Passage device, content accommodation device having passage device, and content discharge determination method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a passage device to be coupled to a container body for receiving content, the device comprising: a passage operation unit for guiding movement of the content to be discharged from the container body to the outside; a passage movement unit rotatably installed in the passage operation unit and moving to allow the content to pass through; and a sensing unit provided in the passing operation unit and sensing the content discharged by the rotation of the passing movement unit, wherein the sensing unit includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, and a determination is made on whether the content is discharged by the amount of light sensed by the light receiving unit.

Description

Passing device, contents receiving device equipped with a passing device, and method for determining contents discharge

[0001] The present invention relates to a content passage device and a content discharge determination method, and more particularly, to a passage device and a receiving device that enable quantitative discharge of content from a receiving device and detect whether or not the content has been discharged, and a content discharge determination method using the passage device. The present invention claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-001932, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Health supplements like vitamins, pharmaceuticals, chocolate, and candy, among other foods, are sold in containers with solid or powdered contents (hereinafter referred to as "contents") in capsule or tablet form. Tools like bolts and nuts, as well as small parts, are also manufactured as solid contents and are used or managed in containers.

[0003] A typical container for holding contents comprises a container body that holds a large quantity of contents, and a cover that is openably and closably connected to the inlet of the container body. Therefore, to consume or use the contents, the cover must be opened from the container body, and then the contained contents can be taken out. In such conventional containers, when a user tilts the container body to obtain the contents or puts his or her hand inside the body to take them out, the contents pour out all at once or come out as they are held in the hand. Therefore, it is difficult to simply take out the contents one by one or in the required amount.

[0004] For medications, health supplements, and other products, it's crucial to take the correct dosage to maximize their effectiveness and prevent overdose or poisoning. Furthermore, tools and parts like screws require accurate dispensing and automatic discharge detection to ensure inventory management on the jobsite.

[0005] Accordingly, attempts were made to develop a device that would allow the contents to be quantitatively discharged from the receiving device, but the amount of contents discharged from the receiving device could not be accurately detected, and as a result, it was difficult to provide accurate medication guidance or inventory management.

[0006] To address this, improved devices and methods for detecting the discharge of contents have been proposed. However, errors in the discharge amount calculation can occur due to user error or device malfunction. For example, if a user uprights the container and re-enters it while the contents are being discharged along the discharge path, a detection error may occur, determining that the contents have been discharged even though they have not actually been discharged.

[0007] Therefore, a device and method are required that can accurately determine whether or not the contents have been discharged even when the movement of the contents is irregular due to a user's mistake or unexpected action.

[0008] [Patent Document]

[0009] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0096798

[0010] The present invention has been devised to improve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a contents passage device and a receiving device that accurately detect contents discharged from a receiving device containing contents inside, and enable a user to take a precise amount of medication based on this.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a passage device and method that can accurately determine whether or not the contents have been discharged even when the movement of the contents is irregular due to a user's mistake or unexpected action.

[0012] To solve the above problem, a passage device is provided to be coupled to a container body containing contents according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0013] The above-mentioned passage device includes a passage operation unit for guiding the contents to move; and a detection unit provided in the passage operation unit for detecting the contents discharged along the passage of the passage operation unit.

[0014] It is preferable that the above detection unit includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, and that light irradiated from the light emitting unit passes through a path through which the contents move to be discharged and is detected by the light receiving unit, and whether the contents are discharged is determined by the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit.

[0015] The above-mentioned passage device may further include a passage movement part that is rotatably installed in the passage operation part and moves to allow the contents to pass, and the detection part may detect the contents discharged by the rotation of the passage movement part.

[0016] The above passage operation unit includes a duct-shaped passage that forms a movement path for quantitative discharge of contents and a guide portion connected to the passage portion for guiding the contents, and the contents move along the guide portion, enter the passage portion, and are then discharged to the outside through an opening at the top of the passage portion.

[0017] The above-mentioned passage movement section includes an opening member that opens and closes the opening section, a rotational axis that serves as a center of rotational movement, and a blocking member that is connected to the rotational axis and rotates together with the opening member, and the above-mentioned passage movement section forms one side wall of the passage section.

[0018] It is preferable that the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit are arranged to face each other on the two side walls formed on the left and right sides of the one side wall.

[0019] The light-receiving unit includes a first light-receiving unit arranged on the upstream side of a path through which contents move for discharge, and a second light-receiving unit arranged on the downstream side of the path, and the light-emitting unit includes one or more light-emitting units arranged opposite the light-receiving unit.

[0020] The above-described passage device may be provided in a contents receiving device. The passage device may be provided detachably or integrally with the contents receiving device.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining whether contents are discharged by the passage device is provided. The method includes an IR1 and IR2 penetration detection step for checking whether contents have passed through both a first light-receiving unit area and a second light-receiving unit area, wherein the IR1 and IR2 penetration detection step determines that contents have passed through the first light-receiving unit area based on a first point in time when the light quantity detected by the first light-receiving unit falls within a first reference light quantity range and then falls within the first pass-through light quantity range again, and determines that contents have passed through the second light-receiving unit area based on a second point in time when the light quantity detected by the second light-receiving unit falls within a second reference light quantity range and then falls within the second pass-through light quantity range again; and an ejection determination step for determining normal ejection or failure of ejection of contents by comparing the first point in time with the second point in time.

[0022] If the second time point is later than the first time point, it is determined that the contents have been discharged normally, and if the second time point is earlier than the first time point, it is determined that the contents have not been discharged and that discharge has failed.

[0023] If the second time point is the same as the first time point, normal discharge or failure of discharge of the contents is determined based on the z-axis direction measurement value measured by the acceleration sensor mounted on the passage device or the container body.

[0024] Before the IR1 and IR2 penetration detection steps, a first area blockage detection step may be further included to determine whether the light detected by the first light receiving unit falls outside the first reference light quantity range and within the first pass-through light quantity range.

[0025] In the discharge judgment step, it is preferable to determine discharge failure if the time for which the light quantity detected by the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit fall within the first pass light quantity range and the second pass light quantity range respectively is longer than a predetermined time.

[0026] If the output value of the second light-receiving unit is judged to fall within the second reference output value range immediately before the second point in time based on the sampling time of the signal detected by the light-receiving unit, the incoming flag is set to 1, otherwise the incoming flag is maintained at 0. In the case where a discharge failure is judged, if there was normal discharge within a certain time period before the second point in time and the incoming flag is 1, this normal discharge is re-judged as a discharge failure and the discharge count is deducted.

[0027] In the IR1 and IR2 penetration detection steps, if neither the first time point (T1) nor the second time point (T2) is confirmed, it is preferable to check whether the container body containing the contents is upright using the output value of the acceleration sensor, and turn off the detection unit or execute the first area blockage detection step based on the result, and execute the discharge determination step if both the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2) are confirmed.

[0028] The method for determining whether or not contents are discharged by the above-mentioned passage device further includes a step of detecting an inclination of the passage device; and a step of activating at least one light emitting unit and first and second light receiving units when the detected inclination of the container is greater than a predetermined angle.

