JP5161477B2 - Dispensing device counting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to counting equipment dispensing device, in particular for counting the tablets number of sheets of dispensing apparatus tablets packaging format called PTP (press-through package) a tablet sheet is automatically formulated taking into tablet cassette it is suitable for the equipment.

  Traditionally, pharmacists perform dispensing work in pharmacies such as hospitals according to doctors' prescriptions, but in general hospitals where medical fields are wide, there are many types of tablets that can be taken out at all times, and storage locations are limited. Not only was it necessary, but the work of dispensing based on prescriptions was very mentally and physically burdensome.

  Therefore, a dispensing device has been developed that automatically dispenses a predetermined number of predetermined tablets including a fraction of a PTP tablet sheet based on a preset program (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The PTP tablet sheet is a packaging form in which the tablet is taken out by breaking the bottom aluminum sheet part by pressing the tablet side. Generally, 10 or more tablets are made into one sheet. Supplied.

  Here, the tablet cassette on which a plurality of PTP tablet sheets are placed is housed in a cassette shelf, and the claw portion of the chucking device mounted on the head device is directly in the groove formed on the front surface of the tablet cassette. Intrusion and relative positioning are performed, and the PTP tablet sheet at the lowest position in the tablet cassette is chucked and automatically taken out.

In such a dispensing device, the number of PTP tablet sheets loaded in each tablet cassette is grasped by subtracting the automatically extracted number from the initial value data stored in the control device. So-called inventory management was performed.
JP-A-4-269960 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-052233

  By the way, when a medicine is urgently required, a desired PTP tablet sheet may be manually taken out from a certain tablet cassette. On the contrary, the PTP tablet sheet that has been used excessively may be returned to another tablet cassette. For such reasons, it is normal that the inventory management data and the number of PTP tablet sheets actually loaded in each tablet cassette do not match. Therefore, it is necessary to manually check the number of PTP tablet sheets loaded in each tablet cassette and update the inventory management data.

  However, it is very troublesome to manually confirm the number of PTP tablet sheets of enormous types, and this is even more because the PTP tablet sheets are frequently taken out and returned manually. In addition, in manual confirmation, there is a possibility that the number of PTP tablet sheets is erroneously counted. If inventory management is performed based on the number of erroneously counted PTP tablet sheets, the reliability of the inventory management data is reduced. It can be detrimental.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and automatically counts the number of PTP tablet sheets, provides a count equipment of dispensing apparatus capable of obtaining a highly reliable inventory data For the purpose.

The present invention is a counting device of a dispensing device that includes a first counter that counts the number of tablet sheets in a tablet cassette and a second counter that counts the number of tablets in a fraction sheet returned to the tablet cassette. Based on the counted number of tablet sheets counted using the first counter and the packaging unit data stored in the storage unit in advance as a database relating to drug information, the actual inventory information of the tablet sheets And inventory management is performed by adding the number of tablets of the fraction sheet counted using the second counter to the actual inventory information .
According to the present invention, based on the counted number of tablet sheets counted using the first counter and the packaging unit data stored in advance in a storage unit as a database relating to drug information, the tablet sheet The actual inventory information is created, and the inventory management is performed by adding the number of tablets of the fraction sheet counted using the second counter to the actual inventory information. More reliable inventory management can be performed using the number of sheets and the automatically counted number of tablets in the fraction sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided on one side of the tablet cassette, and the first counter is disposed to face the opening of the tablet cassette, and the number of tablet sheets viewed from the opening. Is preferably counted.
According to invention of Claim 2, while providing an opening part in the one side of the said tablet cassette, said 1st counter is arrange | positioned facing the opening part of the said tablet cassette, and the number of the tablet sheets looked through from this opening part Therefore, the number of tablet sheets loaded in the tablet cassette can be automatically counted. Therefore, even if the tablet sheet is frequently replenished or taken out from the tablet cassette, the number of tablet sheets can be surely grasped following that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as the first counter, an optical sensor that projects light onto the front end portion of the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette and receives the reflected light, and the received light includes And a first counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the distance information from the optical sensor to the tip of the tablet sheet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first counter includes a light sensor that projects light onto the front end of the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette and receives the reflected light, and the received light includes Since the first counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the distance information from the optical sensor to the tip of the tablet sheet is provided, the number of the tablet sheets can be counted in a non-contact manner. Therefore, even if the tablet sheet is easily deformed, the number of the tablet sheets can be accurately grasped.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as the first counter, as the first counter, an image pickup means for picking up an image of the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette, and a second device for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the picked-up image. It is preferable to provide the counting means.

