives an instruction to retrieve medications (an interruption instruction) from the user while the medication storage unit 100 is being transported, it may update the table that manages the retrieval order.

[0030] The transport order management unit 517 may determine the transport order of the drug storage units 100 according to the retrieval order determined by the retrieval order management unit 511, and set the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported from the storage position 10 to the retrieval position 30.

[0031] Table 1 below shows an example of the retrieval order determined by the retrieval order management unit 511, the drug name, the ID of the cassette (drug storage unit 100) containing each drug, and the order in which each cassette is transported to the retrieval position 30. Each drug and cassette ID are pre-associated, and by setting an order for the associated drug and cassette ID, a table for managing the retrieval order, as shown in Table 1, is created. For example, in the case shown in Table 1, drug a1 in retrieval order 1 is contained in cassette A (first drug storage unit). Cassette A is transported to the retrieval position 30 in order 1 and order 3. Cassette A has order 1 and order 3 set as the order in which it is transported to the retrieval position 30.

[0032] [Table 1] The drug storage section 100 can accommodate two or more types of drugs by providing a partition. Table 2 shows another example of the retrieval order, drug name, cassette ID, and the order in which the drugs are transported to the retrieval position 30, similar to Table 1. In Table 2 below, drug a1 in retrieval order 1 and drug a2 in retrieval order 2 are both drugs stored in cassette A. In this case, cassette A is set to have order 1, order 2, and order 4 as the order in which the drugs are transported to the retrieval position 30.

[0033] [Table 2] The transport order management unit 517 transmits a transport instruction to the transport control unit 514 to transport the drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the retrieval position 30, based on the order set for each cassette. The transport control unit 514 controls the transport device 40 to transport the drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the retrieval position 30 in the transport order specified in the transport instruction.

[0034] The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units based on the order set for the first drug storage unit. The second drug storage unit is at least one drug storage unit 100, separate from any first drug storage unit. The first drug storage unit is a drug storage unit 100 for which multiple orders are set in the transport order, and is a drug storage unit 100 that is to be transported to the retrieval position 30 two or more times. Any order among the multiple orders set for the first drug storage unit is designated as the first order, and the order in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the retrieval position 30 after the first order is designated as the second order. The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units that are transported to the retrieval position 30 between the first order and the second order.

[0035] The calculation unit 512 may calculate the "number of second drug storage units" as the "total number" of second drug storage units transported to the retrieval position 30 between the first and second sequences. Alternatively, the calculation unit 512 may calculate the "number of second drug storage units" as the number of cassette IDs transported to the retrieval position 30 between the first and second sequences. For example, if cassettes are transported to the retrieval position 30 in the order of cassette B - cassette C - cassette B (both B and C are second drug storage units), the calculation unit 512 may calculate the "number of second drug storage units" as 3 or as 2.

[0036] For example, in the example in Table 1 above, of the multiple "orders to be transported to the retrieval position" set for cassette A as the first drug storage unit, the first order is 1 and the second order is 3. Since the number of second drug storage units transported to the retrieval position 30 between the first order and the second order is one cassette B, the calculation unit 512 calculates this number as 1.

[0037] For example, the calculation unit 512 may calculate the number of second drug storage units based on the above-mentioned order at the time when the drug is removed from the first drug storage unit at the removal position 30. The time when the removal is completed may be, for example, when the close button is pressed and the shutter 31 is in the closed state. Alternatively, the calculation unit 512 may calculate the number of second drug storage units based on the transport order at the time when the first drug storage unit is transported from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20. Furthermore, if the drug removal order is predetermined (i.e., the transport order is predetermined), the calculation unit 512 may calculate the number of second drug storage units before the transport control of the first drug storage unit 100 to the removal position 30.

[0038] The quantity determination unit 513 determines whether the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512 is one or more. If the number of second drug storage units is one or more, the quantity determination unit 513 determines whether that number is within a specified number. The specified number may be determined by considering, for example, the number of standby units (number of mounting units 21). The specified number may be, for example, 1.

[0039] The transport control unit 514 transports the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the standby position 20, and between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30 by controlling the transport device 40. In this embodiment, the transport control unit 514 controls the position of the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is complete, according to the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512.

[0040] Here, let's consider a case where the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 (drug storage unit after drug extraction is complete), which has been transported to the extraction position 30 and returned to the standby position 20, takes into account the division of dispensing (division division). Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 that takes dispensing divisions into consideration. In example 1001 of Figure 3, there is one dispensing division in the prescription data, and the prescription data contains two dispensing units (prescription units) U1 and U2. In example 1002 of Figure 3, there are two dispensing divisions in the prescription data, and the prescription data contains three dispensing units U1 to U3. Also, the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3 indicates the order in which the drugs are extracted. Furthermore, in Figure 3, it is assumed that one type of drug is stored in the drug storage unit 100.

[0041] For example, as in the drug dispensing device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as the conventional drug dispensing device), if the drug contained in the drug storage unit 100 that is transported to the retrieval position 30 is included in the next dispensing, the control is performed to keep the drug storage unit 100 in standby position 20. Performing such control requires securing a number of placement units 21 corresponding to the number of types of drugs included in the dispensing. Therefore, performing such control would result in a larger device.

[0042] In Figure 3, 1001, dispensing unit U2 corresponds to the next dispensing for dispensing unit U1. In Figure 3, 1001, dispensing units U1 and U2 contain common drugs A through D. With conventional drug dispensing device control, it is necessary to prepare at least as many mounting units 21 as there are types of drugs common to dispensing units U1 and U2. Therefore, the more types of drugs common to dispensing units U1 and U2, the more mounting units 21 need to be prepared.

[0043] Furthermore, if the number of types of medications included in the next dispensing is small, the conventional medication dispensing device may return the medication storage unit 100 to the storage position 10, even if the medication storage unit 100 contains medications that are close in the order of retrieval. In this case, the conventional medication dispensing device will transport the medication storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the retrieval position 30 in order to retrieve the next medication from the medication storage unit 100 after the retrieval of the medication from the medication storage unit 100 is complete. Therefore, the efficiency of transport is reduced compared to transporting the medication storage unit 100 from the standby position 20 to the retrieval position 30.

[0044] In Figure 3, at 1002, dispensing unit U2 corresponds to the next dispensing for dispensing unit U1. Similarly, dispensing unit U3 corresponds to the next dispensing for dispensing unit U2. In Figure 3, at 1002, dispensing unit U1 contains drug A, dispensing unit U2 contains drug B, and dispensing unit U3 contains drug A. Therefore, drug A in dispensing unit U3 is dispensed again two units after drug A in dispensing unit U1. Nevertheless, in conventional drug dispensing devices, because there is a dispensing divider between dispensing units U1 and U2, after the dispensing of drug A from dispensing unit U1 is complete, the drug storage unit 100 containing drug A is returned from the dispensing position 30 to the storage position 10.

[0045] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the transport control unit 514 does not take into account the division of dispensing, and as described above, controls the position of the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is complete, according to the number of second drug storage units that are transported to the extraction position 30 between the first and second sequences set in the first drug storage unit.

[0046] Specifically, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 1 or more and within a specified number, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, from the extraction position 30 to the standby position 20 and places it in standby position 20.

[0047] With the above configuration, the transport control unit 514 can place the drug storage unit 100 containing drugs that are scheduled to be removed soon at a standby position 20 close to the removal position 30. Furthermore, by determining a predetermined number based on the existing device configuration, the transport control unit 514 can efficiently transport the drug storage unit 100 while maintaining the existing device configuration. Therefore, the transport control device 50 of this embodiment can reduce the possibility of the above-mentioned problems occurring when transport control is performed considering the division of dispensing.

[0048] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 by the transport control device 50. In Figure 4, the specified number is set to 1, and the arrows indicate the order in which the drugs are removed. Also, in Figure 4, it is assumed that one type of drug is stored in the drug storage unit 100.

[0049] In Figure 4, Pattern 1 shows the case where drug A is dispensed consecutively. Pattern 2 shows the case where drug A is dispensed twice, with drug B in between (the order of the two A drugs is two positions apart). Pattern 2 is the same as prescription data 1002 in Figure 3. Pattern 3 shows the case where drug A is dispensed twice, with drug B and drug C in between (the order of the two A drugs is three positions apart). Pattern 4 shows the case where drug A is dispensed twice, with drug B through drug I in between (the order of the two A drugs is nine positions apart). Pattern 4 is the same as prescription data 1001 in Figure 3.

