Medicine box

Abstract

To provide a medicine chest enabling a recipient to smoothly acquire a medicine to be taken in an ingestion period of the medicine.SOLUTION: A medicine chest 1 includes: a medicine chest body 11 having a plurality of drawers 12 and a drawer storage part 117 for storing the plurality of drawers 12; an energization member 21 energizing the drawer 12 in a direction of jumping out to the outside from the drawer storage part 117; a locking pin 152 and a locked piece 122 capable of taking relative to each drawer 12, one of a locking state that the drawer 12 is locked in a state that the drawer 12 is stored in the drawer storage part 117, and an unlocking state that the drawer is not locked; a locking pin driving part 151 for putting the locking pin 152 into the locking state or the unlocking state; and a control part 13 for controlling the locking pin driving part 151 so as to transit the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 from the locking state to the unlocking state when a previously set ingestion period arrives.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine cabinet. Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a medicine storage box comprising: a medicine storage case that can store medicines therein; a detection means capable of detecting a drawer operation of the medicine storage case; a notification means capable of notifying the dosing timing of a medicine relative to a meal; and a control means that stops the notification when the detection means detects the drawer operation of the medicine storage case corresponding to the notification (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Prior Art Literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-244373 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the medicine storage box described in Patent Document 1, for example when the medicine storage box is provided with a plurality of medicine storage cases, a user needs to search which of the plurality of medicine storage cases stores the medicine corresponding to the notification, which may possibly take extra time and effort.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine cabinet that allows a user to smoothly obtain a medicine to be taken at the dosing timing. Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the medicine cabinet according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of drawers; a medicine cabinet body having a drawer storage portion that stores the plurality of drawers; and a biasing member that biases each of the plurality of drawers in a direction to protrude outward from the drawer storage portion; Each of the aforementioned drawers is provided with a locking mechanism that can take either a locked state in which the drawer is locked when it is housed in the drawer storage section, or an unlocked state in which the drawer is not locked. A locking mechanism drive unit that moves the locking mechanism to the locked state or the unlocked state, The system includes a control unit that controls the locking drive unit to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state when a preset drawer opening time arrives that causes at least one drawer to protrude outward from the drawer storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a biasing member biases each of the multiple drawers in a direction that causes them to pop out of the drawer storage section, and a locking mechanism can take either a locked state in which the drawer is locked while it is retracted into the drawer storage section, or an unlocked state in which the drawer is not locked. A locking mechanism drive unit sets the locking mechanism to either the locked state or the unlocked state. When a preset drawer opening time arrives, the control unit controls the locking drive unit to transition the locking mechanism from a locked state in which at least one drawer is locked to an unlocked state. This allows, for example, when it is time to take medicine, the locking mechanism drive unit to unlock at least one drawer containing the medicine that needs to be taken and cause it to pop out of the drawer storage section, thereby visually notifying the user that it is time to take their medicine and indicating which drawer contains the medicine. Consequently, the user can smoothly obtain the medicine to be taken at the appropriate time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] The image shows a medicine box according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, where (A) is a front view and (B) is a side view. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including a medicine box according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4]This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the medication timing notification process executed by the control unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of the medicine box according to Embodiment 1, where (A) shows the locking mechanism in the locked state, and (B) shows the unlocked state and the drawer has protruded outward from the drawer storage section. [Figure 6] Figure 1(B) is a cross-sectional view of a medicine box according to Embodiment 1, where (A) shows the state in which the locking mechanism is in an unlocked state and the drawer is positioned inside the drawer storage section, and (B) shows the state in which the locking mechanism has transitioned from an unlocked state to an locked state. [Figure 7] This is a front view of a medicine box according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of a medicine box according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] A portion of the medicine box according to Embodiment 2 is shown, where (A) is a plan view when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, and (B) is a side view when the locking mechanism is in the locked state. [Figure 10] A portion of the locking mechanism according to Embodiment 2 is shown, where (A) is a side view of the locking mechanism in the locked state and (B) is a side view of the locking mechanism in the unlocked state. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the medication timing notification process executed by the control unit according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 13] The image shows a part of the medicine box according to Embodiment 2, where (A) is a plan view when the locking mechanism is in the locked state and (B) is a side view when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a medicine box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The medicine box according to this embodiment comprises a medicine box body having a plurality of drawers and a drawer storage section for storing the plurality of drawers, a biasing member that biases each of the plurality of drawers in a direction that causes it to pop out from the drawer storage section, a locking mechanism for each of the plurality of drawers that can take either a locked state in which the drawer is locked when it is housed in the drawer storage section, or an unlocked state in which the drawer is not locked, a locking mechanism drive unit that puts the locking mechanism into a locked state or an unlocked state, and a control unit that controls the locking drive unit to transition the locking mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state when a preset drawer opening time arrives that causes at least one drawer to pop out from the drawer storage section.

[0010] The medicine box 1 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a medicine box body 11 having a plurality of drawers 12 (four in Figure 1(A)) and a drawer storage section 117, as shown in Figure 1(A). The medicine box 1 also includes, as shown in Figure 1(B), a biasing member 21 that biases each of the plurality of drawers 12 in a direction that causes them to protrude outward from the drawer storage section 117, a locking pin 152, a locking pin drive unit 151 that drives the locking pin 152, and a control unit 13 that controls the locking pin drive unit 151. Furthermore, the medicine box 1 includes a drawer position sensor 22 for determining whether each of the plurality of drawers 12 is stored in the drawer storage section 117, and a speaker 14 that generates sound.

[0011] Furthermore, the medicine box 1 according to this embodiment is connected to a local network NW2 constructed within the building where the medicine box 1 is installed, for example, as shown in Figure 2, via a wireless access point 82. Here, the local network NW2 is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network). The local network NW2 is connected to a wide area network NW1, such as the Internet, via a broadband router 81. Various information generated by the medicine box 1 is then transmitted to a terminal device 5 held by the user via the local network NW2 and the wide area network NW1. Here, the terminal device 5 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the medicine chest main body 11 includes a rectangular plate-shaped base portion 111 and a drawer storage portion 117 that stores a plurality of drawers 12. The medicine chest main body 11 has a pair of side walls 116 erected on the base portion 111, a top wall 115b continuous at the upper ends of the pair of side walls 116, and six flange portions 112b, 113b, and 114b projecting from each of the pair of side walls 116 in a direction approaching each other, and stores four drawers 12 in a state of being placed on the upper side of the base portion 111 and the upper sides of the flange portions 112b, 113b, and 114b inside the pair of side walls 116. The base portion 111, the pair of side walls 116, and the six flange portions 112b, 113b, 114b constitute the drawer storage portions 117 each for storing the plurality of drawers 12. Further, as shown in Fig. 1(B), the medicine chest main body 11 has four projecting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a projecting in the +Y direction from the side wall 116.