[0029] A passage device according to one aspect of the present invention provides a passage device having excellent accuracy in detecting discharge of contents, and enables a user to manage the dosage of medication based on the passage device.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a device and method are provided that can accurately determine whether or not a content has been discharged even when the content moves irregularly due to a user's mistake or unexpected action.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contents receiving device having a passage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a contents receiving device having a passage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view showing important components of a passage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a contents receiving device having a passage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing changes in the position of the contents and the posture of the passage movement unit when the contents are discharged by tilting the contents receiving device equipped with the passage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the installation structure of the detection unit in the passage device of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a detection unit that detects movement of contents in the passage device of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing a change pattern in an output value output by a light receiving unit of a detection unit that detects movement of contents in a passage device of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a discharge determination method using an infrared detection unit and an acceleration sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figures 10 to 16 are graphs showing the output values ​​by time output by two light-receiving units of the passage device of the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 17 is a side cross-sectional view of a contents receiving device having a passage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing changes in the position of the contents and the posture of the passage movement unit when the contents are discharged by tilting the contents receiving device equipped with the passage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a discharge determination method using an infrared detection unit and an acceleration sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 20 is a graph showing the time-dependent output values ​​output by two light-receiving units of the passage device of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medication management device including a receiving device equipped with a contents passage device of the present invention, a medication guidance terminal, and a medication management server.

[0046]

[0047] Hereinafter, a passage device, a receiving mechanism, and a discharge detection method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, the definitions of terms described below should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0048] The various embodiments of the present invention, while different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be modified and implemented from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the positions or arrangements of individual components within each embodiment may also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting, and the scope of the present invention is intended to encompass the scope of the claims and all equivalents thereof.

[0049] Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice the present invention.

[0050] The contents receiving device (1) of the present invention comprises a passage device (100) as a device that enables quantitative discharge of contents (5). In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, whether or not a quantitative discharge is made by the passage device (100) is detected and the discharge amount is counted. In addition, a detection device and a discharge determination algorithm are provided that can count the discharge amount without error even when the discharged contents flow back and return to the container due to a user's mistake or unexpected action.

[0051] First, the mechanical configuration of a contents receiving mechanism equipped with a passage device (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the contents receiving mechanism (1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a container (110) and a passage device (100) installed in the container (110) to control passage of contents and detect whether or not the contents are discharged.

[0052] The container (110) is a container for receiving or storing contents (5), and includes a container body (117) that is a portion for receiving and storing contents (5), and a neck portion (116) on which the passage device (100) is mounted. The neck portion (116) is formed to extend from the upper portion of the container body (117) and includes an open opening that is connected to the interior of the container body (117). Screw threads may be formed on the outer circumference of the neck portion (116) to allow the container lid (30) to be coupled thereto.

[0053] Here, the contents (5) are solid and are accommodated in the internal space of the container body (117) of the container (110) equipped with the contents passage device (100).

[0054] The passage device (100) includes a passage operating part (120), a passage movement part (123), and a fixed member (121). In addition, the passage device (100) is configured only with the passage operating part (123) without the passage movement part (123), so that quantitative discharge of contents can be easily induced. The passage operating part (120) is fixedly connected to the fixed member (121), so that the fixed member (121) holds at least a part of the passage operating part (120) inside. It is preferable that the fixed member (121) and the passage operating part (120) are separate parts and are connected to each other by a screw or the like, but the fixed member and the passage operating part (120) may be manufactured as one piece.

[0055] The above-mentioned passage device may additionally be equipped with a cap (300). A female screw is formed on the inner surface of the cap (300) and is screw-connected with a male screw formed on the outer surface of the neck portion (116).

[0056] An opening (122) is formed to penetrate an area of ​​a fixing member (121) to which a passage operation part (120) is fixed, so that the contents (5) can pass through the opening (122) and be discharged from the container (110) to the outside. The fixing member (121) has a cylindrical shape with a blocking plate formed on the inner upper portion, and the opening (122) is formed in an area of ​​the blocking plate. The lower end of the fixing member (121) is fixedly connected to the upper end of the cap by a method such as fastening or fitting, and is fixed to the upper end of the neck portion. The passage operation part (120) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the fixing member (121).

[0057] Accordingly, the passage device (100) can be detachably coupled to the container (110) by means of the cap and the fixing member. However, the passage device (100) can be coupled to the container (110) in various ways, such as by adhesion or fusion, and is not necessarily required to be detachable. In addition, the fixing member may be formed to extend downward without the cap and be fitted into the neck portion, or the cap and the fixing member may be formed integrally. Various modifications to the method of coupling the cap and the fixing member to the container may be possible, and such modifications are included as part of the present invention or the first embodiment.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration of the passage device including the passage operating part (120) combined with the fixed member (121) will be described in detail. A duct-shaped passage part (172) forming a movement path for quantitative discharge of contents (5) and a guide passage (182) connected to the passage part (172) to guide the contents are formed at the lower part of the opening part (122) of the fixed member (121). A passage is formed in which the opening part (122), the passage part (172), and the guide passage (182) are connected in an approximately straight line in this order. The contents (5) move from the container body (117) through the guide passage (182) to the passage part (172) and are discharged to the outside through the opening part (122).

[0059] The passageway (172) is formed by a side wall (170) extending downward adjacent to the opening (122) of the fixed member (121) and the passageway (123). Alternatively, the passageway (172) may be configured such that the guide portion (180) extends between the side walls (170) to the opening (122) without the passageway portion (123) to support the lower portion when the contents pass through. Although the accuracy of quantitative discharge of contents may be lowered when the passageway (172) does not have the passageway portion (123), whether or not the contents are discharged can be precisely determined through the detection of contents discharge by the detection portion including the light receiving portion (410).

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the passage movement part (123) includes an opening member (124) that blocks and opens the opening member (122), a rotational axis (125) that serves as a center of rotational movement, and a blocking member (127) that is connected to the rotational axis and rotates together with the opening member (122). The rotational axis (125) is installed in a rotational axis retaining member (128 in FIG. 3) formed in the fixed member (121) so that the passage movement part (123) can smoothly perform a rotational movement centered on the rotational axis.

[0061] One end of the blocking member (127) is disposed upstream of the passage through which the contents move, and the other end is connected to the rotation axis and extends from the rotation axis at a predetermined angle. The blocking member is formed to be bent, and the bent portion (127b) of the blocking member (127) can be formed as a linear bend or a curved surface. The angle of the bent portion (127b) of the blocking member (127) can be configured as a steep slope close to a right angle to prevent contents other than the required amount from entering the passage operation unit (120). Of course, various other angles of bending are possible. In order to control the movement and discharge of the contents to an exact desired amount, the size and angle of the opening member (124) and the blocking member (127), as well as the size of the movement path of the contents, are designed.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 4, the opening member (124) blocks at least a portion of the opening portion (122) when the receiving mechanism is in a normal state of being erected, thereby closing the passage portion (172) to the outside of the container (110). When the contents push the opening member by gravity or motion while the receiving mechanism is tilted at a certain angle or more, the opening member (124) rotates around the rotation axis (125) to open the opening portion (122). Only when the opening portion (122) is open can the contents pass through the opening portion (122) and be discharged to the outside. The configuration and operation of this passage movement member (123) will be described in detail later with reference to Fig. 5.

[0063] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the passageway (123) forms a passageway (172) in a normal state together with the side wall (170). The side wall (170) forms three side walls of the passageway (172), and the passageway (123) forms one wall.

[0064] The guide passage (182) is formed by a guide portion (180) extending adjacent to the inner wall of the neck portion (116) and guide members (190) formed on both sides and opposite sides of the guide portion (180).

[0065] The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the passage (172) and the guide passage (182) and the size and shape of the passage movement part (123) are designed according to the size and shape of the contents (5). This is for quantitative discharge, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the opening member (124) and the blocking member (127) are connected to each other with the rotation axis therebetween and are extended at a predetermined angle to each other. Here, 'quantity' means the same number or quantity, and the amount or quantity that is moved differently within the error or tolerance range. 'Demand quantity' is the amount (number) required by the user and is included in the category of 'quantity'.

