Medicine dispensing device

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of work and process in taking out a cassette from a cassette shelf or storing the cassette into the cassette shelf.SOLUTION: A picking unit (3) has a drug giving / receiving part (32), a cassette giving / receiving part (41) that can take out a cassette from the picking unit or can put the cassette into the picking unit, and a body cassette transfer part and a picking cassette transfer part that transfer a cassette between the drug giving / receiving part or cassette giving / receiving part and the cassette shelf.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine handling device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Medicine dispensing devices for dispensing medicines have been developed, examples of which are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine dispensing device that removes medicine sheets from medicine-containing cassettes transported from a cassette shelf to a delivery section and moves a medicine tray so that the medicine tray can receive the medicine sheets. This medicine dispensing device can reduce the total time required to dispense medicine sheets.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic medicine supply device equipped with a medicine picking unit having multiple supply units to which medicine-containing cassettes transported from a cassette shelf are delivered. Each of the multiple supply units has a medicine outlet for inserting and removing medicines and an opening / closing cover that can open and close the medicine outlet. In this automatic medicine supply device, only the opening / closing cover of the supply unit to which the medicine-containing cassette is delivered is controlled to be open, so that even if multiple medicine-containing cassettes are delivered to the medicine picking unit, the desired medicine can be taken out without error.

[0005] The method of Patent Document 3 also transports medical supply packs from a first receiving location within the access area of ​​the operator unit to a discharge location within the access area of ​​the operator, and from a refill location within the access area of ​​the operator to a second receiving location within the access area of ​​the operator unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 047487 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-79642 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6424217 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Consider a case where an operator retrieves a cassette stored in a cassette shelf or stores a cassette in the cassette shelf. Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose a configuration that enables a medicine dispensing device or an automatic medicine supply device to automatically access a cassette to be retrieved or inserted without the operator having to directly access the cassette shelf.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 does not disclose any of the following locations other than the discharge location where an operator removes medicines from a medicine pack or the replenishment location where medicines are replenished into a medicine pack. That is, Patent Document 3 does not disclose a location where an operator removes medicine packs stored in an apparatus and automatically transported by the apparatus, or a location where an operator replenishes medicine packs automatically transported by the apparatus and stored in the apparatus. Note that the object of transportation in the method of Patent Document 3 is a medicine pack, not a cassette that can contain a medicine pack.

[0009] Therefore, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 may not be able to improve the work efficiency and processing efficiency for removing cassettes from the cassette shelf or storing cassettes on the cassette shelf.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not disclose a method for transferring cassettes contained in a group of cassettes containing the same type of medicine when the group of cassettes is stored on a cassette shelf. Therefore, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 may not allow an operator to determine how to remove the medicine depending on the storage status of the medicine sheets in each of the cassette group.

[0011] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a medicine handling device that can improve the work efficiency and processing efficiency for removing cassettes from a cassette shelf or storing cassettes on the cassette shelf.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to realize a drug dispensing device that allows an operator to decide how to dispense drugs depending on the drug sheet storage status in each of multiple cassettes containing the same type of drug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A drug dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a drug dispensing device in which at least one cassette group consisting of a plurality of cassettes intended to contain the same type of drug is stored, and is equipped with a transfer control unit that transfers two or more of the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group when drugs contained in the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group become the target for removal, and the transfer control unit transfers the drugs to two or more of the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group when the number of drugs contained in any of the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group minus a designated number specified as the quantity of drugs to be removed from one cassette included in the cassette group is 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the drug dispensing device of the present invention, it is possible for an operator to decide how to dispense the drugs depending on the storage status of the drug sheets in each of multiple cassettes containing the same type of drug. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medicine dispensing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a drug station. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a drug station. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of a drug station. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of a cassette that can be stored on a cassette shelf. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an example of a main unit and a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a main unit cassette transfer section; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of cassette storage. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a cassette gripping portion. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a cassette gripping unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main unit and a picking unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a picking unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a cassette gripping operation by a first picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a first picking cassette transport unit and a second picking cassette transport unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the first shutter. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a picking unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a picking unit. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship in size between the medicine delivery section and the cassette. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the cassette transfer section when viewed from the front side of the picking unit. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the cassette transfer section when viewed from the rear side of the picking unit. FIG. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation of a cassette gripping section. [Figure 22] 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a first picking cassette transport unit. FIG. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a state in which a cassette is gripped by a first cassette gripping portion. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a first shutter. [Figure 25] 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the picking cassette transport unit when the cassette arrives at the medicine delivery unit. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the first shutter. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the medicine placing table. [Figure 28] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of a cassette; [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a control device. [Figure 30] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of a holder. [Figure 31] An example of a medicine delivery section that also functions as a cassette delivery section is shown below. [Figure 32] 10 is an example of a lot list managed for each cassette or storage area in which drugs of the same type are stored. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image displayed on the first touch panel. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a lot list image including information on a lot list is displayed on a filling image. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an individual dispensing image displayed on the first touch panel. [Figure 36] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a filling operation image displayed on a second touch panel and an example of a lot list image displayed on the second touch panel. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for adding a new combination of a lot number and an expiration date. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lot list when a new combination of lot number and expiration date is added. [Figure 39]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a lot list when a new combination of lot number and expiration date is added. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [Basic configuration] <Medicine dispensing system> A medicine dispensing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the medicine dispensing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The medicine dispensing system 100 is a system that dispenses medicines based on prescription data. The medicine dispensing system 100 includes devices used for dispensing medicines based on prescription data, such as a drug station 1, a prescription input device 200, a tablet packaging machine 300, a powder medicine packaging machine 400, a PTP dispensing device 500, a dispensing assist device 600, and a dispensing control device 800. The medicine dispensing system 100 also includes a medicine shelf 700. In the following description, the tablet packaging machine 300, the powder medicine packaging machine 400, the PTP dispensing device 500, and the dispensing assist device 600 may be referred to as various devices. The drug station 1, the various devices, and the medicine shelf 700 are installed in, for example, a hospital or a pharmacy.

[0018] The prescription input device 200 is a device that accepts input of information about drugs prescribed to a patient by a doctor (e.g., the type of drug (e.g., drug name, drug identification information), dosage (number of drugs), and administration method). The prescription input device 200 transmits information about the prescribed drugs to the dispensing control device 800 as prescription data. The prescription input device 200 may also issue a prescription on which information about the prescribed drugs is printed. The prescription may be issued by the dispensing control device 800, which will be described later. The prescription input device 200 and the dispensing control device 800 may also issue dispensing instructions corresponding to the drug station 1 and each of the above-mentioned devices, instead of a prescription. The dispensing instructions are printed with information contained in the dispensing data, which will be described later and which is created by the dispensing control device 800.

[0019] The prescription data may include information about drugs prescribed to each of a plurality of patients, and in this case, the information may be collected for each of a plurality of patients. The prescription input device 200 may also divide the information about the prescribed drugs into predetermined prescription periods (e.g., one day) and generate prescription data for each predetermined prescription period.

[0020] The dispensing control device 800 controls the dispensing of drugs in the drug dispensing system 100. For example, the dispensing control device 800 determines which of the drug station 1 and the various devices described above will be used to dispense the drugs indicated in the prescription data received from the prescription input device 200. The drugs indicated in the prescription data are drugs prescribed to the patient and may also be referred to as prescribed drugs. The dispensing control device 800 includes a control unit 801 and a memory unit 802.

[0021] The control unit 801 controls all the units included in the dispensing control device 800. The control unit 801 includes a determination unit 811 and a transmission / reception unit 812. The determination unit 811 determines which device will be used to dispense the drugs indicated in the prescription data. The transmission / reception unit 812 receives prescription data from the prescription input device 200, or notifications from the drug station 1 or various devices. Based on the result determined by the determination unit 811, the transmission / reception unit 812 transmits dispensing data including information about the drugs to be dispensed (information indicating the type of drug, etc.) to the drug station 1 or various devices. The dispensing data can also be considered prescription data transmitted to the drug station 1 or various devices.

[0022] The memory unit 802 stores, for example, various programs used by the control unit 801 and a drug database (drug master) that manages information about multiple types of drugs stored in the drug station 1. The information about the drugs includes, for example, the type of drug (e.g., drug name, drug identification information), expiration date, and lot number. The memory unit 802 also stores, for example, a drug database that manages information about multiple types of drugs stored in the tablet packaging machine 300, and a drug database that manages information about multiple types of drugs stored in the powder medicine packaging machine 400. The drug station 1, the tablet packaging machine 300, and the powder medicine packaging machine 400 also store their own drug databases.

[0023] The dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database stored in the memory unit 802 when updating the drug database stored in the memory unit of drug station 1. Specifically, when there is a change in the type of drugs stored in drug station 1, the dispensing control device 800 receives information indicating the change from drug station 1. Based on this information, the dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database of drug station 1 stored in memory unit 802. The dispensing control device 800 may update the drug database stored in memory unit 802 when drug station 1 is started up. Similarly, the dispensing control device 800 updates the drug database of tablet packing machine 300 or the drug database of powder packing machine 400 for tablet packing machine 300 and powder packing machine 400.

[0024] The drug station 1 is a device (first drug dispensing device, drug dispensing device) that dispenses drugs stored in the drug station 1. The specific configuration of the drug station 1 will be described later.

[0025] The tablet packaging machine 300, the powder medicine packaging machine 400, and the PTP dispensing device 500 are examples of second medicine dispensing devices (pharmacy equipment) that dispense medicines. The tablet packaging machine 300 is a device that dispenses medicines indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., tablets stored in the tablet packaging machine 300. The powder medicine packaging machine 400 is a device that dispenses medicines indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., powder medicines (powdered medicines) stored in the powder medicine packaging machine 400. The PTP dispensing device 500 is a device that dispenses PTP (Press Through Package) sheets (medicine sheets) containing the medicines indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800, i.e., the medicines stored in the PTP dispensing device 500.

[0026] The dispensing assistance device 600 is a device that assists in dispensing medicines from a medicine shelf 700 that stores medicines. The dispensing assistance device 600 presents information such as the type of medicine indicated in the dispensing data from the dispensing control device 800. This allows medical professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors, and workers at the drug station 1, to retrieve medicines from the medicine shelf 700. The workers at the drug station 1 retrieve medicines from the drug station 1 and are unqualified individuals who do not hold qualifications such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors. However, the workers may also be qualified individuals who hold the relevant qualifications. In the following description, qualified medical professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, or doctors may be simply referred to as users.

[0027] <Drug Station> 2 and 3 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the drug station 1. Fig. 2 is a view of the main unit 2 as seen from the front side, and Fig. 3 is a view of the main unit 2 as seen from the rear side. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the drug station 1.

[0028] The drug station 1 is a device for storing, filling, and dispensing drugs. As shown in FIGS.

[0029] (Main unit) The main unit 2 is a unit for storing medicines. Specifically, the main unit 2 functions as a medicine storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca containing medicines. The main unit 2 is a device that transfers the stored cassettes Ca to the picking unit 3 by using the main cassette transfer section 22 (22a and 22b shown by reference numerals 6001 and 6002 in FIG. 6). The main unit 2 is also a device that transfers the cassettes Ca returned from the picking unit 3 to their original storage positions. In other words, the main unit 2 stores a plurality of cassettes Ca and functions as a cassette handling device that delivers and receives the cassettes Ca to and from the picking unit 3.

[0030] The main unit 2 can store a variety of medicines (e.g., approximately 1,500 to 2,000 types) expected for use in a single facility such as a hospital or pharmacy. In this embodiment, the main unit 2 stores, as medicines, for example, medicine sheets (e.g., PTP sheets), topical medicines such as ointments or eye drops, or powdered medicines. The main unit 2 may also store, for example, ampoules or vials containing medicines. In this specification, medicines that are not medicine sheets (medicines in a form other than medicine sheets) include topical medicines such as ointments or eye drops, and powdered medicines, as well as ampoules or vials containing medicines. The main unit 2 may store any medicine as long as it is a medicine that can be stored in the main unit 2.

[0031] The main unit 2 includes a cassette shelf 21, a main cassette transport section 22, and a cassette holding section .

[0032] The cassette shelf 21 is a medicine storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca. In this embodiment, the cassette shelf 21 is capable of storing cassettes Ca of different sizes (types). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a cassette Ca that can be stored on the cassette shelf 21, where reference numeral 5001 is a perspective view showing an example of a large cassette Ca1, reference numeral 5002 is a perspective view showing an example of a medium-sized cassette Ca2, and reference numeral 5003 is a perspective view showing an example of a small cassette Ca3. Reference numeral 5004 in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a large cassette Ca1.

[0033] In the reference numeral 5001, a large cassette Ca1 is provided with dividers Ca11 that form multiple locations where medicines can be stored. This allows multiple types of medicine to be stored in one large cassette Ca1. In this embodiment, the large cassette Ca1 is provided with four dividers Ca11, forming five medicine storage areas (storage positions). The medium-sized cassette Ca2 is a cassette that is smaller in width (length in the short direction) than the large cassette Ca1 and larger in width than the small cassette Ca3. In addition, in the reference numeral 5002, a divider Ca21 is also provided in the medium-sized cassette Ca2 (two storage areas are formed in this embodiment).

[0034] The small cassette Ca3 may also be provided with a partition, forming multiple storage areas. The large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2 may not be provided with a partition, and the large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2 may function as cassettes capable of storing a single type of drug sheet. The partition Ca11 is removable from the cassette Ca. Therefore, the size and number of storage areas in the large cassette Ca1 can be set arbitrarily. The number of types of cassettes Ca is not limited to three; two or four or more types of cassettes with different widths may be prepared, or even just one type.

[0035] In this way, by providing partitions in each of the multiple types of cassettes Ca, multiple storage areas for storing medicines can be formed in the cassette Ca.

[0036] Furthermore, a claw receiving portion Ca12 is provided on a side wall (longitudinal end) extending in the short direction of the large cassette Ca1. The claw receiving portion Ca12 is adapted to hook onto a claw portion 2212 (see FIG. 8) of the main cassette transfer unit 22 and a protrusion 351a (see reference numeral 12002 in FIG. 12) of the picking cassette transfer unit 35. When the claw receiving portion Ca12 is hooked onto the claw portion 2212 or the protrusion 351a, the main cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 can remove or place the cassette Ca from or on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23.

[0037] The claw receiving portion Ca12 is also provided with a notch Ca13. The position of the notch Ca13 is detected by a position sensor 2214 (see FIG. 8), allowing the main body cassette transporter 22 to transport the cassette gripper 221 (see FIG. 8) directly in front of the large cassette Ca1 to be transported. This allows the large cassette Ca1 to be reliably removed.

[0038] Furthermore, two claw receiving portions Ca12 provided at both longitudinal ends of the large cassette Ca1 are each provided with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag (not shown), and each RFID tag stores claw receiving portion identification information for identifying the corresponding claw receiving portion Ca12.

[0039] The orientation of the cassette Ca when placed in the medicine delivery / reception unit 32 differs depending on whether the cassette Ca is removed from one of the claw receiving portions Ca12 or the other claw receiving portion Ca12. When a single cassette Ca contains multiple types of medicines, such as a large cassette Ca1, the positional relationship of the medicines with respect to the medicine delivery / reception unit 32 changes depending on the orientation in which the cassette is placed. Therefore, if the control device 10 cannot recognize the orientation in which the cassette is placed, there is a possibility that the shutter 322 cannot be opened to match the storage position of the medicine to be taken out.

[0040] By recording the claw receiving part identification information as described above and providing an RFID reader (not shown) in main body cassette transport section 22 (e.g., cassette drawer 2211 (see FIG. 8)), control device 10 can determine the orientation of cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader when cassette Ca is removed from cassette shelf 21. Therefore, control device 10 can open shutter 322 in medicine delivery / reception section 32 to match the storage position of the medicine sheet to be removed.

[0041] The claw receiving portion Ca12, the notch Ca13, and the RFID tag are also provided on the medium-sized cassette Ca2 and the small-sized cassette Ca3. That is, they are provided on all the cassettes Ca stored on the cassette shelf 21.

[0042] The RFID reader may also be provided in the picking cassette transport unit 35 (e.g., protrusion 351a). In this case, when the cassette Ca is removed from the delivery cassette holding unit 231 (state of reference numeral 13003 in FIG. 13), the control device 10 can determine the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving portion identification information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader, as described above.

[0043] The cassette Ca is also provided with a barcode Ca14. The barcode Ca14 includes, for example, cassette identification information for identifying the cassette Ca and size information indicating the size (type) of the cassette Ca (information indicating whether the cassette is a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, or a small cassette Ca3). The barcode Ca14 is merely an example, and the information may be provided on each cassette Ca so that it can be read by a barcode reader (not shown) provided on the cassette gripper 221 or the like. By reading the information on the barcode Ca14, the control device 10 can compare the information with data (described later) stored in the memory device 15. Therefore, for example, the main cassette transport device 22 can reliably retrieve the cassette Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed or the medicine to be filled. Furthermore, for example, the control device 10 can open the shutter 322 when the comparison result shows that the information matches the data.

[0044] The main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding unit 23. When dispensing medicines, the main body cassette transfer unit 22, for example, removes the cassette Ca containing the medicines included in the dispensing data from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (the cassette Ca from which the specified number of medicines has been removed by the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) to the cassette shelf 21. When filling medicines, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 removes the cassette Ca containing the type of medicine indicated by the medicine identification information read by the barcode reader 34 from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (the cassette Ca filled with medicines in the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) to the cassette shelf 21.

[0045] By providing the main cassette transport unit 22, the cassette Ca can be taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and transported to the picking unit 3, and the cassette Ca can be returned to the cassette shelf 21.

[0046] The cassette holding unit 23 is a buffer that temporarily holds the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or the picking unit 3. The cassette holding unit 23 includes a delivery cassette holding unit 231 and a receiving cassette holding unit 232. The delivery cassette holding unit 231 temporarily holds the cassette Ca that is taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and delivered to the medicine delivery unit 32 of the picking unit 3. The receiving cassette holding unit 232 temporarily holds the cassette Ca that is returned from the medicine delivery unit 32 to the receiving cassette shelf 21. In other words, the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 each function as a platform on which the cassette Ca is temporarily placed.

[0047] The main unit 2 is also provided with a first touch panel 5. The first touch panel 5 is a display device that displays various information related to the drug station 1, and also functions as an input device that accepts input operations by the operator. However, the first touch panel 5 may function only as a display device.

[0048] The main unit 2 is also provided with a plurality of doors 25 (opening and closing doors) on both the front and rear surfaces. A user can directly access the cassette shelf 21 by opening the doors 25. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the door 25 provided on a part of the rear surface is open. The doors 25 may be transparent or semi-transparent so that the cassette shelf 21 can be seen from outside the main unit 2.

[0049] 2 and 3, one picking unit 3 is provided on the front side of the main unit 2, but this is not limiting and multiple picking units 3 may be provided. Although not shown, the present specification will be described assuming that two picking units 3 are provided.

[0050] (Picking unit) The picking unit 3 is a device that dispenses medicines stored in the main unit 2. To dispense the medicines, the picking unit 3 functions as a device that allows an operator to perform a picking operation to remove medicines. The picking unit 3 also functions as a device that allows an operator to perform a filling operation to fill the main unit 2 with medicines. In other words, the picking unit 3 functions as a device that allows an operator to remove medicines from a cassette Ca stored in the main unit 2 or to fill the cassette Ca with medicines (a medicine handling device that enables an operator to handle medicines).

[0051] The picking unit 3 includes a second touch panel 31, a medicine delivery section 32, a barcode reader 34, a picking cassette transport section 35, a printer 36, a medicine placement table 37, a tray placement table 38, and a tray close button 39. These components are provided on a workbench 40 where an operator handles medicines.

[0052] The picking unit 3 transfers the cassette Ca transferred from the main unit 2 to the medicine transfer section 32 using the picking cassette transfer section 35. While checking the display content on the second touch panel 31, the operator removes the medicines from the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer section 32 and places them on the medicine placing table 37 or the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. The medicines placed on the medicine placing table 37 are eventually placed on the transport tray Tr.

[0053] The user transports the transport tray Tr containing the medicines to the inspection unit. The inspection unit is a unit that allows the user to perform a final inspection of the medicines dispensed from the main unit 2. The drug station 1 may be equipped with an inspection unit in addition to the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3. The work of filling the medicines into the cassette Ca is performed by the user.

[0054] Like the first touch panel 5, the second touch panel 31 displays various information related to the drug station 1 and accepts input operations by the operator. When removing drugs from a cassette Ca (when dispensing drugs), the second touch panel 31 displays, for example, the type and quantity of drugs that the operator should remove from the drug transfer unit 32. When loading drugs into a cassette Ca, the second touch panel 31 also accepts input operations to specify, for example, the type of drugs to be loaded or the cassette Ca containing the drugs.

[0055] Medicine transfer section 32 allows an operator to take out medicines from cassette Ca or to put medicines into cassette Ca (allowing an operator to transfer medicines). When cassette Ca contains a medicine sheet containing multiple medicines, medicine transfer section 32 allows the operator to take out all or part of the medicine sheet from cassette Ca or to put all or part of the medicine sheet into cassette Ca.

[0056] In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the term "fractional sheet" refers to a medication sheet cut out from a full medication sheet containing a specified amount of medication. The term "medication sheet" refers to either the entire medication sheet or a collective term for the entire medication sheet or a portion thereof (fractional sheet).

[0057] In this embodiment, the medicine transfer section 32 includes an opening 321 and a shutter 322. The opening 321 is an opening that allows an operator to access (take out or fill (input) medicines) the cassette Ca that has been transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. The shutter 322 is provided at the opening 321 and controls the operator's access to the cassette Ca. The shutter 322 is an opening / closing section that opens and closes the opening 321. The shutter 322 is normally in a closed state and becomes in an open state when the cassette Ca has been transferred to the medicine transfer section 32. The opening width of the shutter 322 can be changed depending on the cassette Ca that is to be taken out or filled (input) with medicines.

[0058] The shutter 322 includes a first shutter 322a and a second shutter 322b. The first shutter 322a opens and closes in the Y-axis direction, and the second shutter 322b opens and closes in the direction (X-axis direction) substantially perpendicular to the first shutter 322a. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 15, the first shutter 322a is controlled to open and close in accordance with the size of the storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. This control of opening and closing allows the operator to access only the storage area containing the medicines to be dispensed. The second shutter 322b is also controlled to open and close in accordance with the sizes of cassettes Ca of various widths (e.g., large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, small cassette Ca3). This control of opening and closing reduces the possibility that medicines removed from the cassette Ca by the operator will fall through a gap formed between the cassette Ca and the first shutter 322a in the X-axis direction (the short side direction of the medicine delivery / reception unit 32). The first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b may be opened and closed simultaneously, or one of them may be opened and closed first.

[0059] The barcode reader 34 is a device that reads barcodes attached to medicines when a filling operation is performed to fill the cassette Ca with the medicines. The barcode includes, for example, a GS1 code attached to the medicine sheet itself, a package in which multiple medicine sheets are packaged (pillow-packaged), a package in which multiple packaged powder medicines are pillow-packaged, or a box containing such packages. The barcode may also include, for example, a GS1 code attached to a box containing medicines other than medicine sheets (e.g., ointments, eye drops). The barcode may include medicine identification information for identifying the medicine, and the GS1 code is one example. In other words, the picking unit 3 may be provided with a reading device capable of reading medicine identification information. In this embodiment, the barcode reader 34 is attached to a corner of the workbench 40 so as not to interfere with the operator's work of removing or filling medicines at the workbench 40.

[0060] The picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca between the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 (specifically, between the cassette holding section 23 and the medicine delivery section 32). This allows the cassette Ca to be removed from the main body unit 2 and transported to the medicine delivery section 32, and the cassette Ca to be returned to the main body unit 2.

[0061] For example, when dispensing medicines, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231) from which medicines are to be removed or filled in the medicine delivery and receiving unit 32 to the medicine delivery and receiving position P1 (see FIG. 13) of the medicine delivery and receiving unit 32. When a cassette Ca is located at the medicine delivery and receiving position P1, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca from which medicines are to be removed or filled next to the cassette Ca to a waiting position P2 (see FIG. 13) provided near the medicine delivery and receiving unit 32, where the cassette Ca waits. The picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca from which medicines have been removed in the medicine delivery and receiving unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0062] The printer 36 outputs printed matter such as a journal on which information about the medicines taken out from the cassette Ca (for example, the type of medicine, the number of medicines taken out) is printed.

[0063] Medicine placing table 37 is a placing section on which medicines are placed in order to count the number of medicines. Medicine placing table 37 may function as a fractional sheet placing section on which fractional sheets are placed in order to count the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheets. The fractional sheets may be cut out from a medicine sheet removed from cassette Ca in medicine transfer section 32, or may be removed from cassette Ca. A medicine sheet (full sheet) may be placed on medicine placing table 37. In this case, medicine placing table 37 functions as a fractional sheet placing section on which medicine sheets are placed in order to count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet. One or multiple fractional sheets may be placed on medicine placing table 37. Similarly, one or multiple medicine sheets may be placed on medicine placing table 37.

[0064] In this embodiment, an imaging unit 371 is provided above the medicine placing table 37 to capture an image of a fractional sheet, a medicine sheet, or a combination of a fractional sheet and a medicine sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37. In addition, a backlight 372 (illumination unit) that illuminates the medicine placing table 37 is provided below the medicine placing table 37. When the imaging unit 371 captures an image of the medicine sheet or fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37, the backlight 372 is turned on and illuminates the medicine sheet or fractional sheet from the opposite direction to the image capturing direction of the medicine by the imaging unit 371.