[0050] For example, in Pattern 2 of Figure 4, the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 1 or more and within a specified number. Therefore, unlike conventional drug dispensing devices, the transport control unit 514 does not return the drug storage unit 100 containing drug A, which is scheduled for the next dispensing, to the storage position 10, but instead keeps it on standby at the standby position 20. Thus, the possibility of a decrease in the transport efficiency of the drug storage unit 100, which can occur in conventional drug dispensing devices, can be reduced.

[0051] Furthermore, if the transport control unit 514 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit exceeds a specified number, it transports the first drug storage unit, after drug removal is complete, to the storage position 10 without having it wait at the standby position 20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the transport control unit 514 does not temporarily place the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, at the standby position 20 for further transport to the extraction position 30, but instead transports it from the extraction position 30 to the storage position 10 via the standby position 20. For example, if the specified number is set to 1, the transport control unit 514 determines that the number of second drug storage units is 2 or more, and transports the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, to the storage position 10 without placing it at the standby position 20.

[0053] According to the above configuration, the transport control unit 514 can place the first drug storage unit in standby position 20 after drug extraction is complete, but only if the number of second drug storage units is within a specified number. In other words, if there are no plans to extract any more drugs from the drug storage unit 100 after drug extraction is complete, or if there are plans to extract more drugs but the timing is not imminent, the drug storage unit 100 can be returned to storage position 10 instead of being placed in standby position 20. Therefore, the standby position 20 can be used effectively.

[0054] For example, in patterns 3 and 4 of Figure 4, the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 2 or more. Therefore, unlike conventional drug dispensing devices, the transport control unit 514 does not leave the drug storage unit 100 containing drug A, which is not scheduled for immediate retrieval, in standby position 20, but returns it to storage position 10. Consequently, the transport control device 50 makes effective use of the standby position 20 as described above, thus reducing the possibility of the drug retrieval support device 1 becoming larger, which can occur in conventional drug dispensing devices.

[0055] Furthermore, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 0, the transport control unit 514 will have the first drug storage unit, after drug removal is complete, wait at the removal position 30.

[0056] When the number of items in the second drug storage section is 0, it indicates that the first and second sequences set in the first drug storage section are consecutive. For example, as shown in Pattern 1 of Figure 4, it indicates that identical drugs that are consecutive in the retrieval order are stored in the first drug storage section. Also, even if the retrieval order of drugs A and B is ABA, if drugs A and B are stored in the first drug storage section, the number of items in the second drug storage section is 0.

[0057] With the above configuration, the transport control unit 514 can prevent the drug storage unit 100, which contains drugs to be dispensed in succession, from being transported after the first drug has been dispensed, and instead keep it waiting at the dispensing position 30 for the dispensing of the second drug. Therefore, the transport control device 50 enables more efficient transport control of the drug storage unit 100. In contrast, conventional drug dispensing devices are inefficient because, even when drugs are dispensed in succession, they are returned to the waiting position.

[0058] Furthermore, consider the case where, while the transport control unit 514 is transporting the drug storage unit 100 from the retrieval position 30 to the storage position 10, it receives a transport instruction from the retrieval order management unit 511 to transport the drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20.

[0059] The extraction order management unit 511 transmits the above transport instruction to the transport control unit 514 if, despite there being no prior scheduled extraction of the next drug from the drug storage unit 100 after the completion of drug extraction, a change in the extraction order necessitates the immediate extraction of a drug from the drug storage unit 100. The same applies if, despite there being no immediate scheduled extraction of the next drug from the drug storage unit 100 after the completion of drug extraction, a change in the extraction order necessitates the immediate extraction of a drug from the drug storage unit 100.

[0060] For example, if the drug storage unit 100 is being transported from the standby position 20 to the storage position 10 when the retrieval order management unit 511 receives a retrieval order change instruction or an interruption instruction, it transmits the transport instruction to the transport control unit 514. Also, for example, if the drug storage unit 100 is being transported from the retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20 at that time, the retrieval order management unit 511 transmits the transport instruction to the transport control unit 514.

[0061] When the transport control unit 514 receives the transport instruction, it transports the drug storage unit 100, which was being transported from the standby position 20 to the storage position 10, back to the standby position 20 without passing through the storage position 10. Also, when the transport control unit 514 receives the transport instruction, it transports the drug storage unit 100, which was being transported from the retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20, to the standby position 20 and then leaves it there in standby position 20.

[0062] In this manner, when the transport control unit 514 receives the transport instruction, it switches the drug storage unit 100, which was being transported, from being a target for transport to the storage position 10 to a target for waiting at the standby position 20. With this configuration, if a drug is to be taken out of the drug storage unit 100 that was scheduled to be returned to the storage position 10 due to a change in the retrieval order, the transport control unit 514 can have the drug storage unit 100 wait at the standby position 20 instead of returning it to the storage position 10. Therefore, the transport time can be shortened compared to when the drug storage unit 100 is returned to the storage position 10 before being transported to the standby position 20, thus enabling more efficient transport control of the drug storage unit 100.

[0063] Furthermore, the transport control unit 514 may transport the drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20 if there is available space in the standby position 20. For example, by providing sensors on each mounting position 21, the transport control unit 514 can determine whether a drug storage unit 100 is located in each mounting position 21. However, the transport control unit 514 may determine that there is no space available in the standby position 20 for the drug storage unit 100 during the time it travels from the standby position 20, via the retrieval position 30, back to the standby position 20.

[0064] The shutter control unit 515 controls the shutter 31. For example, when the drug storage unit 100 is transported to a position opposite the shutter 31 at the retrieval position 30, the shutter control unit 515 opens the shutter 31. When the shutter control unit 515 receives input to the close button described above, it closes the shutter 31. The close button may be displayed on the touch panel 60 instead of being located at the retrieval position 30. After the shutter 31 is closed, the transport control unit 514 transports the drug storage unit 100 from the retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20.

[0065] The input / output control unit 516 accepts input operations to the touch panel 60 and controls the output to the touch panel 60.

[0066] <Processing by the transport control device 50> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the transport control device 50. In Figure 5, the control unit 51 determines the transport destination of the drug storage unit 100 (first drug storage unit) located at the extraction position 30 at a certain point in time, and shows an example of the process of transporting the drug storage unit 100 to that destination.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, when the first drug storage unit is in the removal position 30, the transport order management unit 517 determines whether the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete (S1). The removal order management unit 511 may determine that the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete, for example, when the shutter 31 is closed.

[0068] If the transport order management unit 517 determines that the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete (YES in S1), it determines whether the first drug storage unit is to be transported again to the removal position 30 based on the drug removal order determined by the removal order management unit 511 (S2). If the transport order management unit 517 determines that the first drug storage unit is to be transported again to the removal position 30 (YES in S2), the calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units (S3). The quantity determination unit 513 determines whether the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512 is 0 (S4).

[0069] If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the quantity in the second drug storage unit is 0 (YES in S4), then drugs will be continuously removed from the first drug storage unit in the drug removal sequence. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 keeps the first drug storage unit waiting at the removal position 30 (S5). The shutter control unit 515 reopens the shutter 31, which had been closed, to enable further drug removal from the first drug storage unit.

[0070] If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units is not zero (it is one or more) (NO in S4), it determines whether the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512 is within the specified number (S6). If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units is within the specified number (YES in S6), it means that the time between when a drug is taken out of the first drug storage unit at the retrieval position 30 and when a drug is taken out of the first drug storage unit again is short. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit to the standby position 20 without returning it to the storage position 10, and has it wait at the standby position 20 until the next transport to the retrieval position 30 (S7).

[0071] If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit exceeds the specified number (NO in S5), then no more drugs will be taken out from the first drug storage unit in the immediate drug retrieval sequence. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit from the retrieval position 30 to the storage position 10 (S8).

[0072] In S1, the transport sequence management unit 517 waits until the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete (if NO in S1). Also, if the transport sequence management unit 517 determines that the first drug storage unit will not be transported again to the removal position 30 (NO in S2), there will be no further removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit in the drug removal sequence. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit from the removal position 30 to the storage position 10 (S8).

