Product management method and product management device

Abstract

To provide a commodity management method capable of flexibly adjusting display positions of each commodity and changing storage positions while suppressing costs required for a picking work support device of commodities, and a commodity management device.SOLUTION: A commodity management device 100 includes: a notification part 140 having a plurality of LEDs placed on a belt-shaped substrate which are capable of being lighted individually; a storage part 110 which stores a commodity management information collection associating commodity identification information for identifying one or more commodities, storage location information showing their storage locations, and notification location information showing a location range of LEDs to be lit in the notification part 140; a reading part 150 for reading commodity codes about commodities and acquiring the commodity identification information; and a light emitting control part 110 which turns on or off the LEDs within a location range shown by the notification location information corresponding to the commodity identification information acquired by the reading part 150 on the basis of the commodity management information collection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a product management method and a product management apparatus, and more particularly to a product management method and a product management apparatus for assisting the picking operation of products.

Background Art

[0002] In the drug picking device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a lamp and a quantity display unit for displaying the quantity of the drug to be picked are provided in a large number of drug storage compartments in a drug shelf. While registering the ID of each dispenser and designating a specific color, the lamp of the ID color of the drug storage compartment that the dispenser designated for each prescription should pick first is made to blink, and the lamps of all the subsequent drug storage compartments are lit. When the picking from the first drug storage compartment is completed, the lamp of the next drug storage compartment is changed from lit to blinking. The order of the drug storage compartments to be changed from lit to blinking is determined so that the moving distance of the dispenser is the shortest, and the dispenser is guided by the lamp.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If a quantity display unit is attached to each of a large number of drug storage compartments or cassettes in a drug shelf as in the drug picking device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a large number of quantity display units are required. However, since the unit price of the quantity display unit is relatively high, a considerable cost is incurred for the entire drug picking device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a product management method and a product management apparatus that can flexibly cope with adjustments of display positions for each product, changes in storage positions, etc., while suppressing the cost required for a product picking operation support apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The product management method of this disclosure includes a storage step of storing a product management information collection that associates product identification information for one or more products, storage location information indicating the storage location, and notification location information indicating the position range to be lit in a plurality of individually switchable on / off light-emitting elements arranged on a strip-shaped substrate; a first product reading step of reading a product code relating to a product and acquiring the product identification information; and a first light emission control step of lighting up or turning off the light-emitting elements in the position range indicated by the notification location information corresponding to the product identification information acquired in the first product reading step, based on the product management information collection.

[0007] The product management device of this disclosure includes: a notification unit having a plurality of individually switchable on and off light-emitting elements arranged on a strip-shaped substrate; a storage unit that stores a product management information collection relating product identification information for one or more products, storage location information indicating the location where the product is stored, and notification location information indicating the position range of the light-emitting elements to be lit by the notification unit; a reading unit that reads a product code relating to a product and acquires the product identification information; and a light emission control unit that lights up or turns off the light-emitting elements in the position range indicated by the notification location information corresponding to the product identification information acquired by the reading unit, based on the product management information collection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce the cost required for product picking support devices while also being able to flexibly respond to adjustments to the display position of each product and changes in storage location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a dispensing picking system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of cassettes CA~CE and line LED unit 141 on shelf 91. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of cassette position markers QA to QE on shelf board 91. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an LED illumination position table TL, which shows the range of LED light-emitting point numbers corresponding to each cassette position code. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates a drug location table™ that shows the corresponding drug code for each cassette location code. [Figure 6] This is an example of a drug barcode. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the processing steps for the basic operation of the dispensing and picking system 100. [Figure 8A] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state of the LEDs before their position is adjusted (moved). [Figure 8B] Figure 8A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the lighting state after adjustment. [Figure 9A] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the LED lighting position table TL before adjustment of the LED lighting positions. [Figure 9B] Figure 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjusted LED lighting position table TL. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows the process of setting and adjusting the LED light point number in relation to the cassette position. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the subroutine that performs the processing when adjusting the LED illumination position (range) in the flowchart of Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart of the subroutine that handles the process of adjusting the width of the LED illumination position (range) in the flowchart shown in Figure 10. [Figure 13A] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of medications before their storage location was changed. [Figure 13B] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement after the movement shown in Figure 13A. [Figure 14A] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the drug location table™ before the drug's storage location was changed. [Figure 14B] Figure 14A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the drug position table TM after relocation. [Figure 15A] This is the first half of a flowchart showing the process when changing the storage location of a drug. [Figure 15B] This is the second half of the flowchart of FIG. 15A.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0010] In this embodiment, instead of attaching a quantity display unit to each of a large number of medicine storage compartments or cassettes in a medicine shelf, a display for picking assistance is performed by line LEDs having a large number of LEDs arranged on a tape-shaped substrate. Also, by using the handy terminal originally used for picking operations, it is possible to handle adjustments of display positions for each medicine and changes in storage positions.