[0065] It is also possible to provide an imaging unit 371 below the medicine placing table 37 and an illumination unit above the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the area of ​​the medicine placing table 37 where the medicine is placed may be transparent or semi-transparent so that the imaging unit 371 can acquire the shape of the medicine.

[0066] For example, when the drug station 1 is started up, the control device 10 turns on the backlight 372 and sets the imaging unit 371 to an imaging state. That is, in this case, while the drug station 1 is running, the imaging unit 371 continues to image the medicine placing table 37 regardless of whether a fractional sheet (or a medicine sheet (full sheet)) is placed on the medicine placing table 37. If a fractional sheet is not placed on the medicine placing table 37, the imaging unit 371 does not capture an image of the medicine, and the control device 10 does not perform a medicine counting process based on the captured image. That is, the control device 10 performs a medicine counting process based on the captured image only when a fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37 and the imaging unit 371 captures an image of the fractional sheet.

[0067] However, the control device 10 may turn on the backlight 372 and capture an image of at least the remaining sheets with the imaging unit 371, for example, when it receives an input operation indicating that the specified number of sheets has been removed (e.g., when it detects that the tray close button 39 has been pressed). That is, in this case, the control device 10 turns on the backlight 372 and sets the imaging unit 371 to an imaging state only when it receives the input operation. The specified number is the number specified as the quantity of medicines to be removed from the cassette Ca transferred from the main unit 2 to the medicine delivery / reception unit 32. The specified number of each medicine is specified, for example, in the dispensing data received from the dispensing control device 800. Alternatively, the specified number of medicines to be removed may be specified by an input operation by the operator.

[0068] Tray placing table 38 is a table for placing transport tray Tr onto which medicines taken out from medicine giving and receiving unit 32 are put. Tray placing table 38 also functions as a medicine placing unit for placing medicines in order to count the number of medicines taken out from medicine giving and receiving unit 32. When a medicine sheet is taken out from medicine giving and receiving unit 32, tray placing table 38 functions as a sheet placing unit for placing the medicine sheet in order to count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet. Tray placing table 38 includes sensor 381 and weighing unit 382.

[0069] The sensor 381 detects a transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. In this embodiment, the sensor 381 is a transmission type sensor having a light source on one side and a light detection unit on the other side that detects light emitted from the light source. When a transmission type sensor is used, the presence or absence of a transport tray Tr can be recognized with high accuracy. However, a reflective type sensor that detects light emitted from the light source and reflected by the placed transport tray Tr may also be used. In this embodiment, the sensor 381 is provided on both side walls of the tray placement table 38.

[0070] The weighing unit 382 weighs the medicines placed in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray mounting base 38. The weighing unit 382 may, for example, weigh a medicine sheet or a combination of a medicine sheet and a remainder sheet. The weighing unit 382 is provided below the bottom of the tray mounting base 38. For example, a load cell is used as the weighing unit 382.

[0071] It is also possible that the weight of each transport tray Tr is not stored in the memory unit 15, and the weighing unit 382 calculates the weight of the medicines placed on the tray placing table 38 by subtracting the tare weight. Specifically, after the transport tray Tr is placed on the tray placing table 38, the weighing unit 382 subtracts the tare weight. Thereafter, the operator places medicines on the transport tray Tr, and the weighing unit 382 can measure only the weight of the medicines.

[0072] The tray close button 39 is a mechanical operation button that switches the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b from an open state to a closed state when pressed by an operator. The tray close button 39 has a lighting function and may light up when the button is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0073] The upper surface of the workbench 40 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. To make it easier for an operator to take out or fill medicines into the cassette Ca, the upper surface is inclined so as to become lower from the main unit 2 side toward the standing position of the operator (toward the -Y axis direction).

[0074] In the drug station 1 of this embodiment, the user transports the transport tray Tr containing the medicine to the inspection unit, but this is not limited to this. A tray transport unit may be provided in the drug station 1, and the transport tray Tr may be automatically transported from the picking unit 3.

[0075] (Control device) The control device 10 controls all the units of the drug station 1. The control device 10 includes a main unit control unit 11, a picking unit control unit 12, a touch panel control unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0076] The main unit control section 11 controls all sections of the main unit 2. The main unit control section 11 includes, for example, a cassette specifying section 111 and a main unit cassette transfer control section 112 (transfer control section).

[0077] The cassette identification unit 111 identifies the cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21 based on the dispensing data, an input operation by an operator on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or the reading result of the barcode reader 34. The cassette identification unit 111 also identifies the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving portion identification information read by the RFID reader.

[0078] The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the driving of the main body cassette transfer unit 22. Specifically, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification unit 111 to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. In addition, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232 to the storage position (original position) of the cassette Ca.

[0079] When controlling the main body cassette transport unit 22 based on the dispensing data, the main body cassette transport control unit 112 transports the cassette Ca, which is identified by the cassette identification unit 111 and contains the medicines included in the dispensing data, to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. Thereafter, the picking cassette transport unit 35 of the picking unit 3 transports the cassette Ca, which has been transferred from the medicine delivery unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232, to the storage position of the cassette Ca.

[0080] The picking unit control unit 12 comprehensively controls each part of the picking unit 3. The picking unit control unit 12 includes, for example, a picking cassette transfer control unit 121 (transfer control unit), a shutter control unit 122, and a medicine determination unit .

[0081] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the driving of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 based on the dispensing data, an input operation by an operator on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31, or the reading result of the barcode reader 34. When controlling the picking cassette transfer unit 35 based on the dispensing data, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca from which the medicine included in the prescription data is to be taken out to the medicine delivery position P1 or the standby position P2.

[0082] The shutter control unit 122 controls the opening and closing operation of the shutter 322. The shutter control unit 122 controls the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b independently.

[0083] Based on the image of the medicine captured by imaging unit 371, medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the designated number of medicines defined by the dispensing data are placed on medicine placing table 37. In the case of medicine sheets, based on the image of the fractional sheet captured by imaging unit 371, medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the quantity of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets out of the designated number are placed on medicine placing table 37. Furthermore, medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the designated number of medicines defined by the dispensing data are placed on tray placing table 38 based on the weight of the medicine weighed by weighing unit 382. In the case of medicine sheets, based on the weight of the medicine sheet (full sheet) weighed by weighing unit 382, ​​medicine determination unit 124 determines whether or not the quantity of medicines to be dispensed as medicine sheets (full sheet) out of the designated number are placed on tray placing table 38. That is, the medicine determination unit 124 functions as a counting unit that counts the number of medicines placed on the medicine placing table 37 and / or the number of medicines placed on the tray placing table 38.

[0084] If the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine included in a medicine sheet, the medicine determination unit 124, for example, analyzes the image to identify the shape of the fractional sheet placed on the medicine placing table 37. The medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines included in the fractional sheet based on the shape and the fractional sheet size per medicine (the size of a fractional sheet containing only one medicine tablet) stored for each medicine type in the memory unit 15. An example of a counting method in this case will be described in embodiment 2.

[0085] Furthermore, the drug determination unit 124 may count the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheets based on, for example, the shape, the number of sheet drugs contained in one drug sheet (full sheet) stored for each drug type in the memory unit 15, and the area of ​​one drug sheet stored for each drug type in the memory unit 15. The sheet drug number is a number defined as the number of drugs contained in one drug sheet (the number of drugs contained in the vertical direction of the drug sheet multiplied by the number of drugs contained in the horizontal direction of the drug sheet). In this case, for example, the drug determination unit 124 may calculate the ratio of the area of ​​the shape to the area of ​​the drug sheet, and multiply the number of drug sheets by this ratio to count the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheets.

[0086] The memory unit 15 may also store information indicating the length of the ear portion ER (see FIG. 19) and information indicating the sum of the length of the ear portion ER and the length of a fractional sheet containing one drug adjacent to the ear portion ER (symbol "ERA" in FIG. 19). By using this information, the drug determination unit 124 can count the number of drugs contained in the fractional sheet, taking the ear portion ER into consideration.

[0087] Furthermore, information indicating the length (longitudinal length or lateral length) of a fractional sheet containing a predetermined number of adjacent medicines on one medicine sheet may be stored in memory unit 15. In this case, medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheet based on the shape and the length of the fractional sheet.

[0088] Furthermore, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheets placed on the tray loading platform 38 based on the weight of the medicine sheets measured by the weighing unit 382 and the weight per medicine sheet for each medicine type stored in the memory unit 15. For example, the medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines by multiplying the value obtained by dividing the measured weight of the medicine sheet by the weight per medicine sheet by the number of medicines on the medicine sheet.

[0089] When a medicine sheet (full sheet) is placed on medicine placing table 37, medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the image. Medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the shape of the medicine sheet identified by analyzing the image and the number of medicines on the sheet. Medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet based on the shape of the medicine sheet identified by analyzing the image and the size of the remaining sheets, for example.

[0090] Furthermore, the storage unit 15 only needs to store information required according to the above-mentioned counting method used by the drug determination unit 124.

[0091] Furthermore, in the case of medicines that are not medicine sheets (e.g., ointments, eye drops), the medicine determination unit 124 can count the number of medicines, for example, as follows: The medicine determination unit 124 may count the number of medicines placed on the tray placement base 38 based on the weight of the medicine measured by the weighing unit 382 and the weight per medicine for each medicine type stored in the memory unit 15.

[0092] If the drug determination unit 124 determines that the number of drugs placed on the drug placement stand 37, the number of drugs placed on the tray placement stand 38, or the total number thereof matches the specified number, it determines that the drugs to be dispensed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca.

[0093] Here, the modes for counting the number of medicines contained in a medicine sheet include, for example, a first counting mode and a second counting mode.

[0094] When the first counting mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines for the remaining sheets placed on the medicine placing table 37 based on the image capture result of the image capture unit 371. For the medicine sheets placed on the tray placing table 38, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines based on the weight of the medicine sheets measured by the weighing unit 382. If each counting result matches the number of medicines to be placed on each table, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines taken out by the operator matches the specified number. When the touch panel control unit 14 displays the match determination result on the second touch panel 31, the operator confirms this display, then bundles the medicine sheets and remaining sheets together with a rubber band, and places them into the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. In addition, when multiple drug sheets placed on the tray loading platform 38 are bound together with rubber bands, the drug determination unit 124 calculates the weight of the drug sheets placed in the transport tray Tr as the weight of the drug sheets minus the weight of each rubber band.

[0095] Furthermore, when the second counting mode is set, the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines for the remaining sheets placed on the medicine placing table 37 based on the image capture result of the image capture unit 371. If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the number of medicines included in the remaining sheets matches the number of medicines to be placed on the medicine placing table 37, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a determination result indicating a match on the second touch panel 31. After confirming this display, the operator bundles the medicine sheets removed from the cassette Ca and the remaining sheets removed from the medicine placing table 37 with a rubber band and places them on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38. The weighing unit 382 measures the total weight of the medicine sheets and remaining sheets bundled with the rubber band after they are placed on the tray placing table 38. The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the designated number of medicines has been placed on the transport tray Tr based on the measurement result of the weighing unit 382.

[0096] For example, the medicine determination unit 124 calculates a weight by subtracting from the measured weight the weight per rubber band and the value obtained by multiplying the weight per medicine to be dispensed (the weight of the fractional sheet containing one medicine) by the number of medicines to be dispensed as fractional sheets. This allows the medicine determination unit 124 to calculate the weight of the medicine sheets placed in the transport tray Tr. If the weight of this medicine sheet approximately matches (is equal to or within the margin of error) the value obtained by multiplying the weight per medicine sheet by the number of medicine sheets to be dispensed, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the specified number of medicines have been placed in the transport tray Tr. The medicine determination unit 124 may also determine whether the measured weight approximately matches the total weight of the medicine sheets and fractional sheets corresponding to the medicine to be dispensed, which are stored in the memory unit 15, and the weight per rubber band, which is stored in the memory unit 15.

[0097] In the first counting mode, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the number of medicine sheets and the number of remainder sheets taken out from the medicine delivery unit 32 are appropriate based on the weighing results of the weighing unit 382 and the imaging results of the imaging unit 371, respectively. Therefore, the medicine determination unit 124 can accurately determine whether the numbers are appropriate. However, in the first counting mode, the determination result by the medicine determination unit 124 is output before the medicine sheets and the remainder sheets are bundled together with a rubber band and placed in the transport tray Tr. Therefore, after confirming that the numbers are appropriate, it is up to the operator to remember to bundle the medicine sheets and the remainder sheets with a rubber band and place them in the transport tray Tr.

[0098] In the second counting mode, the medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the specified number of medicines have been placed in the transport tray Tr after the operator has bundled the medicine sheets and any remaining sheets with a rubber band and placed them in the transport tray Tr. This reduces the possibility that the operator will forget to bundle the medicine sheets and any remaining sheets with a rubber band and place them in the transport tray Tr. However, the weighing unit 382 weighs the medicine sheets and any remaining sheets while they are still bundled with a rubber band. Therefore, the counting accuracy based on the weighing may be lower than in the first counting mode (when only the medicine sheets are placed in the transport tray Tr before weighing by the weighing unit 382).

[0099] The first counting mode and the second counting mode may be selected as appropriate at a hospital or the like that receives the drug station 1. Whether the first counting mode or the second counting mode is set may be determined based on whether the reliability of the operation of bundling the drug sheets and the remaining sheets with a rubber band and placing them on the transport tray Tr at the receiving location is more important, or the reliability of the counting accuracy based on the weighing by the weighing unit 382.

[0100] In the first counting mode, the weighing unit 382 measures the weight of the drug sheets and leftover sheets held together by rubber bands after they are placed on the tray loading platform 38, and the drug determination unit 124 may determine whether the specified number of drugs have been placed on the transport tray Tr based on the measurement results.

[0101] The touch panel control unit 14 controls the display of the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31.

[0102] For example, the touch panel control unit 14 displays on the second touch panel 31 the number of medications to be taken out by the operator. For medications that are not medication sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a designated number as the number of medications to be taken out by the operator. For medication sheets, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the number of medication sheets (full sheets) and the number of medications to be dispensed as fractional sheets as the number of medications to be taken out by the operator. The touch panel control unit 14 may also display the total number of medication sheets and the number of medications to be dispensed as fractional sheets (i.e., the designated number). This display allows the operator to place the designated number of medications on the medication placing table 37 and / or the tray placing table 38. For example, the operator can insert a predetermined number of medication sheets into a transport tray Tr placed on the tray placing table 38 and place the fractional sheets containing the predetermined number of medications on the medication placing table 37.

[0103] Here, the control device 10 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is a drug included in a drug sheet or a drug not included in a drug sheet based on information stored in the memory unit 15 for each drug type, indicating whether the drug is included in a drug sheet.

[0104] When the drugs to be dispensed are drugs contained in a drug sheet, the control device 10 calculates the number of drug sheets and fractional sheets to be dispensed based on the specified number and, for example, the fractional sheet size or number of drugs per sheet stored for each drug type in the memory unit 15. For example, if the number of drugs specified on one drug sheet is 10 and the specified number is 32, the control device 10 calculates that there will be three drug sheets to be dispensed and two drugs to be dispensed as fractional sheets. The touch panel control unit 14 displays this calculation result on the second touch panel 31. Thereafter, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the sum of the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 37 by the operator and the number of drugs placed on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38 by the operator matches the specified number.

[0105] If the medicine determination unit 124 determines that they match, it determines that the medicine to be dispensed has been properly removed from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, via the second touch panel 31, a message indicating that the medicine has been properly removed. After visually confirming this message, the operator presses the tray close button 39 to close the shutter 322. This causes the control device 10 to transport the cassette Ca containing the next medicine to be dispensed to the medicine delivery unit 32. On the other hand, if the medicine determination unit 124 determines that they do not match, it determines that the medicine to be dispensed has not been properly removed from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, via the second touch panel 31, an error message indicating that the medicine has not been properly removed. Note that these controls are also applied to cases where the medicine to be dispensed is not a medicine sheet.

[0106] Here, consider a case where, during activation of the drug station 1, the imaging unit 371 continues to capture images of the medicine placing table 37, regardless of whether or not a fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37. In this case, the imaging unit 371 captures an image of the fractional sheet each time a fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37, and the medicine determination unit 124 counts the number of medicines contained in the fractional sheet based on the captured image. When a fractional sheet containing medicines less than the quantity to be dispensed as the fractional sheet is placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the counted number of medicines does not match the quantity to be dispensed. However, the touch panel control unit 14 does not display this determination result on the second touch panel 31. In other words, in this case, the operator is not notified (an error message is displayed) that the quantity of medicines to be dispensed has not been properly dispensed. On the other hand, when a fractional sheet containing the amount of medicines to be dispensed is placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the counted number of medicines matches the amount of medicines to be dispensed, and the touch panel control unit 14 displays this determination result on the second touch panel 31. That is, in this case, the operator is notified that the amount of medicines to be dispensed has been properly dispensed. Then, after displaying the determination result, the control device 10 automatically proceeds to the next process (step). Also, when a fractional sheet containing more medicines than the amount to be dispensed is placed on the medicine placing table 37, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the counted number of medicines does not match the amount of medicines to be dispensed, and the touch panel control unit 14 displays this determination result on the second touch panel 31. That is, in this case, the operator is notified (an error message) that the amount of medicines to be dispensed has not been properly dispensed.

[0107] Furthermore, the control device 10 may be able to set, by a user's input operation, an allowable mode that allows a fractional sheet containing only one medicine to be placed on the medicine placing table 37, and a non-allowable mode that does not allow it. In this case, the control device 10 may change the method of counting the number of medicines depending on whether the allowable mode or the non-allowable mode is selected.

[0108] The memory unit 15 stores various data required by the control device 10. For example, the memory unit 15 stores, for each drug type, reference data specifying the size of the remaining sheets or the number of drugs per sheet, data indicating the weight per drug, and data indicating the weight per drug sheet. The memory unit 15 also stores data indicating the weight per rubber band. If a drug is contained in the drug sheet, data indicating the weight of the remaining sheet containing one drug may be stored for each drug type. The memory unit 15 also stores, for example, information specified for each drug type that indicates whether or not a drug is contained in the drug sheet. In addition, the memory unit 15 stores, for example, (1) Data associating cassette identification information with the storage position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21; (2) Data associating cassette identification information of the cassette Ca (or storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca) with drug identification information; (3) type information indicating the type of each cassette Ca; I remember.

[0109] The type information may be, for example, information indicating a large cassette Ca1, a medium cassette Ca2, or a small cassette Ca3. The storage position information may specify, for example, the storage position from one end of the cassette Ca (e.g., the distance from the end).

[0110] Furthermore, images captured by the imaging unit 371 are stored in the storage unit 15. This allows evidence of the picking work to be left behind.

[0111] (Example of operation of Drag Station 1) An example of the operation of the drug station 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0112] (Operation when dispensing medicine) First, when dispensing data is read into the drug station 1, the main cassette transport section 22 of the main unit 2 grasps the cassette Ca containing the drug to be prescribed (to be dispensed, to be removed) from among the cassettes Ca stored in the main unit 2, and places it on the cassette holding section 23.

[0113] The cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 is transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 by the picking cassette transfer unit 35. The operator checks the second touch panel 31 to remove a specified number of medicines from the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer unit 32. The operator places the removed medicines on the medicine placing table 37 and / or the transport tray placed on the tray placing table 38. Thereafter, the control device 10 determines whether the specified number of medicines has been placed on the medicine placing table 37 or the transport tray Tr based on the imaging result of the imaging unit 371 as well as the medicine weighing result of the weighing unit 382.

[0114] When the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine sheet, it is gathered into a predetermined shape with a rubber band and placed into the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 38. The predetermined shape refers to, for example, the following shapes.

[0115] (1) When there is one or more drug sheets, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape of the drug sheets.

[0116] (2) In the case of only fractional sheets, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape of the fractional sheets.

[0117] (3) When one or more medicine sheets and remaining sheets are bundled together, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape when one or more remaining sheets are placed on top of one or more medicine sheets. For example, when dispensing 22 medicine tablets, each consisting of 10 tablets, the predetermined shape is two medicine sheets stacked on top of each other with the remaining sheet for two tablets placed on top of them.

[0118] When all the medications to be stored in one transport tray have been stored, the user transports the transport tray Tr to the inspection unit, where a final inspection is performed. The number of medications to be stored in one transport tray Tr may be specified, for example, in the dispensing data, or may be determined by the control device 10 based on the dosage and method of administration, etc. The number of medications may be specified, for example, as the number of medications prescribed to patients (i.e., the number of medications per patient).

[0119] (Operation when filling medicine) First, the user uses the barcode reader 34 to input the drug identification information of the drug to be filled into the main unit 2 to the drug station 1. When the input of this drug identification information is accepted, the main unit cassette transfer unit 22 in the main unit 2 transfers the cassette Ca to be filled to the cassette holding unit 23 based on the drug identification information.

[0120] In the picking unit 3, the picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding section 23 to the medicine delivery section 32. The user puts medicines into the cassette Ca that has been transported to the medicine delivery section 32. When the putting of medicines into the cassette Ca is completed (for example, when a completion operation is received on the second touch panel 31), the picking cassette transport section 35 transports the cassette Ca to the cassette holding section 23. Thereafter, in the main unit 2, the main body cassette transport section 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding section 23 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0121] <Main unit structure> Next, the specific structure of the main unit 2 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. In Figure 6, reference numeral 6001 is a perspective view showing an example of the main unit 2, and reference numeral 6002 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the main cassette transfer section 22. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of storage of cassettes Ca.

[0122] (Cassette shelf and cassette transfer section) As indicated by reference numerals 6001 and 6002 in Fig. 6, the cassette shelf 21 can store the cassettes Ca in a matrix along a vertical plane. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the cassette shelf 21 includes a plurality of cassette mounting plates 211 on which the cassettes Ca are placed, and mounting plate supports 212 that support each cassette mounting plate 211.

[0123] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the same type of cassettes Ca are placed on each cassette placement plate 211. That is, the width (length in the X-axis direction) of the cassette placement plate 211 and the widths of the large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, and small cassette Ca3 are specified so that the same type of cassettes Ca can be placed on each cassette placement plate 211. In the example of Fig. 7, the same type of cassettes Ca are placed on each cassette placement plate 211, but this is not limiting, and the above two widths may be specified so that different types of cassettes Ca can be placed on each cassette placement plate 211.

[0124] As shown by the reference numeral 6001, a first cassette shelf 21a and a second cassette shelf 21b are provided facing each other as the cassette shelves 21. A main body cassette transfer section 22 is provided between the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b. In the same drawing, an example is shown in which a first main body cassette transfer section 22a and a second main body cassette transfer section 22b are provided as the main body cassette transfer section 22.

[0125] Under the control of the main cassette transfer control unit 112, the main cassette transfer unit 22 pulls out a cassette Ca stored in the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b, and then places it on the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231). The main cassette transfer unit 22 also pulls out a cassette Ca placed in the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232), and then returns it to the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b. This makes it possible to remove or return a cassette Ca from or to the cassette shelf 21 that stores cassettes Ca in a matrix along a vertical plane. The main cassette transfer control unit 112 independently controls the first main cassette transfer unit 22a and the second main cassette transfer unit 22b.

[0126] As indicated by reference numerals 6001 and 6002, the first main cassette transfer unit 22a includes a first cassette gripper 221a and a first cassette transfer mechanism 222a. Similarly, the second main cassette transfer unit 22b includes a second cassette gripper 221b and a second cassette transfer mechanism 222b.

[0127] The first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, pull out and grip the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232). Furthermore, the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b move vertically and / or horizontally to transport the gripped cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231) and place it on the cassette shelf 21 or the delivery cassette holding unit 231.

[0128] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the cassette gripping portion 221 (first cassette gripping portion 221a and second cassette gripping portion 221b). Also, reference numerals 9001 to 9003 in Fig. 9 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the cassette gripping portion 221. As shown in Fig. 8, the cassette gripping portion 221 includes a cassette pull-out portion 2211, a claw portion 2212, a cassette support portion 2213, a position sensor 2214, and a rotation drive portion 2215.

[0129] 8, the cassette pull-out section 2211, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control section 112, pulls in the cassette Ca placed on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23 into the cassette gripping section 221. The cassette pull-out section 2211 is slidably supported on rails (not shown) extending in the depth direction of the cassette gripping section 221 below the cassette gripping section 221, and moves in the depth direction. This allows the cassette Ca to be pulled out from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23 and delivered to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding section 23.

[0130] The claw portion 2212 is a member for hooking onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 provided on the cassette Ca. As shown by reference numeral 9001 in FIG. 9, when the cassette gripping portion 221 is positioned in front of the cassette Ca to be moved, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 so that the claw portion 2212 is positioned below the claw receiving portion Ca12, as shown by reference numeral 9002 in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 raises the cassette gripping portion 221. As a result, the claw portion 2212 is temporarily locked in the claw receiving portion Ca12. In this state, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 to its original position, as shown by reference numeral 9003 in FIG. 9, thereby drawing the cassette Ca into the cassette gripping portion 221.

[0131] When placing the held cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23, the reverse operation to that for pulling in the cassette Ca is performed. That is, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette holding unit 221 to a position where the cassette Ca is to be placed in the state indicated by reference numeral 9003, and then moves the cassette drawer 2211 in front of the cassette holding unit 221, as indicated by reference numeral 9002. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 lowers the cassette holding unit 221, thereby releasing the temporary engagement between the claw portion 2212 and the claw receiving portion Ca12. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette drawer 2211 to its original position, as indicated by reference numeral 9001.