[0013] The plurality of drawers 12 are each formed into a substantially rectangular box shape from, for example, a resin material, and can be disposed in each drawer storage portion 117 of the medicine chest main body 11. A handle 121a, which is gripped by a user when sliding the drawer 12 along the Y-axis direction, is provided on the side wall of each drawer 12 on the +Y direction side. Further, on the side wall of each drawer 12 on the -Y direction side, the other end of a locked piece 122 is fixed, the locked piece 122 is in the shape of an elongated plate, and has a locked hole 122a penetrating through one end portion in the longitudinal direction in the thickness direction, into which a locking pin 152 is inserted. The locked piece 122 is fixed to the drawer 12 in a posture in which the thickness direction thereof coincides with the X-axis direction. Furthermore, a plate-shaped fixing piece 123 to which a part of an urging member 21 is fixed is fixed to the side wall of each drawer 12 on the -Y direction side.

[0014] The urging member 21 is, for example, a coil spring, one end portion of which in the winding axis direction is fixed to each of the four projecting portions 112a, 113a, 114a, and 115a of the medicine chest main body 11, and the other end portion of which is fixed to the fixing piece 123 fixed to each drawer 12. The urging member 21 is in a state of being stretched to a length longer than its natural length when the drawer 12 is stored inside the drawer storage portion 117, and urges each drawer 12 in a direction to jump out from the drawer storage portion 117 toward the +Y direction side.

[0015] The locking pin 152 can adopt either a locked state where the drawer 12 is locked by being inserted into the locked hole 122a of the locked piece 122 fixed to the drawer 12 when the drawer 12 is accommodated in the drawer accommodating portion 117, or an unlocked state where the drawer 12 is not locked by being disengaged from the locked hole 122a of the locked piece 122. A locking mechanism that can adopt either the locked state where the drawer 12 is locked when the drawer 12 is accommodated in the drawer accommodating portion 117 or the unlocked state where the drawer 12 is not locked is constituted by the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 fixed to the drawer 12. The locking pin 152 is arranged at a preset initial position in the locked state where it is fitted into the locked hole 122a of the locked piece 122. Further, the distal end portion of the locking pin 152 is formed in a hemispherical shape, for example. When the locked piece 122 abuts from the side of the distal end portion of the locking pin 152 and then presses the locking pin 152 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, the locking pin 152 moves in a direction retracting into the locking pin driving portion 151 accordingly.

[0016] The locking pin driving portion 151 includes an actuator that drives the locking pin 152 and a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the actuator, and is a locking mechanism driving portion that brings the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 into a locked state or an unlocked state by moving the locking pin 152 in the X-axis direction according to a control signal input from the control portion 13. Here, when the locked piece 122 abuts from the side of the distal end portion of the locking pin 152 and then presses the locking pin 152 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, the locking pin driving portion 151 biases the locking pin 152 toward the initial position with a force that allows the locking pin 152 to move in a direction retracting into the locking pin driving portion 151 accordingly. One locking pin driving portion 151 is provided for each of the four locking pins 152, and is collectively supported by a long plate-shaped support member 161 fixed to the base portion 111 of the medicine box main body 11.

[0017] The drawer position sensor 22 has a sensor body 22a and a button switch 22b that protrudes from the sensor body 22a, and is located on the -Y side of the drawer storage section 117. The drawer position sensor 22 is provided for each of the multiple drawers 12 and detects that the multiple drawers 12 are located in a preset storage position inside the drawer storage section 117. Here, the drawer position sensor 22 is positioned such that when the drawer 12 is located in the preset storage position inside the drawer storage section 117, the side wall on the -Y side of the drawer 12 is in a state where the button switch 22b is pressed down. When the button switch 22b is not pressed, the drawer position sensor 22 outputs a detection signal of a preset voltage (H level), and when the button switch 22b is pressed, it outputs a detection signal of 0V (L level). Each of the four drawers 12 is provided with one drawer position sensor 22, and they are all supported together by a long, plate-shaped support member 162 fixed to the base portion 111 of the medicine box body 11.

[0018] Speaker 14 is a notification unit that, when it is time to take medication, uses an audio signal input from the control unit 13 to announce that the drawer 12 has popped out of the drawer storage unit 117.

[0019] When the medication time arrives, that is, when a preset drawer opening time arrives at which at least one of the multiple drawers 12 containing the medication to be taken is extended out of the drawer storage unit 117, the control unit 13 controls the locking pin drive unit 151 to transition the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 from a locked state to an unlocked state. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 13 includes a processing unit 1301, a drive circuit 1302 for operating the locking pin drive unit 151, and a detection circuit 1303 to which a detection signal output from the drawer position sensor 22 is input. The control unit 13 also includes a display unit 1304, an input unit 1305, a wireless module 1306, and an audio signal generation circuit 1307 that amplifies the audio signal and outputs it to the speaker 14. The drive circuit 1302 drives the locking pin drive unit 151 by generating a control signal based on the control information transferred from the processing unit 1301 and outputting it to the locking pin drive unit 151. The detection circuit 1303 generates detection information indicating whether the button switch 22b is pressed or not, based on the detection signal input from the drawer position sensor 22, and transfers it to the processing unit 1301.

[0020] The display unit 1304 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 1305 has, for example, an input button and a transparent touchpad that is placed on top of the display unit 1304. When email information is transferred from the processing unit 1301, the wireless module 1306 transmits the transferred email information to the wireless access point 82.