According to invention of Claim 4 , as said 1st counter, the imaging means which images the tablet sheet peeped from the opening part of said tablet cassette, and the 2nd which counts the number of sheets of this tablet sheet based on this captured image In this case as well, the number of tablet sheets can be counted in a non-contact manner. Therefore, even if the tablet sheet is easily deformed, the number of the tablet sheets can be accurately grasped.

By the way, when optically counting the number of tablet sheets, the bottom surface of the tablet cassette may be erroneously counted as the lowest tablet sheet. Therefore, as in the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the tablet cassette facing the opening is cut out by a predetermined amount.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the bottom surface of the tablet cassette facing the opening is cut out by a predetermined amount, the bottom surface of the tablet cassette is not erroneously counted as the lowest tablet sheet. Thus, the number of tablet sheets can be grasped more accurately.

By the way, since there is little deformation | transformation in the case of a thick tablet sheet, you may contact it and may count the number of tablet sheets. Therefore, as in the invention described in claim 6 , as the first counter, a height sensor for detecting the highest position of the tablet sheet by contacting the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette, It is preferable to include third counting means for counting the number of tablet sheets based on the highest position.

According to the invention of claim 6 , as the first counter, a height sensor for detecting the highest position of the tablet sheet by contacting the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette, and the highest of the tablet sheet Since the third counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the position is provided, the number of the tablet sheets can be counted by contact. Therefore, if the tablet sheet is difficult to deform, the number of the tablet sheets can be grasped more easily.

Incidentally, if there is an end count sheet, it is necessary to know the number of tablets contained in the fraction sheet. Therefore, an invention according to claim 7, wherein, in the pre-Symbol second counter, the shape sensor the fractional sheet is provided in the path that is returned to the tablet cassettes, based on an output of the profile sensor, the fractional sheet preferably Rukoto a fourth counting means for counting the number of tablets.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, as the second counter, a shape sensor provided in a path in which the fraction sheet is returned into the tablet cassette, and the fraction sheet based on an output of the shape sensor. Since the fourth counting means for counting the number of tablets is provided, it is possible to automatically count the number of tablets in the fraction sheet returned to the tablet cassette. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably grasp the number of tablets in the fraction sheet.

  As in the invention according to claim 8, as the shape sensor, a light emitting portion that projects toward the front or back surface of the fraction sheet returned into the tablet cassette at a predetermined speed, and the surface opposite to the surface At least one pair of light receiving units for receiving the projected light is provided, and the fourth counting means is provided on the fraction sheet based on the predetermined speed and a light reception signal or a non-light reception signal of the light reception unit. It is preferable to count the number of tablets contained.

  According to invention of Claim 8, as said shape sensor, the light emission part which projects toward the front or back surface of the fraction sheet | seat returned in a tablet cassette at predetermined speed, and this surface on the opposite side is said At least one pair of light receiving units for receiving the projected light is provided, and the fourth counting means is provided on the fraction sheet based on the predetermined speed and a light reception signal or a non-light reception signal of the light reception unit. Since the number of included tablets is counted, the number of tablets in the fraction sheet can be counted in a non-contact manner. Therefore, even if the fraction sheet is easily deformed, the number of tablets in the fraction sheet can be accurately grasped.

According to the present invention, based on the counted number of tablet sheets counted using the first counter and the packaging unit data stored in advance in a storage unit as a database relating to drug information, the tablet sheet The actual inventory information is created, and the inventory management is performed by adding the number of tablets of the fraction sheet counted using the second counter to the actual inventory information. More reliable inventory management can be performed using the number of sheets and the automatically counted number of tablets in the fraction sheet.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of a dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing device 1 includes two Y carriages 200 and 200 provided on the left and right sides of the box-shaped device main body 100, and X carriages supported by the Y carriages 200 and 200, respectively. 300, 300, two chucking units 400, 400 supported by these X carriages 300, 300, and two on the front left and right sides of the apparatus main body 100, and a plurality of tablet cassettes 500, 500,. Cassette shelves 600, 600 that can be mounted side by side in the left-right direction, cutting units 700, 700 disposed below these cassette shelves 600, 600, and both cassette shelves below the left and right cassette shelves 600, 600. 600 and 600, and a single transfer conveyor unit 800 disposed between the left and right ends. .

  Hereinafter, representative components of a plurality of components will be described.

  The Y carriage 200 includes a servo motor 210, a ball screw 220 in the vertical axis direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) driven by the servo motor 210, vertical guides 230 and 230 respectively disposed on the left and right of the ball screw 220, The X carriage 300 includes a carriage main body 310 that moves up and down together with the nut 240 by the rotation of the ball screw 220 while being guided by the vertical guides 230 and 230, and the carriage main body. On 310, a servo motor 410, a ball screw 415 in the horizontal axis direction (X direction in FIG. 1) driven by the servo motor 410, and a nut (not shown) are provided.

