JPH0417665B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a tablet number determination device that determines the number of tablets (including capsules) present in a predetermined area. [Prior Art] Generally, when tablets are packaged into single doses using various tablet packaging machines at a hospital pharmacy, for example, the number of tablets stored in each packaging bag is the correct number according to the prescription. Pharmacists are conducting an audit of the number of tablets contained in each sachet to confirm that the number of tablets contained in each sachet is correct. [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, for example, in a large hospital pharmacy,
Because dispensing work must be done based on a large number of prescriptions per day, and the number of sachets per prescription is large, the number of sachets to be processed in a day is extremely large. . Therefore, it is a heavy burden for pharmacists to audit the number of tablets contained in each bag, which is extremely large. Even if the packaging process is automated, it is difficult to improve the efficiency beyond a certain level when it comes to auditing the number of tablets contained in each packaging bag. The higher the processing capacity for packaging, the more problems arise, such as the burden on pharmacists in auditing the number of tablets contained in sachets. This invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional methods and can determine the number of tablets present in a predetermined area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tablet number determination device that can reduce the burden of tablet inspection work on pharmacists by determining the number of tablets. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a device for determining the number of tablets present in a predetermined area, and a means for optically detecting the tablets in the area. and means for calculating the area and a predetermined function of the tablet based on the image data of the tablet detected by the detection means, and calculating the number of tablets from the area and the predetermined function determined by the calculation means. It is equipped with a means for making a determination. [Function] By employing the above means, the present invention can optically detect a tablet existing in a predetermined area by the detection means, and calculate the area and predetermined value by the calculation means based on the image data. After the function is determined, the number of tablets is determined by the determination means from the area and the predetermined function, and therefore,
For example, if the method is applied to audit the number of tablets in a sachet to determine the number of tablets in a sachet, the burden on pharmacists in auditing the number of tablets will be significantly reduced. [Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a detection device for optically detecting tablets present in a predetermined area (for example, in a sachet), for example.
It is constructed using a CCD camera or other appropriate means. 2 is an image processing device that data-processes the image of the tablet detected by the detection device 1, and performs various image processing techniques such as sampling, smoothing, binarization, inversion, small particle removal, and labeling. It is something to be used and processed. 3 is a calculation device that calculates the area, circumference, and complexity of the tablet image by calculating the image data obtained by processing with the image processing device 2, and the complexity is calculated by calculating the square of the circumference by the area. It is found as a function of area by dividing. Reference numeral 4 denotes a determination device that determines the number of tablets from the area and complexity of the tablet image determined by the calculation device 3. The target for determining the number of tablets by the determining device 4 may be a tablet (including a capsule) with any contour shape, but for example, it may include a and d of length a, width b, and thickness c. The shape seen from the front is a if a>b
A capsule A having a straight line portion along the line (see FIG. 2 for the corresponding contour shape), a circular tablet B,
Another tablet C that is also circular (see Figure 2 for the corresponding outline shape of B and C), a square tablet D (see Figure 2 for the corresponding outline shape), and a straight line along a where a>b There is an elliptical tablet E (see Figure 2 for the corresponding outline shape) that has no parts, a regular hexagonal tablet F (see Figure 2 for the corresponding outline shape), and a square with each side protruding into an arc shape. Tablet G shaped like a flower petal (see Figure 2 for the corresponding contour shape)
Table 1 below shows the area, circumference, and complexity determined by the arithmetic unit 3 based on the image data.

[Table] As is clear from Table 1, even though the contour shapes vary, the complexity of tablets alone ranges from 13 to 17, and the complexity of capsules alone ranges from 19 to 22.
within the range of In addition, there are two capsules A and A (see Figure 3~ for the outline shape at that time), capsule A and tablet B.
(See Figure 3 for the outline shape at that time.) Table 2 below shows the area, circumference, and complexity of capsule A, tablet C, and tablets B and C when they are pressed together. be.