[0021] The processing unit 1301 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The CPU reads and executes programs stored in the memory, thereby functioning as a medication timing determination unit 1311, a locking control unit 1312, an audio output unit 1313, an email generation unit 1314, a communication control unit 1315, a display control unit 1316, and a setting unit 1317. The memory of the processing unit 1301 also has a medication timing storage unit 1331 that stores medication timing information indicating the timing of medication, and a message storage unit 1332 that stores message information indicating messages to be included in audio information or email information. The medication timing storage unit 1331 stores medication timing corresponding to each of the multiple drawers 12, associating it with drawer identification information that identifies each of the multiple drawers 12.

[0022] The medication timing determination unit 1311 refers to the medication timing information stored in the medication timing storage unit 1331 and determines whether the medication timing indicated by the medication timing information has arrived. If the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines that the medication timing has arrived, it notifies the locking control unit 1312 of the drawer identification information corresponding to the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing. At the same time, the medication timing determination unit 1311 also notifies the voice output unit 1313, the email generation unit 1314, and the display control unit 1316 of the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing and the corresponding drawer identification information.

[0023] When the locking control unit 1312 receives drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it identifies the drawer 12 corresponding to the notified drawer identification information. The locking control unit 1312 then controls the locking pin drive unit 151 so that the locking pin 152 and the locking piece 122 corresponding to the identified drawer 12 are locked together. Specifically, the locking control unit 1312 generates control information to move the locking pin 152 in the -X direction from a state where the locking pin 152 is inserted into the locking hole 122a of the locking piece 122 until it is released from the locking piece 122, and then transmits this information to the drive circuit 1302. Then, the drive circuit 1302 generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking pin drive unit 151. Based on the input control signal, the locking pin drive unit 151 moves the locking pin 152 from a state where it is inserted into the locking hole 122a of the locking piece 122 until it is released from the locking piece 122. Furthermore, when the initial position movement time arrives, which is set in advance for moving the locking pin 152 to its initial position, the locking control unit 1312 generates control information to move the locking pin 152 to its initial position again and transfers it to the drive circuit 1302. Then, the drive circuit 1302 generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking pin drive unit 151. Based on the input control signal, the locking pin drive unit 151 moves the locking pin 152 to its initial position. Here, the initial position movement timing is set, for example, 10 seconds after the locking pin 152 is moved in the -X direction.

[0024] When the audio output unit 1313 receives notification of medication timing information and drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it selects message information corresponding to the notified medication timing information and drawer identification information from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332. The audio output unit 1313 then generates audio information using the selected message information and transfers the generated audio information to the audio signal generation circuit 1307. The audio signal generation circuit 1307 then generates an audio signal based on the audio information transferred from the audio output unit 1313 and outputs it to the speaker 14. As a result, the speaker 14 generates sound based on the audio signal. Furthermore, based on the detection information transferred from the detection circuit 1303, the audio output unit 1313 determines that the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 has transitioned from an unpressed state to an pressed state, and determines that the drawer 12 that has popped out of the drawer storage section 117, that is, the drawer 12 whose locking piece 122 is not locked by the locking pin 152, has been placed back in the storage position. The audio output unit 1313 then selects message information to notify that the drawer 12 has been placed in the storage position, generates audio information using the selected message information, and transfers it to the audio signal generation circuit 1307.

[0025] When the mail generation unit 1314 receives notification of medication timing information and drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it selects message information corresponding to the notified medication timing information and drawer identification information from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332. The mail generation unit 1314 then generates mail information using the selected message information and transfers the generated mail information to the communication control unit 1315. The communication control unit 1315 adds header information addressed to the terminal device 5 to the mail information transferred from the mail generation unit 1314 to generate a packet, and then outputs it to the wireless module 1306. The wireless module 1306 then wirelessly transmits the input packet to the wireless access point 82. As a result, when it is time to take medication, the terminal device 5 receives the mail information sent from the medicine box 1. Furthermore, based on the detection information transferred from the detection circuit 1303, the email generation unit 1314 determines that the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 has transitioned from an unpressed state to an pressed state, and determines that the drawer 12 that has popped out of the drawer storage section 117, that is, the drawer 12 whose locking piece 122 is not locked by the locking pin 152, has been placed back in the storage position. The email generation unit 1314 then selects message information to notify that the drawer 12 has been placed back in the storage position, generates email information using the selected message information, and transfers the generated email information to the communication control unit 1315.

[0026] The display control unit 1316 refers to the medication timing information stored in the medication timing memory unit 1331 to identify the most recent medication timing and displays the identified medication timing on the display unit 1304. Furthermore, when the display control unit 1316 receives medication timing information and drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it displays the medication timing indicated by the medication timing information and the drawer information related to the drawer 12 identified by the drawer identification information on the display unit 1304. Here, the drawer information may include, for example, an identification number and name that have been pre-assigned to each of the drawers 12.

[0027] When a user performs an operation on the input unit 1305 to set the timing of medication administration, the setting unit 1317 generates new medication timing information accordingly and stores it in the medication timing storage unit 1331.

[0028] Next, the medication timing notification process performed by the control unit 13 of the medicine box 1 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6. This medication timing notification process is initiated when power is turned on to the medicine box 1. First, the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines whether or not the aforementioned medication timing has arrived (step S101). If the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines that the medication timing has not yet arrived (step S101: No), the process in step S109, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines that the medication timing has arrived (step S101: Yes), it notifies the locking control unit 1312 of the drawer identification information corresponding to the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing, and also notifies the voice output unit 1313, the email generation unit 1314, and the display control unit 1316 of the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing and the corresponding drawer identification information. Then, the locking control unit 1312 identifies the drawer 12 corresponding to the notified drawer identification information (step S102).

[0029] Next, the locking control unit 1312 controls the locking pin drive unit 151 so that the locking pin 152 and the locking piece 122 corresponding to the identified drawer 12 are in an unlocked state (step S103). At this time, the drive circuit 1302 generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking pin drive unit 151. Then, based on the input control signal, the locking pin drive unit 151 moves the locking pin 152 in the direction indicated by arrow AR11 while the locking pin 152 is inserted through the locking hole 122a of the locking piece 122, as shown in Figure 5(A). Then, the locking pin drive unit 151 moves the locking pin 152 until it is detached from the locking piece 122, as shown in Figure 5(B). At this time, the drawer 12 moves in the direction indicated by arrow AR12 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 21, and protrudes outward from the drawer storage section 117. Also, the drawer position sensor 22 transitions from a pressed state, where the button switch 22b is pressed, to an unpressed state, as indicated by arrow AR13.