  2 is a perspective view of the tablet cassette 500 as viewed from the side facing the chucking unit 400, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet cassette 500, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state before sheet cueing, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a main body lower part 540 of the cassette main body 520. In the following, the side of the tablet cassette 500 that faces the chucking unit 400 is referred to as the front, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear.

  The tablet cassette 500 in the present embodiment is formed to be slightly wider than various PTP tablet sheets (corresponding to tablet sheets) 900 to be stacked. Accordingly, a plurality of tablet cassettes 500 having different width dimensions are prepared according to the widths of various PTP tablet sheets 900. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the specific configuration thereof is a long cassette base 510 having a concave cross section, and a cassette body 520 that is detachably fitted from the longitudinal direction of the cassette base 510. It is made up of.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, L-shaped protrusions 512 and 512 are formed in the front and rear (and left and right) sides on the back side of the bottom plate 511 of the cassette base 510, and the rear end of the bottom plate 511 is A tongue piece 513 that is bent upward and has elasticity is formed. A support member 514 having a reverse concave shape in cross section is formed on the surface side of the rear portion of the bottom plate 511, and two left and right tongue pieces 515 and 515 that are cantilevered by the support member 514 are respectively formed so as to descend toward the front portion. Has been. As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 514 and the tongue pieces 515 and 515 are both disposed in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510, and the tongue pieces 515 and 515 serve as PTP tablet sheets. A fraction of 900, 900,... Is chucked. However, the number of the strips 515 is not limited to two but may be one or three or more.

  The cassette main body 520 further includes a main body upper part 530 on which a plurality of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Can be stacked, and a main body lower part 540 attached integrally with the lower part of the main body upper part 530. .

  The main body lower part 540 is disposed so as to be buried in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 in the assembled state of the cassette main body 520 to the cassette base 510. As shown, a link mechanism 550 for sequentially taking out the PTP tablet sheets 900 stacked at the bottom of the upper portion 530 of the main body is provided on a bottom plate 541 having a long shape with a concave cross section.

  The link mechanism 550 is located at the rear portion of the bottom plate 541 of the main body lower portion 540, and is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion in the width direction thereof, and the rear end side is at one end side of the rotary member 542. When the front end side pressing member 543 receives a pressing force from the chuck 430, the first sliding member 544 can be moved rearward against the elastic biasing force of the tension spring 544a. A second slide which is arranged in parallel with one slide member 544 and whose rear end side is rotatably connected to the other end side of the rotating member 542 and is movable in the opposite direction to the first slide member 544. The second slide member 545 is provided with an extruding member 546 for extruding the PTP tablet sheet 900 stacked at the bottom. That.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the main body upper part 530 is embedded in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 from the rear part to the intermediate part in an assembled state with the cassette base 510 of the cassette main body 520. The side wall 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 are projected from the middle part to the front part of the cassette base 510 so as to project in an L shape when viewed from the side. The projected front walls 531 are bent inward at the front end. Thus, they are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap. The upper ends of the front wall 531 are connected to each other by a reinforcing plate 532.

  A bar-like member 533 is erected on the rear part of the upper part 530 of the main body, and is laid down when the PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are filled, so that the PTP tablet sheet 900, The PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are aligned by raising the rod-like member 533 while sandwiching 900,.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 531 a through which each of the tablet sheets 900, 900,. In addition, the counter 431 mounted on the chucking unit 400 can count the number of each of the tablet sheets 900, 900,. For the counter 431, for example, a reflective laser type distance sensor 431a, a captured image recognition device 431b, a contact type sensor 431c, and the like are used.

  FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 is counted using a reflective laser type distance sensor 431 a as the counter 431. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 is counted using the captured image recognition device 431b as the counter 431, where (a) is a side sectional view and (b). Is a binarized captured image. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 is counted using a contact sensor 431c as a counter 431. Hereinafter, each counting method will be described in detail.

(1) When counting the number of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... In the tablet cassette 500 using a reflective laser type distance sensor 431a as the counter 431:
In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... It is in a state. The front portion of the bottom plate 534 is cut out by a predetermined amount, and the tips of the PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are overhanged on the cutout portion 535.

  Then, while moving the chucking unit 400 up and down, laser light is directed toward the PTP tablet sheet 900 on the tablet cassette 500 from a reflective laser type distance sensor (corresponding to an optical sensor) 431a as the counter 431. When the light is projected, reflected light from the sheet main body 910 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 and reflected light from the tablet 920 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 are alternately detected.

  Then, there is a slight time difference from the light projection to the reflected light detection in the counter 431. By calculating this time difference in the controller 10, the distance D1 from the counter 431 to the sheet main body 910 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 and the counter 431 The distance D2 to the tablet 920 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 can be detected.