[0066] When the user tilts the holding device that was standing upright so that the contents contained in the container body (117) move from the bottom of the container body to the passageway (172), the contents come into contact with the rear end of the opening member (124) as shown in Fig. 5(a), and when the contents push the opening member (124), the blocking member (127) rotates together with the opening member as shown in Fig. 5(b,c,d) to block the contents from entering the passageway (172) from the guide passageway (182).

[0067] Referring to Fig. 5, the operating principle of the passage movement unit (123) will be described in more detail. For example, when one content is a fixed amount, when one individual content (5) passes forward through the passageway (172), another individual content (5) follows adjacent to the back of the forward-passing content (5). Thereafter, by the rotation of the passageway, the blocking member (127) at least partially blocks the passageway (172), thereby preventing another content (5) that follows in excess of the fixed amount from flowing into the passageway (172).

[0068] In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, in the initial state where the container (110) is erected on the floor, the opening member (124) can maintain a state where the opening portion (122) is blocked by the force of the weight balance of the passage portion (123) or the rotation restriction of the passage portion (123) by the stopper, but this is not limited to the state where the opening portion may be partially open. In the state where the container (110) is erected, which is a general state for storing contents (FIG. 4, the initial state where the inclination of the container is 0 degrees), the opening member (124) blocks the opening portion (122), thereby preventing external substances such as air or dust from entering the inside of the container (110) through the opening portion (122). The position and shape of the stopper can be designed in various ways to have the above function. For example, the stopper can be formed on one side of the fixing member (121) adjacent to the opening portion (122).

[0069] Figure 5 illustrates the position of the contents and the state of the passage movement part (123) when the receiving device is tilted counterclockwise at a predetermined angle or more from the initial state to discharge the contents.

[0070] The passage movement part (123) rotates in both directions with respect to the reference (C) angle with the rotation axis (125) as the center of rotation. Fig. 5(a) shows a state before the contents enter the passage part (172) and touch the rear surface of the opening member (124), Fig. 5(b) shows a state in which the contents touch the rear surface of the opening member (124) and begin to apply force when the receiving mechanism is tilted at a predetermined angle, for example, 135 degrees, Fig. 5(c) shows a state in which the contents are being discharged and the blocking member (127) partially blocks the passage part (172), and Fig. 5(d) shows a state in which the contents are completely discharged to the outside and the next contents located at the rear (upstream side) are blocked by the blocking member (127). As illustrated in Fig. 5(b), when the receiving mechanism is tilted at a predetermined angle, for example, 135 degrees, the passage movement unit (123) does not rotate around the rotation axis and maintains the same state as the initial state until the contents contact the rear of the opening member (124) and apply force. Thereafter, as the contents slide down the passage, the passage movement unit (123) rotates as illustrated in Fig. 5(c) due to the force applied to the rear of the opening member.

[0071] In this way, the passage movement unit (123) can move by at least one of the force pressing the passage movement unit (123) by the weight of the passage movement unit (123), the inertia of the passage movement unit (123), or the weight of the contents when the passage operation unit (120) tilts or moves.

[0072] The passage movement unit (123) may further include a motion control member (123a) and a balance member (123b) to prevent the passage operation unit (120) from tilting. That is, when the passage operation unit (120) tilts, the passage movement unit (123) exerts a weight-biasing force in the opposite direction to the tilting direction of the passage operation unit (120), thereby preventing the opening member (124) from tilting due to the weight of the passage operation unit and opening the opening unit (122). This simultaneously prevents the rotation of the blocking member (127) included in the passage movement unit (123), thereby maintaining the passage of the contents flowing into the passage unit (172) open. To this end, the center of gravity (126) of the passage movement unit (123) is formed at a different position from the rotation axis (125), that is, on the upstream side of the passage, to suppress rotation of the passage movement unit when the inclination of the passage operation unit is below a predetermined angle.

[0073] In order to adjust the position of the center of gravity (126) of the passage movement unit (123), the balance unit (123b) is configured so that the weight balance of the balance unit (123b) generates a force that rotates in the opposite direction of the inclination of the passage operation unit (120) that is tilted to pass the contents (5). Therefore, due to the weight balance of the balance unit (123b), the opening member (124) is not tilted in the direction of the inclination of the passage operation unit (120), but a force is applied to rotate in the opposite direction of the inclination of the passage operation unit (120).

[0074] The direction of the force that causes the passage movement part (123) or the balance part (123b) to rotate in order to maintain or achieve equilibrium is generated as a force that causes the passage movement part (123) or the balance part (123b) to rotate in the opposite direction to the inclination of the contents receiving mechanism (1). In particular, the passage movement part (123) may further include a motion control member (123a) to adjust the position of the center of gravity of the passage movement part (123).

[0075] The passageway (172) guides the contents (5) to pass through the passageway (172) in the direction of the longitudinal end length when the length of one end of each passing contents (5) is different from the length of the other end.

[0076] The locking member (400) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 can slide up and down along the outer surface of the container body (117) and is hook-connected to the cap (300). When the cap (300) and the locking member (400) are hook-connected, children or infants cannot easily separate the passage device (100) from the container (110).

[0077] Hereinafter, the structure of the sensing unit will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the installation structure of the sensing unit of the present invention. The portion expressed in gray in FIG. 6 represents a cut section. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensing unit of the passage device (100) includes two light-emitting units (420) installed on one side of the passage (172), and two light-receiving units (410) installed on the other side of the movement passage opposite to the side where the light-emitting units (420) are installed. The two light-emitting units (420) and the two light-receiving units (410) are arranged in a vertical row along the movement path of the contents of the passage (172). Specifically, the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit may be installed on support units (440) that are protruded and formed on the PCB (810) on both outer sides of the side wall (170).

[0078] It is preferable to manufacture a portion of the side wall (170) from a transparent material so that the light emitted from the light emitting portion (420) can pass through the passage portion (172) and enter the light receiving portion (410) without loss. However, if the side wall (170) is made of an opaque material, a through hole through which light can pass may be formed adjacent to the light receiving portion and the light emitting portion. If a through hole is formed in the side wall (170), a transparent window may be installed in the through hole to prevent foreign substances from entering the sensing portion.

[0079] The light receiving unit (410) receives light emitted from the light emitting unit (420). It is sufficient for the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit to be positioned opposite each other with the passage unit (172) between them, and they may be installed at a location other than the support unit (440).

[0080] Two light-receiving units (411, 412) and two light-emitting units (420) are physically and electrically connected to and fixed to a PCB (810) that is coupled to a fixing member. Two or more light-receiving units and light-emitting units may be arranged in the same manner as described above.

[0081] The sensing unit may further include a sensor control unit in addition to the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The sensor control unit controls the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit and processes the optical signal received by the light receiving unit. The sensor control unit may be implemented as a processor or circuit such as an MCU or FPGA, and may be physically included in the PCB (810) and may further include memory.

[0082] The pass-through device (100) may additionally include a communication module, and the communication module may also be physically included in the PCB (810).

[0083] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a sensing unit that detects movement of contents according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to Fig. 7, the light-emitting unit is composed of two LEDs, particularly infrared LEDs, arranged in a row along the passage (172). The light-receiving unit (IR1, IR2) is a photodiode capable of detecting infrared rays, and is arranged in a row along the path of the passage at a position opposite to the two LEDs. The light-receiving unit may be any light-sensing device capable of sensing light, and is not limited to a photodiode.