[0030] Returning to Figure 4, the display control unit 1316 then displays the medication timing indicated by the notified medication timing information and the drawer information related to drawer 12 identified by the drawer identification information on the display unit 1304 (step S104).

[0031] Subsequently, the audio output unit 1313 selects message information corresponding to the notified medication timing information and drawer identification information from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332. Then, the audio output unit 1313 generates audio information using the selected message information, and the audio signal generation circuit 1307 generates an audio signal based on the generated audio information and outputs it to the speaker 14 (step S105). At this time, the speaker 14 generates sound based on the input audio signal.

[0032] Next, the email generation unit 1314 selects message information corresponding to the notified medication timing information and drawer identification information from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332. Then, the email generation unit 1314 generates email information using the selected message information, and the communication control unit 1315 adds header information addressed to the terminal device 5 to the email information generated by the email generation unit 1314 to generate a packet and output it to the wireless module 1306 (step S106). At this time, the wireless module 1306 wirelessly transmits the input packet to the wireless access point 82.

[0033] Next, the locking control unit 1312 determines whether or not the initial position movement time has arrived (step S107). If the locking control unit 1312 determines that the initial position movement time has not yet arrived (step S107: No), the process in step S107 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the locking control unit 1312 determines that the initial position movement time has arrived (step S107: Yes), it controls the locking pin drive unit 151 to move the locking pin 152 to the initial position (step S108). At this time, the drive circuit 1302 generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking pin drive unit 151. The locking pin drive unit 151 then moves the locking pin 152 toward the initial position based on the input control signal, for example, as shown by arrow AR14 in Figure 5(B).

[0034] Returning to Figure 4, the locking control unit 1312 then determines, based on the detection information transferred from the detection circuit 1303, whether the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 has transitioned from an unpressed state to a pressed state for the drawer 12 that has protruded outside the drawer storage unit 117 (step S109). If the locking control unit 1312 determines that the unpressed state of the button switch 22b continues (step S109: No), the process in step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, suppose the locking control unit 1312 determines that the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 has transitioned from an unpressed state to a pressed state (step S109: Yes). For example, as shown in Figure 6(A), suppose the user pushes the drawer 12 that has protruded outside the drawer storage unit 117 in the direction indicated by arrow AR21. At this time, if the locking piece 122 of the drawer 12 comes into contact with the tip of the locking pin 152 from the direction indicated by arrow AR21, and is pushed with a force stronger than the component in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow AR in the force that biases the locking pin 152 to its initial position, the locking pin 152 will be pushed in the direction indicated by arrow AR22. Then, if the drawer 12 is pushed further, the tip of the locking pin 152 will move over the outer circumference of the locking hole 122a in the locking piece 122, and the tip of the locking pin 152 will be fitted into the locking hole 122a of the locking piece 122, as shown by arrow AR23 in Figure 6(B). At the same time, as indicated by arrow AR24, the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 transitions from an unpressed state to a pressed state, and the locking control unit 1312 determines that the button switch 22b of the drawer position sensor 22 has transitioned from an unpressed state to a pressed state.

[0035] Returning to Figure 4, in this case, the audio output unit 1313 selects a message from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332 that notifies that the drawer 12, which had popped out of the drawer storage unit 117, has been placed back into its storage position. The audio output unit 1313 then generates audio information using the selected message information, and the audio signal generation circuit 1307 generates an audio signal based on the generated audio information and outputs it to the speaker 14 (step S110). At this time, the speaker 14 generates sound based on the input audio signal.

[0036] Next, the email generation unit 1314 selects a message from the message information stored in the message storage unit 1332 that notifies the user that the drawer 12, which had popped out of the drawer storage unit 117, has been placed back into its storage position. The email generation unit 1314 then generates email information using the selected message information, and the communication control unit 1315 adds header information addressed to the terminal device 5 to the email information generated by the email generation unit 1314 to generate a packet and output it to the wireless module 1306 (step S111). At this time, the wireless module 1306 wirelessly transmits the input packet to the wireless access point 82. After that, the process in step S101 is executed again.

[0037] As described above, according to the medicine box 1 of this embodiment, the biasing member 21 biases each of the multiple drawers 12 in a direction that causes them to pop out from the drawer storage section 117, and the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 can take on either a locked state in which the drawer 12 is locked when it is stored in the drawer storage section 117, or an unlocked state in which the drawer is not locked. Furthermore, the locking pin drive unit 151 puts the locking pin 152 into a locked state in which it is inserted into the locked hole 122a of the locked piece 122, or into an unlocked state in which it is detached from the locked piece 122. Then, when the predetermined medication time, i.e., the aforementioned drawer opening time, arrives, the control unit 13 controls the locking pin drive unit 151 to transition the locking pin 152 and the locked piece 122 from the locked state in which the drawer 12 is locked to the unlocked state. This allows the user to visually notify the user that it is time to take their medication and that the drawer containing the medication is located in the drawer storage unit 117, for example, when it is time to take the medication. The locking pin drive unit 151 causes at least one drawer 12 containing the medication to be released from the locking pin drive unit 151. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the medication to be taken at the appropriate time.

[0038] In recent years, many people have been taking medications and health supplements regularly at home. Among the elderly, due to the effects of aging, and especially among those with dementia, forgetting to take or taking too much medication is frequent. Even among younger people, forgetting to take medication is more likely if the number of medications taken at different times than usual increases. If medication is forgotten, the effect of the medication will be reduced, and conversely, taking too much medication raises concerns about adverse effects on the body. In response to this, medicine boxes are being used that divide medications into individual doses according to the medication instructions, and separate them for morning, noon, and evening doses, etc., in order to prevent medication forgetting, especially among the elderly. On the other hand, methods have also been proposed to notify people of medication time using medicine boxes with built-in timers and alarms, as well as medicine boxes that detect opening and closing with a switch or medicine boxes with built-in cameras to notify people of missed doses.