[0073] In Figure 5, the control unit 51 was described as performing the processing from S2 onwards when the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete. However, as described above, the control unit 51 may also perform the processing from S2 onwards, for example, when the first drug storage unit is transported from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20, or before the transport control of the first drug storage unit 100 to the removal position 30.

[0074] <Variation 1-1> The transport control device 50 does not necessarily have to include a retrieval order management unit 511. In this case, the transport order management unit 517 may set the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported to the retrieval position 30 in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit 100.

[0075] The first drug storage unit is a drug storage unit 100 that has received two or more drug retrieval requests. "Having received two or more drug retrieval requests" means that it has been set as a transport target two or more times. When two or more drug retrieval requests are made for a single drug storage unit 100, the first drug storage unit has a sequence set to correspond to each of these two or more drug retrieval requests. Therefore, the first drug storage unit has multiple sequences set.

[0076] The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of drug storage units 100 that have a set sequence between a certain sequence set in the first drug storage unit and the next sequence set in the first drug storage unit. The certain sequence corresponds to the first sequence in Embodiment 1 above, and the next sequence corresponds to the second sequence in Embodiment 1 above.

[0077] <Variation 1-2> The control unit 51 does not necessarily have to include a calculation unit 512. In this case, the quantity determination unit 513 determines whether the number of second drug storage units is one or more based on a table that manages the extraction order. Furthermore, if the number of second drug storage units is one or more, the quantity determination unit 513 determines whether the number of second drug storage units is within a specified number based on a table that manages the extraction order.

[0078] <Variation 1-3> If it is not necessary to keep the drug storage unit 100 waiting at the standby position 20, the transport control unit 514 may transport the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the retrieval position 30. In this case, the transport device 40 is equipped with a third transport device that transports the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the retrieval position 30, and the transport control unit 514 only needs to control the third transport device. For example, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units exceeds a specified number, the transport control unit 514 may use the third transport device to transport the first drug storage unit directly from the retrieval position 30 to the storage position 10.

[0079] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[0080] Embodiment 1 describes a transport control device 50 that can efficiently transport the drug storage unit 100 while maintaining the existing device configuration by controlling the transport of the drug storage unit 100 without considering the dispensing unit, and a drug retrieval support device 1 controlled by the transport control device 50. Embodiment 2 describes a transport control device 50A that can efficiently transport the drug storage unit 100 while maintaining the existing device configuration even when the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 is performed considering the dispensing unit, and a drug retrieval support device 1A controlled by the transport control device 50A.

[0081] <Configuration of drug dispensing support device 1A> Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the drug extraction support device 1A. The drug extraction support device 1A differs from the drug extraction support device 1 in that it includes a transport device 40A, a drug extraction unit 70, and a drug extraction device 80.

[0082] The drug dispensing section 70 is a location from which drugs can be dispensed, and has a standby position 20 and a dispensing position 30. The drug dispensing support device 1A may have one drug dispensing section 70 or multiple drug dispensing sections 70. In this embodiment, the drug dispensing support device 1A includes a first drug dispensing section 71 and a second drug dispensing section 72.

[0083] A mounting section 21 is provided at the standby position 20 of the first drug dispensing section 71 and the second drug dispensing section 72. In this embodiment, two mounting sections 21 are provided at each of the first drug dispensing section 71 and the second drug dispensing section 72. It is sufficient that at least one mounting section 21 is provided at the first drug dispensing section 71 and at least one at the second drug dispensing section 72. If the drug dispensing support device 1 has multiple drug dispensing sections 70, it is sufficient that at least one mounting section 21 is provided at each drug dispensing section 70. If there is only one drug dispensing section 70, it is sufficient that at least one mounting section 21 is provided at that drug dispensing section 70.

[0084] The transport device 40A comprises a first transport device 41 and a second transport device 42A. The first transport device 41 transports the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the standby position 20. In this embodiment, the first transport device 41 transports the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the placement section 21 of either the first drug dispensing unit 71 or the second drug dispensing unit 72.

[0085] The second transport device 42A transports the drug storage unit 100 between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30. In this embodiment, the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30 are provided in the drug retrieval unit 70. Therefore, the second transport device 42A is provided in the drug retrieval unit 70. In this embodiment, the second transport device 42A transports the mounting unit 21 between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30. This allows the drug storage unit 100 placed on the mounting unit 21 to be transported between the standby position 20 and the retrieval position 30. However, the second transport device 42A may transport only the drug storage unit 100 and not the mounting unit 21, similar to the second transport device 42.

[0086] The drug dispensing device 80 is a device that dispenses drugs from the drug storage section 100 located at the dispensing position 30. The drug dispensing device 80 may, for example, be equipped with an adsorption pad, and the drugs may be dispensed from the drug storage section 100 by adsorption onto the adsorption pad.

[0087] In this embodiment, the drug dispensing device 80 comprises a first drug dispensing device 81 and a second drug dispensing device 82. The first drug dispensing device 81 is provided for the first drug dispensing section 71 and dispenses the drug from the drug storage section 100 at the dispensing position 30 of the first drug dispensing section 71. The second drug dispensing device 82 is provided for the second drug dispensing section 72 and dispenses the drug from the drug storage section 100 at the dispensing position 30 of the second drug dispensing section 72.

[0088] <Configuration of the transport control device 50A> Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the drug dispensing support device 1A. As shown in Figure 7, the transport control device 50A differs from the transport control device 50 in that it includes a control unit 51A. Furthermore, the control unit 51A differs from the control unit 51 in that it includes a dispensing control unit 521 that controls the drug dispensing device 80.

[0089] The dispensing control unit 521 controls the drug dispensing device 80 to dispense the drug from the drug storage unit 100 when the drug storage unit 100 is located at the dispensing position 30. For example, by providing a sensor at the dispensing position 30, the dispensing control unit 521 can detect the drug storage unit 100 when it is located at the dispensing position 30.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the drug storage section 100 is positioned at the extraction position 30 of the first drug extraction section 71, the extraction control unit 521 controls the first drug extraction device 81 to extract the drug from the drug storage section 100. Also, when the drug storage section 100 is positioned at the extraction position 30 of the second drug extraction section 72, the extraction control unit 521 controls the second drug extraction device 82 to extract the drug from the drug storage section 100.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 51A, as in Embodiment 1, and the transport control unit 514, control the position of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is complete, according to the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512. In the following description, it will be assumed that the number of second drug storage units is calculated by the calculation unit 512. However, as described in Embodiment 1, the control unit 51A may not have a calculation unit 512, and the control unit 51A may control the position of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is complete, according to the number of second drug storage units counted by the control unit 51A. Also, the control unit 51A differs from the control unit 51 in that it performs the following processing.

[0092] Specifically, the quantity determination unit 513 determines whether the number of second drug storage units calculated by the calculation unit 512 is one or more. If the number of second drug storage units is one or more, the quantity determination unit 513 determines whether that number is less than the number of units that can be kept on standby.

[0093] Based on the determination made by the quantity determination unit 513, the transport control unit 514 controls the transport of the drug storage unit 100 as follows:

[0094] (Control 1) If the transport control unit 514 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 1 or more and less than the number of units that can be kept on standby, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, from the extraction position 30 to the standby position 20 and puts it on standby at the standby position 20.

[0095] (Control 2) If the transport control unit 514 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is equal to or greater than the number that can be kept on standby, it transports the first drug storage unit from which the drug has been removed to the storage position 10 without having it wait at the standby position 20. That is, the first drug storage unit from which the drug has been removed is transported from the removal position 30 to the storage position 10 via the standby position 20.

[0096] (Control 3) If the transport control unit 514 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 0, it places the first drug storage unit, from which the drug has been removed, into standby position 30.

[0097] <Processing by the transport control device 50A> Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the transport control device 50A. In Figure 8, the control unit 51A determines the transport destination of the drug storage unit 100 (first drug storage unit) located at the extraction position 30 at a certain point in time, and shows an example of the process of transporting the drug storage unit 100 to that destination.

[0098] The processes S11, S12, S13, S14, and S15 in Figure 8 are the same as the processes S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 in Figure 5, which were described in Embodiment 1. The processes that differ from those in Figure 4 are described below.