  Therefore, the threshold value D is set as D1 ≦ D <D2, and the number of detections when the distance not exceeding the threshold value D is detected is counted, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 in the tablet cassette 500 is counted. The number of sheets can be detected (function as a first counting means).

  At this time, since the front ends of the respective PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are overhanged on the notch 535 in the front portion of the bottom plate 534 of the tablet cassette 500, the lowermost in the tablet cassette 500. The sheet main body 910 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 mounted on can be easily detected. In this way, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in each tablet cassette 500 can be accurately detected without contact.

(2) When counting the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 using the captured image recognition device 431b as the counter 431:
Also in this case, a plurality of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are vertically moved by the bar-shaped member 533 on the bottom plate 534, as shown in FIG. It is in a state of being aligned. The front portion of the bottom plate 534 is cut out by a predetermined amount, and the tips of the PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are overhanged on the cutout portion 535.

  Then, while moving the chucking unit 400 up and down, the PTP tablet sheet 900 on the tablet cassette 500 is imaged by the imaging unit (corresponding to imaging means) of the captured image recognition device 431b as the counter 431. When this captured image is binarized by a CPU (not shown) of the controller 10, a black and white striped image as shown in FIG. 8B is obtained. The white portion of the image corresponds to the imaging portion of the sheet body 910 of the PTP tablet sheet 900, and the black portion of the image corresponds to the imaging portion of the tablet 920 of the PTP tablet sheet 900.

  Therefore, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 can be detected only by counting the number of repetitions of the black and white portion of the image (this is a function as a second counting means).

  At this time, since the front ends of the respective PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are overhanged on the notch 535 in the front portion of the bottom plate 534 of the tablet cassette 500, the lowermost in the tablet cassette 500. The sheet main body 910 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 mounted on can be easily detected. In this way, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in each tablet cassette 500 can be accurately detected without contact.

(3) When counting the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 using the contact sensor 431c as the counter 431:
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... It is in the state. However, in this case, the notch 535 at the front portion of the bottom plate 534 is not necessary.

  Then, while moving the chucking unit 400 up and down, the uppermost PTP tablet sheet 900 on the tablet cassette 500 is traced with the arm of a contact sensor (corresponding to a height sensor) 431c as the counter 431. The height can be detected.

  Therefore, the controller 10 can detect the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in the tablet cassette 500 by simply tracing the top PTP tablet sheet 900 on the tablet cassette 500 and detecting the height thereof (third count). Function as a means).

  In this way, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 in each tablet cassette 500 can be detected inexpensively and accurately.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chucking unit 400 includes a Z carriage 411 extending forward (Z direction in FIG. 1) from the carriage body 310, a rotary solenoid 420 disposed on the Z carriage 411, and the rotary solenoid 420. Chuck 430 driven by the horizontal axis, horizontal guides 440 and 440 respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the chuck 430, a primary bucket 450 provided at a lower portion between the horizontal guides 440 and 440, and a front portion of the primary bucket 450 A line sensor 460 provided and a secondary bucket 480 with a shutter 470 provided below the primary bucket 450 are provided. The Z carriage 411 is composed of a servo motor (not shown), a ball screw, and a nut.

  If it is not necessary to punch the fraction of the PTP tablet sheet 900, the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 moves forward in response to an operation command from a controller (not shown), and the chuck 430 directly uses the tablet cassette. By pressing the pressing member 543 of 500, the first slide member 544 of the link mechanism 550 is retracted against the elastic biasing force of the tension spring 544a. With the retracted first slide member 544, one end side of the rotating member 542 is pressed to rotate the rotating member 542 counterclockwise in FIG. Then, the second slide member 545 is advanced on the other end side of the rotated rotating member 542. The pushing member 546 is moved forward by the advanced second slide member 545.

  By pressing the rear end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the lowermost side of the tablet cassette 500 with the moved extruding member 546, the front end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 slightly protrudes from the tablet cassette 500. From the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5, so-called cueing is performed. The chucked PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked by the chuck 430 and pulled forward, and chucking by the chuck 430 is released to drop the pulled PTP tablet sheet 900 into the primary bucket 450. The primary bucket 450 is moved onto the secondary bucket 480 using the X carriage 300 and the Y carriage 200. Then, a bottom shutter (not shown) of the primary bucket 450 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped into the secondary bucket 480. Next, the bottom shutter 470 of the secondary bucket 480 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  The cutting unit 700 includes a vertical blade and a horizontal blade (not shown) for punching out the fraction of the PTP tablet sheet 900. Even when it is necessary to punch out the PTP tablet sheet 900, as described above, the pressing member 543 of the tablet cassette 500 is pressed by the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 and the pushing member 546 is directed forward by the link mechanism 550. Move to.