[0011] 1.1 Configuration of Dispensing Picking System 100 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing picking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing picking system 100 includes a rece-con 10, a Wi-Fi access point 20, a dispensing shelf 90, an LED control PC 110, a host controller 120, an LED control unit 130, a display unit 140, and at least one handy terminal 150.

[0013] In this embodiment, among these, the rece-con 10, the Wi-Fi access point 20, and the LED control PC 110 are connected by a wired LAN 30. The host controller 120 and the LED control unit 130 are connected wirelessly. Each handy terminal 150 and the Wi-Fi access point 20 are connected by Wi-Fi (registered trademark; such notations will be omitted hereinafter). However, the rece-con 10 and the LED control PC 110 may also be connected wirelessly instead of by wire.

[0014] Receipt computer 10 is an abbreviation for prescription computer, and is used in pharmacies and other prescription dispensing facilities. When the contents of the prescription received from the patient are entered by an operator through manual input or barcode scanning, the system recognizes the type and quantity of medication prescribed and transmits that data to the LED control PC 110 via wired LAN 30.

[0015] The Wi-Fi access point 20 is a device that acts as the base station when connecting terminals with Wi-Fi-enabled wireless capabilities to a wired LAN.

[0016] The dispensing shelf 90 has multiple shelves at the top where multiple cassettes for storing medicines and other items can be placed side by side, and multiple drawers at the bottom.

[0017] Note that the prescription computer 10, Wi-Fi access point 20, and dispensing shelves 90 are the same as or well-known as conventional dispensing picking systems, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0018] The display unit 140 is configured by connecting multiple line LED units 141, each having a large number of individually switchable LEDs arranged on a tape-shaped or strip-shaped substrate, in series. This display unit 140 corresponds to the "notification unit" in this disclosure, and the LEDs correspond to the "light-emitting elements" in this disclosure.

[0019] The line LED unit 141 is approximately the same length as the width of the shelf board 91 of the dispensing shelf 90 (see Figures 2 and 3). Two adjacent line LED units 141 are electrically connected on either the left or right side. For example, the top line LED unit 141 and the line LED unit 141 below it are electrically connected at the left end of the dispensing shelf 90. The line LED unit 141 below that is electrically connected at the right end of the dispensing shelf 90. Thus, the connection points of the line LED units 141 alternate from left to right, starting from the top. If the shelf board 91 of the dispensing shelf 90 is made of a metallic material with magnetic properties, it is convenient to attach the line LED units 141 to the front of the shelf board with a magnet or the like, as this makes installation, removal, and relocation easy.

[0020] The LED control unit 130 controls the individual illumination and extinguishing of each LED in the multiple line LED units 141 that make up the display unit 140. Here, all LEDs included in the display unit 140 are treated as one system, and are managed by assigning sequential numbers starting from 1 (referred to as "LED light-emitting point numbers") to the LEDs closest to the LED control unit 130. The LED control unit 130 may also be configured to control the illumination and extinguishing of two or more line LED units 141 connected in series.

[0021] The host controller 120 wirelessly transmits commands to the LED control unit 130 specifying whether to turn on or off each LED included in the display unit 140.