[0099] In step S14, if it is determined that the number of second drug storage units is not zero (it is one or more) (NO in S14), the calculation unit 512 determines whether the number of second drug storage units calculated is less than the number that can be kept on standby (S16). If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units is less than the number that can be kept on standby (YES in S16), the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit to the standby position 20 without returning it to the storage position 10, and has it wait at the standby position 20 until the next transport to the retrieval position 30 (S17).

[0100] If the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is equal to or greater than the number that can be kept on standby (NO in S16), the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit from the retrieval position 30 to the storage position 10 (S18).

[0101] In Figure 8, the control unit 51A is shown to perform the processing from S12 onwards when the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete. However, as described above, the control unit 51A may also perform the processing from S12 onwards when, for example, the first drug storage unit is transported from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20, or before the transport control of the first drug storage unit 100 to the removal position 30.

[0102] (Example of operation 1) In the following, a specific example of operation 1 of the drug dispensing support device 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 9. In this description of operation example, the drug storage unit 100 will be referred to as a cassette. Figure 9 is a diagram showing operation example 1 in chronological order. Figure 9 shows the cassettes located in the first drug dispensing unit 71 and the second drug dispensing unit 72, and the dispensing of drugs from the cassettes, in chronological order.

[0103] In Embodiment 2, transport control of the drug storage unit 100 is performed taking into account the dispensing unit. Table 3 below shows an example of the retrieval order, drug name, and cassette ID of drugs included in a dispensing unit (group). In Operation Example 1, the drugs included in each dispensing unit and the cassette ID in which the drugs are stored are as shown in Table 3 below. In Operation Example 1, as shown in Table 3 below, the retrieval order of multiple types of drugs managed by the retrieval order management unit 511 is predetermined and grouped according to the doctor's prescription. The transport order management unit 517 then determines the transport order according to the retrieval order and sets the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported from the standby position 20 to the retrieval position 30.

[0104] In Operation Example 1, when the first drug storage unit containing the first drug included in the first group is transported to the retrieval position 30 in the first order, the calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units as follows: That is, the calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units transported to the retrieval position 30 between (i) the first order and (ii) the order in which the drug storage unit 100 containing the drug to be first retrieved in the second group which includes at least a portion of the first drug is transported to the retrieval position 30.

[0105] For example, in the example shown in Table 3, if the first drug included in the first group (group 1) is drug a1, then the first drug storage unit is cassette A. Also, the second group which includes at least a portion of the first drug is group 3.

[0106] [Table 3] As shown in Table 3, the drugs in extraction order 1 to 4 are contained in cassettes A to D. In this example of operation, the first transport device 41 positions cassettes A and B at the standby position 20 of the first drug extraction unit 71, and cassettes C and D are positioned at the standby position 20 of the second drug extraction unit 72. The explanation begins at time T1.

[0107] In Figure 9, the white arrows indicate that drug is being extracted from each cassette. The extraction process includes the transport of the cassettes from the standby position 20 to the extraction position 30 by the second transport device 42A, and the extraction of drug from each cassette by the drug extraction device 80.

[0108] Between time T1 and time T2, cassettes A and C are being removed, while cassettes B and D are waiting in standby position 20.

[0109] When the drug extraction process from cassette A is completed at time T2, the transport control device 50A performs the flow processing described above (hereinafter referred to as process 2) in <Processing of transport control device 50A>. At this time, assume that the drug extraction process is still underway for cassette C. Here, the number of available units for drug extraction support device 1A is 4. The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units as follows when cassette A, which contains drug a1 included in group 1, is transported to extraction position 30 in sequence 1. That is, based on sequence 1 and sequence 8 of cassette A containing drug a1, which is the first drug a1 to be extracted in group 3 including drug a1, the calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units as 6. Since the number of second drug storage units, 6, is greater than or equal to the available number of 4, cassette A is transported to storage position 10. Then, between time T2 and time T3, cassette E in sequence 5 is transported to the standby position 20 of the first drug dispensing unit 71 by the first transport device 41, and the drug is dispensed from cassette B.

[0110] At time T3, once the removal of the drugs from cassette B and cassette C is complete, the transport control device 50A performs the above process 2. The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of cassette B as 4 based on sequences 3 and 8. For cassette C, it calculates the number of cassette C as 5 based on sequences 2 and 8. In both cases for cassette B and cassette C, the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 4 or more, which is the number that can be kept on standby. Therefore, after the drug removal is complete, cassette B and cassette C are transported to the storage position 10. Then, cassette F (sequence 6) and cassette G (sequence 7) are transported to the standby position 20.

[0111] Between time T3 and time T4, the drug is retrieved from cassette D, which was waiting at standby position 20. Note that drug e1, which is to be contained in cassette E, is included in group 2, so the retrieval operation will not be performed until the retrieval of drugs included in group 1 is complete.

[0112] At time T4, once the removal of the drug from cassette D is complete, the transport control unit 514 performs the above process 2. The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of cassette D to be 3 based on sequences 4 and 8. Since the number 3 calculated by the calculation unit 512 is less than the number of available units (4), cassette D is placed in standby position 20. The transport control after the completion of drug removal from cassette D can be explained as follows. This control is for the case where the first drug storage unit (cassette D) containing the first drug (drug d1) included in the first group (group 1) is transported to the removal position 30 in the first sequence (sequence 4). The calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units between (i) the first sequence (sequence 4) and (ii) the sequence (sequence 8) when the drug storage unit (cassette A) containing the drug (drug a1) to be removed first in the second group (group 3) is transported to the removal position 30. If the number of units (3) is less than the number of units that can be kept in standby (4), the transport control unit 514 places the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, into standby position 20.

[0113] In this way, by considering the divisions of grouped prescriptions, if the number of second drug containers until the first one is taken out in the second group is less than the number that can be kept in standby, the drug containers can be transported more efficiently by having them wait in standby position.

[0114] Between time T4 and time T5, cassettes E and G are being removed, and cassettes F and D are waiting at standby position 20.

[0115] At time T5, once the drug has been removed from cassette E, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 described above. At this time, assume that the drug is still being removed from cassette G. In this example, since cassette E does not need to be transported again to the removal position 30, it is transported to the storage position 10. Then, cassette A, which is in sequence 8, is transported to the standby position 20.

[0116] Between time T5 and time T6, cassettes F and G are being removed, and cassettes A and D are waiting at standby position 20.

[0117] At time T6, once the drug has been removed from cassette F and cassette G, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 above for each cassette. Since neither cassette F nor cassette G needs to be transported back to the removal position 30, they are transported from the removal position 30 to the storage position 10 by the transport device 40A. Then, cassette C (sequence 9) and cassette B (sequence 10) are transported to the standby position 20.

[0118] Between time T6 and time T7, cassettes A and D are being removed, and cassettes B and C are waiting at standby position 20.

[0119] At time T7, once the removal of the drugs from cassette A and cassette D is complete, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 described above for each cassette. Since neither cassette A nor cassette D needs to be transported back to the removal position, they are transported to the storage position 10.

[0120] At time T7, the drugs are removed from cassette A and cassette B, completing the drug removal process for groups 1 through 3.

[0121] (Transportation control at the dispensing unit level - when the order of drug retrieval within a single dispensing unit is not predetermined) The dispensing order management unit 511 may determine the order of dispensing units as the order in which the drugs are dispensed. For example, the dispensing order management unit 511 may determine the order of dispensing units according to the order in which the prescriptions are received. Alternatively, for example, if an instruction to change the dispensing order is received, the dispensing order management unit 511 may determine the order of dispensing units according to the instruction to change the order.

[0122] In other words, the dispensing order management unit 511 does not need to determine the dispensing order of the drugs included in the dispensing unit. The dispensing order of the drugs included in the dispensing unit is determined, for example, by whether the drug was transported to the first drug dispensing unit 71 or the second drug dispensing unit 72, and by whether the drug was transported to the first drug dispensing device 81 or the second drug dispensing device 82. Alternatively, the dispensing order of the drugs included in the dispensing unit can be determined, for example, by the difference between the time required for the first drug dispensing device 81 to dispense the drug and the time required for the second drug dispensing device 82 to dispense the drug.

