Pill Dispensing Carousel with Vision-Guided Vacuum Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients face challenges in adhering to complex pill regimens due to similar pill shapes, colors, and sizes, which can lead to mistakes and adverse effects, and existing dispensing devices are unreliable and difficult to load.
Innovation Solution
A pill dispensing apparatus with a rotating carousel, optical selection camera, and vacuum nozzle that identifies and retrieves pills accurately, ensuring correct dispensing and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pills have similar shapes, colors, and sizes, then it is easier to manufacture and store them, but it becomes difficult for patients to distinguish between them leading to dispensing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color imaging technology to capture and analyze the color characteristics of pills. The camera system records color information and the processor compares this data against stored reference images to identify pills, enabling differentiation of pills with similar appearances through subtle color variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical sorting with an automated optical imaging and image processing system. The camera captures pill images and the processor automatically identifies pills based on shape, size, and color characteristics, eliminating the need for human visual discrimination.
2Measurement precision
If pills have very different shapes, colors, and sizes, then it is easier for patients to distinguish them, but it becomes extremely difficult for machines to identify and select between them
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal image processing approach that handles diverse pill characteristics through a single integrated camera and processor system. The processor is programmed to recognize various pill types by comparing captured images against a database of reference images, making the system adaptable to pills with different shapes, colors, and sizes without requiring specialized mechanisms for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the identification parameters by capturing multiple visual characteristics (shape, size, color, patterns, markings) simultaneously through the camera system. By analyzing multiple parameters rather than relying on a single distinguishing feature, the system can accurately identify pills with very different characteristics.
3Productivity
If prior art dispensing devices are used, then basic pill dispensing can be achieved, but they are difficult to load and unreliable in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic pill identification and selection capabilities that eliminate the need for manual sorting and loading by operators. The camera system automatically identifies pills in the storage containers, and the vacuum pickup mechanism automatically retrieves the correct pills based on the dispensing schedule, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual feedback from the camera system to verify pill identification and selection. The processor continuously monitors the pill pickup process through imaging, confirming that the correct pill has been selected before dispensing. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation and allows for error detection and correction.
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
The apparatus significantly improves pill dispensing accuracy and user compliance by distinguishing between various pill types and sizes, reducing errors and enhancing reliability in both home and professional settings.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum nozzle for removing pills identified by the vision system
Data Source
AI summary
A pill dispensing apparatus includes a carousel with at least one removable bin for storing pills, a vision system for identifying pills within the bin, a vacuum nozzle for removing one or more pills identified by the vision system, and a dispensing area for receipt of the removed pills.