[0022] The LED control PC 110 primarily implements the functions of this disclosure using software and transmits to the host controller 120 which LEDs to light up from among all the LEDs included in the display unit 140, as a range of LED light-emitting point numbers. While the LED control PC 110 corresponds to the "light-emitting control unit" in this disclosure, the host controller 120 and the LED control unit 130 may also be considered to correspond to the "light-emitting control unit" in this disclosure. Furthermore, while the storage device (e.g., hard disk) of the LED control PC 110 corresponds to the "storage unit" in this disclosure, the LED control PC 110 itself may also be considered to correspond to the "storage unit" in this disclosure. The LED light-emitting point number corresponds to the "notification position information" in this disclosure.

[0023] The handheld terminal 150 has the same hardware as those used in conventional dispensing picking systems. The software also adds functions related to this disclosure to the existing drug picking support functions. Of course, dedicated hardware and software may also be used. This handheld terminal 150 corresponds to the "reading unit" and "portable terminal" in this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the arrangement of cassettes CA~CE and line LED unit 141 on shelf 91. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of cassette position markers QA~QE on shelf 91. Figure 4 is an example of an LED lighting position table TL showing the range of LED light-emitting point numbers corresponding to each cassette position code. Note that the numbers shown below shelf 91 in Figures 2 and 3 indicate LED light-emitting point numbers and are not reference numerals. Also, below, "cassette position code" may be simply referred to as "position code".

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, for example, suppose that five cassettes CA to CE are arranged from left to right on a single shelf 91. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, cassette position markers QA to QE are attached to the shelf 91 to indicate the positions where each of the five cassettes CA to CE should be placed. These cassette position markers QA to QE may be position barcodes, such as 2D QR codes (registered trademark), but are not limited to these. A line LED unit 141 is attached to the front of the shelf 91 by a magnet or the like. Note that the cassette position markers QA to QE correspond to the "position codes" in this disclosure.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the position code PA for the leftmost cassette CA is "00001", and the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are 1 to 5. The position code PB for the position where cassette CB should be placed is "00002", and the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are 7 to 11. The position code PC for the position where cassette CC should be placed is "00003", and the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are 13 to 17. The position code PD for the position where cassette CD should be placed is "00004", and the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are 19 to 25. The position code PE for the rightmost cassette CE should be placed is "00005", and the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are 27 to 33. In other words, for example, when the drug to be picked is stored in cassette CA, the LEDs with LED light-emitting point numbers 1 to 5 will be lit. The LED lighting position table TL is stored in the storage device of the LED control PC 110. This LED lighting position table TL corresponds to the "notification position information collection" in this disclosure. The cassette position code (position code) corresponds to the "storage location information" in this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 is an example of a drug location table™ showing the corresponding drug code for each cassette location code. Figure 6 is an example of a drug barcode.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the drug code corresponding to position PA, where the leftmost cassette CA should be placed, is "drug code for drug AAA". The drug code corresponding to position PB, where cassette CB should be placed, is "drug code for drug BBB". The drug code corresponding to position PC, where cassette CC should be placed, is "drug code for drug CCC". The drug code corresponding to position PD, where cassette CD should be placed, is "drug code for drug DDD". The drug code corresponding to position PE, where the rightmost cassette CE should be placed, is "drug code for drug EEE". In other words, for example, drug AAA is stored in cassette CA, which is placed at position PA, position code "00001". The drug location table TM is pre-stored in the storage device of the LED control PC 110 and corresponds to the "product location information collection" in this disclosure. Furthermore, the combined LED illumination position table TL and drug position table TM constitute the "product management information collection" in this disclosure. The drug code is an example of the "product identification information" in this disclosure.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a barcode (drug barcode) assigned by the manufacturer is displayed on, for example, the drug container. This drug barcode is an example of a "product code" as defined in this disclosure.

[0030] 1.2 Basic Operation of the Pharmacy Picking System 100 Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing for the basic operation of the dispensing picking system 100. As mentioned above, the contents of the prescription are entered into the prescription computer 10 by barcode reading or the like, and the type of drug is already recognized. This process corresponds to the "first product reading step" in this disclosure. In addition, the LED lighting position table TL and the drug position table TM are both pre-stored in the storage device of the LED control PC 110. This process corresponds to the "storage step" in this disclosure.