[0132] Returning to FIG. 8, the cassette support portion 2213 supports the cassette Ca drawn out by the cassette drawing portion 2211.

[0133] The position sensor 2214 detects whether the cassette gripping part 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca to be moved. The position sensor 2214 includes, for example, a light-emitting part that emits light and a light-receiving part that receives the light. As described above, the cassette Ca is provided with the notch Ca13. The stopping position of the cassette gripping part 221 and the storage position (loading position) of the cassette Ca are positioned so that the light emitted from the position sensor 2214 is irradiated onto the notch Ca13 when the cassette gripping part 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca to be moved.

[0134] Therefore, when the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca, light is irradiated onto the notch Ca13, and the light is not received by the light receiving unit. In this case, the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. On the other hand, when the cassette gripper 221 is located at a position shifted from directly in front of the cassette Ca, light is not irradiated onto the notch Ca13, but onto the wall surface of the claw receiving unit Ca12, and the light reflected from the wall surface is received by the light receiving unit. In this case, the position sensor 2214 cannot detect that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. Therefore, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette gripper 221 so that the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripper 221 is located directly in front of the cassette Ca. That is, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 finely adjusts the position of the cassette gripping unit 221 so that the light emitted by the position sensor 2214 is irradiated onto the notch Ca13 but is not received by the notch Ca13. This allows the cassette gripping unit 221 to reliably pull out the cassette Ca.

[0135] The rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping unit 221 around the vertical axis so that the cassette gripping unit 221 (specifically, the cassette pull-out unit 2211) can be moved to the first cassette shelf 21a, the second cassette shelf 21b, or the cassette holding unit 23.

[0136] Specifically, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, the rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping unit 221 so that the cassette pull-out unit 2211 faces the placement position of the cassette Ca while or after the cassette gripping unit 221 moves to the placement position of the cassette Ca. This makes it possible to remove the cassette Ca from the placement position or to place the cassette Ca at the placement position.

[0137] For example, the rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping unit 221 so that the cassette pull-out unit 2211 faces the storage position of the cassette Ca to be removed on the first cassette shelf 21 a or the second cassette shelf 21 b, and then pulls out the cassette Ca from that storage position. This makes it possible to remove the cassette Ca from either the first cassette shelf 21 a or the second cassette shelf 21 b, which are arranged along different vertical planes.

[0138] 6, the first cassette transfer mechanism 222a includes a first beam 223a and a first support column 224a. Similarly, the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b includes a second beam 223b and a second support column 224b.

[0139] The first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b extend in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21, and slidably support the first support portion 224a and the second support portion 224b, respectively. The first support portion 224a and the second support portion 224b extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21, and slidably support the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b, respectively.

[0140] The first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b are spaced a predetermined distance apart. This predetermined width is set to a width that allows the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b to move along the width direction of the cassette shelf 21. The predetermined width is also set to a width that prevents the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b from colliding with the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b even when the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b rotate about a rotation axis that is in the vertical direction. Note that by setting the predetermined width as small as possible, the main unit 2 can be made smaller.

[0141] The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 then moves the first support pillar 224a along the first beam 223a, and also moves the first cassette gripper 221a along the first support pillar 224a (similarly to the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b). As a result, the desired cassette Ca can be moved between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holder 23.

[0142] Furthermore, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the movements (positions) of the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b so that the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the second cassette gripping unit 221b do not collide with each other.

[0143] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b are supported in a cantilevered state by the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b, which are provided at a predetermined distance apart as described above. The first cassette transfer mechanism 222a and the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b are controlled so as not to interfere with each other in the movable area of ​​the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b (the area between the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b). Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b can move between the cassette shelf 21 (the storage position of the cassette Ca) and the cassette holding portion 23 without colliding with each other.

[0144] Therefore, the cassette Ca can be transferred between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding portion 23 by the plurality of cassette gripping portions 221, and therefore the efficiency of transferring the cassette Ca can be improved.

[0145] The first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b do not necessarily have to be arranged facing each other, as long as they are arranged so that the vertical planes on which the cassettes Ca are stored are different from each other. Arranging them in this manner makes it possible to save space in the storage area for a large number of cassettes Ca. However, by arranging the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b facing each other, it is possible to store cassettes Ca at a high density while further saving space. The number of cassette shelves 21 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0146] Furthermore, the number of main body cassette transfer sections 22 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. However, by providing the first main body cassette transfer section 22a and the second main body cassette transfer section 22b and allowing the first cassette gripping section 221a and the second cassette gripping section 221b to move without colliding with each other, it becomes possible to efficiently transfer cassettes Ca in the main body unit 2, which has a large capacity and is compact.

[0147] (Cassette holder) As indicated by reference numeral 6001 in FIG. 6, the cassette holding section 23 includes a first cassette holding section 23a, a second cassette holding section 23b, a third cassette holding section 23c, and a fourth cassette holding section 23d. In this embodiment, two picking units 3 are provided in the main body unit 2. Each picking unit 3 is provided with two medicine transfer sections 32 (four in total). The first cassette holding section 23a, the second cassette holding section 23b, the third cassette holding section 23c, and the fourth cassette holding section 23d are provided to correspond to the four medicine transfer sections 32, respectively. In this way, it is sufficient that one cassette holding section 23 is provided for one medicine transfer section 32.

[0148] 10, the cassette holding section 23 is provided to correspond to a picking cassette transfer section 35 provided in the picking unit 3 so as to enable transfer of the cassette Ca between the cassette holding section 23 and the medicine delivery section 32. Specifically, a picking cassette transfer section 35 is provided for each of the first cassette holding section 23a, the second cassette holding section 23b, the third cassette holding section 23c, and the fourth cassette holding section 23d. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the main unit 2 and the picking unit 3.

[0149] 10, each of the first cassette holding unit 23a, the second cassette holding unit 23b, the third cassette holding unit 23c, and the fourth cassette holding unit 23d includes a delivery cassette holding unit 231 and a receiving cassette holding unit 232. In the example of FIG. 10, in one cassette holding unit 23 provided corresponding to one medicine transfer unit 32, two delivery cassette holding units 231 and two receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided alternately along the vertical direction. Note that one cassette holding unit 23 may be provided with three or more delivery cassette holding units 231 and three or more receiving cassette holding units 232.

[0150] In this way, a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of receiving cassette holding units 232 may be provided for one medicine transfer unit 32. When a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided, it becomes possible to hold more cassettes Ca to be transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 near the medicine transfer unit 32. This makes it possible to transfer cassettes Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32 efficiently. However, a configuration in which one delivery cassette holding unit 231 and one receiving cassette holding unit 232 are provided for one medicine transfer unit 32 may also be used.

[0151] In this specification, the cassette holding unit 23 is described as being provided in the main unit 2, but it may also be provided in the picking unit 3. When provided in the picking unit 3, the location of the cassette holding unit 23 of the main unit 2, indicated by reference numeral 6001 in Fig. 6, functions as an insertion section into which the cassette holding unit 23 provided in the picking unit 3 is inserted. In other words, it is sufficient that the cassette shelf 21, main unit cassette transport unit 22, and cassette holding unit 23 realize the basic configuration of the cassette handling device described above.

[0152] <Picking unit structure> Next, a specific structure of the picking unit 3 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking unit 3. Note that Figure 11 illustrates only a portion of the picking unit 3 where the medicine delivery section 32 is provided.

[0153] 11, a picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided below the medicine delivery unit 32. Specifically, one picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided for one medicine delivery unit 32 (one opening 321 and a shutter 322 (see FIG. 2) provided corresponding to the opening 321).

[0154] In this embodiment, the picking unit 3 is provided with a first medicine delivery and reception section 32a and a second medicine delivery and reception section 32b as the medicine delivery and reception section 32. A picking cassette transfer section 35 including a first picking cassette transfer section 35a and a second picking cassette transfer section 35b is provided below the first medicine delivery and reception section 32a. A picking cassette transfer section 35 including the first picking cassette transfer section 35a is provided below the second medicine delivery and reception section 32b.

[0155] In this embodiment, for example, when dispensing medicines based on dispensing data, the picking unit 3 uses a first medicine transfer section 32a and a picking cassette transport section 35 provided below the first medicine transfer section 32a. That is, in this embodiment, the first medicine transfer section 32a is a medicine transfer section to which a cassette Ca containing medicines to be dispensed based on the dispensing data is transferred. Note that the main unit 2 uses a first cassette holding section 23a provided corresponding to the picking cassette transport section 35.

[0156] As described above, the picking cassette transport unit 35 is provided with the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b. The first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b are independently controlled by the picking cassette transport control unit 121 so that the first cassette gripper 351 and the second cassette gripper 355 (see FIG. 12) move without colliding with each other. Therefore, compared to when the picking cassette transport unit 35 is configured with a single picking cassette transport unit, it is possible to more efficiently dispense medicines based on the dispensing data.

[0157] On the other hand, the second medicine transfer unit 32b, the picking cassette transport unit 35 provided below the second medicine transfer unit 32b, and the second cassette holding unit 23b are used when dispensing medicines not included in the dispensing data. In other words, the second medicine transfer unit 32b side is used when dispensing individual medicines (for example, when performing interrupt processing for the dispensing data), and therefore only needs to be equipped with the first picking cassette transport unit 35a. In other words, the second medicine transfer unit 32b is a medicine transfer unit to which cassettes Ca other than the cassette Ca transferred to the first medicine transfer unit 32a are transferred.

[0158] However, when dispensing medicines based on dispensing data, the second medicine delivery and reception unit 32b may be used, and when dispensing individual medicines, the first medicine delivery and reception unit 32a may be used. Also, the second medicine delivery and reception unit 32b may be provided with the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b, or the first medicine delivery and reception unit 32a may be configured to include only the first picking cassette transport unit 35a. Providing multiple picking cassette transport units for one medicine delivery and reception unit 32 enables efficient dispensing of medicines.

[0159] Furthermore, when a filling operation is performed, either the first medicine delivery and reception unit 32a side or the second medicine delivery and reception unit 32b side may be used.

[0160] Furthermore, it is not necessarily required that the picking unit 3 be provided with a plurality of medicine delivery and reception sections 32, and the picking unit 3 may be provided with one medicine delivery and reception section 32. Furthermore, one picking unit 3 may be provided for the main unit 2. In this case, only one cassette holding section 23 corresponding to one picking unit 3 may be provided in the main unit 2.

[0161] (Structure of the picking cassette transfer section) The specific structure of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35. Reference numeral 12001 in FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 as viewed from the main unit 2 side. Reference numeral 12002 in FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b constituting the picking cassette transfer unit 35. Reference numeral 12003 in FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b as viewed from the workbench 40 side. Reference numeral 12004 in FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b as viewed from the main unit 2 side. For ease of explanation, FIG. 12 only illustrates the picking cassette transfer unit 35 corresponding to the first medicine delivery / reception unit 32a. Further, reference numeral 12001 in FIG. 12 illustrates only a portion of the picking unit 3 where the medicine delivery section 32 is provided.

[0162] As indicated by reference numerals 12001 and 12002, the picking cassette transport unit 35 corresponding to the first medicine delivery unit 32a includes a first picking cassette transport unit 35a and a second picking cassette transport unit 35b.

[0163] The first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that receives the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and transfers it to the first medicine delivery unit 32a side. Also, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that transfers the cassette Ca present on the first medicine delivery unit 32a side to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0164] As indicated by the reference numeral 12002, the first picking cassette transport unit 35a includes a first cassette gripping unit 351 and a first cassette transport mechanism 352.

[0165] The first cassette gripping portion 351 is a member that grips the cassette Ca. In this embodiment, the first cassette gripping portion 351 is configured as a frame body, and a side wall (longitudinal end) extending in the short direction (X-axis direction) of the frame body is provided with a protrusion 351a that hooks onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 (see FIG. 5) of the cassette Ca. The frame body has a hollow portion that allows the bottom of the cassette Ca and the cassette holding portion 23 (here, the first cassette holding portion 23a) to pass through when the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves in the vertical direction, and is large enough to be hooked onto the protrusion 351a. When the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves vertically upward in the cassette holding portion 23, the protrusion 351a hooks onto the claw receiving portion Ca12 placed on the cassette holding portion 23, and the cassette Ca is gripped by the first cassette gripping portion 351.

[0166] The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping part 351. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 includes a first beam part 353 and a first support part 354. The first beam part 353 extends in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first cassette gripping part 351. The first support part 354 extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first beam part 353. The picking cassette transfer control part 121 moves the first beam part 353 along the first support part 354 and moves the first cassette gripping part 351 along the first beam part 353. This allows the desired cassette Ca to be moved between the cassette holding part 23 and the medicine giving and receiving part 32.

[0167] As indicated by the reference numeral 12002, the second picking cassette transfer section 35b includes a second cassette gripping section 355 and a second cassette transfer mechanism 356. Similar to the first cassette gripping section 351, a side wall extending in the short direction of the second cassette gripping section 355 is provided with a protrusion that catches on the claw receiving section Ca12 of the cassette Ca. The second cassette transfer mechanism 356 also includes a second beam section 357 and a second support section 358. The structure and function of the second cassette gripping section 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are similar to those of the first cassette gripping section 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352, respectively.

[0168] Furthermore, as shown by symbols 12003 and 12004, the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357 are spaced apart to such an extent that the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 can move along the depth direction of the picking unit 3.

[0169] Furthermore, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the movements (positions) of the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 so that the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 do not collide with each other.

[0170] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 are supported in a cantilevered state by the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357, which are provided at a distance as described above. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are controlled so as not to interfere with each other in the movable region of the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 (the region between the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357). Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 can move between the cassette holding portion 23 and the medicine giving and receiving portion 32 without colliding with each other.

[0171] Therefore, the cassette Ca can be transferred by the multiple cassette gripping parts between the cassette holding part 23 and the medicine delivery part 32. This makes it possible to improve the transfer efficiency of the cassette Ca.

[0172] Next, the operation of gripping the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transport unit 35a will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Reference numerals 13001 to 13005 in Fig. 13 show the operation of gripping the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transport unit 35a.

[0173] First, with the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding part 231, the first beam part 353 moves vertically along the first support part 354 so as to move the first cassette gripping part 351 to a position directly below the delivery cassette holding part 231. Thereafter, as indicated by reference numeral 13001 in FIG. 13, the first cassette gripping part 351 moves horizontally toward the delivery cassette holding part 231 and stops at a position directly below the delivery cassette holding part 231 as indicated by reference numeral 13002 in FIG.

[0174] 13, the first beam 353 moves vertically upward along the first support pillar 354, and after the delivery cassette holding part 231 passes through the hollow part of the first cassette gripping part 351, the protrusion 351a of the first cassette gripping part 351 catches on the claw receiving part Ca12 of the cassette Ca and temporarily locks it in place. This allows the first cassette gripping part 351 to grip the cassette Ca.

[0175] In this basic configuration, the first cassette gripping portion 351 is provided with two protrusions 351a that face the two claw receiving portions Ca12 when the first cassette gripping portion 351 is positioned facing the cassette Ca. However, the first cassette gripping portion 351 may be configured to have only one protrusion 351a. Even in this case, the first cassette gripping portion 351 can grip the cassette Ca by temporarily engaging one of the claw receiving portions Ca12. In other words, the first cassette gripping portion 351 may be configured to grip two opposing portions (both sides) of the cassette Ca, or may be configured to grip one side of the cassette Ca. The same applies to the second cassette gripping portion 355.

[0176] Next, the first cassette gripping portion 351, while gripping the cassette Ca, moves along the first beam portion 353 so as to be positioned below the opening 321. Along with this movement, the first beam portion 353 moves vertically upward along the first support portion 354 so that the first cassette gripping portion 351 is positioned directly below the opening 321. This allows the first cassette gripping portion 351 to transport the cassette Ca to directly below the opening 321, as shown by reference numeral 13004 in FIG. 13. Then, the operator can remove medicines from the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping portion 351 or fill medicines into the cassette Ca.

[0177] The position directly below the opening 321 (that is, the position where an operator can take out medicines from the cassette Ca or fill medicines into the cassette Ca) is referred to as a medicine transfer position P1.

[0178] After the operator completes their work at the medicine transfer position P1, the first beam 353 moves vertically downward along the first support 354 so as to move the first cassette gripping portion 351 to a position directly above the receiving cassette holding portion 232. The first cassette gripping portion 351 also moves along the first beam 353 toward the receiving cassette holding portion 232. Thereafter, the operation reverse to the operation indicated by reference numeral 13003 in FIG. 13 is performed. In other words, the first beam 353 moves vertically downward along the first support 354, thereby placing the cassette Ca on the receiving cassette holding portion 232. At this time, the protrusion 351a separates from the claw receiving portion Ca12, and the temporary locked state is released. Thereafter, the receiving cassette holding portion 232 passes through the hollow portion of the first cassette gripping portion 351 , thereby enabling the first cassette gripping portion 351 to move to the delivery cassette holding portion 231 .

[0179] Meanwhile, the second picking cassette transporter 35b can also move in the same manner as the first picking cassette transporter 35a. For example, the second picking cassette transporter 35b grips a cassette Ca containing medicines to be removed or filled next after the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripper 351, and transports the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0180] However, as shown by reference numeral 13005 in FIG. 13, when the first cassette gripping section 351 is located at the medicine transfer position P1, the second cassette gripping section 355 moves to a standby position P2 provided near the medicine transfer section 32 (specifically, near the medicine transfer position P1). Thereafter, the first cassette gripping section 351 moves toward the receiving cassette holding section 232, and then the second cassette gripping section 355 moves to the medicine transfer position P1. After returning the cassette Ca to the receiving cassette holding section 232, the first cassette gripping section 351 grips a new cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding section 231 and moves to the standby position P2. This operation is repeated.

[0181] 13, in this embodiment, standby position P2 is located below medicine transfer position P1 and is located farther from the main unit 2 than medicine transfer position P1 in the depth direction of the picking unit 3. This prevents the cassette gripping part located at medicine transfer position P1 from colliding with the cassette gripping part located at standby position P2 when it moves toward receiving cassette holding part 232.

[0182] (Example of operation of the picking cassette transfer unit) Next, an example of the operation of the picking cassette transport unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Reference numerals 14001 to 14008 in FIG. 14 show an example of the operation of the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b. The shaded arrows in FIG. 14 indicate the movement direction of the first cassette gripping unit 351, the filled arrows indicate the movement direction of the second cassette gripping unit 355, and the hollow arrows indicate the movement direction of the cassette Ca by the main cassette transport unit 22. Here, an example of the operation will be described from a state in which the first cassette gripping unit 351 is positioned at the medicine transfer position P1 while gripping the cassette Ca, and the second cassette gripping unit 355 is positioned at the standby position P2 while gripping the cassette Ca.

[0183] In this embodiment, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a (the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352) is accessible to the upper delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232, as indicated by reference numerals 14003 to 14006. Furthermore, the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b (the second cassette gripping unit 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356) is accessible to the lower delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232, as indicated by reference numerals 14003 and 14006 to 14008. In FIG. 14, the upper delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 are referred to as the delivery cassette holding unit 231a and the receiving cassette holding unit 232a, respectively. Similarly, the lower delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the lower receiving cassette holding unit 232 are respectively referred to as a delivery cassette holding unit 231b and a receiving cassette holding unit 232b.

[0184] The positions of the delivery cassette holding section 231 and the receiving cassette holding section 232 in the cassette holding section 23 may be freely set. In other words, it may be freely set which position in the cassette holding section 23 functions as the delivery cassette holding section 231 or the receiving cassette holding section 232. This setting may be switched by the control device 10 at any time depending on the operating status of the drug station 1 including the main unit 2 (e.g., the drug dispensing status).

[0185] In other words, the cassette Ca mounting table constituting the cassette holding unit 23 may be switched between functioning as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and functioning as the receiving cassette holding unit 232 under the control of the control device 10, depending on the operating status. In this case, the mounting table can be made to function as either the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232, depending on the operating status. This allows the cassette holding unit 23 to efficiently hold the cassette Ca depending on the operating status. Note that the mounting table may also be switched between functioning as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and functioning as the receiving cassette holding unit 232 without taking the operating status into consideration (for example, based on an input operation).

[0186] In addition, the access positions of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b with respect to the cassette holding unit 23 may also be freely set. This setting may also be switched at any time by the control device 10 depending on the above-mentioned operating conditions.

[0187] First, as indicated by reference numeral 14001, as described above, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a transfers the first cassette gripping unit 351 gripping the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 opens, and the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping unit 351 is picked up. Furthermore, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 of the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b transfers the second cassette gripping unit 355 gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2. In other words, the second cassette gripping unit 355 is waiting at the standby position P2 while gripping the cassette Ca.

[0188] While the picking operation is being performed, the main body cassette transporter 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivery cassette holding section 231a, as shown by reference numeral 14002.

[0189] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripping unit 351 is completed and, for example, the tray close button 39 is pressed, the shutter 322 closes. When the shutter 322 closes, as indicated by the reference numeral 14003, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232a and then places the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripping unit 351 on the receiving cassette holding unit 232a. After the first cassette gripping unit 351 moves to free up the medicine transfer position P1, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping unit 355 to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 opens, and the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is performed.

[0190] Next, as indicated by reference numeral 14004, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232a by the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 to its storage position on the cassette shelf 21. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 also moves the first cassette gripper 351 from the receiving cassette holding unit 232a to the delivery cassette holding unit 231a. Thereafter, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 causes the first cassette gripper 351 to grip the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231a.

[0191] Next, as indicated by the reference numeral 14005, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2, and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is completed. Also, while the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is being performed, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivery cassette holding unit 231b.

[0192] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is completed and, for example, the tray close button 39 is pressed, the shutter 322 closes. When the shutter 322 closes, as indicated by the reference numeral 14006, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping unit 355 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232b and then places the cassette Ca held by the second cassette gripping unit 355 on the receiving cassette holding unit 232b. Furthermore, after the second cassette gripping unit 355 moves to free up the medicine transfer position P1, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, the shutter 322 opens, enabling the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripping unit 351 to be picked.

[0193] Next, as indicated by reference numeral 14007, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232b by the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 to its storage position on the cassette shelf 21. The second cassette transfer mechanism 356 also moves the second cassette gripper 355 from the receiving cassette holding unit 232b to the passing cassette holding unit 231b. Thereafter, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 causes the second cassette gripper 355 to grip the cassette Ca placed on the passing cassette holding unit 231b.

[0194] Next, as shown by the symbol 14008, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette holding portion 355, which is holding the cassette Ca, to the standby position P2, and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca held by the first cassette holding portion 351 is completed.

[0195] When the transfer process of the cassette Ca is being performed based on the dispensing data, the above-mentioned operation is repeated until the picking operation for all the drugs included in the dispensing data is completed. Also, when drugs are being filled sequentially, the above-mentioned operation may be repeated until the filling operation for all the drugs is completed.

[0196] In addition, in the cases of reference numerals 14005 and 14006, when the second cassette gripping portion 355 is not present at the medicine transfer position P1, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 may directly transfer the first cassette gripping portion 351 to the medicine transfer position P1. Similarly, in the case of reference numeral 14008, when the first cassette gripping portion 351 is not present at the medicine transfer position P1, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 may directly transfer the second cassette gripping portion 355 to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0197] In this way, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b transfer the cassette Ca from which the drug sheets are to be removed or filled to the drug transfer position P1. When a cassette Ca is located at the drug transfer position P1, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b transfer the next cassette Ca from which drugs are to be removed or filled to the drug transfer position P2 and make it wait.

[0198] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 grip the cassette Ca pulled out from the cassette holding portion 23 and transfer it between the cassette holding portion 23, the medicine transfer position P1, and the standby position P2. In addition, the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355 move so as not to collide with each other.

[0199] This allows the cassette Ca to be worked on at the medicine transfer position P1, and the next cassette Ca to be worked on can be placed on standby near the medicine transfer position P1 at the standby position P2. Therefore, after the work on the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1 is completed, the cassette Ca that was on standby at the standby position P2 can be moved to the medicine transfer position P1. This allows the user to efficiently work on multiple cassettes Ca.

[0200] Therefore, the picking unit 3 can efficiently provide the user with the cassette Ca from which the user can take out or fill the tablet sheets.

[0201] (Example of operation of the first shutter) Next, an example of the operation of the first shutter 322a will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Reference numerals 15001 to 15003 in Fig. 15 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the first shutter 322a.

[0202] As described above, the first shutter 322a performs opening and closing operations under the control of the shutter control unit 122. Specifically, as indicated by reference numeral 15001, the shutter control unit 122 closes the first shutter 322a when the cassette Ca is not positioned at the medicine transfer unit 32 (specifically, at the medicine transfer position P1). As indicated by reference numerals 15002 and 15003, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a after the picking cassette transport unit 35 stops the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1. The shutter control unit 122 also controls the opening and closing of the second shutter 322b in the same manner as the first shutter 322a. This allows the operator to pick or fill the cassette Ca with medicines.

[0203] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 identify the type of cassette Ca and the type of medicine to be stored in which storage position of the cassette Ca. Therefore, in the case of a cassette Ca without a partition, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 can identify that only one type of medicine is to be stored. Therefore, after the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca so that the center of the cassette Ca is near the center of the opening 321, the shutter control unit 122 fully opens the first shutter 322a, as shown by reference numeral 15002. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 opens the second shutter 322b according to the width of the cassette Ca.

[0204] On the other hand, in the case of a cassette Ca having a partition, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the storage position of the medicine to be dispensed or filled is near the center of the opening 321. Thereafter, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area in which the medicine is stored, as indicated by reference numeral 15003. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 also opens the second shutter 322b in accordance with the width of the cassette Ca.