[0084] The light receiving unit is composed of first and second light receiving units, and the first light receiving unit (411, IR1) is disposed relatively lower than the passage unit (172), that is, on the upstream side in terms of the movement path of the contents, and the second light receiving unit (412, IR2) is disposed relatively upper than the passage unit (172), that is, on the downstream side in terms of the movement path of the contents.

[0085] The above light-emitting portion is composed of one or more light-emitting elements, but preferably, two light-emitting elements. Both light-emitting elements can be turned on to radiate light toward the passage portion, but only one of them may be turned on. Alternatively, one light-emitting element may be positioned opposite the two light-receiving portions, but at a position approximately midway between the two light-receiving portions. The light radiated from the light-emitting portion is detected by the light-receiving portion across the passage portion (172). When contents pass through, the light radiated from the light-emitting portion is blocked by the contents, so that the amount of light is temporarily detected to be small.

[0086] The above-mentioned light emitting unit (420) can emit infrared light by modulating it into a square wave shape of several tens of kHz by rapidly turning it on and off. In addition, the light receiving unit can selectively detect only infrared light modulated with the corresponding frequency, even if infrared noise exists in the surroundings, by making it sensitive to it. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting unit can irradiate infrared light by modulating it into a square wave of 38 kHz.

[0087] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates the change pattern of the output values ​​output by the two light-receiving units of the present invention. When the detection unit operates, the light-receiving unit typically outputs a low signal when maintained for a long time and a high signal when displayed for a short time. This is to reduce power consumption. The container for the contents is kept upright on the floor most of the time, and in this case, the contents do not block the passage, so the light-receiving unit always receives the infrared rays emitted by the light-emitting unit. Therefore, in order to maintain low power consumption, it is preferable to output a low signal when receiving infrared rays. On the other hand, when the user dispenses the contents, there are cases where the contents block the optical path and the light-receiving unit cannot receive infrared rays for a very short time, and by outputting a high signal only at these times, power consumption can be minimized.

[0088] According to the present invention, when the contents do not block the optical path between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, the range of the output value is called the reference output value range, and when the contents block the optical path, the range of the output value is called the pass output value range. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the contents do not block the optical path and thus output a low signal, the range of the output value may be called the reference output value range, and when the contents block the optical path and thus output a high signal, the range of the output value may be called the pass output value range. However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited thereto, and conversely, a case where a low signal and a high signal are output in opposite directions is not excluded.

[0089] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the two light-receiving units (the first light-receiving unit (IR1) and the second light-receiving unit (IR2)) can each have a first reference output value range and a first pass output value range, and a second reference output value range and a second pass output value range.

[0090] Analog signals from two photodetectors (IR1, IR2) are sampled by an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) and converted into digital values. The sampling frequency may vary depending on the ADC used, but in one embodiment of the present invention, sampling may be performed once every 10 ms.

[0091] In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the digital output values ​​of the first light receiving unit (IR1) and the second light receiving unit (IR2).

[0092] Whether the contents are discharged or not can be determined by analyzing the waveform of the output values ​​of the first light-receiving unit (IR1) and the second light-receiving unit (IR2) over time. This determination process or method may be executed by a sensor control unit included in the detection unit of the passage device, or by a processor included in the receiving device, but is not limited thereto. The digital output value of the light-receiving unit may be transmitted to an external server or terminal via a wired / wireless communication module, so that the external terminal or server may execute the determination process. This external terminal or server may be a medication management terminal or a medication management server.

[0093] When the output value of the first light-receiving unit (IR1, 411) changes from being in the first reference output value range to being in the first pass output value range and then back to being in the first reference output value range, it is determined that the contents have passed through the first light-receiving unit area, and this passage time is called the first time point (T1). In other words, the time point when the output value of the first light-receiving unit (IR1) changes from the first pass output value range back to the first reference output value range is the first time point (T1). Similarly, when the output value of the second light-receiving unit (IR2, 412) changes from being in the second reference output value range to being in the second pass output value range and then back to being in the second reference output value range, it is determined that the contents have passed through the second light-receiving unit area, and this passage time is called the second time point (T2). That is, the point in time when the output value of the second light-receiving unit (IR2, 412) changes from the second pass output value range back to the second reference output value range is the second time point (T2). Here, the first light-receiving unit area and the second light-receiving unit area respectively refer to areas detected by the first light-receiving unit and the second light-receiving unit in the passageway (172), and the second light-receiving unit area is closer to the outside of the passageway (172) than the first light-receiving unit area.

[0094] If the first time point is earlier than the second time point (T1 < T2), the contents are determined to have been discharged normally. That is, if the first time point is earlier than the second time point, the contents first passed through the first light-receiving area and then passed through the second light-receiving area, which means that the contents were discharged normally. Conversely, if the first time point is later than the second time point (T1 > T2), the contents reached the light-receiving area but were not discharged to the outside, but flowed back, first passing through the second light-receiving area and then passing through the first light-receiving area, which means that the discharge was failed.

[0095] However, if the contents penetrate both the first and second light-receiving areas simultaneously (T1=T2), it is difficult to determine whether or not they have been discharged. Furthermore, if the waveforms of the output values ​​of the two light-receiving areas are very complex, it is also difficult to determine whether or not they have been discharged. For example, if the movement of the contents is irregular due to a user's mistake or unexpected action, the waveform of the output value also exhibits a complex pattern. In such cases, it is difficult to accurately determine whether or not they have been discharged simply by analyzing the output values ​​of the light-receiving areas.

[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the infrared sensor, an acceleration sensor may be additionally installed to increase the accuracy of the discharge determination. The acceleration sensor can detect the movement and inclination of the receiving device. The acceleration sensor may typically be installed on the PCB (810), but is not limited thereto, and may be installed at any location within the passage device or the receiving device. The acceleration sensor measures three independent accelerations corresponding to three directions (x, y, z axes) of space and outputs digital values, and the output values ​​are input to the sensor control unit. For example, the acceleration sensor may be a KXTJ3-1057 product from Kionix.

[0097] The z-axis direction of the above acceleration sensor is installed so that it faces the top of the receiving device. When the receiving device is upright, the acceleration sensor receives gravitational acceleration in the +z direction compared to the free fall state. Therefore, even in this stationary state, the z-axis measurement value of the acceleration sensor is a positive value. If an action is made to lift the receiving device upward, acceleration occurs in the +z-axis direction, so the z-axis measurement value increases.

[0098] The z-axis measurement of the acceleration sensor is also affected by the tilt of the receiving device. If the receiving device is tilted to the side, the z-axis direction of the acceleration sensor installed in the receiving device (the direction toward the top of the receiving device) will also tilt, so the z-axis component of the gravitational acceleration will decrease. If the receiving device is tilted 90 degrees (toward horizontal), the z-axis measurement will be 0 because it is not affected by gravity. If it is tilted more than 90 degrees, the z-axis measurement will have a negative value. Therefore, by analyzing the z-axis measurement of the acceleration sensor, the inclination of the receiving device can be inferred. For example, the acceleration sensor can be used to check whether a container is upright or to determine whether the container is tilted more than 90 degrees.

[0099] Since movement of the container will cause a change in at least one of the x, y, and z measurements of the accelerometer, the accelerometer can also be used to detect the movement of the container. Therefore, the accelerometer can detect both the tilt of the container and the movement of the container.