  By pushing the rear end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the lowermost side of the tablet cassette 500 with the moved pushing member 546, the PTP tablet sheet 900 is cued. The chucked PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked by the chuck 430 and pulled forward, and this time, the pulled PTP tablet sheet 900 is transported to the cutting unit 700 while being chucked. Then, the PTP tablet sheet 900 is punched by using the vertical blade and the horizontal blade, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 corresponding to the punched fraction is dropped directly onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  The remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 that has been punched out is returned to the original tablet cassette 500 while being chucked by the chuck 430. In this case, the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is the tongue of the cassette base 510. It is inserted and stored in the remaining storage section 515a below the pieces 515, 515 in a cueing state.

  The remaining portion of the PTP tablet sheet 900 stored in the remaining storage portion 515a is then chucked by the chuck 430 with the remaining portion of the PTP tablet sheet 900 and pulled forward, and is formed by the line sensor 460. Check. Then, when it is not necessary to punch out the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900, the chucking by the chuck 430 is released in order to drop the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 into the primary bucket 450. The primary bucket 450 is moved onto the secondary bucket 480 using the X carriage 300 and the Y carriage 200. Then, a bottom shutter (not shown) of the primary bucket 450 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped into the secondary bucket 480. Next, the bottom shutter 470 of the secondary bucket 480 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  On the other hand, even when it is necessary to punch the remaining fraction of the remaining portion of the PTP tablet sheet 900, as described above, the chuck 430 can cue it from the remaining portion storage portion 515a under the tongue pieces 515 and 515 of the cassette base 510. The remaining portion of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked and pulled forward. The remaining portion of the pulled PTP tablet sheet 900 is conveyed to the cutting unit 700 while being chucked. Then, the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is punched using the vertical blade and the horizontal blade, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 corresponding to the further punched part is dropped directly onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  On the other hand, the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 that has been subjected to further blanking is returned to the original tablet cassette 500 while being chucked by the chuck 430. In this case, the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is also the cassette base 510. Are inserted and stored in the remaining storage portion 515a below the tongue pieces 515, 515.

  In this way, the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the tablet cassette 500 is dispensed to its fraction without waste.

  The conveyor unit 800 includes a group of rollers 801 and tablet takeout buckets 802 and 802 that are moved in the front-rear and left-right directions by the group of rollers 801. Then, the PTP tablet sheet 900 dropped from the secondary bucket 480 via the shutter 470 or its remaining part is moved in the front / rear / left / right direction by a roller group 801 and dropped into one of the tablet takeout buckets 802 and 802. It is like that.

  On the other hand, the remaining portion or further remaining portion of the PTP tablet sheet 900 dropped from the cutting unit 700 is similarly moved in the front-rear and left-right directions by the roller group 801 and dropped into one of the tablet take-out buckets 802 and 802.

  In this way, the dispensed buckets 802 and 802 accommodate the dispensed PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remainder thereof.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a control system related to inventory management of the dispensing device 1, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation related to inventory management of the dispensing device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control system related to inventory management of the dispensing device 1 performs various calculations based on the controller 10 attached to the dispensing device 1, various data from the controller 10, and prescription data input separately. And a control device 20 for performing the above.

  The controller 10 includes a sheet number capturing unit 26 for capturing the PTP tablet sheet number data of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Detected by the counter 431 by the scanning operation before the dispensing of the chucking unit 400. A first operation command unit 31 that outputs a command signal for controlling the scanning operation before dispensing of the chucking unit 400 to the chucking unit 400, and controls the chucking operation of the chucking unit 400 during dispensing. And a second operation command unit 32 that outputs a command signal to the chucking unit.

  The control device 20 is configured by a general-purpose or dedicated computer that is arranged close to the dispensing device 1, and includes a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, a CPU 25, and a storage unit 30. . The ROM 21 stores a control program of the dispensing device 1 and various preset data, and the RAM 22 temporarily stores data. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays various messages to the user. The input unit 24 is for inputting various instructions and prescription data of the user.

  The CPU 25 controls the overall operation of the dispensing apparatus 1 via the controller 10 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 21, and stores in the storage unit 30 in advance as a database relating to the sheet number data and medicine information. Based on the stored packaging unit data, it functions as a means for creating inventory management data (corresponding to actual inventory information) for inventory management. The inventory management data is used to calculate operation data for operating the chucking unit 400 during dispensing together with the prescription data.

  The storage unit 30 stores all of the created inventory management data and the like via the CPU 25. The storage unit 30 may be provided outside the control device 20 or on the controller 10 side.

  Hereinafter, a scanning operation related to inventory management of the dispensing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Now, it is assumed that the chucking unit 400 is in a standby state, for example, on the lower left side (home position) in FIG. In such an initial state, in FIG. 11, for example, when power is first turned on in the morning, first, initial setting such as setting of a default value in the RAM 22 is performed (step S1). Then, it is assumed that the user selects a scanning operation with the input unit (step S2). In this case, the scanning operation of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Is started according to a preset program (step S3).