[0205] In this way, the opening width of the first shutter 322a is changed depending on the type of cassette Ca transported to the medicine transfer position P1.

[0206] Furthermore, if the next drugs to be dispensed or filled are contained in the same cassette Ca as the drugs currently being dispensed or filled, the cassette Ca only needs to be repositioned. In this case, after the dispensing or filling of the drugs currently being dispensed or filled is completed, the shutter control unit 122 closes the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b. The picking cassette transport control unit 121 then moves the cassette Ca so that the drugs to be next dispensed or filled are located near the center of the opening 321. The shutter control unit 122 then opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area in which the drugs are contained. At this time, the shutter control unit 122 also opens the second shutter 322b in accordance with the width of the cassette Ca.

[0207] Therefore, by providing a partition in the cassette Ca to form multiple storage areas in one cassette Ca, it is possible to store, for example, medicines that are likely to be dispensed at the same time in the same cassette Ca, thereby enabling more efficient dispensing of medicine sheets.

[0208] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the cassette Ca is automatically taken out from the cassette shelf 21 or stored in the cassette shelf 21 under the control of the control device 10.

[0209] <Picking unit> 16 and 17 are perspective views showing an example of the picking unit 3 of this embodiment. Reference numeral 17001 in Fig. 17 denotes a perspective view seen from the front side of the picking unit 3 (the side where the worker stands), and reference numeral 17002 denotes a perspective view seen from the rear side of the picking unit 3 (the side of the main unit 2). For convenience, Fig. 17 illustrates only the members of the picking unit 3 that are necessary for explaining the cassette transfer section 41, and omits other members.

[0210] 16 and 17, the picking unit 3 of this embodiment is provided with a cassette transfer section 41 on a front section 45 on the side where an operator stands. The cassette transfer section 41 enables a cassette Ca to be taken out of the picking unit 3 or a cassette Ca to be put into the picking unit 3 (enabling an operator to transfer a cassette Ca). The specific configuration of the cassette transfer section 41 will be described later.

[0211] In this embodiment, as described above, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 control the main body cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca between the medicine delivery and reception unit 32 and the cassette shelf 21. In addition, in this embodiment, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 control the main body cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca between the cassette delivery and reception unit 41 and the cassette shelf 21. The main body cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 are examples of a cassette transfer unit that transfers the cassette Ca.

[0212] When transferring a certain cassette Ca between the medicine transfer section 32 and the cassette shelf 21, the main body cassette transfer section 22 and the picking cassette transfer section 35 may transfer another cassette Ca between the cassette transfer section 41 and the cassette shelf 21. Furthermore, the main body cassette transfer section 22 and the picking cassette transfer section 35 may not transfer the other cassette Ca while transferring the certain cassette Ca, and may not transfer the certain cassette Ca while transferring the other cassette Ca.

[0213] Consider the case where a cassette Ca to be removed is to be removed from the cassette shelf 21. In this case, the worker specifies the cassette Ca to be removed, for example, via the first touch panel 5. The cassette identification unit 111 identifies the cassette Ca to be removed based on the input operation by the worker, and identifies the storage location of the cassette Ca by referring to the memory unit 15. The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to remove the cassette Ca to be removed from its storage location on the cassette shelf 21. The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers the removed cassette Ca to the cassette holding unit 23 and causes the cassette holding unit 23 to hold it. The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca held in the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette delivery unit 41. In this embodiment, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 (the second beam portion 357 and the second support portion 358) of the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b to transfer the cassette Ca held by the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette transfer unit 41. This allows the worker to remove the cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21 via the cassette transfer unit 41.

[0214] Also, consider the case where a cassette Ca to be stored (a cassette Ca to be newly stored, or a cassette Ca that has been temporarily removed from the cassette shelf 21 and is to be returned to the cassette shelf 21) is stored on the cassette shelf 21. In this case, the worker performs an input operation to instruct the storage of the cassette Ca, for example, via the first touch panel 5. The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 (in this embodiment, the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b) to transfer the cassette Ca to be stored, which the worker has placed on the cassette delivery unit 41, to the cassette holding unit 23. The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca to be stored, which is held in the cassette holding unit 23, to the cassette shelf 21, and stores it on the cassette shelf 21. In this way, the worker can store the cassette Ca to be stored on the cassette shelf 21 via the cassette delivery unit 41.

[0215] The cassette Ca to be stored is provided with a barcode Ca14 (see FIG. 5) including cassette identification information and the like. The cassette gripping unit 221 of the main body cassette transport unit 22 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 of the second picking cassette transport unit 35b are provided with barcode readers (not shown). In this embodiment, the cassette transfer unit 41 is also provided with a barcode reader 420 (see FIG. 19). When the cassette Ca to be stored is inserted from the cassette transfer unit 41, the barcode reader of the cassette gripping unit 221, the second cassette gripping unit 355, or the cassette transfer unit 41 reads the barcode Ca14. The cassette identification unit 111 identifies the storage location of the cassette Ca based on the cassette identification information included in the read barcode Ca14 and data stored in the memory unit 15 that associates the cassette identification information with the storage location. In the case of a cassette Ca that is to be newly stored in the cassette shelf 21, the above data does not contain information indicating a storage location associated with the acquired cassette identification information. Therefore, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies a storage location that is not associated with cassette identification information (i.e., an empty space on the cassette shelf 21) as the storage location of the cassette Ca. When returning the cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies the storage location of the cassette Ca by referring to the above data. This allows the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 to store the cassette Ca to be stored in the cassette shelf 21.

[0216] When storing a new cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21, for example, the operator reads the barcode attached to the medicine contained in the cassette Ca using the barcode reader 34. In this case, the control device 10 stores the acquired medicine identification information (i.e., the type of medicine) in the memory unit 15 in association with the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca.

[0217] Here, a worker (especially a medical professional) may wish to change the cassette Ca to be used, for example, by changing the size of the cassette Ca that contains the medicine depending on the frequency of use of the medicine. If the picking unit 3 does not have a cassette transfer section 41 and the cassette Ca cannot be transferred between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette transfer section 41, the worker will perform the following work.

[0218] The worker opens the door 25, removes the cassette Ca that he / she wants to remove from the cassette shelf 21, and replaces the medicines stored in that cassette Ca in another cassette Ca. The cassette shelf 21 can store more than 1,000 cassettes Ca. Therefore, the worker may need time and effort to find the cassette Ca that he / she wants to remove.

[0219] The operator also causes the barcode reader 34 to read the barcodes attached to the drugs to be stored in the new cassette Ca, and inputs the cassette number of the new cassette Ca via the first touch panel 5. This allows the control device 10 to associate the cassette identification information of the new cassette Ca with the drug identification information of the drugs stored therein, and store this in the memory unit 15. However, in order to store the new cassette Ca, the operator must input the cassette number of the new cassette Ca. The control device 10 also controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to read all barcodes (i.e., cassette identification information) of the cassettes Ca stored on the cassette shelf 21, and associates the read cassette identification information with the storage location. However, as described above, the cassette shelf 21 can store more than 1,000 cassettes Ca, so this association may take some time.

[0220] Furthermore, when an operator wants to remove a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or store a cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21, the operator must open the door 25 to remove or store the cassette Ca. Here, the control device 10 locks the door 25 while the drug station 1 is operating, and can unlock the door 25 when the operation of the drug station 1 is stopped. Therefore, when an operator wants to open the door 25, the control device 10 must temporarily stop the operation of the drug station 1. For example, when the control device 10 is executing a drug dispensing process based on dispensing data, the control device 10 must stop or interrupt the dispensing process.

[0221] Here, the reason for providing the cassette delivery and reception unit 41 separately from the medicine delivery and reception unit 32 will be explained. Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the relationship in size between the medicine delivery and reception unit 32 and the cassette Ca. Reference numeral 18001 in Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the case where a large cassette Ca1 is positioned in the medicine delivery and reception unit 32. Reference numeral 18002 in Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the case where a medium-sized cassette Ca2 is positioned in the medicine delivery and reception unit 32. Reference numeral 18003 in Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the case where a small cassette Ca3 is positioned in the medicine delivery and reception unit 32.

[0222] If it were possible to remove the cassette Ca from the medicine delivery and reception section 32, there would be no need to provide the cassette delivery and reception section 41 in the picking unit 3. However, as shown in FIG. 18, the length L1 of the opening area Ar1 formed in the opening 321 when the shutters 322 (first shutter 322a and second shutter 322b) are in the open state is smaller than the length L2 of the cassette Ca. The length L1 of the opening area Ar1 is the length in the longitudinal direction (±Y-axis direction) of the opening area Ar1. The length L2 of the cassette Ca is the length in the longitudinal direction (±Y-axis direction) of the cassette Ca when viewed from above after being transferred to the medicine delivery and reception section 32, i.e., the length corresponding to the longitudinal length of the opening area Ar1 of the cassette Ca. As indicated by reference numerals 18001 to 18003, the length L1 of the opening area Ar1 is smaller than the longitudinal length L2 of the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2, and the small cassette Ca3. Therefore, the operator cannot insert or remove the cassette Ca into or from the medicine giving and receiving section 32. For example, while the drug station 1 is operating, the operator cannot insert or remove the cassette Ca into or from the medicine giving and receiving section 32. Note that the plan view means viewing the opening 321 from above the opening 321. The longitudinal direction of the opening area Ar1 is an example of a predetermined direction.

[0223] The length L1 of the opening region Ar1 and the length L2 of the cassette Ca do not necessarily have to be the lengths in the longitudinal direction of the opening region Ar1 and the cassette Ca, but may be, for example, the lengths in the lateral direction (±X-axis direction) of the opening region Ar1 and the cassette Ca. That is, the length L1 of the opening region Ar1 and the length L2 of the cassette Ca positioned in the medicine giving and receiving section 32 may be lengths in the corresponding directions.

[0224] The picking unit 3 of this embodiment transports a cassette Ca containing drugs designated as drugs to be dispensed based on the dispensing data (prescription data) (drugs to be dispensed based on the dispensing data) to the drug transfer section 32, which does not allow cassettes Ca to be taken in or out. This allows an operator to remove the designated drugs from the cassette Ca through the drug transfer section 32. Furthermore, the cassette Ca can be provided with a partition section, allowing multiple types of drugs to be stored in it. The picking unit 3 transports a cassette Ca containing multiple types of drugs to the drug transfer section 32, allowing an operator to remove the designated drugs from the cassette Ca.

[0225] The picking unit 3 of this embodiment includes a cassette transfer unit 41 that allows the transfer of cassettes Ca that can store multiple types of medicines, in addition to a medicine transfer unit 32 that does not allow the transfer of cassettes Ca. In the picking unit 3, a main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and a picking cassette transfer control unit 121 control a main body cassette transfer unit 22 and a picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer cassettes Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette transfer unit 41.

[0226] Therefore, the control device 10 can automatically remove a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 by receiving an input operation specifying the cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21. Furthermore, when an operator wants to remove a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21, he or she can remove the cassette Ca via the cassette transfer unit 41. This reduces the time and effort required for the operator to open the door 25 and search for the cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21, which can store a huge number of cassettes Ca.

[0227] Furthermore, the control device 10 can automatically store the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 by receiving an input operation for storing the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. Furthermore, when an operator wants to store a cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21, the operator can store the cassette Ca via the cassette transfer unit 41. Therefore, the operator can save the effort and time required to open the door 25 and store the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21.

[0228] Additionally, the control device 10 automatically removes cassettes Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or stores cassettes Ca on the cassette shelf 21, and an operator can access the cassettes Ca via the cassette transfer unit 41. That is, an operator can remove cassettes Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or store cassettes Ca on the cassette shelf 21 without opening the door 25. Therefore, the control device 10 does not need to temporarily stop the operation of the drug station 1 even while the drug station 1 is operating. For example, the control device 10 does not need to stop or interrupt the drug dispensing process even while the drug dispensing process based on the dispensing data is in progress. Furthermore, the control device 10 does not need to perform the above-described association for all cassettes Ca.

[0229] Furthermore, even when storing a new cassette Ca, the control device 10 automatically stores the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. Therefore, the operator does not need to input the cassette number of the new cassette Ca.

[0230] As described above, the picking unit 3 of this embodiment allows an operator to easily remove a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or store the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21. Furthermore, the time required for removing or storing the cassette Ca can be reduced. Furthermore, the processing load on the control device 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the picking unit 3 of this embodiment can improve the work efficiency and processing efficiency for removing a cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or storing the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21.

[0231] Furthermore, according to the picking unit 3 of this embodiment, the length L1 of the opening area Ar1 is smaller than the length L2 of the cassette Ca, so the operator cannot put or take the cassette Ca into or out of the drug delivery section 32. However, according to the picking unit 3 of this embodiment, the operator can put or take the cassette Ca into or out of the cassette delivery section 41, even while the drug station 1 is operating, for example.

[0232] Examples of removing a cassette Ca include, but are not limited to, replacing or returning a cassette Ca, a case where the use of a cassette Ca containing a drug is discontinued due to discontinuing use of the drug in consideration of frequency of use, or a case where the use of at least one cassette Ca included in a group cassette, which is a group (cassette group) of cassettes Ca containing the same type of drug, is discontinued due to the reduction in the number of drugs contained in consideration of frequency of use.

[0233] 17, the transfer of the cassette Ca to or from the cassette transfer unit 41 is performed by a second cassette gripping unit 355 and a second cassette transfer mechanism 356. That is, the cassette transfer unit 41 is provided corresponding to the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b (second cassette transfer unit) that includes the second cassette gripping unit 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356.

[0234] As described above, the picking unit 3 includes a first picking cassette transporter 35a (first cassette transporter) including a first cassette gripper 351 and a first cassette transport mechanism 352 provided in correspondence with the first medicine delivery and reception unit 32a. Also, a second picking cassette transporter 35b is provided in correspondence with the second medicine delivery and reception unit 32b.

[0235] The first medicine transfer unit 32a may function as a medicine transfer unit to which a cassette Ca containing medicines to be dispensed based on the dispensing data is transferred. The second medicine transfer unit 32b, for example, functions as a medicine transfer unit to which a cassette Ca other than the cassette Ca to be transferred to the first medicine transfer unit 32a is transferred. The cassette Ca may be, for example, a cassette containing medicines that an operator desires to be urgently dispensed by interrupting the dispensing process of the medicines included in the dispensing data. That is, the cassette Ca may be, for example, a cassette Ca containing medicines to be dispensed by interrupting the dispensing process of the medicines included in the dispensing data. The interrupt process may be a process of interrupting the dispensing process of the medicines included in the dispensing data and dispensing the medicines when an input operation to urgently insert the medicines into the cassette Ca is received.

[0236] In this way, when multiple types of medicines are dispensed based on the dispensing data, cassettes Ca containing the medicines to be dispensed are sequentially transported to first medicine delivery / reception unit 32a. On the other hand, cassettes Ca containing the medicines are transferred to second medicine delivery / reception unit 32b when an interruption to the dispensing of medicines based on the dispensing data is made to remove the medicines from cassette Ca or when a medicine is added to cassette Ca. Therefore, even when multiple types of medicines are dispensed based on the dispensing data, control device 10 can execute the transfer process of cassette Ca to second medicine delivery / reception unit 32b without stopping the transfer of cassette Ca for the dispensing.

[0237] As described above, cassette delivery unit 41 is provided corresponding to second picking cassette transport unit 35b, which is provided corresponding to second medicine delivery unit 32b. Therefore, even when multiple types of medicines are being dispensed based on dispensing data, the transfer process of cassette Ca to cassette delivery unit 41 can be executed without stopping the transfer of cassette Ca for the dispensing.

[0238] Furthermore, the second picking cassette transport unit 35b is provided in common to the second medicine delivery unit 32b and the cassette delivery unit 41. In this case, since no separate mechanism for transporting the cassette Ca is provided for the cassette delivery unit 41, the provision of the cassette delivery unit 41 can reduce the possibility of the picking unit 3 becoming complicated.

[0239] When the cassette transfer unit 41 is provided in the main unit 2, a mechanism for transferring cassettes Ca for the cassette transfer unit 41 must be provided in the main unit 2. When the cassette transfer unit 41 is provided in the picking unit 3, as described above, the mechanism for transferring cassettes Ca for the medicine transfer unit 32 can also be used for the cassette transfer unit 41. Therefore, by providing the cassette transfer unit 41 in the picking unit 3, the possibility of the main unit 2 becoming complicated can be reduced.

[0240] However, if the above-mentioned effects are not taken into consideration, the cassette transfer unit 41 may be provided corresponding to the first medicine transfer unit 32a. That is, the cassette transfer unit 41 may be provided corresponding to the first picking cassette transport unit 35a. Also, a mechanism for transporting the cassette Ca may not be provided so that it is common to the cassette transfer unit 41 and the first medicine transfer unit 32a or the second medicine transfer unit 32b. In this case, for example, a mechanism for transporting the cassette Ca between the cassette transfer unit 41 and the cassette holding unit 23 is provided in the picking unit 3, separate from the first picking cassette transport unit 35a and the second picking cassette transport unit 35b.

[0241] <Cassette receiving section> 19 is a perspective view showing an example of the cassette transfer section 41 when viewed from the front side of the picking unit 3. Reference numeral 19001 in FIG. 19 indicates a state in which the cassette transfer section 41 is not pulled out from the picking unit 3, and reference numeral 19002 indicates a state in which the cassette transfer section 41 is pulled out from the picking unit 3.

[0242] 20, reference numerals 20001 and 20002 are perspective views showing an example of the cassette transfer section 41 when the cassette transfer section 41 is viewed from the rear side of the picking unit 3. Reference numeral 20002 is a view in which the cassette placing table 412, the barcode reader 420, and the mirror 421 have been removed for ease of explanation.

[0243] 19 and 20 , the cassette transfer unit 41 includes a built-in handle 411, a cassette mounting table 412, a mounting table support 413, a rail 414, a cassette detection unit 415, a storage detection unit 416, a dog 417, a solenoid 418, and a lock unit 419. In this embodiment, the storage detection unit 416 and the solenoid 418 are disposed on a support table 422 installed below the cassette mounting table 412. The support table 422 is fixed to a support 47. The support 47 is fixed to a part of the picking unit 3.

[0244] The recessed handle portion 411 is a portion that an operator places his / her hand on in order to insert or remove the cassette placing table 412 into or from the picking unit 3. The recessed handle portion 411 is fixed to the placing table support portion 413.

[0245] The cassette placing table 412 is a table on which a cassette Ca to be removed that has been transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or a cassette Ca to be stored that has been inserted by an operator is placed. The cassette placing table 412 is fixed to a placing table support portion 413.

[0246] The mounting table support portion 413 supports the cassette mounting table 412. The mounting table support portion 413 is fixed to the first rail portion 414a.

[0247] The rail portion 414 moves the cassette placing table 412 in the ±Y-axis directions so that the cassette placing table 412 can be inserted into or removed from the picking unit 3 by an operator who places his or her hand on the built-in handle portion 411. In this embodiment, the rail portion 414 includes a first rail portion 414a, a second rail portion 414b, and a third rail portion 414c.

[0248] The first rail portion 414a is fixed to the mounting table support portion 413 and is provided so as to be slidable relative to the second rail portion 414b and the third rail portion 414c. The second rail portion 414b is provided between the first rail portion 414a and the third rail portion 414c and is provided so as to be slidable relative to the first rail portion 414a and the third rail portion 414c. The third rail portion 414c is fixed to the support portion 47.

[0249] In the state shown by reference numeral 19001, when an operator places a hand on the built-in handle portion 411 and pulls it toward the operator (in the -Y-axis direction), the cassette mounting table 412 slides toward the operator along the rail portions 414. Specifically, the cassette mounting table 412 slides along the first rail portion 414a, the second rail portion 414b, and the third rail portion 414c. The second rail portion 414b also slides along the third rail portion 414c. As a result, the cassette mounting table 412 is pulled out toward the operator, as shown by reference numeral 19002.

[0250] In the state shown by reference numeral 19002, when an operator places his / her hand on the built-in handle portion 411 and pushes it toward the picking unit 3 (in the +Y-axis direction), the cassette placing table 412 slides and moves toward the picking unit 3 along the rail portion 414. Specifically, the cassette placing table 412 slides along the first rail portion 414a, the second rail portion 414b, and the third rail portion 414c. The second rail portion 414b also slides along the third rail portion 414c. As a result, the cassette placing table 412 is accommodated in the picking unit 3, as shown by reference numeral 19001.

[0251] That is, the cassette transfer section 41 functions as a drawer section for drawing out the cassette Ca by including the built-in handle section 411, the cassette mounting table 412, the mounting table support section 413, and the rail section 414. Therefore, with this simple configuration, an operator can easily take out the cassette Ca from the cassette transfer section 41 or put the cassette Ca into the cassette transfer section 41.

[0252] The cassette detection unit 415 detects a cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement table 412. The cassette detection unit 415 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor including an emission unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light that is the light emitted by the emission unit and reflected by an object.

[0253] As indicated by the reference numeral 19001, the cassette detection unit 415 may be disposed in a position where it can detect the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement table 412 when the cassette placement table 412 is not pulled out (the cassette transfer unit 41 is closed). In this embodiment, a through-hole 413a is formed in the placement table support portion 413. When the cassette placement table 412 is not pulled out, the cassette detection unit 415 detects the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement table 412 via the through-hole 413a.

[0254] The storage detection unit 416 detects that the cassette transfer unit 41 is inserted into the picking unit 3 (the cassette placement table 412 is not pulled out). In this embodiment, the storage detection unit 416 is a grooved optical sensor that has a substantially C-shaped insertion portion into which the dog 417 is inserted and detects the dog 417 inserted into the insertion portion. The grooved optical sensor is, for example, a transmission type optical sensor that includes an emitting portion that emits light and a light receiving portion that receives the light.

[0255] The dog 417 is a moving part that moves in conjunction with the movement of the cassette mounting table 412. In this embodiment, the dog 417 is fixed to the mounting table support part 413 to which the cassette mounting table 412 is fixed. When the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out, the dog 417 is inserted into the insertion part of the storage detection part 416, and the storage detection part 416 detects the dog 417. As a result, the storage detection part 416 detects that the cassette mounting table 412 is inserted into the picking unit 3. The storage detection part 416 and the dog 417 only need to be provided at a position where the storage detection part 416 can detect the dog 417 when the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out.

[0256] The solenoid 418 controls whether or not the cassette mounting table 412 can move. For example, when the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out, the solenoid 418 fixes the position of the cassette mounting table 412 so that the cassette mounting table 412 cannot be pulled out.

[0257] In this embodiment, a plate-shaped locking portion 419 is provided on the mounting table support portion 413. As indicated by the reference numeral 20002, the locking portion 419 is formed with a through-hole 419a through which a locking pin 423 connected to a solenoid 418 can pass. The solenoid 418 is driven under the control of the control device 10 to insert the locking pin 423 into the through-hole 419a, thereby fixing the position of the cassette mounting table 412. In other words, in this case, the cassette mounting table 412 is locked, and the operator cannot pull out the cassette mounting table 412. In addition, the solenoid 418 is driven under the control of the control device 10 to remove the locking pin 423 from the through-hole 419a, thereby allowing the cassette mounting table 412 to be moved. In other words, in this case, the cassette mounting table 412 is unlocked, and the operator can pull out the cassette mounting table 412.

[0258] For example, assume that the control device 10 receives an instruction to remove a certain cassette Ca via the first touch panel 5 when the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out. Note that when the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out, the lock pin 423 is inserted into the through-hole 419a, and the cassette mounting table 412 cannot be pulled out.

[0259] Upon receiving the removal instruction, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 control the main cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca to be removed to the cassette transfer unit 41. When the picking cassette transfer unit 35 places the cassette Ca on the cassette placement table 412, the cassette detection unit 415 detects the cassette Ca. Upon receiving a detection signal from the cassette detection unit 415 indicating that the cassette Ca has been detected, the control device 10 drives the solenoid 418 to remove the lock pin 423 from the through-hole 419a. This allows the cassette placement table 412 to be withdrawn. At this time, for example, the touch panel control unit 14 may display an image on the first touch panel 5 indicating that the cassette placement table 412 can now be withdrawn. Instead of displaying this image, the control device 10 may notify the user that the cassette placing table 412 can be pulled out by outputting a sound, for example.

[0260] Thereafter, when the operator pulls out the cassette placing table 412 and then pushes the cassette placing table 412 towards the picking unit 3 to store it in the picking unit 3 (when the cassette transfer section 41 is closed), the dog 417 is inserted into the storage detection section 416. When the control device 10 receives a detection signal from the storage detection section 416 indicating that the dog 417 has been detected, it drives the solenoid 418 to insert the lock pin 423 into the through-hole 419a. This makes it impossible to pull out the cassette placing table 412.

[0261] When a cassette Ca is placed on the cassette placement table 412, the cassette detection unit 415 detects the cassette Ca. When the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 receive a detection signal indicating that the cassette Ca has been detected from the cassette detection unit 415, they control the main body cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21. As a result, the cassette Ca is stored on the cassette shelf 21.

[0262] Furthermore, for example, assume that the control device 10 receives an instruction to store the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21 via the first touch panel 5 while the cassette mounting table 412 is not pulled out. In this case, the control device 10 drives the solenoid 418 to remove the lock pin 423 from the through-hole 419a. This allows the cassette mounting table 412 to be pulled out.