[0123] However, the dispensing order management unit 511 may determine the dispensing order of the drugs included in the second group shown below according to the dispensing order of the drugs dispensed in the first group, which is an arbitrary dispensing unit included in the prescription data. The transport order management unit 517 determines the transport order according to the dispensing order and sets the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported from the waiting position 20 to the dispensing position 30. The second group is a dispensing unit different from the first group, and is a dispensing unit that is set to be placed later than the first group, and includes drugs that are dispensed after the dispensing of the drugs included in the first group is completed. Furthermore, the second group is a dispensing unit that includes at least some drugs of the same type as the drugs included in the first group. Referring to Table 3, if the first group is Group 1, then the second group is Group 3. Therefore, the dispensing order of the drugs included in Group 3 may be determined according to the dispensing order of the drugs dispensed in Group 1.

[0124] Here, we consider the case where a first drug storage unit, which contains any drug included in the first group (referred to as the first drug), is transported to the retrieval position 30 in a first sequence. In this case, the calculation unit 512 calculates the number of second drug storage units that are transported to the retrieval position 30 between the first sequence and a specific sequence shown below. The specific sequence refers to the sequence in which the drug storage unit 100, which contains the drug to be first retrieved in the second group including the first drug, is transported to the retrieval position 30.

[0125] Then, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units calculated in this manner is less than the number that can be kept on standby, the transport control unit 514 may transport the first drug storage unit, after drug removal is complete, to the standby position 20.

[0126] The order in which the drugs included in the second group are removed is determined according to the order in which the drugs were removed in the first group. Furthermore, if the number of second drug storage units is less than the number that can be kept in standby, the transport control unit 514 will have the first drug storage unit wait at standby position 20 after drug removal is complete. This prevents a situation where there are no available spaces at standby position 20 before the first drug becomes available for removal in the second group, and allows for more efficient transport of the drug storage unit 100.

[0127] In this embodiment as well, if it is not necessary to have the drug storage unit 100 on standby at the standby position 20, the transport control unit 514 may transport the drug storage unit 100 between the storage position 10 and the retrieval position 30.

[0128] (Example of operation 2) Below, we will describe another example of operation of the drug dispensing support device 1A according to Embodiment 2. In Operation Example 2, the drugs included in each dispensing unit and the cassette ID in which the drugs are contained are as shown in Table 4 below.

[0129] [Table 4] Figure 10 is a time-series diagram of operation example 2. Figure 10 shows the time-series removal of the cassettes located in the first drug dispensing unit 71 and the second drug dispensing unit 72, as well as the drug from the cassettes.

[0130] As shown in Table 4, the drugs in extraction order 1 to 4 are contained in cassettes A to D. In this example of operation, the explanation begins at time T1, when cassettes A and B are positioned at the standby position 20 of the first drug extraction unit 71 by the first transport device 41, and cassettes C and D are positioned at the standby position 20 of the second drug extraction unit 72.

[0131] Between time T1 and time T2, cassettes A and C are being removed, while cassettes B and D are waiting in standby position 20.

[0132] When the drug is removed from cassette A at time T2, the transport control device 50A performs the above process 2. At this time, assume that the drug is still being removed from cassette C. In this example of operation, as shown in Table 4, the number of second drug storage units is 3, and the number of units that can be left in standby is less than 4, so cassette A is placed in standby position 20 as the 5th unit in the sequence.

[0133] Between time T2 and time T3, cassettes B and C are being removed, and cassettes A and D are waiting at standby position 20.

[0134] At time T3, once the removal of the drugs from cassette B and cassette C is complete, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 above for each cassette. For cassette B, the number of second drug storage units is 2, and for cassette C, the number of second drug storage units is 1. Since the number of second drug storage units is less than the number of units that can be left in standby (4), cassette B and cassette C are placed in standby position 20 as sequence 6 and 7.

[0135] Between time T3 and time T4, cassette D is in the process of being removed, and cassettes A, B, and C are waiting at standby position 20. Since the next removal sequence for drug a1 contained in the standby cassette A is in group 2, the removal operation will not be performed until the removal of drugs in group 1 is complete.

[0136] At time T4, once the drug has been removed from cassette D, the transport control unit 514 performs the above process 2. Since the number of second drug storage units for cassette D is 0 and the number of available units is less than 4, cassette D is placed in standby position 20 as sequence number 8.

[0137] Between time T4 and time T5, cassettes A and C are being removed, and cassettes B and D are waiting at standby position 20.

[0138] At time T5, once the drug has been removed from cassette A and cassette C, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 above for each cassette. Assume that the drug has been removed from cassette A earlier than from cassette C. For cassette A, the number of units in the second drug storage section between the second cassette A and the third cassette is 4 or more, which is the number of units that can be kept waiting. Therefore, after the drug has been removed, cassette A is transported to storage position 10. Cassette C does not need to be transported again to the removal position 30, so it is transported to storage position 10. Then, cassette E, which is in sequence 9, is transported to the location where cassette A was placed in the waiting position 20.

[0139] Between time T5 and time T6, cassettes B and D are being removed, and cassette E is waiting at standby position 20.

[0140] At time T6, once the drug has been removed from cassettes B and D, the transport control unit 514 performs process 2 described above. Since cassettes B and D do not need to be transported again to the removal position 30, they are transported to the storage position 10. Then, cassette A, which is in sequence 10, is transported to the location where cassette B was placed in the standby position 20.

[0141] Between time T6 and time T7, cassette E is being removed, and cassette A is waiting at standby position 20.

[0142] At time T7, once the drug has been removed from cassette E, the transport control device 50A performs process 2 described above. Since cassette E does not need to be transported back to the removal position, it is transported to the storage position 10.

[0143] After time T7, the drug is removed from cassette A, completing the drug removal process for groups 1 through 3.

[0144] As mentioned above, if the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 after drug dispensing is performed taking into account the division of dispensing, it may be necessary to prepare the number of placement units 21 equal to the number of drug types included in the dispensing unit, as is the case with conventional drug dispensing devices. Also, as is the case with conventional drug dispensing devices, there is a possibility that drug storage units 100 containing drugs that are close in dispensing order may be returned to the storage position 10.

[0145] However, with the transport control device 50A, if there is space available in the standby position 20 (if there is space available in the mounting section 21), the drug storage unit 100 can be placed in standby position 20. Therefore, the standby position 20 can be used effectively. Furthermore, with the transport control device 50A, the drug storage unit 100 can be transported efficiently while maintaining the existing device configuration (the number of existing mounting sections 21). Moreover, if there is space available in the standby position 20, the drug storage unit 100 containing drugs that are close in retrieval order can be placed in standby position 20 instead of being returned to the storage position 10. Therefore, with the transport control device 50A, more efficient transport control of the drug storage unit 100 can be achieved compared to when the drug storage unit 100 is returned to the storage position 10.

[0146] Furthermore, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of second drug storage units is equal to or greater than the number that can be kept on standby, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit, from the extraction position 30 to the storage position 10 via the standby position 20, after the drug has been extracted. Therefore, if there is no space available at the standby position 20, the drug storage unit 100 can be transported to the storage position 10. Thus, even if the number of mounting units 21 is small, the transport control of the drug storage unit 100 can be performed smoothly.

[0147] Furthermore, if the quantity determination unit 513 determines that the number of units in the second drug storage unit is 0, the transport control unit 514 will have the first drug storage unit, from which the drug has been removed, wait at the removal position 30. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 can have the drug storage unit 100, which contains drugs to be removed in succession, wait at the removal position 30 for the removal of the second drug, instead of transporting it after the removal of the first drug is complete. Thus, the transport control device 50A can achieve more efficient transport control of the drug storage unit 100.

[0148] (modified version) In the above-described operation example 2, the transport control device 50A performs the above process 2 when the removal of the drug from each cassette is completed, and controls the position of the drug storage unit 100 after the drug removal is complete. For example, in operation example 2, when the removal of the drug from cassette A is completed at time T5, the position of cassette A after the drug removal is completed is determined and it is transported to the storage position 10, so that the next cassette E is transported to the position where cassette A was placed. In this case, if the drug removal from cassette C is completed earlier than that from cassette A, the next cassette E is transported to the position where cassette C was placed.

[0149] However, the placement of cassette E may be determined by the control unit 51A at the stage when prescription data is received. The control unit 51A may predict which drug among the drugs included in group 2 will be removed first, taking into consideration past transport data, and then determine the placement of cassette E. For example, if the control unit 51A predicts that drug a1 will be removed first among the drugs included in group 2, the transport control unit 514 will transport the next cassette E to the position where cassette A was placed. In this case, even if the drug removal from cassette C is completed earlier than that from cassette A, the next cassette E will not be transported to the position where cassette C was placed.