  For example, each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Fixed on the uppermost shelf 602 of the cassette shelf 600 is scanned from the left to the right from the home position, and conversely from the right in the lower stage. Scan to the left. Then, the scanning is finished on the left or right side of the lowermost stage, and the chucking unit 400 returns to the home position.

  During this scanning operation, (1) when a reflective laser type distance sensor 431a is used as the counter 431, an opening 531a formed on the front surface of the tablet cassette 500 from the reflective laser type distance sensor 431a. The light is projected and distance data included in the reflected light is detected (step S4). Then, the sheet number fetching unit 26 calculates the sheet number data of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Based on the distance data, and fetches the calculated sheet number data (step S5).

  (2) When the captured image recognition device 431b is used as the counter 431, the captured image data of the imaging unit of the captured image recognition device 431b is detected (step S4). Next, the sheet number acquisition unit 26 calculates the sheet number data of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Based on the binarized image of the captured image, and acquires the calculated sheet number data (step S5). .

  (3) When the contact sensor 431c is used as the counter 431, the height data of the uppermost PTP tablet sheet 900 in the tablet cassette 500 is detected by the contact sensor 431c (step S4). Subsequently, the sheet number fetching unit 26 calculates the sheet number data of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Based on the height data, and fetches the calculated sheet number data (step S5).

  Next, inventory management data is created by the CPU 25 based on the sheet number data and packaging unit data stored in advance in the storage unit 30 as a database relating to medicine information (step S6), and the inventory management data is stored in the storage. Store in the unit 30 (step S7). Then, the scanning operation before dispensing of the chucking unit 400 is ended (step S8).

  Then, it returns to step S2, and since it is not a scanning operation this time (NO in step S2), the chucking operation at the time of dispensing of the chucking unit 400 is started (step S9). Since this operation is the normal dispensing operation described in each of the above components, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to this embodiment, the opening 531a is provided in the front wall 531 of the tablet cassette 500, and the counter 431 is disposed to face the opening 531a of the tablet cassette 500, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 viewed from the opening 531a Since the number of sheets is counted, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900 loaded in the tablet cassette 500 can be automatically counted. Therefore, even if the PTP tablet sheet 900 is frequently replenished or taken out from the tablet cassette 500, the number of the PTP tablet sheets 900 can be reliably grasped following that. Furthermore, more reliable inventory management is performed using the automatically counted number of PTP tablet sheets 900 and packaging unit data stored in advance in the storage unit 30 as a database relating to drug information. Will be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the two cassette shelves 600 and 600 are arranged on the left and right. However, the cassette shelves 600 and 600 may be arranged on the front and back, or one or three or more cassette shelves may be arranged. Good. In that case, it is preferable from the viewpoint of work efficiency that the number of carriages, chucking units, cutting units, and the like correspond to this.

  In the above embodiment, the reflection type laser type distance sensor 431a, the captured image recognition device 431b, and the contact type sensor 431c have been described as the counter 431. However, other contact type or non-contact type counters are used. May be.

  In the above embodiment, each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Is arranged on the shelf plate 602 of the cassette shelf 600 in the width direction of each tablet cassette 500, 500,. The shelf plate is not limited to a stationary flat plate shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape rotating around a predetermined axis. In that case, the chucking unit 400 (or the counter 431 mounted on the chucking unit 400) is moved relative to the tablet cassettes 500, 500,... Mounted on the rotating shelf plate. It ’s enough.

  By the way, the fraction sheet 900 a which is the remaining part of the PTP tablet sheet 900 punched by the cutting unit 700 is returned to the original tablet cassette 500 while being chucked by the chuck 430. In the above embodiment, the number of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Stacked in the tablet cassette 500 is grasped, but the number of tablets 920 included in the fraction sheet 900a returned to the original tablet cassette 500. I do not know until. In order to perform more accurate inventory management, it is necessary to know the number of tablets 920 of the fraction sheet 900a. Hereinafter, a configuration example for grasping the number of tablets 920 of the fraction sheet 900a will be described. FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory views showing a state in which the number of tablets 920 of the fraction sheet 900a is counted using the photo interrupter 435a as the counter 435, wherein FIG. 12A is a perspective view and FIG. 12B is a side view.

  After the tablet sheet 900 is cut by the cutting unit 700, the remaining fraction sheet 900a is chucked by the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). It is drawn into the chucking unit 400. A counter 435 is provided in the pull-in route (route).

