Home Drug Replenishment Proposals from Usage and Purchase Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug arrangement services struggle to effectively propose and replenish drugs in customers' homes, leading to underutilization of available drugs.

Innovation Solution

A product proposal device that acquires usage status and purchase history of drugs, proposes new drugs based on this data, and outputs a list for replenishment, optionally using image analysis to determine drug usage status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If arrangement drugs are placed in customer's home with pay-for-use model, then customer convenience is improved, but drug utilization rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoiddrug utilization rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by analyzing actual drug usage status through image recognition and purchase history data, then using this information to generate targeted replenishment proposals. This feedback loop ensures that drugs are replenished based on actual consumption patterns, thereby improving utilization rates while maintaining the convenience of home arrangement services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively analyzing usage patterns and generating replenishment proposals before drugs are completely depleted. This allows for timely replenishment decisions, ensuring continuous availability of needed medications while optimizing the utilization rate of arranged drugs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If drug replenishment is based on manual tracking, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidusage status accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual tracking mechanisms with automated image recognition technology. Cameras capture images of drug containers, and image processing algorithms automatically identify and track usage status, eliminating the need for manual recording while significantly improving measurement precision of drug consumption patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the drug arrangement system to automatically monitor its own usage status through embedded cameras and sensors. The system autonomously tracks which drugs have been used and generates replenishment proposals without requiring external manual intervention, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive usage data is collected, then proposal accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproposal accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments information processing by handling different data types through specialized modules: image data is processed by image recognition algorithms, purchase history is analyzed by separate analytical routines, and usage patterns are tracked independently. This segmentation allows comprehensive data collection while managing processing complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by using a centralized data processing platform that handles multiple tasks: image recognition, usage pattern analysis, purchase history processing, and replenishment proposal generation. This universal platform reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances drug utilization by ensuring timely replenishment of drugs based on actual usage and purchase patterns, reducing waste and increasing customer engagement.

Implementation Method 1

a camera provided in a drug box of the customer's home to capture an image of the inside of the drug box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the image analysis device specifies a usage status of arrangement drugs in the customer's home by collating an image of the inside of the drug box captured immediately before the drug box is closed with an image of the inside of the drug box captured when arrangement drugs are replenished

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentUS12406294B2Product proposal device, product proposal system, product proposal method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 NEC CORP

AI summary

A product proposal device according to the present disclosure includes: an information acquisition means configured to acquire a usage status of arrangement drugs arranged in a customer's home and a drug purchase history; a proposal means configured to propose arrangement drugs to be arranged in the customer's home based on the usage status and the purchase history; and an output means configured to output a list of the proposed arrangement drugs.