[0039] Furthermore, the medicine box according to this embodiment prevents users from forgetting to take their medication by causing the corresponding drawer 12 (for example, the drawer 12 containing the medication to be taken) to pop out from the drawer storage section 117 when it is time to take the medication, and also allows for real-time management of the user's medication status based on whether or not the popped-out drawer 12 has been placed back into its storage position.

[0040] Furthermore, even after receiving a diagnosis and prescription from a medical institution, patients may not be taking their medication as prescribed. This can happen because patients forget to take their medication, take it at the wrong time, or take too much. Mistakes are especially likely when there are many types and amounts of medication to take, and the timing of administration varies. Busy people and the elderly are also more prone to taking their medication incorrectly.

[0041] In contrast, the medicine box according to this embodiment allows the user to easily separate and retrieve the medication they need to take from the medicine box by causing the corresponding drawer 12 (for example, the drawer containing the medication to be taken) to pop out from the drawer storage section 117 when it is time to take the medication. Furthermore, it can reduce variations in the timing of when users take their prescribed medication, or reduce errors in how users take their medication. Therefore, it can help users take their prescribed medication correctly. In other words, it can help users or the administrators who manage users to take their medication properly according to the prescribed method.

[0042] Furthermore, in recent years, average life expectancy has increased due to improvements in diet and advancements in health management. However, with increased life expectancy, physical aging phenomena such as vision, teeth, and hearing loss are inevitable and something everyone experiences. However, in modern society, where lifestyles and diets are rapidly changing and the population is aging rapidly, it's not just partial physical aging phenomena such as vision, teeth, and hearing loss. Many people take medication at fixed times every day, not only those receiving treatment in hospitals or at home for internal medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure, but also a large number of people who take medication at fixed times every day. Moreover, in modern society, which is changing rapidly and aging is progressing rapidly, there are many people who work normally while suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and this number is increasing year by year. People taking prescription medication for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes must continue to take their medication according to the method specified on the prescription. Therefore, patients carefully manage their medication on their own to avoid improper medication such as forgetting to take a dose or taking it twice, but in reality, improper medication seems to occur from time to time. Therefore, for patients, anxiety related to medication adherence, such as forgetting to take a dose or taking it twice, is a very significant concern.

[0043] In contrast, the medicine box according to this embodiment can prevent users from forgetting to take their medication by causing the corresponding drawer 12 (for example, the drawer 12 containing the medication to be taken) to pop out from the drawer storage section 117 when it is time to take the medication.

[0044] Furthermore, the audio output unit 1313 in this embodiment provides an audio notification when it is time to take the medicine, indicating that the drawer 12 has popped out of the drawer storage unit 117. This allows the user to know when to take their medicine even if they are away from the medicine box, thus helping to prevent them from forgetting to take their medication.

[0045] (Embodiment 2) The medicine box 2 according to this embodiment includes, for example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a medicine box body 2011 having a plurality of drawers 2012 (28 in Figure 7) and a drawer storage section 2117. The medicine box 2 also includes a biasing member 2021 that biases each of the plurality of drawers 2012 in a direction that causes them to protrude outward from the drawer storage section 2117, a locking member 2152, a locking member drive unit 2151 that drives the locking member 2152, and a drawer position sensor 2022 for determining whether each of the plurality of drawers 2012 is stored in the drawer storage section. The medicine box 2 also includes a control unit 2013 that controls the locking member drive unit 2151 and a display unit 2015. Furthermore, similar to Embodiment 1, the medicine box 2 is connected to a local network NW2 constructed within the building where the medicine box 2 is installed, for example, via a wireless access point 82.

[0046] The medicine box body 211 has a roughly rectangular box shape with the front on the +Y direction side open, and includes a bottom wall 2191, a pair of side walls 2192 erected at both ends of the bottom wall 2191 in the X direction, a rear wall 2193 positioned to cover the -Y direction side of the pair of side walls 2192, a top wall 2194 installed between the +Z direction ends of the pair of side walls 2192 and the rear wall 2193, and a drawer storage section 2117 provided in the area enclosed by the bottom wall 2191, side walls 2192, rear wall 2193 and top wall 2194. In addition, a protective panel 2192 made of a translucent material is positioned to cover the portion of the front of the medicine box body 2011 where the display section 2015 on the +Z direction side is located.

[0047] Furthermore, the medicine box body 2011 has a front panel 2117 that covers the +Y side of the medicine box body 2011 and has multiple openings 2116a through which each of the multiple drawers 2012 is inserted; a base portion 2111 fixed on the bottom wall 2191; and four roughly rectangular plate-shaped shelves 2112, 2113, 2114, and 2115 that are installed between a pair of side walls 2192 that face each other in the X-axis direction. The medicine box body 2011 also has a support plate 2161 that is plate-shaped and positioned with its thickness direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, with its -Z side end fixed to the -Y side end of the base portion 2111 and its +Z side end fixed to the -Y side end of the shelf 2115. The multiple drawers 2012 are then stored by being placed on top of the base unit 2111 and on top of the shelves 2112, 2113, and 2114. The drawer storage unit 2117, which houses each of the multiple drawers 2012, is composed of the front panel 2117, the base unit 2111, and the four shelves 2112, 2113, 2114, and 2115.

[0048] Furthermore, light-emitting units 2018 are provided at the +Y direction ends of each of the shelves 2112, 2113, 2114, and 2115, positioned to radiate light toward the -Z direction. The light-emitting units 2018 have light-emitting elements such as LEDs. In addition, a protective panel 2192, a display unit 21304, an input unit 21305, a control unit 2013, and a speaker 2014 for emitting alarm sounds are arranged on the +Z direction side of shelf 2115. The display unit 21304 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays message information M1 indicating the date, temperature, and humidity, message information M2 indicating the time, and message information M3 indicating the alarm sounding time, as shown in Figure 7. The input unit 21305 has a transparent touch pad that is positioned on top of the display unit 21304 in the Y-axis direction. The display unit 21304 and the input unit 21305 are each connected to the control unit 2013 via signal lines (not shown).

