Prescription Wait-Time Information Service Using Dispensing Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers waiting for prescription medicine delivery are unsure how to utilize their waiting time effectively, as existing systems do not provide timely information on wait times or engaging content.
Innovation Solution
An information providing apparatus that identifies customers, acquires prescription and dispensing status information, predicts wait times, and outputs relevant information such as sales promotions or wait duration when the wait exceeds a threshold, tailored to the customer's needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pharmacy processes prescriptions efficiently, then the dispensing speed increases, but the customer wait time information becomes more critical to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting customer wait times before the actual dispensing process completes. The prediction unit calculates estimated wait times based on prescription complexity and current pharmacy workload, then provides this information to customers in advance through their terminal devices, allowing them to plan accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual dispensing progress and comparing it with predicted wait times. The notification unit provides updates to customers based on real-time status changes, such as when prescription review is complete or when medication preparation has started, creating a closed-loop information system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides detailed wait time predictions, then customer information needs are met, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wait time prediction process into distinct functional modules: a prediction unit that calculates estimated times based on prescription data and pharmacy workload, and a notification unit that communicates this information to customers. This modular approach manages complexity by dividing the overall function into manageable, independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically generating and transmitting wait time predictions to customers without requiring manual intervention from pharmacists. The prediction unit autonomously processes prescription information and the notification unit automatically sends updates to terminal devices, reducing operational burden on pharmacy staff.
Data Source
AI summary
An information providing apparatus includes a memory storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to: identify a customer; acquire information regarding a prescription issued to the identified customer and information indicating a work status of medicine dispensing based on the prescription; predict a time for the customer to wait based on at least one of the information regarding the prescription and the information indicating the work status of medicine dispensing based on the prescription; and output information to be provided to the customer in a case where the predicted time for the customer to wait exceeds a threshold value.