  As the counter 435, for example, a photo interrupter (corresponding to a shape sensor) 435a is used. The photo interrupter 435a includes a plurality of light emitting units 436 disposed on the front surface side of the fraction sheet 900a and a plurality of light receiving units 437 disposed on the back surface side corresponding to the light emitting units 436. Are arranged so as to include the entire width. The light emitting unit 436 and the light receiving unit 437 may be arranged upside down, or the photo interrupter 435a having at least one pair of the light emitting unit 436 and the light receiving unit 437 may be moved in the width direction of the fraction sheet 900a. Good.

  The fraction sheet 900a is pulled into the chucking unit 400 by the chuck 430 at a constant speed, and the light emitting unit 436 of the photo interrupter 435a is caused to emit light. Then, the light receiving unit 437 outputs an off signal in a portion shielded by the fraction sheet 900a, and the light receiving unit 437 outputs an on signal in a portion not shielded by the fraction sheet 900a. Note that all the light receiving units 437 output an ON signal before and after the fraction sheet 900a passes through the photo interrupter 435a.

  The shape of the fraction sheet 900a can be detected from the temporal change of the on / off signal of the light receiving unit 437 of the photo interrupter 435a. By comparing the detected shape with the shape of the PTP tablet sheet 900, the fraction sheet 900a can be detected. The number of tablets 920 contained can be detected (function as a fourth counting means).

  In this way, the number of tablets of the fraction sheet 900a can be accurately detected without contact.

  FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a control system related to another inventory management of the dispensing device 1, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation related to another inventory management of the dispensing device 1. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the element which is common in the said embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control system related to other inventory management of the dispensing device 1 is based on a controller 10 attached to the dispensing device 1, various data from the controller 10 and prescription data inputted separately. And a control device 20 that performs various calculations and the like.

  In addition to the configuration of FIG. 10, the controller 10 includes a tablet number capturing unit 27 for capturing the tablet number data of the fraction sheet 900 a detected by the counter 435 by the # 2 scan operation before dispensing of the chucking unit 400. It has.

  The control device 20 is configured by a general-purpose or dedicated computer that is arranged close to the dispensing device 1, and includes a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, a CPU 25, and a storage unit 30. . The ROM 21 stores a control program of the dispensing device 1 and various preset data, and the RAM 22 temporarily stores data. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays various messages to the user. The input unit 24 is for inputting various instructions and prescription data of the user.

  The CPU 25 controls the overall operation of the dispensing device 1 through the controller 10 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 21. In addition to the tablet sheet number data and the packaging unit data, Based on the numerical data, it functions as means for creating inventory management data (corresponding to actual inventory information) for inventory management. The inventory management data is used to calculate operation data for operating the chucking unit 400 during dispensing together with the prescription data.

  The storage unit 30 stores all of the created inventory management data and the like via the CPU 25. The storage unit 30 may be provided outside the control device 20 or on the controller 10 side.

  Hereinafter, a scanning operation related to inventory management of the dispensing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Now, it is assumed that the chucking unit 400 is in a standby state, for example, on the lower left side (home position) in FIG. In such an initial state, in FIG. 14, for example, when power is first turned on in the morning, first, initial setting such as setting of a default value in the RAM 22 is performed (step S1). Then, it is assumed that the user selects the same # 1 scan operation as described above at the input unit (step S2). In this case, the # 1 scan operation of each tablet cassette 500, 500,... Is started according to a preset program (step S3). Thereafter, steps S4 to S8 similar to the above are executed.

  When the # 1 scan operation is completed, the user selects the # 2 scan operation with the input unit (step S9). In this case, the # 2 scan operation of the fraction sheet 900a drawn into the chucking unit 400 is started according to a preset program (step S10).

  During this # 2 scan operation, the photo interrupter 435a is used as the counter 435. In this case, the ON signal data that is a light reception signal from the light emitting unit 436 to the fraction sheet 900a is received. The off signal data which is a non-light receiving signal is detected in time series (step S11). Next, the tablet number capturing unit 27 calculates the tablet number data of the fraction sheet 900a based on the on / off signal data, and captures the calculated tablet number data (step S12).

  Next, in addition to the number-of-sheets data and the packaging unit data stored in advance in the storage unit 30 as a database relating to drug information, the inventory data is created by the CPU 25 based on these data. Then, the inventory management data is stored in the storage unit 30 (step S14). Then, the # 2 scan operation before dispensing of the chucking unit 400 is terminated (step S15).

  Then, the process returns to step S9, and this time is not the # 2 scan operation (NO in step S9), and the chucking operation during dispensing of the chucking unit 400 is started (step S16). Since this operation is the normal dispensing operation described in each of the above components, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to this embodiment, as the counter 435, the photo interrupter 435a provided in the path in which the fraction sheet 900a is returned into the tablet cassette 500, and the time series of the on / off signals of the respective light receiving units 437 of the photo interrupter 435a Since the number of tablets of the fraction sheet 900a is counted based on the output data, the number of tablets of the fraction sheet 900a returned to the tablet cassette 500 can be automatically counted. Therefore, the number of tablets of the fraction sheet 900a can be reliably grasped. Furthermore, more reliable inventory management can be performed using the automatically counted number of tablets of the fraction sheet 900a.