[0150] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 describes a transport control device 50B that controls the transport of the drug storage unit 100 without considering the dispensing unit, and a drug retrieval support device 1B controlled by the transport control device 50B.

[0151] The general configuration of the drug retrieval support device 1B in this embodiment is the same as that of the drug retrieval support device 1, as shown in Figure 1. However, the drug retrieval support device 1B differs from the drug retrieval support device 1 of Embodiment 1 in that it includes a transport control device 50B.

[0152] <Configuration of the transport control device 50B> Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the drug dispensing support device 1B. As shown in Figure 11, the transport control device 50B differs from the control unit 51 of Embodiment 1 in that it does not include a dispensing order management unit 511, a calculation unit 512, and a quantity determination unit 513.

[0153] In Embodiment 3, the transport order management unit 517 determines the transport order based on the received prescription data or user input operations, and sets the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported to the standby position 20 before being transported to the retrieval position 30.

[0154] The first drug storage unit is a drug storage unit 100 with multiple sequences set. The second drug storage unit is a drug storage unit 100 separate from the first drug storage unit. Any sequence among the multiple sequences set for the first storage unit is designated as the first sequence, and the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the retrieval position 30 after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence.

[0155] The transport control unit 514 controls the position of the first drug storage unit after it has been transported to the standby position 20 in the first sequence and then to the retrieval position 30, based on (i) and (ii) below. (i) is the second sequence, and (ii) is the last sequence of the sequence of transport to the standby position 20 set for the second drug storage unit that has been transported to the standby position 20.

[0156] The second drug storage unit that has been transported to the standby position 20 includes the second drug storage unit that has reached the standby position 20 (has completed transport to the standby position 20) by transport, and the second drug storage unit that is in transit from the storage position 10 or the retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20. The second drug storage unit that has been transported to the standby position 20 may also be the drug storage unit 100 that the transport control unit 514 has instructed to transport from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20. For example, the transport control unit 514 may determine that a drug storage unit 100 has been transported to the standby position 20 as the second drug storage unit when it receives an instruction to transport that drug storage unit 100 from the storage position 10 to the standby position 20.

[0157] The transport control unit 514 can control the position of the drug storage unit 100 after drug extraction is complete, based on the next order in which the drug storage unit 100 will be transported to the standby position 20 after drug extraction is complete, and the order in which the drug storage unit 100 has been transported to the standby position 20. This makes it possible to transport the drug storage unit efficiently while maintaining the existing device configuration.

[0158] The transport control of the drug storage unit 100 by the transport control unit 514 is as follows:

[0159] (Control 1) If the second sequence described above is the next sequence following the last sequence described above, the transport control unit 514 will place the first drug storage unit, after drug extraction is complete, into standby position 20.

[0160] This control by the transport control unit 514 allows the drug storage units 100 that are close in order to be transported to the standby position 20 (close in the order of removal) to be kept in standby position 20, thereby achieving efficient transport control of the drug storage units 100.

[0161] (Control 2) If the second sequence described above is not in a consecutive sequence with the last sequence described above, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit, after drug removal is complete, to the storage position 10 without having it wait at the standby position 20.

[0162] This control by the transport control unit 514 allows only the drug storage units 100 that are close in order to be transported to the standby position 20 (close in order of removal) to be kept in standby position 20. This makes effective use of the standby position 20.

[0163] <Processing by the transport control device 50B> Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the transport control device 50B. In Figure 12, the control unit 51B determines the transport destination of the drug storage unit 100 (first drug storage unit) located at the extraction position 30 at a certain point in time, and shows an example of the process of transporting the drug storage unit 100 to that destination.

[0164] As shown in Figure 12, when the first drug storage unit is in the retrieval position 30, the transport sequence management unit 517 determines whether the retrieval of the drug from the first drug storage unit has been completed (S31).

[0165] If the transport sequence management unit 517 determines that the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete (YES in S31), it determines whether the first drug storage unit is to be transported again to the removal position 30 based on the transport sequence of the drug storage unit 100 (S32). If the transport sequence management unit 517 determines that the first drug storage unit is to be transported again to the removal position 30 (YES in S32), the transport control unit 514 determines whether the first sequence and the second sequence set for the first drug storage unit are consecutive (S33). If the transport control unit 514 determines that the first sequence and the second sequence are consecutive (YES in S33), the transport control unit 514 keeps the first drug storage unit waiting at the removal position 30.

[0166] If the transport control unit 514 determines that the first sequence and the second sequence are not consecutive (NO in S33), it makes the following determination. That is, the transport control unit 514 determines whether the second sequence set in the first drug storage unit is consecutive with the last sequence of sequences to be transported to the standby position 20, which is set in the second drug storage unit that has been transported to the standby position 20 (S35).

[0167] If the transport control unit 514 determines that the second sequence is consecutive with the last sequence (YES in S35), the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit to the standby position 20 and puts it into standby mode (S36).

[0168] If the transport control unit 514 determines that the second sequence is not consecutive with the last sequence (NO in S35), the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit from the retrieval position 30 to the storage position 10 (S37).

[0169] In S1, the transport sequence management unit 517 waits until the removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit is complete (if NO in S31). Also, if the transport sequence management unit 517 determines that the first drug storage unit will not be transported again to the removal position 30 (NO in S32), there will be no further removal of the drug from the first drug storage unit in the drug removal sequence. Therefore, the transport control unit 514 transports the first drug storage unit from the removal position 30 to the storage position 10 (S35).

[0170] Table 5 below shows an example of the drug name, cassette ID, and the order set by the transport order management unit 517 for each cassette in response to a drug retrieval request. For example, suppose that the order in which cassettes A to E are transported to the standby position 20 is set as shown in Table 5 below. Suppose that at the time when the drug retrieval from cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in the first order, order 1, is completed, cassettes B, C, D, and E are transported to the standby position 20. In this case, the last order among the orders set for each of the second drug storage units, cassettes B, C, D, and E, is order 5 set for cassette E. This order 5 and the second order, order 6, set for cassette A, which is the first drug storage unit, are consecutive. Therefore, after the drug retrieval of cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in the first order, order 1, cassette A is transported from the retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20.

[0171] On the other hand, suppose that at the time the drug has been removed from cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in the first sequence, sequence 1, cassettes B and C are transported to the standby position 20. In this case, the last sequence, sequence 3, set for cassettes B and C, which are the second drug storage units, and the second sequence, sequence 6, set for cassette A are not consecutive. Therefore, cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in the first sequence, sequence 1, is transported to the storage position 10 after the drug has been removed.

[0172] [Table 5] The drug storage section 100 can also be configured to store two or more types of drugs in a way that prevents them from being mixed together, by providing a partition. Table 6 below shows an example of the drug name, cassette ID, and the order set by the transport order management unit 517 for each cassette in response to a drug retrieval request, when multiple drugs are stored in one cassette.

[0173] As shown in Table 6 below, when multiple drugs are contained in one cassette, a consecutive sequence may be set for a single cassette. If the transport control unit 514 determines that the first sequence and the second sequence set in the first drug storage unit are consecutive, the transport control unit 514 keeps the first drug storage unit waiting at the retrieval position 30. Specifically, in Table 6, sequences 1 and 2 are set for cassette A. Therefore, after the retrieval of drug a1 from cassette A is complete, the transport control unit 514 keeps cassette A waiting at the retrieval position 30.

[0174] [Table 6] <Variation 3-1> Modification 3-1 shows a modified example of the sequence setting for each drug storage unit 100 by the transport sequence management unit 517.

[0175] The transport order management unit 517 may set the order in which each drug storage unit 100 is transported to the standby position 20 in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit 100. As described above, such drug retrieval work requests are transport requests for each drug storage unit 100 for retrieving drugs at the retrieval position 30, based on the order of drugs in the prescription data (order of prescription acceptance). Therefore, the drug retrieval work includes transporting the drug storage unit 100 to the standby position 20, which is performed before retrieving drugs from the drug storage unit 100.

