Cold-Chain Medicine Tracking With Dual RFID Entry Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers lack sufficient information on how specialty pharmaceuticals are temperature-controlled at medical institutions, hindering smooth distribution among medical institutions, pharmaceutical wholesalers, and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A pharmaceutical management system comprising pharmaceutical storage boxes with IC tags, a reading device, and a controller that monitors entry/exit of pharmaceuticals using first and second entry/exit monitoring units to accurately track temperature-controlled distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single entry/exit monitoring method is used, then the system is simple, but the accuracy of tracking pharmaceutical entry/exit is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented into two distinct units: a first entry/exit monitoring unit that operates when the door is closed, and a second entry/exit monitoring unit that operates when the door is open. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific monitoring scenario, improving overall accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different monitoring modes based on door state. The controller activates the first monitoring unit during door-closed periods and the second monitoring unit during door-open periods, creating a dynamic monitoring system that adapts to operational conditions to enhance tracking accuracy.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive monitoring is implemented, then pharmaceutical distribution can be smoothly tracked, but information loss occurs without proper monitoring protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller receives data from both monitoring units, processes the entry/exit information, and maintains a comprehensive record of pharmaceutical movement and temperature conditions. This feedback loop ensures complete information capture about temperature control and dispensing timing, enabling smooth pharmaceutical distribution tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is activated in advance to track pharmaceuticals before they are dispensed. By continuously monitoring entry/exit events and temperature conditions from the moment pharmaceuticals enter the refrigerator, the system captures all necessary information proactively, preventing any information loss about storage conditions and dispensing timing.
3Use of energy by moving object
If monitoring occurs only during door-closed periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but entry/exit events during door-open periods are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system operates dynamically with different activation states based on door position. The first monitoring unit is activated during door-closed periods when energy efficiency is prioritized, while the second monitoring unit activates during door-open periods to capture entry/exit events. This dynamic operation balances energy consumption with monitoring completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring cycles that alternate between the first monitoring unit (door-closed mode) and the second monitoring unit (door-open mode). This periodic switching ensures comprehensive coverage of entry/exit events across different operational states while managing energy consumption through selective activation of monitoring functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
[SOLUTION] A primary aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a pharmaceutical management system including: at least one pharmaceutical storage box to store at least one pharmaceutical having corresponding at least one IC tag attached thereto; a reading device to read information stored in the IC tag, the information representing the pharmaceutical; a controller to obtain the information of the IC tag from the reading device, to manage the pharmaceutical; and a pharmaceutical refrigerator to store the pharmaceutical storage box to refrigerate the pharmaceutical, the controller including a first entry/exit monitoring unit to monitor entry/exit of the pharmaceutical into/from the pharmaceutical storage box by obtaining the information of the IC tag, during a first period, in response to open/close information indicating that a door of the pharmaceutical refrigerator has been closed from an open state; and a second entry/exit monitoring unit to monitor entry/exit of the pharmaceutical into/from the pharmaceutical storage box by obtaining the information of the IC tag, during a second period, after monitoring by the first entry/exit monitoring unit, and wherein a state of entry of the pharmaceutical into the pharmaceutical storage box is determined based on a result of monitoring by the second entry/exit monitoring unit.