  In this embodiment, the photo interrupter 435a is used as the counter 435, but other types of non-contact sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor, a captured image of the front or back surface of the fraction sheet 900a by a camera, and the like are used. Of course, in some cases, a contact sensor may be used.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the main components of the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the side which faces the chucking unit of a tablet cassette. It is a disassembled perspective view of a tablet cassette. It is a sectional side view which shows the state before the sheet | seat cueing of a tablet cassette. It is a sectional side view which shows the state at the time of the sheet | seat search of a tablet cassette. It is a perspective view which shows the specific structure of the main body lower part of a cassette main body. It is a sectional side view which shows a mode that the number of the sheets of PTP tablet sheets in a tablet cassette is counted using a reflection type laser type distance sensor as a counter. It is a sectional side view which shows a mode that the number of PTP tablet sheets in a tablet cassette is counted using a captured image recognition apparatus as a counter. It is a sectional side view which shows a mode that the number of PTP tablet sheets in a tablet cassette is counted using a contact-type sensor as a counter. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control system which concerns on the inventory management of this dispensing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows schematic operation | movement which concerns on the inventory management of this dispensing apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the number of tablets of a fraction sheet is counted using a photo interrupter as a counter. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control system which concerns on the other stock management of this dispensing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows schematic operation | movement which concerns on other inventory management of this dispensing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Dispensing device 10 Controller 20 Control device 25 CPU
26 Sheet number fetching section (corresponding to first, second and third counting means)
27 Tablet number take-in part (corresponds to fourth counting means)
30 Storage Unit 100 Device Main Body 200 Y Carriage 300 X Carriage 400 Chucking Unit 431 Counter 431a Reflective laser type distance sensor (corresponds to an optical sensor)
431b Captured image recognition device (including imaging means)
431c Contact sensor (corresponds to a height sensor)
435 Counter 435a Photo interrupter (corresponds to a shape sensor)
436 Light emitting part 437 Light receiving part 500 Tablet cassette 530 Main body upper part 531 Front wall 531a Opening part 533 Bar-shaped member 534 Bottom plate 535 Notch part 600 Cassette shelf 700 Cutting unit 800 Conveyor unit 900 PTP tablet sheet (corresponding to a tablet sheet)
900a fraction sheet 910 sheet body 920 tablet

Claims (8)

A dispensing device counting device comprising a first counter for counting the number of tablet sheets in a tablet cassette, and a second counter for counting the number of tablets in a fraction sheet returned to the tablet cassette ,
Based on the counted number of tablet sheets counted using the first counter and the packaging unit data stored in advance in the storage unit as a drug information database, the actual inventory information of the tablet sheets is created. A counting device for a dispensing device, which performs inventory management by adding the number of tablets of the fraction sheet counted using the second counter to the actual stock information . While providing an opening on one side of the tablet cassette,
The first counter is
2. A counting device for a dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the counting device is arranged so as to face the opening of the tablet cassette and counts the number of tablet sheets viewed from the opening. As the first counter,
An optical sensor that projects light onto the tip of the tablet sheet as seen through the opening of the tablet cassette and receives the reflected light;
The first counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on distance information from the optical sensor included in the received light to the tip of the tablet sheet is provided. Dispensing device counting device. As the first counter,
Imaging means for imaging a tablet sheet viewed through an opening of the tablet cassette;
The counting device for a dispensing device according to claim 2, further comprising second counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the captured image. 5. The dispensing device counting device according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined amount of a bottom surface of the tablet cassette facing the opening is cut out. As the first counter,
A height sensor for detecting the highest position of the tablet sheet in contact with the tablet sheet viewed from the opening of the tablet cassette;
3. A counting device for a dispensing device according to claim 2, further comprising third counting means for counting the number of the tablet sheets based on the highest position of the tablet sheets. As a pre-Symbol the second counter,
A shape sensor provided in a path through which the fraction sheet is returned into the tablet cassette;
The counting device of the dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a fourth counting unit that counts the number of tablets of the fraction sheet based on an output of the shape sensor. . As the shape sensor, a light emitting unit that projects light toward the front or back surface of the fraction sheet that is returned into the tablet cassette at a predetermined speed, and a light receiving unit that receives the light projected on the opposite side of this surface And at least one pair
The fourth counting means is configured to count the number of tablets contained in the fractional sheet based on the predetermined speed and a light reception signal or a non-light reception signal of the light receiving unit. The counting device of the dispensing device described.

Images