[0263] Thereafter, the operator pulls out the cassette placing table 412 and places the cassette Ca to be stored on the cassette placing table 412. The operator then pushes the cassette placing table 412 toward the picking unit 3 and stores the cassette Ca in the picking unit 3 (closes the cassette transfer section 41). The subsequent processing has been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0264] The cassette transfer unit 41 also includes a barcode reader 420 and a mirror 421. In this embodiment, the barcode reader 420 is installed on a support base 422. The mirror 421 is provided on a wall 412a of the cassette mounting base 412 (i.e., at a position facing the barcode Ca14 affixed to the cassette Ca mounted on the cassette mounting base 412).

[0265] The barcode reader 420 reads the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement table 412. The mirror 421 reflects the light emitted from the barcode reader 420 and the light reflected by the barcode Ca14. Specifically, the mirror 421 reflects the light emitted from the barcode reader 420 and propagates it toward the barcode Ca14, and also propagates the light reflected by the barcode Ca14 toward the barcode reader 420. This allows the barcode reader 420 to read the barcode Ca14 via the mirror 421.

[0266] The barcode reader 420 and the mirror 421 are positioned so that the barcode reader 420 can read the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement table 412. Specifically, the side surface of the barcode reader 420, from which the barcode reader 420 emits light or receives reflected light, and the reflective surface of the mirror 421 are positioned so that the barcode Ca14 can be read.

[0267] In order for the barcode reader 420 to be able to read the barcode Ca14, the barcode reader 420 must be spaced a predetermined distance from the barcode Ca14, taking into consideration the reading depth (focal length) of the barcode reader 420. In other words, the lengths of the optical paths of the light emitted by the barcode reader 420 and the reflected light received by it must be set to a predetermined distance that allows the barcode reader 420 to read the barcode Ca14. Here, due to the constraint of providing the barcode reader 420 in the cassette transfer unit 41, it is necessary to use a relatively small barcode reader 420, and therefore the reading depth becomes relatively long.

[0268] In this embodiment, the light or reflected light can be bent by providing a mirror 421. Therefore, the barcode reader 420 can be provided at a position (support stand 422 in this embodiment) that does not face the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placement stand 412.

[0269] It is also conceivable to provide the barcode reader 420, like the mirror 421, at a position facing the barcode Ca14 affixed to the cassette Ca placed on the cassette placing table 412. In this case, however, in order to ensure the above-mentioned predetermined distance, the barcode reader 420 would be provided at a position farther away from the cassette Ca than the position at which the mirror 421 is located. In other words, the cassette transfer section 41 would be longer in the Y-axis direction than if the mirror 421 were provided.

[0270] Therefore, by providing the mirror 421 and bending the light or the reflected light, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cassette transfer unit 41 will become large. Note that the cassette transfer unit 41 does not necessarily need to include the barcode reader 420 and the mirror 421.

[0271] <Modification> In the above, a configuration has been described in which cassette Ca cannot be inserted into or removed from medicine transfer section 32, and therefore cassette transfer section 41 is provided in picking unit 3 separately from medicine transfer section 32. However, the medicine transfer section may also have the function of cassette transfer section 41.

[0272] 31 shows an example of a medicine delivery and reception unit 320 that also has the function of the cassette delivery and reception unit 41. The sides (four sides of the opening 321) of the medicine delivery and reception unit 320 that define the opening 321 are made up of a first movable unit 325a and a second movable unit 325b. The first movable unit 325a is provided slidably in the +Y-axis direction relative to the workbench 40, and the second movable unit 325b is provided slidably in the −Y-axis direction relative to the workbench 40.

[0273] 31 indicates a state in which medicines can be taken in and out of the cassette Ca through the medicine giving and receiving section 320. In this state, the longitudinal length L1 of the opening 321 is smaller than the longitudinal length L2 of the cassette Ca, similar to the medicine giving and receiving section 32, and therefore the cassette Ca cannot be taken in or out.

[0274] 31 is a state in which the first movable part 325a is slid in the +Y-axis direction and the second movable part 325b is slid in the -Y-axis direction from the state in which the first movable part 325a is slid in the +Y-axis direction from the state in which the second movable part 325b is slid in the -Y-axis direction. At this time, the length L1 of the opening area Ar1 is at its maximum and is greater than the longitudinal length L2 of the cassette Ca. Therefore, in this state, the cassette Ca can be inserted and removed through the medicine delivery section 320.

[0275] The medicine delivery section 320 may be in the state indicated by reference symbol 31001 in an initial state. For example, when the control device 10 receives an input operation to remove or store the cassette Ca, the control device 10 opens the shutter 322. At the same time, the control device 10 drives the first movable section 325a and the second movable section 325b to change the size of the opening area Ar1 from the state indicated by reference symbol 31001 to the state indicated by reference symbol 31002.

[0276] Furthermore, the control device 10 may drive the first movable part 325a and the second movable part 325b to change to the state indicated by the symbol 31002, for example, after checking the authentication of the worker. The control device 10 authenticates the worker before the worker performs work at the drug station 1. For example, the control device 10 may permit the removal or storage of the cassette Ca only if, as a result of the worker authentication, it is determined that the worker is a medical professional. The same may be true when inserting or removing the cassette Ca at the cassette transfer unit 41.

[0277] When the control device 10 receives an input operation to return from the state indicated by reference numeral 31002 to the state indicated by reference numeral 31001, the control device 10 may drive the first movable part 325a and the second movable part 325b to change the size of the opening area Ar1 from the state indicated by reference numeral 31002 to the state indicated by reference numeral 31001. When the tray close button 39 is pressed, for example, the control device 10 may close the shutter 322 and change the size of the opening area Ar1 from the state indicated by reference numeral 31002 to the state indicated by reference numeral 31001.

[0278] As described above, the medicine transfer section 320 has a width changing mechanism that can change the opening width of the opening 321 so that the longitudinal length L1 of the opening 321 is greater than the longitudinal length L2 of the cassette Ca. This allows the operator to insert and remove the cassette Ca through the medicine transfer section 320. Note that the configuration in FIG. 31 is just an example, and the medicine transfer section 320 may have any configuration as long as the opening width can be changed as described above. Note that one of the multiple medicine transfer sections 32 provided in the picking unit 3 may be the medicine transfer section 320.

[0279] [Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which, when a cassette Ca protrudes from the cassette shelf 21, the cassette Ca is automatically pushed back into the cassette shelf 21 under the control of the control device 10. Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the cassette gripping portion 221. In this embodiment, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the first support portion 224a will be described as an example, but the second cassette gripping portion 221b and the second support portion 224b can also be described in the same way.

[0280] 21 shows the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the first support portion 224a as being spaced apart, but in reality, the first cassette gripping portion 221a is connected to the first support portion 224a so that the first cassette gripping portion 221a can pivot around the first support portion 224a and slide along the first support portion 224a.

[0281] 21, the first cassette gripping portion 221a is equipped with a first cassette detector 2216 that detects the cassette Ca. The first cassette detector 2216 is provided at a corner of the first cassette gripping portion 221a opposite to the first support portion 224a. This allows the first cassette detector 2216 to detect a cassette Ca that has popped out of the cassette shelf 21 when the first cassette gripping portion 221a is moving in the −X-axis direction.

[0282] The first cassette detection unit 2216 may be a sensor that can detect an object located within a predetermined distance from the first cassette detection unit 2216. This allows the movement of the first support unit 224a in the −X-axis direction to be stopped before the first cassette gripping unit 221a collides with the cassette Ca that has jumped out of the cassette shelf 21.

[0283] The first support portion 224a is also provided with a second cassette detector 2242 that detects the cassette Ca. The first cassette gripping portion 221a is connected to the first support portion 224a, and a slide portion 2241 that slides in the ±Z-axis directions (up and down directions) along the first support portion 224a is provided, and the second cassette detector 2242 is provided at a corner of the slide portion 2241. This allows the second cassette detector 2242 to detect a cassette Ca that has popped out of the cassette shelf 21 when the first cassette gripping portion 221a is moving in the +X-axis direction. Note that the second cassette detector 2242 may be provided only at the corner of the slide portion 2241 opposite to the first cassette gripping portion 221a.

[0284] The second cassette detector 2242 may be a sensor that can detect an object located within a predetermined distance from the second cassette detector 2242. This allows the movement of the first support column 224a in the +X-axis direction to be stopped before the first support column 224a collides with the cassette Ca that has jumped out of the cassette shelf 21.

[0285] 21, consider a case where a cassette Ca is protruding from the cassette shelf 21 and the first support 224a (i.e., the first cassette gripper 221a) is moving in the -X-axis direction. In this case, as indicated by reference numeral 21001, the first cassette gripper 221a approaches the protruding cassette Ca, and when the cassette Ca comes within a predetermined distance from the first cassette detector 2216, the first cassette detector 2216 detects the cassette Ca. When the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 receives a detection signal indicating that the first cassette detector 2216 has detected the cassette Ca, it controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to stop the movement of the first support 224a in the -X-axis direction.

[0286] Next, as indicated by reference numeral 21002, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the rotation drive unit 2215 to rotate the first cassette gripper 221a toward the cassette Ca by a first predetermined angle. This allows the cassette Ca to be pushed back to the cassette shelf 21. Alternatively, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 may move the first cassette gripper 221a toward the cassette Ca (in the +Y-axis direction) a predetermined distance. In this case, the cassette Ca can be smoothly pushed back to the cassette shelf 21.

[0287] Next, as indicated by reference numeral 21003, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the rotation drive unit 2215 to rotate the first cassette gripping unit 221a by a first predetermined angle in the direction opposite to the cassette Ca. In other words, the first cassette gripping unit 221a is returned to the state it was in when it was moved. In this state, when the first cassette detection unit 2216 detects the cassette Ca, it transmits a detection signal indicating that the cassette Ca has been detected to the main body cassette transfer control unit 112.

[0288] When the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 receives the detection signal, it rotates the first cassette gripping unit 221a toward the cassette Ca by a second predetermined angle, which is larger than the first predetermined angle, as shown by reference numeral 21004. This allows the cassette Ca to be pushed back to the cassette shelf 21 again. As described above, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 may also move the first cassette gripping unit 221a a predetermined movement distance toward the cassette Ca. The first predetermined angle, the second predetermined angle, and the predetermined movement distance may be set through experiments or the like to an extent that allows the cassette Ca to be pushed back.

[0289] Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the rotation drive unit 2215 to rotate the first cassette gripper 221a by a second predetermined angle in the direction opposite to the cassette Ca. That is, the first cassette gripper 221a is returned to the state it was in when it was moved. In this state, if the first cassette detector 2216 does not detect the cassette Ca, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 determines that the cassette Ca has returned to the cassette shelf 21 and ends the operation of the first cassette gripper 221a to push back the cassette Ca. Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 resumes the movement of the first support unit 224a (i.e., the first cassette gripper 221a) in the -X axis direction.

[0290] On the other hand, if the first cassette detection unit 2216 detects the cassette Ca, the above-mentioned operation is repeatedly executed until the first cassette detection unit 2216 no longer detects the cassette Ca. That is, the operation of pushing the cassette Ca by the first cassette gripping unit 221a and the subsequent cassette detection operation by the first cassette detection unit 2216 are repeatedly executed. The rotation angle of the first cassette gripping unit 221a increases each time a pushing operation is executed so that the cassette Ca can be reliably pushed into the cassette shelf 21.

[0291] When the first support portion 224a (i.e., the first cassette gripping portion 221a) is moved in the +X-axis direction, the second cassette detection portion 2242 may detect the protruding cassette Ca instead of the first cassette detection portion 2216. As indicated by the reference numeral 21005, in this case as well, the cassette Ca can be pushed back into the cassette shelf 21 in the same manner as the above-described operation.

[0292] However, the first cassette gripping portion 221a can be rotated 180 degrees by the rotation drive portion 2215. Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 221a can also move in the +X-axis direction with the first cassette detector 2216 facing the +X-axis direction. Therefore, in this case, while the first cassette gripping portion 221a is moving in the +X-axis direction, the first cassette detector 2216 will detect the protruding cassette Ca. The first cassette gripping portion 221a can also move in the -X-axis direction with the first cassette detector 2216 facing the +X-axis direction. In this case, the second cassette detector 2242 may detect the protruding cassette Ca.

[0293] Consider a case where the drug station 1 does not have the function of pushing back a cassette Ca that has protruded from the cassette shelf 21. Because the pushing back function is not provided, when the first cassette detection unit 2216 or the second cassette detection unit 2242 detects a protruding cassette Ca, the control device 10 stops the entire dispensing operation by the drug station 1 and issues an error notification. If even one cassette Ca protrudes even slightly from the cassette shelf 21, the control device 10 stops the dispensing operation. In this case, the operator opens the door 25, returns the protruding cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21, and then cancels the error and resumes the dispensing operation.

[0294] As described above, if the drug station 1 has a push-back function, it can automatically push back the ejected cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21. Therefore, even if a ejected cassette Ca is present, the dispensing operation can be continued without being stopped. In other words, the occurrence of errors can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the labor required for the operator to return the ejected cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21.

[0295] [Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, a configuration example will be described in which the first cassette gripping unit 351 has only one protrusion 351a and grips one side of the cassette Ca. Also, in this embodiment, the position of the barcode reader 351b will be described. Note that, although this embodiment will be described using the first picking cassette transport unit 35a as an example, the same can be said for the second picking cassette transport unit 35b.

[0296] Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a. Reference numeral 22001 in Fig. 22 shows a state in which the first cassette gripping unit 351 grips the cassette Ca, and reference numeral 22002 shows a state in which the first cassette gripping unit 351 does not grip the cassette Ca.

[0297] 22, the first cassette gripping portion 351 includes a protrusion 351a, a barcode reader 351b, and a mirror 351c. The protrusion 351a has been described above as the basic configuration, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0298] The barcode reader 351b reads the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca gripped by the protrusion 351a. The mirror 351c reflects the light emitted from the barcode reader 351b and the light reflected by the barcode Ca14. Specifically, the mirror 351c reflects the light emitted from the barcode reader 351b and propagates it toward the barcode Ca14, and also propagates the light reflected by the barcode Ca14 toward the barcode reader 351b. This allows the barcode reader 351b to read the barcode Ca14 via the mirror 351c.

[0299] The barcode reader 351b and the mirror 351c are positioned so that the barcode reader 351b can read the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca gripped by the protrusion 351a. Specifically, the side surface of the barcode reader 351b, from which the barcode reader 351b emits light or receives reflected light, and the reflective surface of the mirror 351c are positioned so that the barcode Ca14 can be read.

[0300] In order for the barcode reader 351b to be able to read the barcode Ca14, the barcode reader 351b must be spaced a predetermined distance from the barcode Ca14, taking into consideration the reading depth (focal length) of the barcode reader 351b. That is, the lengths of the optical paths of the light emitted by the barcode reader 351b and the reflected light received by it must be set to a predetermined distance that allows the barcode reader 351b to read the barcode Ca14. Due to the constraint of providing the barcode reader 351b in the first cassette gripping unit 351, a relatively small barcode reader 351b must be used, and therefore the reading depth becomes relatively long.

[0301] In this embodiment, the mirror 351c is provided to bend the light or the reflected light. Therefore, the barcode reader 351b can be provided in a position that does not face the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca held by the first cassette holding unit 351. Therefore, the barcode reader 351b can be provided in the first cassette holding unit 351.

[0302] In this embodiment, the mirror 351c is provided at a position facing the barcode Ca14 attached to the cassette Ca held by the first cassette gripping section 351, i.e., near the center of the first cassette gripping section 351. The barcode reader 351b is provided on the end side of the first cassette gripping section 351 so that the side surface faces the mirror 351c. When the mirror 351c is viewed from above, the angle of the mirror 351c with respect to the direction perpendicular to the side surface of the first cassette gripping section 351 (±Y-axis direction) may be approximately 45 degrees. However, the angle of the mirror 351c is adjusted appropriately depending on the installation position of the barcode reader 351b or the emission direction of light emitted from the barcode reader 351b (the orientation of the barcode reader 351b).

[0303] Here, it is also possible to provide the barcode reader 351b at a location other than the first cassette gripping portion 351 of the picking unit 3. For example, it is also possible to provide the barcode reader 351b on the inside of the front portion 45 of the picking unit 3, which corresponds to the standby position P2 (see FIG. 13). In this case, however, all cassettes Ca transported from the cassette shelf 21 would be moved to the standby position P2 to have the barcode reader 351b read the barcode Ca14. Also, it is necessary to stop the barcode reader 351b once to have it read the barcode Ca14.

[0304] In this embodiment, the first cassette gripper 351 is provided with a barcode reader 351b, so that the barcode Ca14 can be read by the barcode reader 351b while the first picking cassette transporter 35a is transporting the cassette Ca. This eliminates the need to transport the cassette Ca to the location of the barcode reader 351b and then temporarily stop it at that location. This allows the control device 10 to efficiently execute the drug dispensing process.

[0305] In a configuration in which two first cassette gripping portions 351 grip both sides of the cassette Ca, the barcode reader 351b and the mirror 351c may be provided on one of the two first cassette gripping portions 351. However, the barcode reader 351b and the mirror 351c may be provided on both of the two first cassette gripping portions 351.

[0306] [Embodiment 4] In this embodiment, a configuration example will be described in which the first cassette gripping unit 351 can stably grip the cassette Ca. Note that, although this embodiment will be described using the first picking cassette transporting unit 35a as an example, the same can be said for the second picking cassette transporting unit 35b.

[0307] As indicated by reference numeral 22002 in FIG. 22, a pair of rollers 351d is provided on the protrusion 351a of the first cassette gripping portion 351. The pair of rollers 351d has a rotation axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves when gripping the cassette Ca (the direction toward the cassette Ca). In this embodiment, the pair of rollers 351d has a rotation axis extending in a direction substantially perpendicular (±X-axis direction) to the vertical direction (+Z-axis direction). The pair of rollers 351d is provided at the tip of the protrusion 351a, which first comes into contact when the first cassette gripping portion 351 grips the cassette Ca. The size of the pair of rollers 351d, together with the protrusion 351a, is determined to be such that they can be inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12 of the cassette Ca.

[0308] Fig. 23 is a diagram for explaining the state of holding the cassette Ca by the first cassette holding portion 351. Reference numeral 23001 in Fig. 23 is a diagram showing the state of holding the cassette Ca when the pair of rollers 351d is provided on the protrusion 351a, and reference numeral 23002 is a diagram showing the state of holding the cassette Ca when the pair of rollers 351d is not provided on the protrusion 351a.

[0309] As described above, when gripping the cassette Ca, the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves in the +Z-axis direction toward the cassette Ca. This movement causes the protrusion 351a to be inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12 of the cassette Ca and catch on the claw receiving portion Ca12, temporarily locking the claw receiving portion Ca12. This allows the first cassette gripping portion 351 to grip the cassette Ca. Note that in FIG. 22, one first cassette gripping portion 351 is provided for the first beam portion 353, so the cassette Ca is supported in a cantilevered state by the first cassette gripping portion 351. In this case, the transfer efficiency of the cassette Ca to the medicine delivery / reception portion 32 and the cassette holding portion 23, and the removal efficiency (gripping efficiency) of the cassette Ca at the medicine delivery / reception portion 32 and the cassette holding portion 23 are improved.

[0310] However, if the pair of rollers 351d is not provided on the protrusion 351a, depending on the positional relationship between the protrusion 351a and the claw receiving portion Ca12, the protrusion 351a may get caught midway on the claw receiving portion Ca12, as shown by reference numeral 23002. For example, if the first cassette gripping portion 351 is slightly misaligned with respect to the cassette Ca when viewed from the movement direction (+Z-axis direction) of the first cassette gripping portion 351 toward the cassette Ca, the protrusion 351a may get caught midway on the claw receiving portion Ca12.

[0311] If the protrusion 351a gets caught midway on the claw receiving portion Ca12, the first cassette gripper 351 will transport the cassette Ca in a state in which the cassette Ca is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, during the transportation of the cassette Ca, there is a possibility that the cassette Ca may come into contact with any component in the picking unit 3. In this case, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 may interrupt the transportation of the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transporter 35a.

[0312] As indicated by the reference numeral 23001, when the pair of rollers 351d are provided on the protrusion 351a, the pair of rollers 351d rotate each time they come into contact with the claw receiving portion Ca12 as the protrusion 351a is inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12. In other words, even if a force is applied from the protrusion 351a to the claw receiving portion Ca12 in the direction in which the protrusion 351a lifts the claw receiving portion Ca12 (in the +Z-axis direction) when the protrusion 351a is inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12, at least a part of the force is converted into a rotational force of the pair of rollers 351d.

[0313] Therefore, compared to a case where the pair of rollers 351d is not provided on the protrusion 351a, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance generated between the protrusion 351a and the claw receiving portion Ca12 when the protrusion 351a is inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12. Therefore, regardless of the positional relationship between the protrusion 351a and the claw receiving portion Ca12, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the protrusion 351a will get caught midway on the claw receiving portion Ca12 and the entire protrusion 351a will not be inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12. Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 351 can transport the cassette Ca in a stable state, thereby reducing the possibility that the cassette Ca will come into contact with any member in the picking unit 3 during transport of the cassette Ca and the transport of the cassette Ca will be interrupted.

[0314] Here, it is also conceivable to make the size of the protrusion 351a somewhat smaller than the size of the internal region of the claw receiving portion Ca12. In other words, it is also conceivable to make the size of the protrusion 351a larger than the size of the internal region of the claw receiving portion Ca12. In this case, regardless of the positional relationship between the protrusion 351a and the claw receiving portion Ca12, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the protrusion 351a will get caught on the claw receiving portion Ca12 when the protrusion 351a is inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12.

[0315] However, to ensure stable transport of the cassette Ca, the first cassette gripping portion 351 is required to stably hold the cassette Ca in a substantially horizontal position, even though the weight of the cassette Ca varies depending on the quantity or size of the drugs stored therein. If the size of the protrusion 351a were to be larger than the size of the interior area of ​​the claw receiving portion Ca12, the play would be large, which could result in the cassette Ca being tilted (rather than horizontal) or increasing vibration during transport, making it difficult to transport the cassette Ca stably. Therefore, the size of the protrusion 351a is determined to match the size of the interior area of ​​the claw receiving portion Ca12 (but to the extent that it can be inserted into the claw receiving portion Ca12). Therefore, considering stable transport of the cassette Ca, it is not advisable to make the size of the protrusion 351a somewhat smaller than the size of the interior area of ​​the claw receiving portion Ca12 in order to reduce the occurrence of the aforementioned snagging.

[0316] 22, in a configuration in which one first cassette gripping portion 351 grips one side of the cassette Ca, the first cassette gripping portion 351 grips the cassette Ca with one protrusion 351a. Therefore, in order to stably transfer the cassette Ca, the size of the protrusion 351a and the size of the internal space of the claw receiving portion Ca12 must be specified more strictly than in a configuration in which the first cassette gripping portion 351 grips both sides of the cassette Ca. Therefore, in this case in particular, it is not advisable to reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned snagging by making the size of the protrusion 351a somewhat smaller than the size of the internal space of the claw receiving portion Ca12.

[0317] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned snagging, the method of making the size of the protrusion 351a smaller than the size of the internal area of ​​the claw receiving portion Ca12 is not adopted, but instead a pair of rollers 351d is provided on the protrusion 351a.

[0318] Consider a configuration in which the two first cassette gripping portions 351 grip both sides of the cassette Ca (i.e., a configuration in which the protrusions 351a of each first cassette gripping portion 351 grip both sides of the cassette Ca). In this case, the pair of rollers 351d may be provided on one of the two protrusions 351a. However, in order to reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned snagging, the pair of rollers 351d may be provided on both of the two protrusions 351a.

[0319] In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of rollers 351d (i.e., two rollers) are provided on the protrusion 351a, but only one roller 351d may be provided on the protrusion 351a. Even in this case, the occurrence of the above-mentioned snagging can be reduced compared to when no rollers are provided on the protrusion 351a.

[0320] [Embodiment 5] In this embodiment, a configuration is described that reduces the possibility of drugs falling from the cassette Ca or moving from one storage area to another through a gap that occurs between the cassette Ca and the first shutter 322a.

[0321] Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the first shutter 322a. Reference numeral 24001 in Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of the medicine delivery and reception unit 32, and reference numeral 24002 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the A-A' arrow) showing the cross-sectional shape of the first shutter 322a when the first shutter 322a is cut along the A-A' cutting line parallel to the short side of the medicine delivery and reception unit 32. Figure 24 shows a state in which the medium-sized cassette Ca2 has reached the medicine delivery and reception unit 32, and one side of a pair of plate-like members constituting the first shutter 322a and the second shutter 322b are not shown.

[0322] 25 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the picking cassette transport unit 35 when the cassette Ca arrives at the medicine delivery and reception unit 32. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view (B-B' cross-sectional view) showing the cross-sectional shape of the first shutter 322a when the first shutter 322a is cut along the B-B' cutting line parallel to the long side of the medicine delivery and reception unit 32 in FIG. 24. Reference numeral 25001 in FIG. 25 indicates a state in which the first shutter 322a and the cassette Ca are separated from each other, and reference numeral 25002 indicates a state in which the first shutter 322a and the cassette Ca are close to each other. Reference numeral 25003 in FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the portion enclosed by the dotted line indicated by reference numeral 25002.

[0323] As indicated by reference numeral 24001, a gap prevention part 323 is provided at an end of a first plate-shaped member 322a1, which is one of a pair of plate-shaped members constituting the first shutter 322a, to reduce the possibility of a gap occurring between the partition (partition Ca21 is illustrated in FIG. 24) and the first shutter 322a. The end of the first plate-shaped member 322a1 is an end that comes into contact with an end of a second plate-shaped member 322a2 (see FIG. 25), which is the other of the pair of plate-shaped members. Note that, as shown in FIG. 25, a gap prevention part 323 is also provided at an end of the second plate-shaped member 322a2.