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, each of the multiple drawers 2012 is formed from, for example, a resin material, in a roughly rectangular box shape with one side open in the +Z direction, and can be placed inside each drawer storage section 2117 of the medicine box body 2011. The side wall 2012a on the +Y direction side of each drawer 2012 is formed from a translucent material so that the user can see the contents of the drawer 2012. Also, as shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), the other end of a long, plate-like locking plate 2122, one end of which is locked by a locking member 2152 in the longitudinal direction, is fixed to the side wall 2012b on the -Y direction side of the drawer 2012. The locking plate 2122 has a long, plate-shaped main piece 2122a, a bent piece 2122b that is continuous with the -Y direction end of the main piece 2122a and bent so as to be convex in the +Z direction, and a rising piece 2122c that rises from the +Y direction end of the main piece 2122a toward the +Z direction. The rising piece 2122c of the locking plate 2122 is fixed to the side wall of the drawer 2012 toward the -Y direction by a screw 21231 and a nut 21232 screwed onto the screw 21231.

[0050] Furthermore, magnets 2024 are placed on the outside of the side wall 2012b on the -Y direction side of each of the multiple drawers 2012, at positions facing the drawer position sensor 2022. For example, neodymium magnets can be used as these magnets 2024.

[0051] The biasing member 2021 is, for example, a coil spring, with its -Y-direction end in the winding axis direction fixed to the support plate 2161 and its other end in contact with the -Y-direction side wall of the drawer 12. When the drawers 2012 are stored inside the drawer storage section 2117, the biasing member 2021 is compressed such that its length L1 in the winding axis direction is shorter than its natural length, and its restoring force biases each of the drawers 2012 to pop out of the drawer storage section 2117 toward the +Y direction.

[0052] The locking member 2152 can be in either a locked state, where the drawer 2012 is locked by engaging with the +Y direction side of the bent piece 2122c of the lock plate 2122 fixed to the drawer 2012 when the drawer 2012 is placed in the drawer storage section 2117, or an unlocked state, where the drawer 2012 is not locked by disengaging from the lock plate 2122. The locking member 2152 has a cylindrical main body portion 2152b and an elongated plate-shaped engaging piece 2152a that extends from the side wall of the main body portion 2152 in one direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis direction of the main body portion 2152 and engages with the +Y direction side of the bent piece 2122c of the lock plate 2122. The locking member 2152 and the lock plate 2122 fixed to the drawer 2012 constitute a locking mechanism that can take either a locked state in which the drawer 2012 is locked when it is placed in the drawer storage section 2117, or an unlocked state in which the drawer 2012 is not locked.

[0053] The locking member drive unit 2151 includes an actuator that rotates a shaft (not shown) to which the main body portion 2152 of the locking member 2152 is attached at its tip, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the actuator, and both are fixed together to the aforementioned support plate 2161. The actuator can be, for example, a servo motor. The locking member drive unit 2151 is a locking mechanism drive unit that rotates the locking member 2152 according to a control signal input from the control unit 2013 to bring it into the aforementioned locked or unlocked state. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10(A), when the engaging piece 2152a of the locking member 2152 is engaged with the bent piece 2122c of the lock plate 2122, the locking member drive unit 2151 rotates the locking member 2152 as shown by arrow AR211 in Figure 10(B), thereby disengaging the engaging piece 2152a from the lock plate 2122.

[0054] As shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), the drawer position sensor 2022 includes a reed switch 2022a and a support piece 2022b whose -Y-direction end is fixed to the support plate 2161 and which supports the reed switch 2022a at its +Y-direction end. It detects when multiple drawers 2012 are placed in preset storage positions inside the drawer storage section 117. Here, the reed switch 2022a is positioned so that when the drawers 2012 are placed in preset storage positions inside the drawer storage section 2117, the magnet 2024 disposed on the -Y-direction side wall 2012b of the drawer 2012 is close to it and turns ON. When the reed switch 2022a is OFF, the drawer position sensor 2022 outputs a detection signal of a preset voltage (H level), and when the reed switch 2022a is ON, it outputs a detection signal of 0V (L level). One drawer position sensor 2022 is provided for each of the multiple drawers 2012.

[0055] Returning to Figures 7 and 8, the control unit 2013 controls the locking member drive unit 2151 to transition the locking plate 2122 from a locked state to an unlocked state when the locking member 2152 is locked, when the medication time arrives, i.e., when at least one of the multiple drawers 2012 containing the medication to be taken is extended out of the drawer storage unit 2117. As shown in Figure 11, the control unit 2013 includes a processing unit 21301, a drive circuit 21302 for operating the locking member drive unit 2151, a detection circuit 21303 to which a detection signal output from the drawer position sensor 2022 is input, a wireless module 1306, an audio signal generation circuit 1307 for amplifying an audio signal and outputting it to the speaker 2014, and a lighting circuit 21308 for lighting the light-emitting unit 2018. In Figure 11, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. The drive circuit 21302 drives the locking member drive unit 2151 by generating a control signal based on the control information transferred from the processing unit 21301 and outputting it to the locking member drive unit 2151. The detection circuit 21303 generates detection information indicating whether the reed switch 2022a is in an ON or OFF state based on the detection signal input from the drawer position sensor 2022 and transfers it to the processing unit 21301.

[0056] The processing unit 21301 has a CPU and memory, and the CPU reads and executes programs stored in the memory, thereby functioning as a medication timing determination unit 1311, a locking control unit 1312, an audio output unit 1313, an email generation unit 1314, a communication control unit 1315, a display control unit 1316, a setting unit 1317, and a lighting control unit 21318. The memory of the processing unit 21301 also has a medication timing storage unit 1331 that stores medication timing information indicating when to take medication, and a message storage unit 1332 that stores message information indicating messages to be included in audio information or email information.

[0057] When the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines that the time to take medication has arrived, it notifies the locking control unit 1312 of the drawer identification information corresponding to the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing, and also notifies the voice output unit 1313, the email generation unit 1314, the display control unit 1316, and the lighting control unit 21318 of the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing and the corresponding drawer identification information.