[0100] The motion detection function of the acceleration sensor can be used to minimize power loss in the infrared sensor. If the container remains stationary for a certain period of time, the acceleration sensor will determine that there is no movement. In this case, there is no possibility of dispensing the tablet. If the infrared sensor continues to operate in this state, unnecessary power loss occurs. Therefore, if the acceleration sensor measurements are analyzed and it is determined that the container has not moved for a certain period of time, the sensor can be turned off and placed into sleep mode. If the acceleration sensor detects movement in sleep mode, the infrared sensor can be turned back on.

[0101] Below, a method for accurately determining whether contents have been discharged using low power by using a detection unit and an acceleration sensor together is described.

[0102] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether or not to discharge with low power using a detection unit and an acceleration sensor together according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] First, a method for minimizing power loss of the (infrared) detection unit using an acceleration sensor is described. As illustrated in Fig. 9, if no movement of the container is detected for a predetermined period of time, for example, 30 seconds, the receiving device switches to sleep mode, turns off the infrared detection unit, and also cuts off communication with external devices. If the acceleration sensor detects movement of the container, it first checks whether the container is tilted by a specific incline angle, for example, more than 90 degrees, and turns on the infrared detection unit only if it is tilted more than 90 degrees. The specific incline angle is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be 85 degrees, 45 degrees, etc. depending on the size of the tablet, etc. In addition, even when the infrared detection unit is turned on, it is checked whether the container is upright, and if the container is upright, there is no possibility of tablet ejection, so the detection unit is turned off.

[0104] That is, when the container is normally placed still without movement, the infrared sensor is turned off, and when movement of the container is detected and the container is tilted at a specific incline angle, for example, more than 90 degrees, and only when the container is not upright, the infrared sensor is turned on and the discharge judgment mode is activated. At this time, the specific incline angle is not limited to 90 degrees and can be set arbitrarily.

[0105] A method for detecting container movement according to an embodiment of the present invention checks whether a significant change greater than the noise level occurs in at least one of the three directional acceleration measurements of the acceleration sensor. Furthermore, the method checks whether the container has a negative z-axis measurement of the acceleration sensor. A method for determining whether the container is upright is, for example, to check whether the z-axis measurement of the acceleration sensor has a positive value corresponding to the acceleration due to gravity.

[0106] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, one embodiment of a method for accurately determining whether or not to discharge when the condition that the container is not upright while the infrared detector is turned on is satisfied is described.

[0107] As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9, the discharge determination method is composed of: an IR1 blockage detection step; a pill inlet check step; a penetration check step for both IR1 and IR2; an IR1 penetration check step; an IR2 penetration check step; a Z_avg < z1 check step; a Z_avg > z2 check step; a prev_Z_avg < Z_avg check step; a normal discharge step; a discharge failure step; and a flag clear step. The details of each step are described below.

[0108] The 'IR1 blockage detection' step is a step of determining whether a pill has reached the first light-receiving unit area based on the output value of the first light-receiving unit (IR1, 411). IR1 is the first light-receiving unit and is located on the path that the pill must first pass through when ejecting (see Fig. 7). Therefore, if a blockage is detected in IR1, it means that the pill has reached the IR1 position. In the 'IR1 blockage detection' step, if the output value of the first light-receiving unit (IR1, 411) changes from being within the first reference output value range to being within the first pass output value range, it is determined that the pill has reached the first light-receiving unit area and IR1 has detected that the first light-receiving unit area is blocked by the contents. If the output of the first light-receiving unit maintains a state of being within the first reference output value range or does not fall within the first pass output value range, the contents (pill) have not reached the first light-receiving unit area and the first light-receiving unit area is determined to be not blocked.

[0109] If no blockage is detected in IR1, check whether the container is upright. If the container is upright, turn off the infrared sensor and switch to standby mode. If the container is not upright, continue performing IR1 blockage detection.

[0110] If a blockage (contents are located in the first light-receiving area) is detected in IR1, the 'IR1 blockage flag' is set. The IR1 blockage flag is a flag that records 0 or 1 in a portion of the memory of the sensor control unit. Setting it means writing 1 to the flag, and clearing it means writing 0 to the flag.

[0111] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the 'IR1 blockage flag', the memory included in the sensor control unit may include and record an 'IR2 blockage flag' and an 'incomming flag'. In addition, the memory of the sensor control unit may additionally store a discharge amount count. The discharge amount count is the total number of tablets discharged from the container, and increases by +1 each time a normal discharge is determined. It is preferable that the flags and the discharge amount count be stored in the memory of the sensor control unit, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided in an external device that is connected to the container through communication.

[0112] If IR1 blockage is detected, the 'pill incoming check' step is performed. Pill incoming means that the pill flows back into the passage from the opening (122) in the opposite direction of the discharge direction. This is to check that the contents are not discharged normally and flow back for various reasons, such as being caught right before discharge or the container being lifted too quickly. This step is performed by checking prev_IR2 (IR2 output value sampled right before IR1 blockage was detected). If the prev_IR2 value (the previous output value of the second detection unit) falls within the range of the second pass output value, it means that the pill was present in the IR2 area (the second light-receiving unit area) right before the blockage was detected in IR1. This means that the pill is moving in the opposite direction of discharge, so in this case, the incoming flag is set.

[0113] Next, in the 'Check penetration of both IR1 and IR2' step, it is checked whether the pill has passed through both the first light-receiving area (IR1 area) and the second light-receiving area (IR2 area). If the output value of the first light-receiving area (IR1, 411) falls within the first reference output value range, then falls within the first pass output value range, and then falls within the first reference output value range again, it is determined that the contents have passed through the first light-receiving area, and this penetration time is referred to as the first time point (T1). Similarly, if the output value of the second light-receiving area (IR2, 412) falls within the second reference output value range, then falls within the second pass output value range, and then falls within the second reference output value range again, it is determined that the contents have passed through the second light-receiving area, and this penetration time is referred to as the second time point (T2). Therefore, the 'Check penetration of both IR1 and IR2' step is a step that checks both the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2). If both the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2) are not confirmed at this stage, the process returns to the infrared detection unit on stage, checks whether the container is upright, and, depending on the result, turns off the infrared detection unit or moves to the IR1 blockage detection stage.

[0114] Next, in the 'IR1 penetration check first' step, the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2) are compared to check whether T1 < T2. If T1 < T2, it means that the pill penetrated IR1 first and then IR2, and was discharged outward along the normal discharge direction. Therefore, if T1 < T2, it is determined as normal discharge, and the 'normal discharge' step is executed. In the 'normal discharge' step, the discharge amount count is increased by +1. Figure 10 shows a graph when normal discharge is determined in the 'IR1 penetration check first' step. If T1 < T2 is not true, go to the next step.

[0115] In the next step, the 'IR2 penetration check first' step, the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2) are compared to check whether T1 > T2. If T1 > T2, it means that the tablet penetrated IR2 first and then IR1, and thus entered the container by going against the discharge direction. This means that the tablet entered the passage (172), caused a blockage in both IR1 and IR2, and then returned inside without being discharged to the outside. Therefore, this case is regarded as a discharge failure, and the 'discharge failure' step is executed. In the discharge failure step, whether to modify the discharge count is determined based on the incommin flag value and whether a normal discharge count existed before a predetermined time, which will be described in detail later. Fig. 11 shows a graph in a case where a discharge failure is determined in the 'IR2 penetration check first' step.