[0324] 25, the gap prevention portion 323 has an extension portion 323c. The extension portion 323c is a plate-like member that extends substantially vertically downward (in the −Z-axis direction) from the surfaces of the first plate-like member 322a1 and the second plate-like member 322a2 so as to come into contact with a partition portion (partition portion Ca11 is exemplified in FIG. 25).

[0325] The upper end Ed of the partition has a convex shape to fit with the extension 323c. In this embodiment, the convex shape is formed on the upper end Ed so that when the extension 323c and the upper end Ed come into contact, the inner surface of the extension 323c and the surface of the partition are flush with each other. In this case, the possibility of the drug getting caught on the partition or the extension 323c when an operator removes or puts a drug into the storage area formed between the two partitions can be reduced. However, it is sufficient that the extension 323c is arranged to contact the upper end Ed of the partition when the first shutter 322a is in the open state. In other words, it is not necessary for the upper end Ed to have a convex shape, and it is not necessary for the extension 323c and the upper end Ed to contact each other so that the inner surface of the extension 323c and the surface of the partition are flush with each other.

[0326] As shown by reference numeral 25002, when the first shutter 322a is in the open state, the extensions 323c of the first plate-shaped member 322a1 and the second plate-shaped member 322a2 come into contact with the partitions, respectively. Therefore, when an operator takes out a medicine from a storage area formed between two partitions or puts a medicine into the storage area, the possibility of the medicine getting across the partitions and entering another storage area can be reduced.

[0327] Furthermore, the height of the side walls (longitudinal ends) extending in the lateral direction of the cassette Ca is approximately the same as the height of the partitions. Therefore, by providing the gap prevention part 323 in the first shutter 322a, it is possible to reduce the possibility that medicines will fall out of the cassette Ca in the longitudinal direction of the cassette Ca (the length of the cassette Ca).

[0328] As indicated by reference numeral 24002, the extension portion 323c is provided with a first notch 323a and a second notch 323b. The first notch 323a has a space for accommodating the upper end of the longitudinally extending side wall of the medium-sized cassette Ca2 when the medium-sized cassette Ca2 is placed at the medicine transfer position P1 of the medicine transfer unit 32 (a position where an operator can actually transfer medicines to and from the cassette Ca). The second notch 323b has a space for accommodating the upper end of the longitudinally extending side wall of the small-sized cassette Ca3 when the small-sized cassette Ca3 is placed at the medicine transfer position P1. In this embodiment, the medicine transfer position P1 is a position where an operator can transfer medicines to and from the cassette Ca, and refers to the position when the cassette Ca approaches the workbench 40, as indicated by reference numeral 25002.

[0329] The height of the sidewall extending in the longitudinal direction of the medium-sized cassette Ca2 or the small-sized cassette Ca3 is approximately the same as the height of the partition. Therefore, if the gap prevention part 323 is provided on the first shutter 322a, when the medium-sized cassette Ca2 or the small-sized cassette Ca3 is transferred to the medicine transfer position P1, the extension part 323c will come into contact with the upper end of the sidewall of the medium-sized cassette Ca2 or the small-sized cassette Ca3. If the upper end comes into contact with the extension part 323c, the extension part 323c cannot come into contact with the upper end part Ed of the partition part, and medicines may be introduced into an adjacent storage area through the gap between the partition part and the first shutter 322a. Furthermore, medicines may fall through the gap between the cassette Ca and the first shutter 322a (the gap formed in the longitudinal direction of the cassette Ca). In other words, the function of the gap prevention part 323 may be impaired.

[0330] By providing the first notch 323a and the second notch 323b, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the medium-sized cassette Ca2 or the small-sized cassette Ca3 will come into contact with the gap prevention part 323 when it is transported to the medicine transfer position P1. Therefore, it is possible to fully utilize the function of the gap prevention part 323 described above.

[0331] <Example of operation> Assume that the cassette Ca is transferred to the medicine delivery unit 32 by the picking cassette transfer unit 35. At this time, as shown by reference numeral 25001, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca to a position separated from the work table 40 to such an extent that the first shutter 322a does not come into contact with the partition even when the first shutter 322a performs an opening and closing operation. In this state, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a so as to open the storage area in which the medicines to be taken out or stored are stored.

[0332] Next, as shown by reference numeral 25002, the picking cassette transport unit 35 raises the cassette Ca toward the workbench 40 and places the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer position P1. At this time, the extension portion 323c fits into the upper end portion Ed of the partition. This reduces the possibility of a gap occurring between the partition and the first shutter 322a, and reduces the possibility of medicines to be removed or stored entering an adjacent storage area.

[0333] [Embodiment 6] Figure 26 is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the first shutter 322a. Reference numeral 26001 in Figure 26 indicates an example of a state in which the first shutter 322a is open by the width of one storage area for the cassette Ca. Reference numeral 26002 in Figure 26 indicates an example of a state in which the first shutter 322a is open by the width of two storage areas for the cassette Ca. Reference numeral 26003 in Figure 26 indicates another example of a state in which the first shutter 322a is open by the width of two storage areas for the cassette Ca.

[0334] As described above, the first shutter 322a opens and closes under the control of the shutter control unit 122. In particular, in the case of a cassette Ca having a partition, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the position where the medicine to be dispensed or filled is stored is near the center of the medicine delivery unit 32.

[0335] As an example, as shown by reference numeral 26001 in Fig. 26, the cassette Ca is provided with five storage areas Ar11, Ar12, Ar13, Ar14, and Ar15, and the storage areas store drugs MDA, MDB, MDC, MDD, and MDE, respectively. When the drug MDC is to be dispensed, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the storage area Ar13 of the cassette Ca that stores the drug MDC is near the center of the drug delivery unit 32. Thereafter, as shown by reference numeral 26001 in Fig. 26, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area in which the drug MDC is stored.

[0336] Incidentally, a medicine may have corresponding accessories, such as an instruction manual or a light-shielding bag. In cassette Ca, a medicine and corresponding accessories may be stored in the same storage area. When dispensing the medicine, shutter control unit 122 opens first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area.

[0337] Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 26001 in Fig. 26, a cassette Ca may contain a drug MDC and an accessory At corresponding to the drug MDC in the same storage area Ar13. When dispensing a drug MDC, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area Ar13. This allows the operator to take out the drug MDC to be dispensed and the accessory At corresponding to the drug.

[0338] However, a drug and an accessory corresponding to the drug may be stored in two or more adjacent storage areas. In this case, the storage location information of the drug is stored in memory unit 15 in association with the storage location information of the accessory corresponding to the drug. When specifying the storage location of the drug, shutter control unit 122 refers to memory unit 15 and acquires the storage location information of the drug. Here, shutter control unit 122 determines whether the storage location information of the drug is associated with the storage location information of the accessory corresponding to the drug.

[0339] When the storage location information of the drug is associated with the storage location information of the accessory corresponding to the drug, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area that stores the drug plus the width of the storage area that stores the accessory.

[0340] 26, the drug MDC and the accessory At corresponding to the drug MDC may be stored in adjacent storage areas Ar13 and Ar14. When dispensing the drug MDC, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the partition between the storage areas Ar13 and Ar14 is near the center of the drug delivery / reception unit 32. The shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area Ar14 that stores the drug MDC as well as the width of the storage area Ar13 that stores the accessory At.

[0341] 26, the drug MDB and the accessory At corresponding to the drug MDB may be stored in adjacent storage areas Ar12 and Ar13. When dispensing the drug MDB, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 transports the cassette Ca so that the partition between the storage areas Ar12 and Ar13 is near the center of the drug delivery / reception unit 32. The shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area Ar12 that stores the drug MDB as well as the width of the storage area Ar13 that stores the accessory At.

[0342] According to the above configuration, by simply opening the first shutter 322a once, the operator can remove the medicine to be dispensed and the corresponding accessories. In other words, the operator can reduce the possibility of forgetting to remove the accessories when removing the medicine. Furthermore, according to the configurations shown by reference numerals 26002 and 26003, the medicine and the accessories are stored in different storage areas, eliminating the need to separate the medicine and the accessories for removal, as in the configuration shown by reference numeral 26001. This improves the workability when removing the medicine and the accessories.

[0343] In the above example, the picking cassette transport control unit 121 adjusts the position of the cassette Ca so that the center of the storage position of the medicines and accessories to be dispensed is near the center of the medicine delivery unit 32. In addition, the shutter control unit 122 opens the first shutter 322a by the required width, thereby enabling the worker to remove the medicines and accessories.

[0344] However, the configuration that enables removal of medicines and accessories is not limited to this. For example, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 may transfer the cassette Ca to a predetermined position in the medicine delivery unit 32 without adjusting the position of the cassette Ca as described above. In this case, the shutter control unit 122 appropriately adjusts the position at which the first shutter 322a is opened based on the storage position information of the medicines and accessories to be dispensed.

[0345] Furthermore, when the same accessory corresponds to two types of medicine, the accessories stored in one storage area can be shared for these medicines. For example, the accessory can be a bag that can store both types of eye drops.

[0346] In this case, the accessories may be stored in one storage area, and two types of medicine corresponding to the accessories may be stored in storage areas on either side of the storage area. Furthermore, in memory unit 15, the storage position information of each medicine is associated with the storage position information of the accessory. When one of the two types of medicine is dispensed, shutter control unit 122 opens first shutter 322a by the width of the storage area that stores the medicine in addition to the width of the storage area that stores the accessory. This configuration eliminates the need to store accessories corresponding to each medicine in different storage areas, thereby enabling effective use of the storage area of ​​cassette Ca.

[0347] [Embodiment 7] Figure 27 is a diagram showing a medicine placing table 37A, which is another example of the medicine placing table 37. Reference numeral 27001 in Figure 27 indicates a perspective view of the medicine placing table 37A, and reference numeral 27002 in Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the CC' arrow) showing the cross-sectional shape of the medicine placing table 37A when the medicine placing table 37A is cut along the CC' cutting line parallel to the short side of the medicine placing table 37A.

[0348] The medicine mounting table 37A has a mounting surface on which medicine sheets (including fractional sheets) are placed, and a bottom 37bt that forms a recess that smoothly slopes toward the center in the longitudinal direction (+Y-axis direction) of the medicine mounting table 37A. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 27, the cross-sectional shape of the mounting surface is approximately elliptical. Note that the center is the center of the bottom 37bt in the short direction of the medicine mounting table 37A in each cross section of the medicine mounting table 37A when cut along a cutting line parallel to the short side.

[0349] In drug station 1, imaging unit 371 captures an image of the medicine sheet, and medicine determination unit 124 performs image analysis to count the number of medicines. If the medicine sheet is placed at an angle to the longitudinal direction on medicine placement table 37, the image of the medicine sheet will appear black when imaging unit 371 captures the image of the medicine sheet, and medicine determination unit 124 may not be able to correctly count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet.

[0350] As described above, when the mounting surface forms a recess that smoothly slopes toward the center, no matter how the operator places the drug sheet on drug mounting table 37A, the drug sheet slides along the mounting surface and is positioned at the center of bottom 37bt. Furthermore, since the drug sheet moves along the shape of the mounting surface, one side of the drug sheet is positioned approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of drug mounting table 37A. In other words, the drug sheet can be positioned straight along the longitudinal direction of drug mounting table 37A.

[0351] Therefore, in a configuration including medicine placing table 37A, no matter how the operator places the medicine sheet on medicine placing table 37A, imaging unit 371 can accurately capture an image of the medicine sheet. Therefore, medicine determination unit 124 can stably count the number of medicines contained in the medicine sheet placed on medicine placing table 37A. Also, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operator will have to adjust the orientation of the medicine sheet so that imaging unit 371 can accurately capture an image of the medicine sheet.

[0352] [Embodiment 8] The touch panel control unit 14 displays information related to the drug dispensing operation (e.g., the number of drugs to be taken out from the cassette Ca, the number of drug sheets and remainder sheets, and the judgment result by the drug judgment unit 124 (whether the number of drugs taken out is appropriate or not)) on the second touch panel 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the second touch panel 31 is provided on the back side (main unit 2 side) of the drug delivery and reception unit 32 when viewed from the side where the worker is standing, but it may also be placed on the top surface of the workbench 40. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the second touch panel 31 may be provided between the two drug delivery and reception units 32 on the top surface of the workbench 40.

[0353] In this case, the operator can remove the medicine from the cassette Ca without taking his / her eyes off the medicine delivery / reception unit 32, or if he / she does take his / her eyes off the unit, he / she can do so for a shorter period of time. This allows the operator to more easily concentrate on the medicine delivery / reception unit 32, i.e., on the task of removing the medicine from the cassette Ca.

[0354] [Embodiment 9] The control device 10 may start timing when the cassette Ca containing the medicines to be dispensed arrives at the medicine delivery unit 32 and the shutter 322 is opened. If the control device 10 determines that the shutter 322 is not closed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of timing, the control device 10 may notify the user that the predetermined time has elapsed. The touch panel control unit 14 may, for example, display an image on the second touch panel 31 indicating that the predetermined time has elapsed. The touch panel control unit 14 may notify the user that the predetermined time has elapsed by outputting a sound such as a buzzer.

[0355] At drug station 1, workers perform the dispensing of various medications. Therefore, the total time required for dispensing medications at drug station 1 depends largely on the time required for the workers to perform the dispensing of various medications. By providing the above-described notification, workers can be made aware of the speed of the dispensing work and can be encouraged to perform the dispensing work smoothly. Furthermore, the possibility of variations in dispensing efficiency depending on the worker can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility of wasted time occurring due to a delay by one worker, such as the next worker having to wait for that delay, can be reduced.

[0356] The operation time (dispensing time) required to extract the medicines from the cassette Ca varies depending on the prescription content, i.e., the number of medicines to be extracted or the presence or absence of a fractional number sheet. Therefore, the control device 10 may calculate the predetermined time based on the prescription content, i.e., the number of medicines to be extracted from the cassette Ca or the presence or absence of a fractional number sheet.

[0357] For example, memory unit 15 stores information indicating the standard work time required to remove one medicine, box, or package. Control device 10 calculates the predetermined time based on the number of medicines, boxes, or packages to be removed and the standard work time. For medicine sheets, memory unit 15 also stores, for example, the standard work time required to remove one medicine sheet and the standard work time required to cut out a medicine sheet and create a remainder sheet. Control device 10 calculates the predetermined time based on the number of medicine sheets and remainder sheets and the standard work time.

[0358] Furthermore, the control device 10 may manage the working time required for each worker to dispense various medicines. For example, the control device 10 measures the working time as the time from when the cassette Ca arrives at the medicine delivery unit 32 and the shutter 322 is opened until the tray close button 39 is pressed and the shutter 322 is closed. The control device 10 stores the measured working time in the memory unit 15 for each type of medicine dispensed.

[0359] Here, at the start of the medicine dispensing process, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a login image on the second touch panel 31. The control device 10 accepts an input operation (input of login information) by the worker into the login image, and starts the medicine dispensing process when the input login information matches the worker's login information registered in the storage unit 15. Since the medicine dispensing process is started in this manner, the control device 10 can manage the working time for each worker.

[0360] As a result, the control device 10 can calculate, for example, for each worker, the average work time (average work speed) for a predetermined period (e.g., one month) or the number of prescriptions filled during that period. Examples of the number of prescriptions include the number of drugs dispensed, the number of types of drugs dispensed, and the number of patients to whom the drugs were prescribed. The touch panel control unit 14 displays the calculation results (analysis results) on, for example, the first touch panel 5, allowing the manager of the drug station 1 to grasp the dispensing work performance of each worker.

[0361] In addition, the management of the working time for each worker, the calculation of the average working time or number of prescriptions, and the display of the calculation results may be performed, for example, by an information processing device for the administrator (e.g., a PC (Personal Computer)) connected to the drug station 1.

[0362] [Embodiment 10] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a cassette Ca4. Reference numeral 28001 in Figure 28 is a perspective view showing an example of a cassette Ca4 including a storage container Ca41. Reference numeral 28002 in Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the arrows D-D') showing the cross-sectional shape of the cassette Ca4 including the storage container Ca41 when the cassette Ca4 is cut along the line D-D' parallel to the long side of the cassette Ca4. Reference numeral 28003 in Figure 28 is an enlarged view of the portion enclosed by the dotted line indicated by reference numeral 28002.

[0363] 28, the cassette Ca4 differs from the large cassette Ca1 in that it includes a protrusion Ca40 and a storage container Ca41. The protrusion Ca40 is a convex portion provided along the side surface of the long side of the cassette Ca4, and one protrusion Ca40 may be provided on each side surface of the long side of the cassette Ca4, or multiple protrusions may be provided on each side surface of the long side.

[0364] As shown in Fig. 28, when multiple protrusions Ca40 are provided on each side of the cassette Ca4, a gap Ca45 is formed between adjacent protrusions Ca40. By forming this gap Ca45, a divider Ca44 can be inserted into the cassette Ca4, as shown in Fig. 28. In this case, as in the case described using Fig. 5, multiple storage areas for storing drug sheets can be provided inside the cassette Ca4. Note that the divider Ca11 in Fig. 5 may have the same shape as the divider Ca44.

[0365] The storage container Ca41 is a container for storing leftover sheets, and as shown in Fig. 28, includes a peripheral portion Ca411, at least one storage portion Ca412, and an inclined portion Ca413. The storage container Ca41 may be fixed to one short side of the cassette Ca4, or may be detachable. When a user removes the leftover sheets, it is preferable that one of the long sides of the storage container Ca41 contacts the longitudinal end of the cassette Ca4.

[0366] The peripheral portion Ca411 is a plate-like portion provided along the short side of the storage container Ca41. When the storage container Ca41 is removable, the storage container Ca41 is supported by the cassette Ca4 by placing the peripheral portion Ca411 on the protrusion Ca40 of the cassette Ca4.

[0367] The storage section Ca412 is an area capable of storing leftover sheets. The storage section Ca412 need only be large enough to store the leftover sheets. The storage section Ca412 is inclined in the short-side direction of the storage container Ca41. Specifically, the bottom Ca4121 of the storage section Ca412 is inclined in the short-side direction of the storage container Ca41. The side wall Ca4122 of the storage section Ca412 that can abut against the short side of the cassette Ca4 is also inclined in the short-side direction of the storage container Ca41.

[0368] The inclined portion Ca413 is provided on the long side of the storage container Ca41 that does not abut against the short side of the cassette Ca4, and together with the side wall Ca4122 defines the storage portion Ca412, and has an inclined structure that is inclined in the short direction of the storage container Ca41. When an operator removes a medicine sheet from the body of the cassette Ca4, the operator can easily scrape out the medicine sheet by sliding the medicine sheet along the inclined portion Ca413.

[0369] As shown in Fig. 28, the divider Ca44 may include an inclined portion Ca441. The inclined portion Ca441 is provided on the long side of the divider Ca44 that abuts against the cassette Ca4, and has an inclined structure that inclines toward the long side of the cassette Ca when the divider Ca44 is attached to the cassette Ca. The inclined portion Ca441 also extends along the long side of the divider Ca44. When an operator removes a drug sheet from the main body of the cassette Ca4, the operator can easily scrape out the drug sheet by sliding the drug sheet along the inclined portion Ca441.

[0370] 28, the cassette Ca4 may be provided with a rib Ca46. The rib Ca46 is a structure that protrudes from the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4 and extends in the short direction of the cassette Ca4. The rib Ca46 is formed along the long side of the inclined portion Ca413 of the storage container Ca41 or the inclined portion Ca441 of the partition portion Ca44, which is closer to the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4.

[0371] According to the above configuration, the gap between the inclined portion Ca413 or the inclined portion Ca441 and the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4 is blocked by the rib Ca46. This reduces the possibility that the tablet sheet will get stuck under the storage container Ca41 or the partition portion Ca44 and become pinched between the inclined portion Ca413 or the inclined portion Ca441 and the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4. This reduces the possibility that the tablet sheet will be torn when the operator scrapes it out.

[0372] The rib Ca46 is provided at a height that does not hinder removal of the drug sheet from the cassette Ca4 using the inclined portion Ca413 or the inclined portion Ca441. The rib Ca46 may be provided anywhere on the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4 as long as the long sides of the inclined portion Ca413 or the inclined portion Ca441 are close to each other.

[0373] 28, the side surface of the rib Ca46 may be inclined in the direction of the long side of the cassette Ca. This reduces the possibility that the rib Ca46 will obstruct the movement of the tablet sheet when the operator uses the inclined portion Ca413 or the inclined portion Ca441 to scrape the tablet sheet out of the cassette Ca4.

[0374] 28 is the same size as the large cassette Ca1, the configuration of the cassette Ca4 may also be adopted for the medium-sized cassette Ca2 and the small-sized cassette Ca3. That is, a storage container and a partition unit having the same functions as the storage container Ca41 and the partition unit Ca44 may be installed for the medium-sized cassette Ca2 and the small-sized cassette Ca3.

[0375] [Embodiment 11] In this embodiment, an example of a method for transferring a group cassette will be described when the group cassette is stored on the cassette shelf 21. A group cassette refers to a cassette group consisting of a plurality of cassettes Ca intended to store the same type of medicine.

[0376] The cassette shelf 21 may store at least one group cassette (cassette group). That is, the cassette shelf 21 may store only one group cassette (cassette group) composed of multiple cassettes Ca intended to store a certain type of medicine. Alternatively, the cassette shelf 21 may store multiple group cassettes (cassette groups) intended to store different types of medicine. In the latter case, the multiple cassettes Ca constituting each group cassette contain the same type of medicine, but the multiple cassettes Ca constituting one group cassette and the multiple cassettes Ca constituting another group cassette contain different types of medicine. For example, if multiple cassettes Ca each contain medicines of type "A," medicines of type "B," and medicines of type "C," the cassette shelf 21 will store the following three group cassettes. A group cassette consisting of multiple cassettes Ca intended to store drugs of type "A" (also referred to as drug A). A group cassette consisting of multiple cassettes Ca intended to store drugs of type "B" (also referred to as B drugs). A group cassette consisting of multiple cassettes Ca intended to store drugs of type "C" (also referred to as C drugs).

[0377] Furthermore, a cassette Ca may be provided with a partition, thereby forming multiple drug storage areas in the cassette Ca. When a drug stored in one of the storage areas of a cassette Ca and a drug stored in one of the storage areas of another cassette Ca are the same type of drug, these two cassettes Ca constitute a group cassette that stores the same drug.

[0378] For example, suppose a certain cassette Ca contains drug A in one storage area, and drug B in another storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. Furthermore, suppose another cassette Ca contains drug B in one storage area, and drug C in another storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. Furthermore, suppose yet another cassette Ca contains drug C in one storage area, and drug D (also referred to as drug D) in another storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. In this case, the two cassettes Ca containing drug B constitute a group cassette containing drug B. Furthermore, the two cassettes Ca containing drug C constitute a group cassette containing drug C.

[0379] For example, suppose a certain cassette Ca contains drug A in one storage area and drug C in another storage area of ​​the cassette Ca. Similarly, another cassette Ca contains drug A in one storage area and drug C in another storage area. In this case, because these two cassettes Ca contain drug A, the two cassettes Ca constitute a group cassette containing drug A. Furthermore, because these two cassettes Ca contain drug C, the two cassettes Ca also constitute a group cassette containing drug C.

[0380] Furthermore, if a drug stored in one of the storage areas of a cassette Ca and a drug stored in another cassette Ca that does not have a partition are the same type of drug, these two cassettes Ca form a group cassette that stores the drug. For example, suppose that one storage area of ​​a cassette Ca stores drug A, another storage area of ​​the cassette Ca stores drug B, and another cassette Ca stores drug A. In this case, since both cassettes Ca store drug A, these two cassettes Ca form a group cassette that stores drug A.

[0381] In this way, when the same type of drug is to be stored in at least some of the areas of each of the multiple cassettes Ca, the multiple cassettes Ca constitute a group cassette that stores the drug. Note that even if the same type of drug is stored in multiple storage areas formed in a cassette Ca, the multiple storage areas do not constitute a group cassette. In other words, a group cassette is made up of multiple cassettes Ca that store the same type of drug, not a single cassette Ca.

[0382] In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that a plurality of group cassettes (cassette groups) are stored on cassette shelf 21. Also, in this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the medicines (i.e., medicines to be dispensed) taken out from medicine delivery unit 32 and put into transport tray Tr are medicine sheets (whole medicine sheets or fractional sheets).

[0383] The cassette identification unit 111 identifies a cassette Ca to be removed from the cassette shelf 21 based on, for example, the dispensing data. Specifically, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies a cassette Ca containing a drug to be dispensed included in the dispensing data by referring to the storage unit 15. At this time, if the drug to be dispensed is contained in multiple cassettes Ca, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies all cassettes Ca containing the drug to be dispensed. That is, the cassette identification unit 111 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is contained in multiple cassettes Ca contained in any one of the multiple group cassettes. In other words, the cassette identification unit 111 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is contained in two or more cassettes Ca of the multiple cassettes Ca constituting any one of the multiple group cassettes.

[0384] When the cassette specifying unit 111 determines that the medicine to be dispensed is contained in a plurality of cassettes Ca included in any of the group cassettes, the control device 10 performs the following process. That is, when the medicine to be dispensed is contained in a plurality of cassettes Ca included in one of the plurality of group cassettes stored on the cassette shelf 21, the control device 10 performs the following process.