[0031] First, in step S71, the "location code" corresponding to the "drug code" is obtained from the drug location table TM.

[0032] Step S72 determines whether the "drug code" is registered in the drug location table TM (i.e., whether the "location code" corresponding to the "drug code" was successfully obtained in the previous step). If it is registered, proceed to the next step S73; otherwise, terminate.

[0033] In step S73, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" obtained in step S71 is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL.

[0034] Step S74 determines whether the "LED light-emitting point number" is registered in the LED lighting position table TL (i.e., whether the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" was successfully obtained in the previous step). If it is registered, proceed to the next step S75; otherwise, terminate.

[0035] In step S75, it is determined whether to turn the LED on or off. If it is to turn on, the process proceeds to step S76; if it is to turn off, the process proceeds to step S77.

[0036] In step S76, the LEDs within the range specified by the "LED light-emitting point number" obtained in step S73 are lit, and the series of processes is completed.

[0037] In step S77, the LEDs within the range specified by the "LED light emission point number" obtained in step S73 are turned off, and the series of processes is terminated. Steps S75 to S77 correspond to the "first light emission control step" of this disclosure.

[0038] 1.3 Setting and adjusting the LED illumination position First, we will explain the process of setting and adjusting the LED light point numbers that indicate the LED illumination position (range) for each cassette.

[0039] Figure 8A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the lighting state before adjustment (movement) of the LED lighting position. Figure 8B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the lighting state after adjustment as shown in Figure 8A. Figure 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the LED lighting position table TL before adjustment of the LED lighting position. Figure 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the LED lighting position table TL after adjustment as shown in Figure 9A.

[0040] First, let's look at a simple example of adjusting (moving) the LED illumination position. Assuming that the positions of the five cassettes CA to CE before adjustment and their corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers are the same as shown in Figures 2 to 4, let's focus on cassette CC placed at position PC. In this case, as shown in Figure 8A, the LED illumination position is slightly shifted to the left, so we adjust the illumination position to move it one LED width to the right. Note that, as shown in Figure 9A, the LED light-emitting point numbers corresponding to position PC are 13 to 17.

[0041] Therefore, the upper and lower limits of the LED light-emitting point numbers are increased by 1 each, changing them to 14-18 as shown in Figure 9B. As a result, the LED lighting position shifts to the right by the width of one LED, as shown in Figure 8B.

[0042] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the process of setting and adjusting the LED light-emitting point number relative to the cassette position. Figure 11 is a flowchart of the subroutine that performs the process of adjusting the LED lighting position (range) in the flowchart of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a flowchart of the subroutine that performs the process of adjusting the width of the LED lighting position (range) in the flowchart of Figure 10.

[0043] First, as shown in Figure 10, in step S101, the position barcode of the cassette to be adjusted is scanned using the handheld terminal 150 to read the "position code". This step S101 corresponds to the "second storage position reading step" in this disclosure, and the cassette to be adjusted corresponds to the "object to be adjusted" in this disclosure.

[0044] In step S102, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL.

[0045] In step S103, the start number and end number indicating the range of the "LED light-emitting point number" are stored in the working memory as follows. Note that the start number and end number correspond to the "lower limit" and "upper limit" in this disclosure. (Starting light point number) ← Starting number (End light point number) ← End number

[0046] In step S104, the LEDs from (start light emission point number) to (end light emission point number) are illuminated. This step S104 corresponds to the "fourth light emission control step" in this disclosure.

[0047] In step S105, the user chooses whether to continue or terminate the process. If they choose to continue, they proceed to the next step S106; otherwise, they terminate the process.