[0058] When the locking control unit 1312 receives drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it identifies the drawer 2012 corresponding to the notified drawer identification information. The locking control unit 1312 then generates control information to rotate the locking member 2152 so that the locking member 2152 corresponding to the identified drawer 2012 is released from the lock plate 2122 and enters an unlocked state, and transmits this information to the drive circuit 21302. The drive circuit 21302 then generates a control signal based on the control information transmitted from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking member drive unit 2151. The locking member drive unit 2151 then rotates the locking member 2152 based on the input control signal so that the locking member 2152 is released from the lock plate 2112. Furthermore, when the time comes for the initial position movement to rotate the locking member 2152 to its initial position, the locking control unit 1312 generates control information to move the locking member 2152 to its initial position again and transmits it to the drive circuit 21302. The drive circuit 21302 then generates a control signal based on the control information transmitted from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking member drive unit 2151, and the locking member drive unit 2151 rotates the locking member 2152 to its initial position based on the input control signal.

[0059] The display control unit 1316 refers to the medication timing information stored in the medication timing memory unit 1331 to identify the most recent medication timing and displays the identified medication timing on the display unit 21304 in a manner such as that shown in message information M3 in Figure 7. When the user performs an operation to set the medication timing on the input unit 21305, the setting unit 1317 generates new medication timing information accordingly and stores it in the medication timing memory unit 1331.

[0060] When the lighting control unit 21318 receives drawer identification information from the medication timing determination unit 1311, it identifies the drawer 2012 corresponding to the notified drawer identification information, generates control information to light up the light-emitting unit 2018 corresponding to the identified drawer 2012, and transfers it to the lighting circuit 21308. The lighting circuit 21308 then lights up the light-emitting unit 2018 corresponding to the identified drawer 2012 based on the control information. Furthermore, when the lighting control unit 21318 determines, based on detection information transferred from the detection circuit 21303, that the reed switch 2022a of the drawer position sensor 2022 has transitioned from the off state to the on state, it determines that the drawer 2012 that had popped out of the drawer storage unit 2117 has been placed back in its storage position. The lighting control unit 21318 then generates control information to turn off the light-emitting unit 2018 corresponding to that drawer 2012 and transfers it to the lighting circuit 21308. In that case, the lighting circuit 21308 turns off the light-emitting unit 2018 corresponding to the drawer 2012 located in the storage position, based on the control information.

[0061] Next, the medication timing notification process performed by the control unit 2013 of the medicine box 2 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 9, 10, 12, and 13. In Figure 12, processes similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 12, when the medication timing determination unit 1311 determines in the process of step S101 that the time to take medication has arrived (step S101: Yes), it notifies the locking control unit 1312 of the drawer identification information corresponding to the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing, and also notifies the voice output unit 1313, the email generation unit 1314, and the display control unit 1316 of the medication timing information indicating the arrived medication timing and the corresponding drawer identification information. The locking control unit 1312 then identifies the drawer 2012 corresponding to the notified drawer identification information (step S102).

[0062] Next, the locking control unit 1312 controls the locking member drive unit 2151 so that the locking member 2152 corresponding to the identified drawer 2012 is in an unlocked state, disengaged from the lock plate 2122 (step S2101). At this time, the drive circuit generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking member drive unit 2151. Then, based on the input control signal, the locking member drive unit 2151 moves the engaging piece 2152b of the locking member 2152 in the direction indicated by arrow AR211 in Figure 10(B) while the locking member 2152 is locked to the lock plate 2122, as shown in Figure 10(A), so that the locking member 2152 is disengaged from the lock plate 2122. At this time, as shown in Figure 13(A), the drawer 2012 extends as shown by arrow AR212 due to the restoring force of the biasing member 2021 returning to its natural length L0, and consequently moves in the direction shown by arrow AR213, popping out of the drawer storage section 2117. Also, the reed switch 2022a of the drawer position sensor 2022 transitions from the ON state to the OFF state. Subsequently, the lighting control unit 21318 controls the light-emitting unit 2018 corresponding to the identified drawer 2012 to light up (step S2102).

[0063] Returning to Figure 12, the series of processes from steps S104 to S107 are then executed, and the locking control unit 1312 determines in step S107 that the time for initial position movement has arrived (step S107: Yes). In this case, the locking control unit 1312 controls the locking member drive unit 2151 so that the locking member 2152 rotates to the initial position (step S2103). At this time, the drive circuit 21302 generates a control signal based on the control information transferred from the locking control unit 1312 and outputs it to the locking member drive unit 2151. The locking member drive unit 2151 then rotates the locking member 2152 toward the initial position based on the input control signal.

[0064] Next, the locking control unit 1312 determines, based on the detection information transferred from the detection circuit, whether the reed switch 2022a of the drawer position sensor 2022 has transitioned from the off state to the on state for the drawer 2012 that has popped out of the drawer storage unit 2117 (step S2102). If the locking control unit 1312 determines that the reed switch 2022a remains in the off state (step S2102: No), the process in step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, suppose the locking control unit 1312 determines that the reed switch 2022a of the drawer position sensor 2022 has transitioned from the off state to the on state (step S2102: Yes). For example, as shown in Figure 13(B), suppose the user pushes the drawer 2012 that has popped out of the drawer storage unit 2117 in the direction indicated by arrow AR214. At this time, the bent piece 2152b of the locking plate 2122 comes into contact with the engaging piece 2152b of the locking member 2152 from the +Y direction side. Subsequently, when the user pushes the drawer 2012 further, the main piece 2122a of the locking plate 2122 bends in the -Z direction side, causing the bent piece 2122b to move in the direction indicated by arrow AR215 and then overcome the -Z side edge of the engaging piece 2152b, resulting in the engaging piece 2152b engaging with the +Y side of the bent piece 2122b as shown in Figure 9(B). Simultaneously, the magnet 2024 comes into close proximity to the reed switch 2022a of the drawer position sensor 2022, and the reed switch 2022a transitions from the off state to the on state. Next, the processes from step S110 onwards shown in Figure 12 are executed.