[0176] In this modified example, the first drug storage unit is a drug storage unit 100 that has received two or more drug retrieval requests. Since two or more drug retrieval requests are made to a single drug storage unit 100, the first drug storage unit has a sequence assigned to each of these two or more drug retrieval requests. The second drug storage unit is at least one drug storage unit 100, separate from any of the first drug storage units.

[0177] The transport control unit 514 controls the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a certain sequence of drug retrieval operations set for the first drug storage unit, according to (1) the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit, and (2) the last sequence among the sequences set for the second drug storage unit that was transported to the standby position 20 after the first drug storage unit was transported to the standby position 20. Transport to the standby position 20 means that the drug storage unit 100 has reached the standby position 20 by transport (transport to the standby position 20 has been completed), and also includes the drug storage unit 100 being in the process of being transported from the storage position 10 or retrieval position 30 to the standby position 20.

[0178] Table 7 shows an example of the drug name, cassette ID, and the order set by the transport order management unit 517 for each cassette in response to a drug retrieval request.

[0179] In the case shown in Table 6 above, multiple consecutive sequences (sequence 1, sequence 2) are set for cassette A, corresponding to drugs a1 and a2 contained in the same cassette A. On the other hand, in the example in Table 7, only one sequence (sequence 1) is set for drugs a1 and a2. In the case shown in Table 7, cassette A is the subject of two drug retrieval requests (the subject to transport to the standby position 20), and sequences (sequence 1 and sequence 3) are set for each drug retrieval request.

[0180] [Table 7] The transport sequence management unit 517, when the sequence following a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit and the sequence in which transport to the standby position 20 occurred are consecutive, transports the first drug storage unit from the extraction position 30 to the standby position 20 after the completion of the drug extraction operation for a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit, and places it in standby position 20.

[0181] In the example in Table 7, assume that at the time the drug has been removed from cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in sequence 1, cassette B, in sequence 2, has been transported to the standby position 20. In this case, sequence 1 is set for cassette A, which is the first drug storage unit, and the next sequence set for cassette A is sequence 3. Since sequence 3 and sequence 2 (corresponding to the last sequence above) set for cassette B are consecutive, the transport control unit 514 transports cassette A, after drug a2 has been removed, from the removal position 30 to the standby position 20 and places it in standby position 20.

[0182] If the sequence of transport to the standby position 20 is not consecutive, the transport sequence management unit 517 transports the first drug storage unit to the storage position 10 without having it wait at the standby position 20 after the completion of the drug retrieval operation in a certain sequence set in the first drug storage unit.

[0183] For example, suppose sequence 1 is set for cassette A, which is the first drug storage unit, and the next sequence set for cassette A is sequence 4. Also, suppose that when the drug has been removed from cassette A, which was transported to the standby position 20 in sequence 1, cassette B, in sequence 2, has been transported, and cassette C, in sequence 3, has not yet been transported to the standby position 20. In this case, since sequence 4, which is the next sequence, and sequence 2, which corresponds to the last sequence mentioned above, are not consecutive, cassette A is transported to the storage position 10 without being kept waiting at the standby position 20.

[0184] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the above-mentioned drug dispensing support device (hereinafter referred to as "the device") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and by a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit).

[0185] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0186] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0187] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0188] 〔summary〕 The transport control device according to embodiment A1 of the present disclosure has a set sequence in which a plurality of drug storage units that contain drugs are transported to an extraction position from which the drugs are extracted. A first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, has a set sequence. Any sequence among the sequence is designated as the first sequence, the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the extraction position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit different from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit. The device controls the position of the first drug storage unit after the drug extraction is completed, in accordance with the number of second drug storage units transported to the extraction position between the first sequence and the second sequence.

[0189] In embodiment A2 of the present disclosure, the transport control device transports the drug storage unit in embodiment A1 between (i) a storage position in which a plurality of drug storage units are stored and a standby position provided between the retrieval position and the storage position, and (ii) between the standby position and the retrieval position.

[0190] In the transport control device according to embodiment A3 of this disclosure, in embodiment A2, if the number is 1 or more and within a specified number, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is placed in standby position.

[0191] In the transport control device according to embodiment A4 of the present disclosure, in embodiment A2, when the transport instruction is received to transport the first drug storage unit from the storage unit to the standby position while the first drug storage unit is being transported to the storage position after drug removal is complete, the transport control device switches the first drug storage unit being transported from being an object to be transported to the storage position to an object to be waited at the standby position.

[0192] In the transport control device according to embodiment A5 of the present disclosure, if the number exceeds a specified number in embodiment A2, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is transported to the storage position without being kept waiting in the standby position.

[0193] In the transport control device according to embodiment A6 of the present disclosure, if the number is 0 in embodiment A1, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is kept in standby at the extraction position.

[0194] In the transport control device according to embodiment A7 of the present disclosure, in embodiment A1, a standby position is provided between the storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored and the retrieval position, the number of drug storage units that can be kept in the standby position is defined as the number of units that can be kept in standby, and if the number is 1 or more and less than the number of units that can be kept in standby, the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is completed is kept in standby at the standby position.

[0195] In the transport control device according to embodiment A8 of the present disclosure, in embodiment A7, the order in which multiple types of drugs, which are grouped according to a physician's prescription, are to be taken out is predetermined, and when a first drug storage unit that contains a first drug included in a first group is transported to the take-out position in the first order, (i) between the first order and (ii) when the order in which the drug storage unit that contains the first drug to be taken out in a second group, which includes at least a portion of the first drug, is transported to the take-out position, if the number of second drug storage units transported to the take-out position is less than the number of units that can be kept waiting, the first drug storage unit after drug take-out is completed is kept waiting at the waiting position.

[0196] In the transport control device according to embodiment A9 of the present disclosure, in embodiment A7, for a plurality of types of drugs grouped according to a physician's prescription, the order in which drugs in a second group are taken out after the drugs in the first group have been taken out, and which includes at least some drugs of the same type as those in the first group, is determined according to the order in which drugs were taken out in the first group. When a first drug storage unit containing the first drug included in the first group is transported to the takeout position in the first order, at the time when the takeout of the first drug is completed, if (i) the number of second drug storage units transported to the takeout position is less than the number of available units between the first order and (ii) the order in which the drug storage unit containing the first drug to be taken out in the second group, which includes the first drug, is transported to the takeout position, the first drug storage unit after the drug takeout is completed is made to wait at the standby position.

[0197] In the transport control device according to embodiment A10 of the present disclosure, in embodiment A7, if the number is equal to or greater than the number of available units, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is transported to the storage position without being kept waiting in the standby position.

[0198] In the transport control device according to embodiment A11 of the present disclosure, if the number is 0 in embodiment A7, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is kept in standby at the extraction position.

[0199] The transport control device according to aspect A12 of the present disclosure has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit, and for one first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval work requests, a sequence is set for each, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a drug retrieval work in a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit is controlled according to the number of drug storage units for which a sequence between that certain sequence and the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit is set.

[0200] The transport control device according to embodiment A13 of the present disclosure has a set sequence for transporting each of a plurality of drug storage units that contain a drug to a standby position where the drug storage unit is temporarily held before being transported to a retrieval position where the drug is retrieved. A first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, has a plurality of sequences set, any sequence among the plurality of sequences is designated as the first sequence, the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the standby position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit different from the first storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit. The device controls the position of the first drug storage unit after it has been transported to the standby position in the first sequence and then to the retrieval position, based on (i) the second sequence and (ii) the last sequence among the sequences corresponding to the transport set for the second drug storage unit that was transported to the standby position.

[0201] In the transport control device according to embodiment A14 of the present disclosure, if the second sequence is consecutive with the last sequence, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is placed in standby position.

[0202] In the transport control device according to embodiment A15 of the present disclosure, if the second sequence is not consecutive with the last sequence, the first drug storage unit after drug extraction is completed is transported to a storage location where multiple drug storage units are stored, without being kept waiting in the standby position.

[0203] The transport control device according to aspect A16 of the present disclosure has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit, the drug retrieval work includes transporting the drug storage unit to a standby position before drug retrieval, and for one first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval work requests, a sequence is set for each, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a certain sequence of drug retrieval work set for the first drug storage unit is controlled according to the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit and the sequence in which transport to the standby position occurred.

[0204] The drug dispensing support device according to aspect A17 of this disclosure comprises a transport control device described in any of aspects A1 to A16.