[0385] The control device 10 compares the number of drugs to be dispensed with the number of drugs stored, which indicates the number of drugs (the same type of drugs as the drugs to be dispensed) stored in any one of the multiple cassettes Ca. The number of drugs to be dispensed may be a designated number specified as the quantity of drugs to be dispensed from one cassette Ca included in the group cassette that stores the drugs to be dispensed. For example, the control device 10 compares the maximum number of drugs stored among the multiple cassettes Ca with the designated number.

[0386] If the control device 10 determines that the specified number exceeds the number of stored medicines, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer two or more cassettes Ca of the multiple cassettes Ca containing the medicines to be dispensed to the picking unit 3. For example, if the specified number is 42 tablets and the maximum number of stored medicines is 40 tablets, it is not possible to dispense the specified number of medicines from a single cassette Ca. Therefore, by transferring other cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine to the picking unit 3, it becomes possible to dispense the specified number of medicines from multiple cassettes Ca. Which cassette Ca included in the group cassette containing the medicines to be dispensed is to be transferred may be determined, for example, by the specified number, the number of medicines contained in each cassette Ca, or by agreement (e.g., identifying the cassette Ca containing the largest number of medicines as the one to be transferred first).

[0387] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to sequentially transfer the cassettes Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 to the medicine transfer unit 32. This allows the operator to sequentially check the state of the medicines contained in the multiple cassettes Ca included in the group cassette, if any. Which cassette Ca of the multiple cassettes Ca included in the group cassette transferred to the picking unit 3 (the multiple cassettes Ca transferred to the cassette holding unit 23) is to be preferentially transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 may be determined as follows. For example, the control device 10 may determine the order of the cassettes Ca to be transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32 based on the number of medicines to be dispensed specified in the dispensing data (the number of fractional sheets calculated from the number of medicines) and the number of fractional sheets stored in the cassette Ca.

[0388] In this embodiment, when the cassette identification unit 111 determines that the medicine to be dispensed is contained in one of the group cassettes, the control device 10 also performs the following process. That is, even when the control device 10 determines that the specified number is equal to or less than the number of contained medicines, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the two or more cassettes Ca to the picking unit 3. For example, when the specified number is 42 tablets, even if the number of medicines contained in a certain cassette Ca is 50 tablets, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers the two or more cassettes Ca containing the medicine to be dispensed to the picking unit 3.

[0389] That is, when the drugs contained in the cassettes Ca included in one of the group cassettes are to be removed, the control device 10 executes the following process. That is, the control device 10 transfers two or more cassettes Ca of the cassettes Ca included in the one group cassette to the picking unit 3, regardless of the number of drugs contained in each of the cassettes Ca. The control device 10 may transfer all cassettes Ca that make up the one group cassette to the picking unit 3. However, the control device 10 does not have to consider a cassette Ca that is out of stock as a transport target.

[0390] Generally, when the specified number is equal to or less than the number of stored medicines, i.e., when one cassette Ca contains more than the specified number of medicines, the medicines can be taken out from that one cassette Ca. Therefore, there is no need to transfer multiple cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3.

[0391] However, if there are rules regarding how to remove medication, even if the specified number is less than the number of medications contained, depending on the storage status of the medication sheets, it may not be possible to remove medication from the single cassette in accordance with those rules.

[0392] An example of such a rule is that fractional sheets containing only one drug (fractional sheets of one tablet) will not be dispensed in order to prevent accidental ingestion, as described below. For example, consider a case where the specified number is 41 tablets, one drug sheet (full sheet) contains 10 tablets, and cassette Ca contains four drug sheets and a fractional sheet of one tablet. In this case, it is possible to dispense 41 tablets from cassette Ca, but this would violate the rule.

[0393] Another example of the above-mentioned agreement is that fractional sheets are dispensed in a division number within an allowable range. For example, consider a case where the allowable division number is 2, cassette Ca contains fractional sheets for 9 tablets, and 9 tablets are to be dispensed. In this case, according to the agreement, 9 tablets of medicine can be dispensed using one fractional sheet or two fractional sheets (e.g., a fractional sheet for 4 tablets and a fractional sheet for 5 tablets). However, if cassette Ca transferred to medicine delivery / reception unit 32 contains only three fractional sheets for 3 tablets, it is possible to dispense fractional sheets for 9 tablets, but this would violate the above-mentioned agreement.

[0394] In this embodiment, even if the specified number is equal to or less than the number of stored medicines, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers two or more cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine to the picking unit 3. Therefore, the control device 10 can have the operator decide how to remove the specified number of medicines depending on the storage status of the medicine sheets in each of the multiple cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine. Therefore, even if the above agreement exists, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the operator will be able to remove the medicines in accordance with the agreement.

[0395] Even if the specified number exceeds the number of stored medicines, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers two or more cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine to the picking unit 3. Therefore, in this case too, the operator can decide how to take out the specified number of medicines depending on the storage status of the medicine sheets.

[0396] Also, consider a case where the specified number is less than or equal to the number of stored medicines, the dispensing data specifies a prescription that results in a fractional sheet of one tablet, and the medicine specified in the prescription is to be dispensed. In this case, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 also transfers two or more cassettes containing the same type of medicine from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3. For example, consider a case where the specified number is less than or equal to the number of stored medicines and the number obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of stored medicines is 1. In this case, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers two or more cassettes Ca of the multiple cassettes Ca included in the one group cassette from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3.

[0397] For example, consider a case where the specified number is 41 tablets and the number of stored medicines is 42. In this case, if 41 tablets of medicine are removed from the cassette Ca, the cassette Ca will contain a fractional sheet of one tablet. Therefore, the next time medicine is removed from this cassette Ca, the fractional sheet of one tablet will be removed.

[0398] Here, for example, if a patient is prescribed a fractional sheet of one tablet, the patient may mistakenly think that the fractional sheet is a drug and swallow it as is (i.e., the whole sheet) without taking the medicine from the fractional sheet. Therefore, when a fractional sheet of one tablet is placed in the transport tray Tr, there is a possibility that the fractional sheet will be swallowed by mistake.

[0399] As described above, when the number obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of stored medicines is 1, the main cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers two or more cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicine from the cassette shelf 21 to the picking unit 3. This allows the operator to remove the specified number of medicines from multiple cassettes Ca. Therefore, the operator can remove the specified number of medicines without removing a fractional sheet of one tablet from a cassette Ca or storing a fractional sheet of one tablet in a cassette Ca. In other words, the possibility of generating a fractional sheet of one tablet is reduced. Therefore, the possibility of dispensing a fractional sheet of one tablet is reduced, thereby realizing dispensing medicine sheets with safety in mind. Furthermore, the operator can perform the operation of cutting off fractional sheets so as not to remove a fractional sheet of one tablet from a cassette Ca or store a fractional sheet of one tablet in a cassette Ca. In other words, the operator can perform the operation of cutting off fractional sheets smoothly.

[0400] After transporting one cassette Ca included in one group cassette to the medicine transfer unit 32, the control device 10 may transport another cassette Ca included in the group cassette to the medicine transfer unit 32 if an input operation to replace the cassette Ca is received. This allows the operator to check the drug storage status in multiple cassettes Ca that store the same type of drug and then decide which cassette Ca of the multiple cassettes Ca to remove the drug from. Furthermore, the control device 10 can transport another cassette Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32 even if removal of the drug from the cassette Ca transported to the medicine transfer unit 32 is not complete.

[0401] For example, a single cassette Ca may contain multiple fractional sheets. Therefore, the remaining number of medications calculated by "number of medications stored / number of medications specified on one medication sheet (full sheet)" may not necessarily be stored in a single cassette Ca in a state where they are contained on a single fractional sheet. For example, consider a case where the number of medications specified on a single medication sheet (full sheet) is 10 tablets, the number of medications stored is 15 tablets, and the specified number is 15 tablets. In this case, the remaining 5 tablets of medication may be stored in the cassette Ca not as a single fractional sheet, but as multiple fractional sheets (e.g., a fractional sheet for 2 tablets and a fractional sheet for 3 tablets). If, according to an agreement, it is desired to dispense 5 tablets of medication as a single fractional sheet, and a cassette Ca containing 5 tablets of medication as multiple fractional sheets is transported to the medication delivery / reception unit 32, the operator will not be able to dispense the medications from the cassette Ca. In such a case, as described above, by allowing the exchange of cassettes Ca within the same group of cassettes, the operator can take out medicines from the cassettes Ca in accordance with the arrangements.

[0402] <Processing example> 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the control device 10. The cassette specifying unit 111 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is contained in a plurality of cassettes Ca included in any of the plurality of group cassettes (S1). When the cassette specifying unit 111 determines that the drug to be dispensed is not contained in any of the group cassettes (NO in S1), this processing ends. That is, the drug to be dispensed is dispensed from one cassette Ca specified by the cassette specifying unit 111. Furthermore, this processing may also end when, among the plurality of cassettes Ca constituting the group cassette that contains the drug to be dispensed, the drug is contained in only one cassette Ca and the other cassettes Ca are out of stock.

[0403] When the cassette specifying unit 111 determines that the drugs to be dispensed are contained in multiple cassettes Ca included in any of the group cassettes (YES in S1), the control device 10 determines whether the specified number is equal to or less than the number of drugs contained (S2). The control device 10 determines whether the specified number is equal to or less than the number of drugs contained, for example, by comparing the maximum number of drugs contained among the numbers of drugs contained in the multiple cassettes Ca that make up the group cassette containing the drugs to be dispensed with the specified number.

[0404] If the control device 10 determines that the specified number exceeds the number of stored medicines (NO in S2), the main cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer two or more cassettes Ca containing medicines included in the group cassette to the picking unit 3 (S4). This allows the operator to take out the specified number of medicines from two or more cassettes Ca containing the same type of medicines that are transferred to the medicine delivery unit 32.

[0405] When the control device 10 determines that the specified number is equal to or less than the number of stored medicines (YES in S2), it determines whether the number obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of stored medicines is 1 (S3). When the control device 10 determines that the number obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of stored medicines is 1 (YES in S3), the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers two or more cassettes Ca containing medicines included in the group cassette to the picking unit 3 (S4). This reduces the possibility of generating fractional sheets of one tablet, as described above.

[0406] If the control device 10 determines that the number obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of stored medicines is not 1 (NO in S3), this process ends. That is, the medicines to be dispensed are dispensed from one cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification unit 111.

[0407] However, even if the specified number is equal to or less than the number of stored medicines, the control device 10 may transfer two or more cassettes Ca containing medicines included in the group cassette to the picking unit 3 without performing the process of S3. That is, even if the specified number is equal to or less than the number of stored medicines, the control device 10 may transfer the two or more cassettes Ca to the picking unit 3, just as when the specified number exceeds the number of stored medicines. The control device 10 may also not perform the process of S2. In this case, when the control device 10 determines that the medicines to be dispensed are stored in multiple cassettes Ca included in any one of the multiple group cassettes, it may transfer two or more cassettes Ca containing medicines included in that group cassette to the picking unit 3.

[0408] [Embodiment 12] As described above, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the drugs to be dispensed have been properly dispensed. For example, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 37 by the operator based on captured images of the drugs. The drug determination unit 124 also counts the number of drugs based on the weight of the drugs placed on the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38 by the operator. Then, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the drugs to be dispensed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca based on the counting result.

[0409] For example, each time a drug is placed on the drug placement table 37 and / or the tray placement table 38, the drug determination unit 124 counts the number of drugs placed and determines whether the counted number of drugs matches a designated number specified as the quantity of drugs to be removed from the cassette Ca. If the number of drugs placed is equal to or less than the designated number, the drug determination unit 124 stores the number of drugs placed in the memory unit 15 until the designated number of drugs is placed or until a number of drugs exceeding the designated number is placed. If the drug determination unit 124 determines that the number of drugs placed (i.e., the number of drugs continuously stored in the memory unit 15) matches the designated number, it determines that the drugs to be dispensed have been properly removed from the cassette Ca. On the other hand, if the drug determination unit 124 determines that the number of drugs placed exceeds the designated number, it determines that the drugs to be dispensed have not been properly removed from the cassette Ca.

[0410] When drugs are placed on both the drug placing table 37 and the tray placing table 38, the drug determination unit 124 may separately determine whether the number of drugs placed on the drug placing table 37 is appropriate and whether the number of drugs placed on the tray placing table 38 is appropriate. In this case, for example, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the number of drugs included in the fractional sheet placed on the drug placing table 37 matches the quantity to be dispensed as the fractional sheet. Also, for example, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether the number of drugs included in the drug sheet (full sheet) placed on the tray placing table 38 matches the quantity to be dispensed as the drug sheet. If the drug determination unit 124 determines in these two determinations that the quantity to be dispensed has been removed from the cassette Ca, it determines that the drugs to be dispensed have been appropriately removed from the cassette Ca. On the other hand, when it is determined in at least one of these two determinations that the amount of medicine to be dispensed has not been taken out, the medicine determination unit 124 determines that the medicine to be dispensed has not been properly taken out from the cassette Ca.

[0411] The medicine determination unit 124 associates the result of the determination indicating whether the medicine to be dispensed has been properly removed from the cassette Ca with information indicating the type of the medicine to be dispensed (e.g., medicine identification information), and stores this information as determination log information in the storage unit 15. Hereinafter, information indicating that the medicine to be dispensed has not been properly removed from the cassette Ca will be referred to as NG information.

[0412] When the control device 10 receives dispensing data, it refers to the determination log information in the memory unit 15 and acquires information indicating the results of previous determinations made on drugs of the same type as the drug included in the dispensing data. If NG information is associated with information indicating the type of drug in the determination log information, the control device 10 notifies the worker that the drug to be dispensed is a drug that is likely to cause a dispensing error. This allows the worker to be urged to take care when dispensing the drug before dispensing it.

[0413] As an example, in order to make the above-mentioned notification, the touch panel control unit 14 may display information indicating that the medicine to be dispensed is a medicine that is likely to cause a removal error, for example, on the second touch panel 31. As another example, the control device 10 may light up an LED (light-emitting device) not shown, or may notify the user by sound.

[0414] In addition, the control device 10 may notify the operator that the drug is likely to cause a dispensing error only if there is a predetermined number or more of NG information in the determination log information for the information indicating the type of drug to be dispensed.

[0415] In addition, in the determination log information, information indicating the operator who performed the dispensing operation may be further associated with information indicating the result of the determination. With this configuration, the control device 10 can identify drugs that are likely to cause dispensing errors for each operator, and can therefore issue warnings to each operator.

[0416] [Embodiment 13] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the holder 6. The drug station 1 includes a holder 6 that holds a rubber band X for bundling the drug sheets removed from the cassette Ca. The holder 6 may be provided at any position in the drug station 1. As an example, the holder 6 may be provided at a position that is easily reachable by an operator removing the drug, such as on the top surface of the workbench 40. As shown in FIG. 30, the holder 6 includes a base 60, a support portion 61, and a rubber band holding portion 62.

[0417] The base 60 is a part that supports the support part 61 and the rubber band holding part 62, and is a part that is attached to or placed on the drug station 1. Specifically, the support part 61 is supported by the base 60, and the rubber band holding part 62 is supported by the support part 61. In this embodiment, the support part 61 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes from the base 60, and the rubber band holding part 62 is a rod-shaped member that is supported at the end of the support part 61 opposite the end that is connected to the base 60.

[0418] The rubber band holding portion 62 is a rod-shaped member on which one or more rubber bands X can be hung. This allows the holder 6 to hold one or more rubber bands X. In this embodiment, the worker can remove the rubber band X from the end (open end) of the rubber band holding portion 62 opposite the end connected to the support portion 61.

[0419] Additionally, the rubber band holding portion 62 is provided with a plurality of grooves 63. The plurality of grooves 63 are provided on the surface of the rubber band holding portion 62, on a surface that extends in the circumferential direction of a central axis 621 that is parallel to the direction in which the rubber band holding portion 62 extends, so as to be recessed toward the central axis 621. In this embodiment, the plurality of grooves 63 are provided on the end side of the rubber band holding portion 62 opposite the end that is connected to the support portion 61 (the side from which the rubber band X is removed).

[0420] For example, consider a case where an operator removes one rubber band X from a storage container such as a box that stores multiple rubber bands X in order to bundle the drug sheets removed from the cassette Ca. In this case, there is a possibility that the rubber band X to be removed will become entangled with other rubber bands X, making it difficult to remove only the rubber band X to be removed. In contrast, when removing a rubber band X from the holder 6, the rubber bands X other than the rubber band X to be removed will be caught in one of the multiple groove portions 63 and will therefore be difficult to remove from the holder 6. Therefore, the operator can easily remove only one rubber band X.

[0421] Furthermore, the rubber band holding part 62 is rotatably supported at the connection end with the support part 61 via a rotation shaft 622. This allows the worker to orient the rubber band holding part 62 in a direction that makes it easier to remove the rubber band X. This allows the worker to more efficiently remove the rubber band X.

[0422] [Embodiment 14] In this embodiment, an example of the operation of the drug station 1 will be described when pre-packaged medicines containing multiple types of medicines are stored in a cassette Ca and the cassette Ca is stored on the cassette shelf 21. The pre-packaged medicines are prepared in advance before being stored in the cassette Ca. The preparation of pre-packaged medicines may be performed using a dedicated device (e.g., tablet packaging machine 300).

[0423] Each prepared medicine is provided with identification information according to the type and number of medicines packaged. A barcode containing the identification information of the prepared medicine is printed on the package of the prepared medicine. The memory unit 15 stores, in association with each other, the identification information of the prepared medicine, information indicating the type and number of medicines contained in the prepared medicine, information indicating the total weight of the prepared medicine, and cassette identification information (or storage location information) of the cassette Ca that stores the prepared medicine.

[0424] An example of the operation of the drug station 1 when filling prepared medicines will be described. First, the operator uses the barcode reader 34 to input identification information from the barcode attached to the package of the prepared medicine to be filled. The control device 10 controls the main cassette transport unit 22 and the picking cassette transport unit 35 to remove the cassette Ca containing the prepared medicine to be filled from the cassette shelf 21 and transport it to the medicine delivery unit 32 based on the identification information read by the barcode reader 34. Thereafter, when the operator again inputs the identification information of the prepared medicine using the barcode reader 34, the control device 10 opens the shutter 322. This allows the user to fill the prepared medicine into the cassette Ca containing the prepared medicine.

[0425] Next, an example of the operation of the drug station 1 when dispensing prepared medicines will be described. First, when the control device 10 receives dispensing data, it identifies a cassette Ca containing the medicines to be dispensed included in the dispensing data. Here, the control device 10 determines whether or not prepared medicines containing multiple types of medicines included in the dispensing data and that are to be taken at a certain time (e.g., morning) are stored on the cassette shelf 21. For example, the control device 10 determines for each prepared medicine whether information indicating the type of each of the multiple types of medicines matches information indicating the type of each of the multiple types of medicines included in the prepared medicine. As a result, the control device 10 determines whether or not the multiple types of medicines included in the dispensing data are stored on the cassette shelf 21 as prepared medicines. If it is determined that the prepared medicines containing the multiple types of medicines are stored on the cassette shelf 21, the control device 10 identifies the prepared medicines as medicines to be dispensed and identifies the cassette Ca containing the prepared medicines.

[0426] Thereafter, the control device 10 transfers the identified cassette Ca to the medicine delivery / reception unit 32 and opens the shutter 322. This allows the operator to remove the prepared medicines from the cassette Ca. The removal work of the above-mentioned multiple types of medicines is completed when the operator removes the required number of prepared medicines. The medicine determination unit 124 determines whether the specified number of medicines specified by the dispensing data have been placed on the tray placement table 38 based on the weight of the medicines weighed by the weighing unit 382. Here, when the prepared medicines have been removed, the medicine determination unit 124 makes a determination based on information indicating the weight of the entire prepared medicines stored in the memory unit 15.

[0427] In this embodiment, the set of medications to be prepared is, for example, a set of medications that are likely to be prescribed to patients with a particular disease, or a set of medications that are regularly prescribed to a particular patient, specifically, a set of medications that are prescribed to patients with influenza, or a set of medications that are regularly prescribed to patients with a chronic disease.

[0428] According to the above configuration, for example, a set of medicines prescribed for a patient with a specific disease is packaged in advance, and the prepared medicines are stored in a cassette Ca. When the dispensing data includes multiple types of medicines packaged in a single package that correspond to the prepared medicines, the control device 10 can transfer the cassette Ca containing the prepared medicines to the medicine delivery / reception unit 32. Therefore, the operator can take out the multiple types of medicines all at once by simply taking out the prepared medicines from one cassette Ca.

[0429] That is, in this embodiment, for multiple types of medicines that can be grouped together as pre-prepared medicines, the control device 10 does not need to sequentially transfer multiple cassettes Ca containing these medicines to the medicine delivery / reception unit 32. Therefore, the work efficiency of the dispensing work can be improved.

[0430] [Embodiment 15] For example, if a drug with a relatively high dispensing frequency is stored in a small cassette Ca3, the drug will need to be filled more frequently than if it is stored in a large cassette Ca1 or a medium-sized cassette Ca2. For drugs with a relatively low dispensing frequency, there is no need to store a large number of drugs in the cassette Ca. If such drugs are stored in a large cassette Ca1, there is a possibility that the usage efficiency (storage rate) of the cassette Ca will increase, resulting in a decrease in the usage efficiency (storage rate) of the cassette Ca. Furthermore, if such drugs are stored in a way that minimizes empty space, there is a possibility that the drug will not be dispensed before its expiration date. Thus, if the type of cassette Ca is not selected according to the dispensing frequency, the above-mentioned inconveniences may occur.

[0431] In this embodiment, the control device 10 determines the type of cassette Ca (e.g., large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, small cassette Ca3) that accommodates the medicines according to the frequency of dispensing the medicines. The touch panel control unit 14 may also display the determined type of cassette Ca on the first touch panel 5.

[0432] For example, the number of dispensed medicines (number of removed medicines) is stored for each type of medicine in the memory unit 15. For example, when the medicine to be dispensed is removed from the cassette Ca and the tray close button 39 is pressed, the control device 10 adds the number of dispensed medicines at this time to the number of dispensed medicines stored in the memory unit 15.

[0433] For example, when the control device 10 receives an input operation to confirm the suitability of the cassette Ca containing the medicine, it calculates the cumulative number of dispensed medicines for each type of medicine. The cumulative number of dispensed medicines may be the cumulative number of dispensed medicines over a predetermined period up to the time the input operation is received, or may be the cumulative number of dispensed medicines from the first time the medicine is dispensed to the time the input operation is received. The control device 10 compares the cumulative number of dispensed medicines with a preset threshold and, based on the comparison result, determines the type of cassette Ca to be used for each type of medicine.

[0434] For example, for a drug whose cumulative dispensed number is less than a first threshold, the control device 10 assigns type information indicating a small cassette Ca3 to the drug identification information of the drug. For a drug whose cumulative dispensed number is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold (>first threshold), the control device 10 assigns type information indicating a medium cassette Ca2 to the drug identification information of the drug. For a drug whose cumulative dispensed number is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the control device 10 assigns type information indicating a large cassette Ca1 to the drug identification information of the drug.

[0435] The control device 10 determines whether the type information assigned to each type of medicine matches the type information associated with each type of medicine stored in the storage unit 15. If the two types of information do not match, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, via the first touch panel 5, the type of cassette Ca indicated by the type information (assigned type information) suitable for storing the medicine. This allows the operator to store medicine in a cassette Ca that corresponds to the dispensing frequency. This reduces the possibility of the above-mentioned inconvenience occurring.

[0436] The memory unit 15 may store information indicating the number of drugs contained in a box, the number of drugs contained in pillow-packaged packages, and the number of drugs contained in one drug sheet (full sheet) for each type of drug. In this case, the control device 10 can determine whether the drugs are dispensed in a box, package, or drug sheet (including fractional sheets) based on the number of drugs dispensed each time. Therefore, the control device 10 can determine the form and number of times the drugs are dispensed each time.

[0437] For example, when the control device 10 receives an input operation to confirm the suitability of the form to be stored in the cassette Ca, it identifies the form that has been dispensed most frequently as the form to be stored in the cassette Ca. The storage unit 15 may store cassette identification information and information indicating the storage form of the medicine (e.g., box, package, medicine sheet) in association with each other. Therefore, the control device 10 can determine whether the identified form matches the storage form stored in the storage unit 15. If the control device 10 determines that the identified form does not match the storage form stored in the storage unit 15, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a form suitable for storing the medicine via the first touch panel 5. This allows the operator to store medicines in the cassette Ca according to the frequency of dispensing the form.

[0438] [Embodiment 16] The control device 10 acquires the lot number and expiration date (use-by date) of the medicine from the barcode information (e.g., GS1 code) read by the barcode reader 34 when the medicine is filled into the cassette Ca. The lot number is a number that can identify the manufacturing location and manufacturing date of the medicine. Here, if the cassette Ca is provided with partitions, different types of medicine can be stored in each storage area separated by the partitions. That is, the same type of medicine is stored in each storage area. On the other hand, if the cassette Ca is not provided with partitions, the cassette Ca stores the same type of medicine. Therefore, the control device 10 manages the lot number and expiration date of the acquired medicine in the memory unit 15 for each cassette Ca or storage area to which the medicine is to be filled (i.e., in association with cassette identification information or storage position information). The lot number and expiration date may be input, for example, via the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31.