[0116] If it is determined as NO in the 'IR2 penetration check first' step, it means that the first and second points in time are the same (condition where T1 = T2). Since the output value of the light receiving unit is sampled by the ADC (analog-digital converter), if the difference between T1 and T2 is less than the sampling period (e.g., 10 ms), the condition T1 = T2 is satisfied. In this case, it is difficult to determine whether the contents have passed through the first and second light receiving unit areas at the same time. Below, the steps for a method for accurately determining whether or not the contents have been discharged even under the condition where T1 = T2 are described.

[0117] In the 'Z_avg < z1 check' step, the z-axis measurement value of the acceleration sensor is checked. Z_avg is the average of the z-axis measurement values ​​of the acceleration sensor for the previous predetermined number of samples. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, Z_avg can be the average of the previous 11 z-axis measurement values ​​including T1. The z-axis measurement value shows a graph with a lot of fluctuation due to noise, etc., but Z_avg has the effect of smoothing the graph by filtering the noise on the z-axis measurement values ​​(see the Z_avg graph in Fig. 12). Since the z-axis measurement value fluctuates a lot, it is preferable to check the tilt of the container using Z_avg instead of the z-axis measurement value. However, since some types of acceleration sensors output noise-filtered values, it is okay to use the z-axis measurement value directly instead of Z_avg. Therefore, Z_avg specified in Fig. 9 is not necessarily limited to the average of a predetermined number of samples, and may be the z-axis measurement value itself.

[0118] When T1 = T2, if the container is tilted more than a predetermined set angle (for example, 110 degrees), it is determined as normal discharge. This is because the tablet cannot enter the container when the container is tilted more than 110 degrees. The Z_avg value when the container is tilted at the predetermined angle is referred to as a first preset value (z1). For example, the value of z1 may be -25. Therefore, in the 'Z_avg < z1 check' step, it is checked whether the container is tilted more than, for example, 110 degrees. Referring to Fig. 12, in the 41st sampling step of the time axis, the tablet penetration points of IR1 and IR2 are the same (T1 = T2). In this case, the Z_avg value is checked in the 'Z_avg < z1 check' step. Looking at the lower graph of Fig. 12, the Z_avg value is -50 in the 41st sampling step, which is smaller than the z1 value of -25, so it is determined to be normal discharge and the 'normal discharge' step is executed. In the 'normal discharge' step, the discharge amount count is increased by +1.

[0119] If the 'Z_avg < z1 check' step is determined as NO (for example, if Z_avg is greater than -25 in the 41st sampling step of Fig. 12), the next step, the 'Z_avg > z2' check step, is executed. Here, z2 is a z-axis measurement value (second setting value) corresponding to a predetermined container inclination. For example, z2 is a z-axis measurement value corresponding to a case where the container inclination is 90 degrees, and the z2 value may be 0. If Z_avg > z2, it means that the container is tilted less than, for example, 90 degrees, and in this case, the pill cannot be normally discharged. Therefore, if the condition Z_avg > z2 is satisfied, it is determined as a discharge failure. Fig. 13 is a graph showing an example of this case. Referring to Fig. 13, in the 71st sampling step on the time axis, the pill penetration times of IR1 and IR2 are the same (T1 = T2). At this point, the Z_avg value is 7, which is greater than the z2 value of 0, so it is determined as a discharge failure and the 'Discharge Failure' step is executed. If the Z_avg value is less than z2 at this point, it means that the Z_avg value is greater than z1 and less than z2. In this case, the next step, 'Check prev_Z_avg < Z_avg' step, is executed.

[0120] In the 'prev_Z_avg < Z_avg check' step, it is checked whether the tilt of the container is increasing or decreasing. Here, prev_Z_avg is the Z_avg value in the previous sampling step. If the tilt of the container is decreasing, the Z_avg value will be increasing, so the condition prev_Z_avg < Z_avg is satisfied. In this case, it means that the user is holding the container upright, so the tablet cannot be dispensed, and it is determined as a dispensing failure. On the other hand, if the tilt of the container is increasing, the Z_avg value will be decreasing, so the condition prev_Z_avg < Z_avg is not satisfied. In this case, it means that the user is tilting the container, so the tablet can be dispensed, and it is determined as a normal dispensing, and the dispensing amount count is increased by +1 in the 'normal dispensing' step.

[0121] Fig. 14 is a graph showing an example of a case where the condition prev_Z_avg < Z_avg is satisfied. Referring to Fig. 14, in the 71st sampling step of the time axis, the pill penetration times of IR1 and IR2 are the same (T1 = T2). At this point, the Z_avg value is increasing. That is, the condition prev_Z_avg < Z_avg is satisfied, and in this case, the discharge is determined to be a failure. If the condition prev_Z_avg < Z_avg is not satisfied in the 71st sampling step of Fig. 14, the discharge is determined to be normal, and the discharge amount count is increased by +1 in the 'normal discharge' stage.

[0122] As described above, even in cases where it is difficult to determine whether a pill has been ejected because it simultaneously penetrates IR1 and IR2, accurate ejection determination can be made by using the acceleration sensor output value.

[0123] Below, we describe how to correct a case where a discharge failure is incorrectly judged as normal discharge due to a user's mistake, unexpected action, or discharge device malfunction.

[0124] In the case where a discharge failure is incorrectly judged as a normal discharge, the previous normal discharge judgment can be re-judged as a discharge failure in the 'discharge failure' step of Fig. 9, and the discharge amount count can be decreased by -1. In the discharge failure step of Fig. 9, it is checked whether the incoming flag is set. If the incoming flag is set and a normal discharge judgment has been made within the previous predetermined time (T_a), the normal discharge is re-judged as a discharge failure and the discharge amount count is decreased by -1. Here, the predetermined time T_a may be, for example, 2 seconds. If a normal discharge judgment was made within a short time of 2 seconds, and an incoming judgment and a discharge failure judgment are made consecutively, the tablet that was judged to have been discharged may not have actually been completely discharged outside but rather returned into the container. This may be the case, for example, where the user blocks the discharge port with his hand, tilts the container to send the tablet down the discharge port, and then stands up the container to send the tablet back into the container.

[0125] Examples of cases where a previous normal discharge is re-judged as a discharge failure in the discharge failure stage are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Referring to FIG. 15, in the 54th sampling step on the time axis, the 'IR1 penetration check first' step of FIG. 9 is executed, and a normal discharge is determined. Then, in the 91st sampling step on the time axis, when IR1 blockage is detected, the incoming flag is set because prev_IR2 is in a blocked state. Then, before 2 seconds have elapsed from the normal discharge determination, in the 95th sampling step on the time axis, the 'IR2 penetration check first' step of FIG. 9 is executed, and a discharge failure is determined. In this case, in the 'discharge failure' step of FIG. 9, it is checked whether the incoming flag is set, and it is checked whether there was a normal discharge within the previous predetermined time (T_a). In the case of FIG. 15, since this condition is satisfied, the previous normal discharge is re-judged as a discharge failure, and the discharge amount count is decreased by -1.

[0126] Referring to Fig. 16, as a result of executing the 'IR1 penetration check first' step of Fig. 9 at the 54th sampling step on the time axis, a normal discharge determination is made. Then, when IR1 blockage is detected at the 74th sampling step on the time axis, the incoming flag is set because prev_IR2 is blocked. Then, before 2 seconds (T_a) have elapsed from the normal discharge determination, as a result of executing the 'Z_avg > z2 check' step of Fig. 9 at the 80th sampling step on the time axis, the value of Z_avg is 29, which is greater than the value of z2, 0, so a discharge failure determination is made, as shown in Fig. 16. In this case, in the 'discharge failure' step of Fig. 9, it is checked whether the incoming flag is set and whether there was a normal discharge within the previous 2 seconds. In the case of Fig. 16, since this condition is satisfied, the previous normal discharge is re-determined as a discharge failure and the discharge amount count is decreased by -1.