[0065] As described above, according to the medicine box 2 of this embodiment, the biasing member 2021 biases each of the multiple drawers 2012 in a direction that causes them to pop out from the drawer storage section 117, and the locking member 2152 can take on either a locked state in which the lock plate 2122 fixed to the drawer 2012 is locked when the drawer 2012 is stored in the drawer storage section 2117, or an unlocked state in which the lock plate 2122 is not locked. Then, when a preset medication time arrives, the control unit 2013 controls the locking member drive unit 2151 to release the locking member 2152 from the lock plate 2122. This allows the user to visually notify the user that it is time to take their medication and that the drawer containing the medication is located in the drawer storage unit 2117, for example, when it is time to take the medication. The locking member drive unit 2151 causes at least one drawer 2012 containing the medication to be taken to pop outwards. Therefore, the user can smoothly obtain the medication to be taken at the appropriate time.

[0066] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the drawer position sensor 22 described in Embodiment 1 is not limited to having a button switch 22b, but may utilize a photocoupler or a reed switch, for example. Similarly, the drawer position sensor 2022 described in Embodiment 2 is not limited to having a reed switch 2022a, but may utilize a button switch or a photocoupler.

[0067] In each embodiment, an example in which the biasing member is a coil spring was described, but the invention is not limited to this, and other elastic materials such as rubber may be used.

[0068] In each embodiment, an example was described in which the timing for taking medication and the drawers 12, 2012 containing the medication to be taken are notified by voice. However, the system is not limited to this, and for example, lamps for notifying the timing for taking medication and the drawers 12, 2012 containing the medication to be taken may be provided at positions corresponding to each of the multiple drawers 12, 2012 in the drawer storage section 117, 2117, or on each of the multiple drawers 12, 2012. Furthermore, when the time for taking medication arrives, the lamps corresponding to the drawers 12, 2012 containing the medication to be taken may be illuminated.

[0069] Although embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. This disclosure includes embodiments and variations that are appropriately combined or modified thereto. [Industrial applicability]

[0070] The present invention is suitable for systems that have a function to inform the user of the timing of medication administration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1,2: Medicine box, 5: Terminal device, 11,2011: Medicine box body, 12,2012: Drawer, 13,2013: Control unit, 14,2014: Speaker, 21,2021: Biasing member, 22,2022: Drawer position sensor, 22a: Sensor body, 22b: Button switch, 81: Broadband router, 82: Wireless access point, 111,2111: Base unit, 112a,113a ,114a,115a: protruding part, 112b,113b,114b: flange part, 115b: top wall, 116: side wall, 117,2117: drawer storage part, 121a: handle, 122: locking piece, 122a: through hole, 123: fixing piece, 151,2151: locking pin drive part, 151: locking pin, 161,162: support member, 1301,21301: processing unit, 1302,21302 :Drive circuit, 1303,21303:Detection circuit, 1304,21304:Display unit, 1305,21305:Input unit, 1306:Wireless module, 1307:Audio signal generation circuit, 1311:Medication timing determination unit, 1312:Lock control unit, 1313:Audio output unit, 1314:Email generation unit, 1315:Communication control unit, 1316:Display control unit, 1316:Setting unit, 1331:Medication Drug timing memory unit, 1332: Message memory unit, 2022a: Reed switch, 2022b: Support piece, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115: Shelf plate, 2122: Lock plate, 2122a: Main piece, 2122b: Bending piece, 2122c: Rising piece, 2161: Support plate, 21308: Lighting circuit, 21318: Lighting control unit, NW1: Wide area network, NW2: Local network

Claims

1. Multiple drawers, A medicine box body having a drawer storage section for storing the aforementioned multiple drawers, A biasing member that biases each of the aforementioned multiple drawers in a direction that causes it to protrude outward from the drawer storage section, Each of the aforementioned drawers is provided with a locking mechanism that can take either a locked state in which the drawer is locked when it is housed in the drawer storage section, or an unlocked state in which the drawer is not locked. A locking mechanism drive unit that moves the locking mechanism to the locked state or the unlocked state, The system includes a control unit that controls the locking mechanism drive unit to transition the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state when a preset drawer opening time arrives that causes at least one drawer to protrude outward from the drawer storage unit, Medicine box.

2. The locking mechanism comprises a locking pin and a locking piece fixed to each of the plurality of drawers, each having a locking hole through which the locking pin is inserted, wherein in the locked state the locking pin is inserted into the locking hole, and in the unlocked state the locking pin is disengaged from the locking hole. The locking mechanism drive unit moves the locking mechanism to the locked state or the unlocked state by inserting and removing the locking pin into the locking hole. The medicine box according to claim 1.

3. The locking mechanism drive unit, when a preset drawer opening time arrives, transitions the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, and then, when a preset initial position movement time arrives for moving the locking pin to its initial position, moves the locking pin to its initial position again. The medicine box according to claim 2.

4. The locking mechanism comprises a locking member and a locking plate fixed to each of the plurality of drawers and into which the locking member engages, wherein in the locked state, the locking member engages with the locking plate, and in the unlocked state, the locking member is disengaged from the locking plate. The locking mechanism drive unit rotates the locking member to bring the locking mechanism into the locked state or the unlocked state. The medicine box according to claim 1.

5. The locking mechanism drive unit, when a preset drawer opening time arrives, transitions the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, and then, when a preset initial position movement time arrives for rotating the locking member to its initial position, it rotates the locking member back to its initial position. The medicine box according to claim 4.

6. The system further includes a notification unit that, when the aforementioned drawer opening time arrives, provides an audible notification that the drawer has been extended out of the drawer storage compartment. A medicine box according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Each of the aforementioned plurality of drawers is further provided with a drawer position sensor that detects whether the plurality of drawers are positioned in a predetermined storage position inside the drawer storage section. When the notification unit detects that the drawer position sensor has placed one of the plurality of drawers, which is not locked by the locking mechanism, back into the storage position, it provides an audible notification that the drawer has been placed back into the storage position. The medicine box according to claim 6.

8. The system further includes an email generation unit that generates email information notifying that the drawer opening time has arrived. A medicine box according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. Each of the aforementioned plurality of drawers is further provided with a drawer position sensor that detects whether the plurality of drawers are positioned in a predetermined storage position inside the drawer storage section. When the email generation unit detects that the drawer position sensor has placed back into the storage position one of the plurality of drawers that is not locked by the locking mechanism, it generates email information notifying that the drawer has been placed back into the storage position. The medicine box according to claim 8.

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