[0048] In step S106, the user selects which process to perform, namely "position adjustment" or "width adjustment". If "position adjustment" is selected, the user proceeds to step S107 to call the subroutine "lighting position adjustment", and upon return, proceeds to the next step S109. If "width adjustment" is selected, the user proceeds to step S108 to call the subroutine "lighting width adjustment", and upon return, proceeds to the next step S109. Step S106 corresponds to the "adjustment mode selection step" in this disclosure. The subroutine "lighting position adjustment" corresponds to the "first adjustment mode" in this disclosure, and the subroutine "lighting width adjustment" corresponds to the "second adjustment mode" in this disclosure.

[0049] In step S109, it is determined whether the position where the LED is lit at that time is OK. If it is OK, the process proceeds to the next step S110; otherwise, the process returns to step S102 and the process of setting and adjusting the LED light-emitting point number is repeated.

[0050] In step S110, the contents of the working memory at that time are overwritten with the start and end numbers indicating the range of "LED light-emitting point numbers" corresponding to the "position code" in the LED lighting position table TL, as follows, and then the series of processes is terminated. Note that this step S110 corresponds to the "notification position information collection update step" in this disclosure. Starting number ←(Starting light point number) End number ←(End light point number)

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 11, in the subroutine "lighting position adjustment", step S111 selects whether to continue or terminate the process. If the process is to continue, it proceeds to the next step S112; otherwise, the process terminates.

[0052] In step S112, the user chooses which process to take, that is, either "left" or "right". For example, if "left" is selected, the user proceeds to step S113, and if "right" is selected, the user proceeds to step S114. In this case, for example, keys indicating left and right directions may be displayed on the screen of the drug picking support software running on the handheld terminal 150, and the user may determine whether to select "left" or "right" by operating these keys. These key operations correspond to the "first operation" and "second operation" in this disclosure. Furthermore, steps S112 to S114 correspond to the "first adjustment step" in this disclosure.

[0053] As mentioned above, the connection points of the line LED units 141 are arranged alternately from left to right, starting from the top. For example, in the top row of line LED units 141, the LED light-emitting point number is smallest at the right end and increases as you move to the left. Conversely, in the row of line LED units 141 below it, the LED light-emitting point number is smallest at the left end. Therefore, the "left" and "right" key operations do not necessarily correspond to the actual direction of movement of the LED lighting positions. To avoid unnecessary confusion during adjustment, the explicit indication of "left" and "right" may be omitted.

[0054] In step S113, 1 is subtracted from the (start light emission point number) and 1 is subtracted from the (end light emission point number) before proceeding to step S115.

[0055] In step S114, 1 is added to the (start light emission point number) and 1 is added to the (end light emission point number) before proceeding to step S115.

[0056] In step S115, the LEDs from (start light-emitting point number) to (end light-emitting point number) are lit, and then the process returns to step S111.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12, in the subroutine "lighting width adjustment", step S121 selects whether to continue or terminate the process. If the process is to continue, it proceeds to the next step S122; otherwise, the process terminates.

[0058] In step S122, you choose which process to perform, that is, "reduce" or "enlarge". If you choose "reduce", proceed to step S123; if you choose "enlarge", proceed to step S124.

[0059] In step S123, subtract 1 from (end light emission point number) and then proceed to step S125.

[0060] In step S124, 1 is added to (end light emission point number) and then the process proceeds to step S125. Steps S122 to S124 correspond to the "second adjustment step" in this disclosure.

[0061] In step S125, the LEDs from (start light point number) to (end light point number) are lit, and then the process returns to step S121.

[0062] 1.4 Responding to changes in drug storage locations Next, we will explain the procedures required when changing the location where the drug storage cassettes are placed.

[0063] Figure 13A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the drug storage locations before relocation. Figure 13B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement after relocation as shown in Figure 13A. Figure 14A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the drug location table™ before relocation of the drug storage locations. Figure 14B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the drug location table™ after relocation as shown in Figure 14A.

[0064] First, let's look at a simple example of the process required when moving the storage location of a drug. Assuming that the locations of the five cassettes CA to CE before the move, and their corresponding drug codes, are the same as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, let's consider the case where the storage location of drug BBB is moved from cassette CB to cassette CD. According to the drug location table TM, the drug code corresponding to the location code "00002" at location PB before the move (see Figure 13A) is "drug code for drug BBB," as shown in Figure 14A.