[0127] After executing the 'normal discharge' step or 'discharge failure' step of Fig. 9, the 'flag clear' step is executed. The 'flag clear' step clears the values ​​of various flags used in the discharge judgment to 0. Afterwards, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the 'container uprighting check' step is executed, and if the container is not upright, the discharge judgment described above is repeated.

[0128] When the size of the pill is large, the movement of the pill can directly affect the acceleration sensor output value, so the accuracy may be reduced if the acceleration sensor measurement value is used to determine the dispensing. Therefore, when the size of the pill is large, it is preferable to use a different method instead of the dispensing determination method illustrated in FIG. 9. In addition, it is preferable to appropriately modify the mechanical size and configuration of the passage device (100) considering the large size of the pill. Specifically, it is preferable to change the size of the guide passage (182), whether the passage movement unit (123) is mounted or not, the size of the passage part (172) when the passage movement unit (123) is mounted, the size of the opening part (122), the size and shape of the passage movement unit (123), the arrangement intervals of the light emitting unit (420) and the light receiving units (411, 412), etc., according to the size of the pill. Accordingly, the present invention provides another embodiment of the passage device (100) and the dispensing determination method for a case where the size of the pill is large.

[0129] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20, a second embodiment of a passage device (100) of the present invention will be described. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the mechanical configuration of the passage device (100) according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, and with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, a quantitative discharge determination method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment is largely identical to the first embodiment described above, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described when describing the second embodiment.

[0130] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in the second embodiment of the passage device (100), the size of the guide passage (182), the size of the passage portion (172), the size of the opening portion (122), and the size and shape of the passage movement portion (123) have been changed to be suitable for large tablets. Except for these shape changes, the structure and mechanical operation method of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Therefore, the same description of the structure and mechanical operation method of the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0131] Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining whether a tablet has been dispensed at low power using an infrared detector and an acceleration sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is preferably applied to large tablets, but as an alternative to the first embodiment of Fig. 9, it may be applied to tablets of various sizes and shapes.

[0132] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a discharge determination method will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The method of minimizing power loss of an infrared detector using an acceleration sensor in FIG. 19 is the same as the first embodiment of FIG. 10, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in the case of heavy pills, the movement response and speed due to tilting are fast, so that detection can be achieved only when the infrared detector is turned on at a small angle of tilt. Therefore, according to FIG. 19, it is first checked whether the container and the passage device are tilted by, for example, 45 degrees or more (a predetermined angle), and the infrared detector is turned on only when the tilting is more than the predetermined angle. Of course, this predetermined angle is not limited to 45 degrees, but may be 40 degrees, 50 degrees, etc.

[0133] In addition, since the 'IR1 blockage detection step', the 'pill incoming check step', the 'IR1 and IR2 penetration check step', the 'IR1 penetration check step', and the 'IR2 penetration check step' are the same as those in the first embodiment of Fig. 9, the descriptions are omitted and only the configuration of the differences is described below.

[0134] If it is determined as NO in the 'IR2 penetration check first' step, it means that the first and second time points are the same (T1 = T2). In this case, it is difficult to determine whether the contents have penetrated the first and second light-receiving areas at the same time, since it is a case where the contents have penetrated the first and second light-receiving areas at the same time. Fig. 19 is an embodiment suitable for a case where the size of the tablet is large. Since the movement of the tablet can directly affect the acceleration sensor, if the discharge determination is made using the acceleration sensor measurement value when T1 = T2, the accuracy may be reduced. Therefore, when T1 = T2, instead of determining the discharge using the Z_avg value as in Fig. 9, the 'blockage time > T_b check' step is executed.

[0135] The above blockage time refers to the time during which both the IR1 region and the IR2 region are blocked by the pill, as illustrated in FIG. 20. T_b may be, for example, 200 ms. If the blockage time is greater than the predetermined time T_b, it means that the pill stayed in the passage (172) for a long time, and thus the pill may have been caught in the passage movement (123). Therefore, under the condition of T1 = T2, if the condition of blockage time > T_b is satisfied, it is regarded as an abnormal case and the 'discharge failure' step is executed. Conversely, under the condition of T1 = T2, if the condition of blockage time > T_b is not satisfied, it is regarded as a normal discharge and the 'normal discharge' step is executed and the discharge amount count is increased by +1.

[0136] As a specific example, in Fig. 20, the blockage time spans from the 38th to the 70th time axis sampling step, so it was maintained for 32 sampling periods, and since the sampling period is 10 ms, the blockage time is 320 ms. Therefore, in Fig. 20, the condition of blockage time > T_b (= 200 ms) is satisfied, so it is determined as a discharge failure.

[0137] In the case where a discharge failure is incorrectly judged as normal discharge due to a user's mistake, unexpected action, or malfunction of the discharge device, the method for correcting this is the same between the second embodiment of Fig. 19 and the first embodiment of Fig. 9, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the 'flag clear' step and the 'container uprighting check' step are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] Fig. 21 is a block diagram of a medication management device including a receiving device (1) equipped with a contents passage device of the present invention, a medication guidance terminal (600), and a medication management server (700). Referring to Fig. 21, the medication guidance terminal (600) receives medication status information from a sensor module (500) and medication schedule information from a medication management server (700), and generates medication management information using the medication schedule information and medication status information, and then outputs the generated medication management information.

[0139] While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

[0140] 1: Receiving device 5: Contents

[0141] 30: Lid 100: Pass-through device

[0142] 110: Courage 116: Neck

[0143] 117: Container body 120: Passing mechanism

[0144] 121: Fixed member 122: Opening part

[0145] 123: Passing movement section 124: Open member

[0146] 125: Rotating shaft 127: Blocking member

[0147] 128: Rotating shaft holder 126: Center of gravity

[0148] 170: Side wall 172: Passageway

[0149] 180: Guide section 182: Guide passage

[0150] 190: Guide member 300: Cap

[0151] 400: Locking part 410: Light receiving part

[0152] 411: First light receiving unit 412: Second light receiving unit

[0153] 420: Light-emitting part 810: PCB

[0154] The present invention relates to a device for passing contents including a medicine, and can be used in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing industry, etc., and thus can be used industrially.

Claims

1. As a passage device for being connected to the main body of a container that holds the contents, A passage operation unit for guiding the contents to be discharged from the main body of the container to the outside; and It includes a detection unit provided in the above passage operating unit and detecting the contents discharged along the passage of the above passage operating unit; The above detection unit includes a light receiving unit and a light emitting unit, and the light irradiated from the light emitting unit passes through a path through which the contents move to be discharged and is detected by the light receiving unit, and whether the contents are discharged is determined by the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit. The above light receiving unit includes a first light receiving unit positioned upstream of the path through which the contents move for discharge, and a second light receiving unit positioned downstream of the path. A pass-through device characterized in that the light-emitting unit includes one or more light-emitting units positioned opposite the light-receiving unit.

2. In paragraph 1, It further includes a passage movement part that is rotatably installed in the above passage operation part and moves to allow the contents to pass through; A passage device characterized in that the above detection unit detects the contents discharged by the rotation of the above passage movement unit.