[0439] <Lot list> In this embodiment, the control device 10 can manage multiple combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates for each cassette Ca or storage area that stores the same type of medicine. Figure 32 shows an example of a lot list LI1 managed for each cassette Ca or storage area that stores the same type of medicine. The lot list LI1 is managed in the memory unit 15. In this embodiment, an example is described in which combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates are managed in the lot list LI1, but it is not necessarily necessary for the combinations to be managed in list format in the memory unit 15.

[0440] The lot list LI1 shown in FIG. 32 can manage up to five combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates. That is, a cassette Ca or storage area that typically stores the same type of drugs can store up to five drugs with different lot numbers and expiration dates. Note that the maximum number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates that the lot list LI1 can manage is not limited to five, as long as it is plural. Furthermore, while this embodiment is described as being capable of managing multiple combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates, in other embodiments, only one combination of lot numbers and expiration dates may be managed for one cassette Ca or storage area.

[0441] 32, the control device 10 may manage combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates in the lot list LI1 in ascending order of lot numbers, i.e., in ascending order of expiration dates closest to the present time (oldest expiration dates). That is, in the lot list LI1, combinations of smallest lot numbers and expiration dates closest to the present time may be assigned starting from the reference number.

[0442] FIG. 32 shows an example of a lot list LI1 when a cassette Ca or storage area contains three drugs of the same type but with different lot numbers and expiration dates. As shown in FIG. 32, the control device 10 assigns the combination of the smallest lot number "0001" and the expiration date "October 2021" to reference number "1." The control device 10 assigns the combination of the next largest lot number "0002" after lot number "0001" and the expiration date "November 2021" to reference number "2." The control device 10 assigns the combination of the next largest lot number "0003" after lot number "0002" and the expiration date "December 2021" to reference number "3." However, the management order of the combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates in the lot list LI1 is not limited to this; the control device 10 may manage the lot numbers in the lot list LI1 in descending order or in the order in which they were acquired.

[0443] Here, drugs may be determined to be defective after being manufactured and sold. A drug determined to be defective refers to a drug that requires recall due to emergency safety information (yellow letter) or safety flash report (blue letter) issued by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The drug station 1 manages the type of drug stored in the cassette Ca or storage area in association with its lot number. Therefore, when a drug is determined to be defective, a pharmacist or other personnel can identify whether the drug was dispensed from the drug station 1 and from which cassette Ca or storage area it was dispensed. Furthermore, by managing the drug dispensing history, a pharmacist or other personnel can track which patient a drug determined to be defective was given. The dispensing history may, for example, associate the type of drug dispensed from the drug station 1, the dispensing date and time, etc., with each patient to whom the drug was prescribed. The dispensing history may be managed, for example, by the drug station 1 or the dispensing control device 800 (see FIG. 1).

[0444] <Display lot list> The control device 10 can display a lot list LI1 on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31 when the operator fills the cassette Ca with drugs. A method for displaying the lot list LI1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 36. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image (filling screen) IM11 displayed on the first touch panel 5. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a lot list image 3401 including information from the lot list LI1 displayed on the filling image IM11. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of an individual dispensing image (individual dispensing screen) IM12 displayed on the first touch panel 5. Reference numeral 36001 in FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a filling work image (filling work screen) IM13 displayed on the second touch panel 31. Reference numeral 36002 in FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a lot list image (lot list screen) IM14 displayed on the second touch panel 31.

[0445] The filling image IM11 shown in Fig. 33 is displayed on the first touch panel 5 in the filling mode by the touch panel control unit 14 of the control device 10. The filling mode is a mode in which the operator can fill the drug station 1 with drugs, and is selected by an input operation by the operator. As shown in Fig. 33, the filling image IM11 includes, for example, a filled drug list 3301, a tray movement button 3302, a lot list button 3303, an expiration date display area 3304, and a confirmation button 3305.

[0446] The refilling drug list 3301 is a list of records associated with various information related to drugs selected for refilling. The refilling drug list 3301 includes information such as drug name, inventory quantity, lot number, and expiration date, associated with a cassette number and a subnumber. The subnumber indicates each storage area in the cassette Ca when the cassette Ca is divided by partitions. If the cassette Ca is not divided by partitions, the subnumber is set to "1." The lot number and expiration date displayed in the refilling image IM11 are selected by the control device 10 from a lot list LI1 that is managed in association with each cassette Ca or storage area. The control device 10 selects, for example, the expiration date closest to the current time (the oldest expiration date) in the lot list LI1 and the lot number corresponding to that expiration date as the expiration date and lot number to be displayed. It is possible to appropriately set which lot number and expiration date from the lot list LI1 to display by default.

[0447] The tray movement button 3302 is a button that can accept an input operation to start transporting the cassette Ca selected in the filled drug list 3301. When the cassette identification unit 111 of the control device 10 accepts an input operation on the tray movement button 3302, it executes the following process. That is, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies the cassette Ca to be filled with drugs or the cassette Ca having the storage area to be filled with drugs, based on the drug identification information (information indicating the type of drug) included in the information on the barcode read by the barcode reader 34. Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 and the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 of the control device 10 control the main body cassette transfer unit 22 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transport the identified cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 to the drug delivery unit 32. Furthermore, the control device 10 causes the barcode reader 34 to read the information on the barcode again, and determines whether the drug identification information included in the information matches the drug identification information associated with the identified cassette Ca or storage area. When these two pieces of medicine identification information match, the shutter control unit 122 of the control device 10 opens the shutter 322 to match the width of the cassette Ca or storage area into which the medicines will be filled, thereby allowing the operator to fill the cassette Ca or storage area with medicines.

[0448] The lot list button 3303 is a button that can accept an input operation for displaying a lot list LI1 on the first touch panel 5. The lot list button 3303 becomes ready to accept an input operation when the drug identification information included in the information on the barcode attached to the drug read by the barcode reader 34 matches the drug identification information of the drug managed as a storage target in the cassette Ca or storage area. At this time, the control device 10 also transports the cassette Ca, which is to be filled with drugs, from the cassette shelf 21 to the drug transfer unit 32. When the touch panel control unit 14 acquires an input operation on the lot list button 3303, it displays a lot list LI1 managed in association with the cassette Ca or the storage area of ​​the cassette Ca on the first touch panel 5. The touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a lot list image 3401 shown in FIG. 34 on the first touch panel 5.

[0449] The expiration date display area 3304 is an area where the lot number and expiration date of the cassette Ca to be transported to the medicine transfer unit 32 or the medicine stored in the storage area of ​​the cassette Ca are displayed. The control device 10 selects, for example, the expiration date closest to the present time and the lot number corresponding to that expiration date in the lot list LI1 to be displayed on the first touch panel 5, as the expiration date and lot number to be displayed in the expiration date display area 3304. It is possible to set as appropriate which lot number and expiration date from the lot list LI1 to display by default.

[0450] The confirmation button 3305 is a button that can accept an input operation to transport the cassette Ca transported to the medicine delivery section 32 to the cassette shelf 21. When the control device 10 acquires an input operation to the confirmation button 3305, it transports the cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21 and adds the lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 to the lot list LI1.

[0451] The individual dispensing image IM12 shown in FIG. 35 is an image that can accept an input operation for dispensing medicines individually apart from the sequential dispensing of medicines based on prescription data, and is displayed on the first touch panel 5 by the control device 10.

[0452] The individual dispensing image IM12 includes, for example, an extraction result display area 3501, an add dispensing list button 3502, a refilling list display area 3503, a tray movement button 3504, a lot list button 3505, and a confirmation button 3506.

[0453] The extraction result display area 3501 is a list of records associated with various information related to drugs to be individually dispensed that have been extracted (selected) from the drug database by the operator. The extraction result display area 3501 includes information such as drug name, inventory quantity, lot number, and expiration date associated with the cassette number and branch number. In the same manner as the filling image IM11 in FIG. 33, the extraction result display area 3501 may also display, for example, the lot number and expiration date closest to the current time selected from the lot list LI1.

[0454] The add dispense list button 3502 is a button that can accept an input operation for adding information selected by the operator from the information displayed in the extraction result display area 3501 to the refill list display area 3503.

[0455] The filling list display area 3503 is an area for displaying a list of cassettes Ca to be filled with medicines. The tray movement button 3504 is a button that can receive an input operation for transporting the cassette Ca to be filled with medicines to the medicine transfer unit 32. When an input operation is received for the tray movement button 3504 with one cassette Ca selected in the filling list display area 3503, the control device 10 executes a process for transporting the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 to the medicine transfer unit 32. After transporting the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32, the control device 10 executes a process for opening the shutter 322. These processes are the same as those when the control device 10 receives an input operation for the tray movement button 3302.

[0456] The lot list button 3505 has the same function as the lot list button 3303 shown in Fig. 33. That is, when an input operation to the lot list button 3505 is acquired while the individual dispensing image IM12 is being displayed (when individual dispensing of medicines is being performed), the touch panel control unit 14 can display the lot list image 3401 shown in Fig. 34. Furthermore, the confirmation button 3506 has the same function as the confirmation button 3305 shown in Fig. 33.

[0457] The refilling operation image IM13 indicated by reference numeral 36001 in FIG. 36 is an image that enables the refilling operation of a cassette Ca with drugs during a picking operation for the cassette Ca placed in the drug delivery / reception unit 32 during sequential dispensing of drugs based on prescription data. When an input operation for enabling the refilling operation of the cassette Ca is acquired via the second touch panel 31 while the cassette Ca is placed in the drug delivery / reception unit 32, the refilling operation image IM13 is displayed on the second touch panel 31 by the touch panel control unit 14. Furthermore, when this input operation is acquired, the control device 10 causes the barcode reader 34 to read barcode information and determines whether the drug identification information included in the information matches the drug identification information associated with the cassette Ca or storage area identified as the refilling destination. If these two pieces of drug identification information match, the control device 10 permits the refilling of drugs into the cassette Ca or storage area that is the refilling destination. For example, if the two pieces of drug identification information do not match, the shutter control unit 122 of the control device 10 closes the open shutter 322.

[0458] The filling operation image IM13 also includes a lot list button 3601 having the same function as the lot list button 3303 in Fig. 33. Therefore, when an input operation to the lot list button 3601 is acquired during the picking operation, the touch panel control unit 14 can display the lot list image IM14 shown by reference numeral 36002 in Fig. 36.

[0459] The filling operation image IM13 also includes a fill button 3602 that accepts an input operation for confirming the filling quantity, lot number, and expiration date input in the filling operation image IM13. When the control device 10 acquires an input operation on the fill button 3602, it updates the filling quantity managed in association with the destination cassette Ca or storage area. The control device 10 also adds the lot number and expiration date to a lot list LI1 that is managed in association with the destination cassette Ca or storage area.

[0460] <Information removed from lot list> 34, the lot list image 3401 includes information on a lot list LI1 managed in association with the cassette Ca or storage area into which the medicine will be filled, and a delete button 3402. The delete button 3402 is provided for each combination of lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1, and is a button that can accept an input operation for deleting the combination of lot number and expiration date from the lot list LI1. When the control device 10 receives an input operation on the delete button 3402, it deletes the combination of lot number and expiration date corresponding to the delete button 3402 from the lot list LI1.

[0461] The lot list image 3401 includes a cancel button 3403 and an approve button 3404. The cancel button 3403 and the approve button 3404 are buttons that can accept an input operation to display the original image. However, when an input operation to the cancel button 3403 is acquired, the control device 10 invalidates the input operation to the delete button 3402 and adds the deleted combination of lot number and expiration date to the lot list LI1 again.

[0462] Furthermore, the lot list image IM14 indicated by reference numeral 36002 in Fig. 36 includes a delete button 3603 having the same function as the delete button 3402 in Fig. 34. Therefore, when the control device 10 acquires an input operation on the delete button 3603, it can delete the combination of the lot number and expiration date corresponding to the delete button 3603 from the lot list LI1.

[0463] Furthermore, the lot list image IM14 includes a cancel button 3604 and an approve button 3605 that have the same functions as the cancel button 3403 and the approve button 3404, respectively, in Fig. 34. Therefore, when the control device 10 acquires an input operation for the cancel button 3604 or the approve button 3605, it switches the display to the filling operation image IM13. However, when the control device 10 acquires an input operation for the cancel button 3604, it invalidates the input operation for the delete button 3603 and adds the deleted combination of lot number and expiration date back to the lot list LI1.

[0464] <Adding information to lot list> The control device 10 can also add a new combination of lot number and expiration date to the lot list LI1. Adding a new combination of lot number and expiration date to the lot list LI1 will be described with reference to Figs. 37 to 39. Fig. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when adding a new combination of lot number and expiration date. Fig. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the lot list LI1 when adding a new combination of lot number and expiration date. Fig. 39 is a diagram showing another example of the lot list LI1 when adding a new combination of lot number and expiration date. In Fig. 37, the combination of lot number and expiration date is abbreviated as "lot number".

[0465] As shown in Fig. 37, in a state where the refilling image IM11 in Fig. 33 is displayed, the control device 10 determines whether or not an input operation has been acquired for the confirmation button 3305 (S11). In S11, in a state where the individual dispensing image IM12 in Fig. 35 is displayed, the control device 10 determines whether or not an input operation has been acquired for the confirmation button 3506. In addition, in a state where the refilling work image IM13 of reference numeral 36001 in Fig. 36 is displayed, the control device 10 determines whether or not an input operation has been acquired for the refill button 3602.

[0466] When the control device 10 receives an input operation for the confirmation button 3305, the confirmation button 3506, or the refill button 3602 (YES in S11), the control device 10 executes the following process. That is, the control device 10 determines whether the combination of the lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 matches any of the combinations of the lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or storage area to be refilled with the medicine (S12). Note that the control device 10 may also determine whether the lot number and expiration date input in the refilling operation image IM13 matches any of the combinations of the lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1. When the control device 10 does not receive an input operation for the confirmation button 3305, the confirmation button 3506, or the refill button 3602 (NO in S11), the control device 10 waits for the input operation to be received.

[0467] Consider a case where the control device 10 determines that the combination of lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 matches any of the combinations of lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1 (YES in S12). In this case, because the combination of lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 is already managed in the lot list LI1, the control device 10 does not store the combination in the lot list LI1 as a new combination of lot number and expiration date.

[0468] On the other hand, consider the case where the control device 10 determines that the combination of lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 does not match any of the combinations of lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1 (NO in S12). In this case, the control device 10 determines whether the combination of lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 can be managed in the lot list LI1 as a new combination of lot number and expiration date. That is, the control device 10 determines whether the maximum number (five in this embodiment) of combinations of lot number and expiration date are managed in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or storage area to be filled with the medicine (S13).

[0469] If the number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1 is less than the maximum number, there is free space in the lot list LI1 to which a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates can be added. Therefore, when the control device 10 determines that the maximum number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates is not managed in the lot list LI1 (NO in S13), it adds the combination of lot numbers and expiration dates read by the barcode reader 34 to the lot list LI1.

[0470] In this embodiment, the control device 10 determines that a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates can be added to the lot list LI1 if the number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1 is four or less. In the example shown in Figure 38, the number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1 is three. Therefore, the control device 10 adds the combination of lot number "0004" and expiration date "January 2022" read by the barcode reader 34 to the lot list LI1 as a new combination of lot number and expiration date.

[0471] In this embodiment, the lot list LI1 manages combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates in ascending order of lot number. Therefore, when adding a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates to the lot list LI1, the control device 10 compares the combination with the combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1. Based on the comparison results, the control device 10 determines the position in the lot list LI1 where the new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates should be added. In the example of FIG. 38, the lot number "0004" read by the barcode reader 34 is larger than any of the lot numbers managed in the lot list LI1. Therefore, the control device 10 assigns the combination of the lot number "0004" read by the barcode reader 34 and the expiration date "January 2022" to the reference number "4."

[0472] In S13, if the control device 10 determines that the maximum number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates have been managed in the lot list LI1 (YES in S13), it notifies the operator of this fact. The control device 10 also requests the operator to delete one of the combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1 (S14). If the number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1 is the maximum, there is no free space in the lot list LI1 to add a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates, so the control device 10 makes the above request. The above notification and request are made, for example, by the touch panel control unit 14 displaying an image on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31. At this time, the touch panel control unit 14 may display the lot list LI1 on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31. This allows the operator to delete one combination of lot numbers and expiration dates from the displayed lot list LI1.

[0473] Here, the operator can arbitrarily select the combination of lot number and expiration date to delete. The operator may, for example, visually check (visually inspect) the lot number and expiration date attached to the drug contained in the cassette Ca or storage area into which the drug will be filled, and then determine the combination of lot number and expiration date to delete. For example, if the operator is able to identify the lot number and expiration date of a drug that is out of stock in the cassette Ca or storage area, the operator may determine that combination of lot number and expiration date to delete. The operator can also delete the combination of lot number and expiration date of the contained drug from the lot list LI1. In this case, however, the operator removes the drug from the cassette Ca or storage area.

[0474] When the operator deletes one combination of lot number and expiration date from the displayed lot list LI1, the control device 10 deletes that combination from the lot list LI1 managed in the memory unit 15. That is, the control device 10 deletes that combination from the lot list LI1 in accordance with the user input (S15). This creates a free area in the lot list LI1 into which a new combination of lot number and expiration date can be added. After processing S15, the control device 10 adds the combination of lot number and expiration date read by the barcode reader 34 to the lot list LI1 (S16).

[0475] When an operator fills a cassette Ca or a storage area with medicines, the control device 10 must manage the combination of lot number and expiration date read from the medicine by the barcode reader 34 in the lot list LI1. In this embodiment, as described above, when the maximum number of combinations of lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1 is reached, the control device 10 deletes one combination of lot number and expiration date from the lot list LI1 based on user input. Therefore, even when the maximum number of combinations of lot number and expiration date managed in the lot list LI1 is reached, the control device 10 can manage the combination of lot number and expiration date of a newly filled medicine in the lot list LI1.

[0476] In addition, if the maximum number of combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates are managed in the lot list LI1, the control device 10 may automatically select one of the combinations from the lot list LI1 and overwrite the previous combination with the new lot number and expiration date. However, in this case, the overwriting process is performed without the operator checking the lot number and expiration date attached to the drug contained in the cassette Ca or the storage area. Therefore, there is a possibility that the lot number and expiration date may be deleted from the lot list LI1 even though they are actually the lot number and expiration date of the drug contained in the cassette Ca or the storage area. If the lot number and expiration date of the drug contained in the cassette Ca or the storage area are deleted from the lot list LI1, there is a possibility that the pharmacist or other personnel may not be able to identify the source of the drug.

[0477] Therefore, as described above, when deleting a combination of lot number and expiration date from lot list LI1, control device 10 prompts the operator to select the combination to be deleted. This allows the operator to confirm the drug storage status in cassette Ca or the storage area before deleting the combination of lot number and expiration date from lot list LI1, making it possible to match the information in lot list LI1 with the actual drug storage status.

[0478] In the example shown in FIG. 39, five combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates are stored in the lot list LI1, so the control device 10 displays an image for making the notification and request on the first touch panel 5 or the second touch panel 31. To store a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates in the lot list LI1, the operator deletes one of the combinations of lot numbers and expiration dates managed in the lot list LI1. Here, the operator selects the combination of lot number "0001" and expiration date "October 2021" and touches the confirmation button 3305, the confirmation button 3506, or the fill button 3602. This causes the control device 10 to delete the combination of lot number "0001" and expiration date "October 2021" from the lot list LI1 and return the lot list LI1 to a state in which a new combination of lot numbers and expiration dates can be added and input. The control device 10 adds the combination of the lot number "0006" and the expiration date "April 2022" read by the barcode reader 34 as a new combination of lot number and expiration date to the lot list LI1 in which the free area has been created.

[0479] <Lot list management when stockouts occur> The control device 10 may be able to set the following deletion modes. The deletion mode is a mode in which, when the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca or storage area becomes zero (when the cassette Ca or storage area becomes out of stock), all information in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or storage area is deleted. When the deletion mode is set in the control device 10, the control device 10 deletes all information in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or storage area when the cassette Ca or storage area becomes out of stock. The deletion mode can be set or canceled by user input.

[0480] If a cassette Ca or storage area is out of stock, there are no drugs in the cassette Ca or storage area, and therefore the lot number and expiration date to be managed do not exist in the lot list LI1. Therefore, when a cassette Ca or storage area is out of stock, the control device 10 automatically deletes all information in the lot list LI1 corresponding to that cassette Ca or storage area. This allows the lot list LI1 to reflect the out-of-stock state without requiring an operator to check the information managed in the lot list LI1.

[0481] On the other hand, if the deletion mode is not set in the control device 10, even when the cassette Ca or the storage area is out of stock, the control device 10 does not delete the information in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or the storage area, but maintains it as is. For example, the operator determines whether or not to delete the information in the lot list LI1 when notified by the control device 10 that the cassette Ca or the storage area is out of stock.

[0482] As described in the first embodiment, in the drug station 1, the control device 10 counts the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 37 based on images of the drugs. The control device 10 also counts the number of drugs placed on the tray placement table 38 based on the results of weighing the drugs. The control device 10 can manage the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca or storage area after the drugs have been removed, using the counting result as an indication of the number of drugs removed from the cassette Ca or storage area. The control device 10 can also manage the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca or storage area after filling by adding the number of drugs input by the operator when the cassette Ca or storage area is filled with drugs to the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca or storage area before filling.

[0483] In this way, the control device 10 estimates the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca or the storage area by subtracting the number of drugs removed from the current storage number or adding the number of drugs filled to the current storage number. That is, the control device 10 does not manage the number of drugs in the cassette Ca or the storage area by providing a detection unit (e.g., an imaging unit) that detects drugs in the cassette Ca or the storage area and analyzing the detection results of the detection unit. In other words, the control device 10 does not directly count the number of drugs actually contained. Therefore, for example, if an operator does not return excessively removed drugs to the cassette Ca or the storage area, or if the operator inputs a number different from the actual filled number, there is a possibility that the actual storage number and the storage number managed by the control device 10 will differ. Some users are aware of this possibility and do not want automatic deletion when drugs are out of stock.

[0484] Therefore, only when the deletion mode is set based on user input, the control device 10 automatically deletes the information in the lot list LI1 corresponding to the cassette Ca or storage area when the cassette Ca or storage area is out of stock.

[0485] <About lot numbers and expiration dates> In this embodiment, the lot list LI1 has been described as managing lot numbers and expiration dates, but this is not limited to this. Either the lot number or the expiration date may be managed in the lot list LI1. In other words, the item to be deleted from or added to the lot list LI1 may be either the lot number or the expiration date.

[0486] Furthermore, the control device 10 may manage the combination of the lot number and the expiration date in the lot list LI1 by calculating the expiration date from the acquired lot number or by calculating the lot number from the acquired expiration date.

[0487] [Software implementation example] The control block provided in the control device 10 of the drug station 1 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software. Also, the control block provided in the control unit 801 of the dispensing control device 800 may be realized by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit or the like, or may be realized by software.

[0488] In the latter case, the drug station 1 and the dispensing control device 800 each include a computer that executes instructions from a software program that realizes each function. This computer may include, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. The object of the present invention is achieved by the computer having the processor read and execute the program from the recording medium. The processor may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The recording medium may include non-transitory tangible media, such as read-only memory (ROM), tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuit. The computer may also include a random access memory (RAM) for expanding the program. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). One aspect of the present invention may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0489] 〔others〕 A medicine handling device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a medicine handling device comprising: a medicine transfer unit that enables a medicine to be removed from a cassette in which the medicine is stored or a medicine to be introduced into the cassette; a cassette transfer unit that enables a cassette to be removed from the medicine handling device or an cassette to be introduced into the medicine handling device; and a cassette transfer unit that transfers the cassette between at least one of the medicine transfer unit and the cassette transfer unit and a cassette shelf that can store a plurality of cassettes, wherein the cassette transfer unit is provided at a position different from a position where the medicine transfer unit is provided, and the medicine transfer unit comprises: a first medicine transfer unit to which a cassette containing a medicine to be dispensed based on prescription data is transferred, and a second medicine transfer unit to which cassettes other than the cassette transferred to the first medicine transfer unit are transferred; The cassette transfer unit comprises a first cassette transfer unit provided corresponding to the first drug transfer unit and a second cassette transfer unit provided corresponding to the second drug transfer unit, and the cassette transfer unit is provided corresponding to the second cassette transfer unit, and when a cassette containing the drug to be dispensed is transferred to the first drug transfer unit based on the prescription data and the drug to be dispensed can be removed from the cassette, the cassette transfer unit comprises a control unit that (i) transfers a cassette other than the cassette from the cassette shelf to the cassette transfer unit and allows the other cassette to be removed from the cassette transfer unit, or (ii) allows a further cassette not stored on the cassette shelf to be inserted into the cassette transfer unit and transfers the inserted further cassette from the cassette transfer unit to the cassette shelf.

[0490] In one aspect of the drug handling device of the present disclosure, the drug transfer section comprises an opening that allows the drug to be removed or inserted, and an opening / closing section that opens and closes the opening, and the length in a predetermined direction of the opening area formed in the opening when the opening / closing section is in an open state may be smaller than the length correspon...

Claims

[Claim 1] A medicine dispensing device in which at least one cassette group consisting of a plurality of cassettes for storing medicine sheets of the same type of medicine is stored, a transfer control unit that transfers two or more cassettes among the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group when the drug sheets contained in the plurality of cassettes included in the cassette group become targets for removal; The transfer control unit subtracts a designated number specified as the quantity of drugs to be removed from one of the cassettes included in the cassette group from the number of drugs contained in one of the multiple cassettes included in the cassette group, and if it determines that the number is 1, transfers two or more cassettes from the multiple cassettes included in the cassette group.

Images