[0065] Therefore, in the drug location table TM, as shown in Figure 14B, the drug code corresponding to location code "00002" is deleted, and the drug code corresponding to location code "00004" at the destination location PD (see Figure 13B) is replaced with the "drug code of drug BBB". From this point onward, location code "00004" is obtained from the drug location table TM using the "drug code of drug BBB". As a result, 19 to 25 are obtained as the corresponding LED light-emitting point numbers from the LED lighting location table TL (see Figure 4), and the LEDs in the range corresponding to the cassette CD light up.

[0066] Figure 15A is the first half of a flowchart showing the procedure for changing the storage location of a drug. Figure 15B is the second half of the flowchart in Figure 15A.

[0067] First, as shown in Figure 15A, in step S1501, the memory used for the following processes is initialized as follows. (Current location code) ← 0 (Revised position code) ← 0

[0068] In step S1502, the handheld terminal 150 is used to scan the barcode of the drug to be moved and read the "drug code". This step S1502 corresponds to the "second product reading step" in this disclosure.

[0069] In step S1503, the "location code" corresponding to the "drug code" is obtained from the drug location table TM.

[0070] Step S1504 determines whether the "drug code" is registered in the drug location table TM (i.e., whether the "location code" corresponding to the "drug code" was successfully obtained in the previous step). If it is registered, proceed to the next step S1505; otherwise, terminate.

[0071] In step S1505, the value of the "location code" obtained in step S1503 is assigned to the memory (current location code).

[0072] In step S1506, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL.

[0073] Step S1507 determines whether the "LED light-emitting point number" is registered in the LED lighting position table TL (i.e., whether the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" was successfully obtained in the previous step). If it is registered, proceed to the next step S1508; otherwise, terminate.

[0074] In step S1508, the LEDs within the range specified by the "LED light-emitting point number" obtained in step S1506 are illuminated. This step S1508 corresponds to the "second light emission control step" in this disclosure.

[0075] Next, as shown in Figure 15B, in step S1510, it is determined whether to move the storage location of the drug. If it is moved, the process proceeds to the next step S1511; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1521.

[0076] In step S1511, the handheld terminal 150 is used to scan the destination location barcode and read the "location code". This step S1511 corresponds to the "first storage location reading step" in this disclosure.

[0077] In step S1512, the value of the "position code" obtained in the previous step is assigned to the memory (modified position code).

[0078] In step S1513, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the "position code" is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL.

[0079] In step S1514, the LEDs within the range specified by the "LED light emission point number" obtained in step S1506 are illuminated. This step S1514 corresponds to the "third light emission control step" in this disclosure.

[0080] In step S1515, it is determined whether the position that is lit at that time is OK. If it is OK, proceed to the next step S1517; otherwise, return to step S1510 via step S1516.

[0081] In step S1516, the LEDs within the range specified by the "LED light-emitting point number" obtained in step S1506 are turned off.

[0082] In step S1517, the drug code corresponding to the (changed location code) in the drug location table TM is overwritten with the entered "drug code". Note that this step S1517 corresponds to the "product location information collection update step" in this disclosure.

[0083] In step S1518, it is determined whether the (current position code) is 0. If it is 0, it means there is no source of movement, i.e., a new drug has been added, so proceed to step S1521. If it is not 0, it means there is a source of movement, so proceed to the next step S1519.

[0084] In step S1519, the drug code for (current location code) is deleted from the drug location table TM.

[0085] In step S1520, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the (current position code) is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL, and the LED is turned off.

[0086] In step S1521, the "LED light-emitting point number" corresponding to the (modified position code) is obtained from the LED lighting position table TL, the LED is turned off, and the series of processes is terminated.