[0205] Furthermore, in the transport control device according to embodiment B1 of the present disclosure, a sequence is set for transporting a drug to a removal position from which the drug is removed from a plurality of drug storage units that contain the drug, and a plurality of such sequences are set for the first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, and any sequence among the plurality of such sequences is designated as the first sequence, and the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the removal position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit other than the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit, and the first drug that is transported to the removal position in the first sequence is The position of the storage unit after drug removal is completed is controlled according to the number of second drug storage units transported to the removal position between the first and second sequences. If the number is 1 or more and within a specified number, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is kept in a standby position located between the storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored and the removal position. If the number exceeds the specified number, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is transported to the storage position. If the number is 0, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is kept in the removal position.

[0206] In embodiment B2 of the present disclosure, the transport control device transports the drug storage unit between (i) the storage position and the standby position, and (ii) the standby position and the retrieval position, in embodiment B1.

[0207] In the transport control device according to embodiment B3 of the present disclosure, in embodiment B2, when the transport instruction is received to transport the first drug storage unit from the storage unit to the standby position while the first drug storage unit is being transported to the storage position after drug removal is complete, the transport control device switches the first drug storage unit being transported from being an object to be transported to the storage position to an object to be waited at the standby position.

[0208] A transport control device according to embodiment B4 of the present disclosure has a set sequence in which a drug is transported to an extraction position from which the drug is extracted, for a plurality of drug storage units that contain a drug, and a plurality of such sequences are set for a first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, and any sequence among the plurality of such sequences is set as the first sequence, and the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the extraction position after the first sequence is set as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit other than the first drug storage unit is set as the second drug storage unit, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the drug extraction is completed when the drug is transported to the extraction position in the first sequence is set as the first sequence The process is controlled according to the number of second drug storage units transported to the retrieval position between the second sequence and the retrieval position, and a waiting position is provided between the storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored and the retrieval position, with the number of drug storage units that can wait at the waiting position being defined as the number of units that can wait at the waiting position. If the number is 1 or more and less than the number of units that can wait, the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is made to wait at the waiting position. If the number is equal to or greater than the number of units that can wait, the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is made to transport to the storage position. If the number is 0, the first drug storage unit after drug retrieval is made to wait at the retrieval position.

[0209] In the transport control device according to embodiment B5 of the present disclosure, in embodiment B4, the order in which multiple types of drugs, which are grouped according to a physician's prescription, are to be taken out is predetermined, and when a first drug storage unit that contains a first drug included in a first group is transported to the take-out position in the first order, (i) between the first order and (ii) the order in which a drug storage unit that contains the first drug to be taken out in a second group, which includes at least a portion of the first drug, is transported to the take-out position, if the number of second drug storage units transported to the take-out position is less than the number of units that can be kept waiting, the first drug storage unit after drug take-out is completed is to be kept waiting at the waiting position.

[0210] In the transport control device according to embodiment B6 of the present disclosure, in embodiment B4, for multiple types of drugs grouped according to a physician's prescription, the order in which drugs in a second group are taken out after the drugs in the first group have been taken out, and which includes at least some drugs of the same type as those in the first group, is determined according to the order in which drugs were taken out in the first group. When a first drug storage unit containing the first drug included in the first group is transported to the takeout position in the first order, at the time when the takeout of the first drug is completed, if (i) the number of second drug storage units transported to the takeout position is less than the number of available units between the first order and (ii) the order in which the drug storage unit containing the first drug taken out in the second group, which includes the first drug, is transported to the takeout position, the first drug storage unit after the drug takeout is completed is made to wait at the standby position.

[0211] The transport control device according to embodiment B7 of the present disclosure has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit, and each first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval work requests has a sequence set for it, and the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of a drug retrieval work in a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit is controlled according to the number of drug storage units for which a sequence is set between that sequence and the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit, and if the number is 1 or more and within a specified number, the first drug storage unit after the completion of the drug retrieval work is made to wait in a standby position provided between a storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored and a retrieval position from which drugs are retrieved from the drug storage unit, if the number exceeds a specified number, the first drug storage unit after the completion of the drug retrieval work is transported to the storage position, and if the number is 0, the first drug storage unit after the completion of the drug retrieval work is made to wait in the retrieval position.

[0212] The transport control device according to embodiment B8 of the present disclosure has a set sequence for transporting each of a plurality of drug storage units that contain drugs to a standby position where the drug storage unit is temporarily held before being transported to a retrieval position where the drug is retrieved. A first drug storage unit, which is one of the plurality of drug storage units, has a set sequence. Any sequence among the plurality of sequences is designated as the first sequence, the sequence in which the first drug storage unit is transported to the standby position after the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit different from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit. If the first sequence and the second sequence are not consecutive, the drug storage unit is transported to the standby position in the first sequence, and then transported to the retrieval position. The position of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is controlled based on (i) the second sequence and (ii) the last sequence of the sequence corresponding to the transport set for the second drug storage unit that was transported to the standby position. If the second sequence is a sequence that is consecutive with the last sequence, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is kept in standby position. If the second sequence is not a sequence that is consecutive with the last sequence, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is transported to a storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored. If the first sequence and the second sequence are consecutive, the first drug storage unit after drug removal is completed is kept in standby position.

[0213] The transport control device according to aspect B9 of the present disclosure has a sequence set for each drug storage unit in response to drug retrieval work requests for retrieving drugs from each drug storage unit, the drug retrieval work includes transporting the drug storage unit to a waiting position before drug retrieval, and for one first drug storage unit that has two or more drug retrieval work requests, a sequence is set for each, and if a certain sequence set for the first drug storage unit and the next sequence after that sequence are not consecutive, the position of the first drug storage unit after the completion of the drug retrieval work for that sequence is set for the next sequence set for the first drug storage unit and the waiting position The second drug storage unit, which has been transported to a location, is controlled according to the last of the sequences corresponding to the transport, and if the next sequence is a sequence that is consecutive to the last sequence, the first drug storage unit is made to wait at the standby position after the drug retrieval operation is completed. If the next sequence is not a sequence that is consecutive to the last sequence, the first drug storage unit is transported to a storage position where multiple drug storage units are stored after the drug retrieval operation is completed. If a certain sequence and the next sequence are consecutive, the first drug storage unit is made to wait at the retrieval position where the drug is retrieved after the drug retrieval operation is completed.

[0214] The drug dispensing support device according to embodiment B10 of this disclosure comprises a transport control device as described in any of embodiments B1 to B9.

[0215] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0216] 1, 1A, 1B... Drug dispensing support device 10...Storage position 20...Standby position 30...Extraction position 50, 50A, 50B... Conveyor control device 100... Drug storage section

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a storage position where a plurality of drug storage units for containing drugs are stored; a retrieval position from which drugs contained in the drug storage units are retrieved; and a waiting position for temporarily holding the drug storage units that have been transported from the storage position, A transport order is set for each of the aforementioned multiple drug storage units. The first drug storage unit, which is one of the multiple drug storage units, has multiple transport sequences set for it. If any of the multiple transport sequences is designated as the first sequence, the transport sequence following the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit separate from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit, If the number of second drug storage units for which the transport order is set between the first order and the second order exceeds a specified number, the destination of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is determined to be the storage location. If the number of the second drug storage units is less than or equal to the specified number, the device determines the destination of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is complete to a location other than the storage position.

2. An apparatus comprising: a storage position where a plurality of drug storage units for containing drugs are stored; a retrieval position from which drugs contained in the drug storage units are retrieved; and a waiting position for which the drug storage units transported from the storage position are temporarily kept waiting, A transport order is set for each of the aforementioned multiple drug storage units. The first drug storage unit, which is one of the multiple drug storage units, has multiple transport sequences set for it. If any of the multiple transport sequences is designated as the first sequence, the transport sequence following the first sequence is designated as the second sequence, and a drug storage unit separate from the first drug storage unit is designated as the second drug storage unit, If the number of second drug storage units transported to the standby position is one or more, and the number of second drug storage units does not match the number between the first sequence and the second sequence, the destination of the first drug storage unit after drug removal is determined to be the storage position. A device that determines the destination of the first drug container after drug removal is complete to a location other than the storage position, if the number of second drug containers is zero, or if the number of second drug containers matches the number between the first sequence and the second sequence.

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