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above detection unit further includes a sensor control unit, The above sensor control unit, A first point in time when the output value of the first light-receiving unit falls within the first pass output value range from the first reference output value range and then falls within the first reference output value range again, and a second point in time when the output value of the second light-receiving unit falls within the second pass output value range from the second reference output value range and then falls within the second reference output value range again, are compared. If the second time point is later than the first time point, it is determined that the contents have been discharged normally, and if the second time point is earlier than the first time point, it is determined that the contents have not been discharged. A passage device characterized in that, when the second point in time is the same as the first point in time, it is determined whether the contents are discharged based on the z-axis direction measurement value measured by the acceleration sensor mounted on the passage device or the container body.

4. In paragraph 3, If the second point is the same as the first point, If the z-axis direction measurement value is less than the first reference value, the contents are judged to have been discharged normally. If the z-axis direction measurement value exceeds the second reference value, it is judged as a discharge failure. A passage device characterized in that, when the z-axis direction measurement value is a first reference value or a second reference value, if the z-axis direction measurement value increases at the second point in time compared to the previous point in time, it is determined as a discharge failure, and if the z-axis direction measurement value is the same as or decreases at the second point in time compared to the previous point in time, it is determined as a normal discharge.

5. In paragraph 4, The z-axis direction measurement value at a specific point in time is the average of the z-axis direction measurement values ​​for a predetermined period of time prior to the specific point in time, A passage device characterized in that when the z-axis direction measurement value is a first reference value or a second reference value, if the z-axis direction measurement value increases based on a second point in time that is the same as the first point in time, it is determined as a discharge failure, and if the z-axis direction measurement value is the same as or decreases from the previous point in time based on the second point in time that is the same as the first point in time, it is determined as a normal discharge.

6. In any one of paragraphs 3 to 5, The above one or more light emitting units irradiate infrared light by modulating it at 38 kHz, A pass-through device characterized in that the light-receiving unit is a digital sensor, and the first and second reference output value ranges are the first and second light-receiving unit output values ​​in a state where the contents do not block the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit, and the first and second pass output value ranges are the first and second light-receiving unit output values ​​in a state where the contents block at least a portion of the amount of light irradiated from the light-emitting unit.

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, An acceleration sensor for measuring the inclination of the above-mentioned passage device and the above-mentioned container body, and It further includes a sensor control unit that processes the measurement value of the acceleration sensor and the output value of the light receiving unit and controls the operation of the detection unit. The sensor control unit is, If it is determined that the inclination of the container body is greater than a predetermined angle based on the measurement value of the acceleration sensor, the detection unit is enabled. A passage device characterized by detecting movement of a container body from the measurement value of the above acceleration sensor and changing to sleep mode when there is no movement of the container body for a predetermined period of time.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, The signal detected by the above detection unit is processed by the sensor control unit included in the above passage device or a separate external device connected to the above passage device through communication, The above passage operating part includes a passage part in the form of a duct that forms a movement path for quantitative discharge of contents, and an opening is formed at the upper end of the passage part so that the contents are discharged to the outside through the opening part. The above-mentioned passage movement part includes an opening member that opens and closes the opening part, a rotational axis that serves as the center of the rotational movement, and a blocking member that is connected to the rotational axis and rotates together with the opening member, and the above-mentioned passage movement part forms one side wall of the passage part, The above light-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit are arranged so as to face each other on the two side walls formed on the left and right sides of the one side wall, A passage device characterized in that when the container body and the passage device coupled to the container body are inclined at a certain angle or more, the contents flow into the passage section and move along the passage section, the contents impact the opening member from the rear or push the opening member by gravity, and the passage movement member rotates around the rotation axis so that the contents pass through the opening section and are discharged to the outside.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, The above passage device is detachably connected to the container or is integrally connected to the container body, The path through which the contents move to be discharged is formed by a duct-shaped passageway, It is determined that the contents have penetrated the first light-receiving area based on the first point in time when the output value of the first light-receiving unit falls within the first reference output value range, falls within the first pass output value range, and then falls within the first reference output value range again. It is determined that the contents have penetrated the second light-receiving area based on the second point in time when the output value of the second light-receiving unit falls within the second reference output value range, then falls within the second pass output value range, and then falls within the second reference output value range again. The above first reference output value range and second reference output value range are the ranges of measurement values ​​detected by the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit when there is no content in the passageway. The above first pass output value range and second pass output value range are the ranges of measurement values ​​output by the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit respectively while the contents are passing through the above path. A passage device characterized in that if the first time point is earlier than the second time point, it is determined that the contents have been discharged, if the first time point is later than the second time point, it is determined that the contents have not been discharged, and if the first time point is the same as the second time point, it is determined whether the contents have been discharged by the z-axis direction measurement value of the acceleration sensor.

10. In paragraph 2 or 3, If the output value of the second light receiver is judged to fall within the second reference output value range just before the second point in time based on the sampling time, the incomming flag is set to 1, otherwise the incomming flag is maintained as 0. A passage device characterized in that, when a discharge failure is determined, if there was a normal discharge within a certain time period before the second time point and the inflow flag is 1, the normal discharge is re-determined as a discharge failure and the discharge count is corrected.

11. A method for determining whether or not the contents are discharged through the passage device of paragraph 1, An IR1 and IR2 penetration detection step for checking whether the contents have penetrated both the first light-receiving unit area and the second light-receiving unit area, wherein the contents are determined to have penetrated the first light-receiving unit area based on a first point in time when the light quantity detected by the first light-receiving unit falls within the first reference light quantity range, falls within the first pass light quantity range, and then falls within the first reference light quantity range again, and the contents are determined to have penetrated the second light-receiving unit area based on a second point in time when the light quantity detected by the second light-receiving unit falls within the second reference light quantity range, falls within the second pass light quantity range, and then falls within the second reference light quantity range again, and A method for determining whether contents are discharged, comprising a discharge determination step for determining normal discharge or failure of discharge of contents by comparing the first point in time and the second point in time.

12. In paragraph 11, If the above second time point is later than the above first time point, it is determined that the contents have been discharged normally, and if the above second time point is earlier than the above first time point, it is determined that the contents have not been discharged and that the discharge has failed. A method for determining whether or not contents have been discharged, characterized in that when the second time point is the same as the first time point, normal discharge or failure of discharge of contents is determined based on a z-axis direction measurement value measured by an acceleration sensor mounted on the passage device or the container body.

13. In paragraph 11 or 12, Before the above IR1 and IR2 penetration detection steps, Further comprising a first area blockage detection step for checking whether the light detected by the first light receiving unit falls within the first pass-through light amount range and is outside the first reference light amount range; A method for determining whether or not contents have been discharged, characterized in that, in a discharge determination step, if the time for which the light amounts detected by the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit fall within the first pass light amount range and the second pass light amount range respectively is longer than a predetermined time, discharge is determined to have failed.

14. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 13, If the output value of the second light receiving unit is judged to fall within the second reference output value range immediately before the second point in time based on the sampling time of the signal detected by the light receiving unit, the incomming flag is set to 1, otherwise the incomming flag is maintained as 0. A method for determining whether or not contents have been discharged, characterized in that, in the case where a discharge failure is determined, if there was a normal discharge within a certain period of time before a second time point and the inflow flag is 1, the normal discharge is re-determined as a discharge failure and the discharge count is deducted.

15. In any one of paragraphs 11 to 14, During IR1 and IR2 penetration detection stages, If neither the first time point (T1) nor the second time point (T2) can be confirmed, the output value of the acceleration sensor is used to check whether the container body containing the contents is upright, and depending on the result, the detection unit is turned off or the first area blockage detection step is executed. A method for determining whether contents have been discharged, characterized in that the discharge determination step is executed when both the first time point (T1) and the second time point (T2) are confirmed.

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