[0087] Embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. Furthermore, various disclosures can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. The drawings schematically show each component in order to make them easy to understand, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual number due to the convenience of drawing creation. Also, each component shown in the above embodiments is just an example and is not particularly limiting, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0088] This disclosure is available in the field of [field name]. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 10 Medical billing system 20 Wi-Fi access points 30 Wired LAN 90 pharmacy shelves 91 shelves 100 Dispensing Picking System 110 LED control PC (corresponding to the "memory unit" in this disclosure) 120 Host Controllers 130 LED Control Unit 140 Display unit (corresponding to the "notification unit" in this disclosure) 141 Line LED Unit 150 Handheld terminal (corresponding to the "reading unit" and "portable terminal" in this disclosure) TL LED illumination position table (corresponding to the "Notification Position Information Collection" in this disclosure) TM Drug Location Table (corresponding to the "Product Location Information Collection" in this disclosure)

Claims

1. A storage step for storing a collection of product management information that associates product identification information for one or more products, storage location information indicating the storage location, and notification location information indicating the position range to be illuminated by multiple individually switchable light-emitting elements arranged on a strip-shaped substrate; A first product reading step involves reading a product code related to a product and obtaining the product identification information, Based on the aforementioned product management information collection, a first light emission control step is performed to turn on or off the light-emitting elements within the position range indicated by the notification position information corresponding to the product identification information acquired in the first product reading step. Product management methods including those mentioned above.

2. The product management method according to claim 1, wherein the product management information collection includes a product location information collection that associates the storage location information with the product identification information, and a notification location information collection that associates the storage location information with the notification location information.

3. A second product reading step involves reading the product code of the product whose storage location is to be changed and obtaining the product identification information, A second light emission control step, based on the aforementioned product location information collection and the aforementioned notification location information collection, is performed to light up the light-emitting elements in the location range indicated by the notification location information corresponding to the product identification information acquired in the second product reading step. A first storage location reading step involves reading a location code related to the changed storage location to obtain the storage location information, A third light emission control step, based on the notification location information collection, lights up the light-emitting elements in the position range indicated by the notification location information corresponding to the storage location information acquired in the first storage location reading step, A product location information set update step updates the product location information set by associating the product identification information obtained in the second product reading step with the storage location information obtained in the first storage location reading step. The product management method according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. A second storage location reading step involves reading a position code related to the storage location to be adjusted and obtaining the storage location information, A fourth light emission control step, based on the aforementioned notification location information collection, in which the light-emitting elements are illuminated from the upper limit to the lower limit of the position range indicated by the notification location information corresponding to the storage location information acquired in the second storage location reading step, An adjustment mode selection step that selects either a first adjustment mode in which the upper limit and the lower limit are increased or decreased simultaneously, or a second adjustment mode in which only one of the upper limit and the lower limit is increased or decreased. When the first adjustment mode is selected, the first adjustment step involves simultaneously increasing the upper and lower limits by a predetermined value in response to a first operation, and simultaneously decreasing the upper and lower limits by a predetermined value in response to a second operation. When the second adjustment mode is selected, a second adjustment step is performed in which, in response to the first operation, only one of the upper limit and the lower limit is increased by the predetermined value, and in response to the second operation, only one of the upper limit and the lower limit is decreased by the predetermined value. A notification location information set update step updates the notification location information set by associating the storage location information obtained in the second storage location reading step with the notification location information corresponding to the upper and lower limits that were increased or decreased in the first adjustment step or the second adjustment step. The product management method according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising:

5. The product management method according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the product code is a barcode.

6. The product management method according to claim 3, wherein the position code is a barcode assigned to each of a plurality of predetermined storage locations.

7. A notification unit having multiple individually switchable light-emitting elements arranged on a strip-shaped substrate, A storage unit stores a collection of product management information that associates product identification information for one or more products, storage location information indicating the location where the product is stored, and notification location information indicating the position range of the light-emitting element to be illuminated by the notification unit. A reading unit that reads a product code related to a product and obtains the product identification information, Based on the aforementioned product management information collection, the light-emitting control unit turns on or off the light-emitting elements within the position range indicated by the notification position information corresponding to the product identification information acquired by the reading unit. A product management device equipped with the following features.

8. The light-emitting control unit further comprises a portable terminal capable of communicating with the aforementioned light-emitting control unit, The product management device according to claim 7, wherein the reading unit is included in the mobile terminal.

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