[Table] As is clear from Table 2, when tablets are stuck together, the complexity ranges from 20 to 23, which is far enough away from the complexity range from 13 to 17 for single tablets. There is. Therefore, when the target of tablet number determination is a tablet, the determination device 4 uses complexity level 18 or 19 as the boundary,
If the complexity is less than that, it is determined that it is a single pill, and the number of tablets is determined and output, and if the complexity is greater than that, it is determined that the tablets are stuck together. , a message indicating that the number of tablets cannot be determined is output. Furthermore, as is clear from Table 2, when the capsules are attached to each other, the complexity level of the contour shape at that time is 25 or more, except for AA shown in Figure 3, which means that the complexity of the capsule alone is It is far enough away from the complexity range of 19 to 22 in the case of . However, since the complexity of AA of 20.01 is within the range of complexity of 19 to 22 for a single capsule,
It is impossible to determine the number of tablets based on complexity alone; the ratio of area to complexity must be added to the determining factors. That is, for a single capsule, the area-to-complexity ratio is in the range of 400 to 500;
For AA, the area to complexity ratio is ~880
The second determination factor is that it is in the range of 1000. Therefore, when the target of tablet number determination is a capsule, the complexity is smaller than 23 or 24, and the ratio of area to complexity is smaller than 700. To,
It is determined that it is a single capsule, the number of tablets is determined and output, and the ratio of area to complexity is If it is larger than the boundary of around 700, it is determined that the capsules are stuck together, and a message is output that the number of tablets cannot be determined. Furthermore, as is clear from Table 2, when the tablet and capsule are stuck together, the complexity is 25 or more, which is higher than the complexity of the tablet alone, which is 13 to 25.
17 range, and complexity 19 for single capsule
~22 range and far enough away. Therefore, when the target for tablet number determination is a mixture of tablets and capsules, the complexity level is set at 23 or 24, and if the complexity level is lower than that, the determination device 4 determines that the tablet and capsule are each a single unit. to determine and output the number of tablets, and
If the degree of complexity is higher than that, it is determined that the tablet and capsule are stuck together, and a message is output that the number of tablets cannot be determined. Next, the operation of the above will be explained. First, when the detection device 1 optically detects a tablet present in a predetermined area such as a sachet, the image processing device 2 processes image data of the tablet. Subsequently, the arithmetic device 3 calculates the area, circumference, and complexity of the tablet image by calculating the image data processed by the image processing device 2. The number of tablets is determined from the area and complexity of the tablet image thus determined. That is, when the target of tablet number determination is a tablet, the determination device 4 determines that the complexity level is 18 or 19 as the boundary,
If the complexity is less than that, it is determined that it is a single pill, and the number of tablets is determined and output, and if the complexity is greater than that, it is determined that the tablets are stuck together. , outputs that the number of tablets cannot be determined. In addition, when the target of tablet number determination is a capsule, the determination device 4 determines that the complexity is smaller than 23 or 24 as a boundary, and the ratio of area to complexity is smaller than 23 or 24.
If the boundary is around 700, and if it is smaller than that, it is determined that it is a single capsule, and the number of tablets is determined and output, and if the complexity is greater than the boundary of 23 or 24, and if the complexity is less than the boundary. Even if it is small, if the ratio of area to complexity is larger than the boundary of around 700, it is determined that the capsules are stuck together, and a message is output that the number of tablets cannot be determined. Furthermore, when the target for tablet number determination is a mixture of tablets and capsules, the complexity level is 23 or 24 as the boundary, and if the complexity level is lower than that, the determination device 4 determines that the tablet and capsule are each a single unit. Then, the number of tablets is determined and output. If the degree of complexity is greater than that, it is determined that the tablet and capsule are stuck together, and a message that the number of tablets cannot be determined is output. Therefore, tablets (including capsules) that are present in a predetermined area of a sachet, etc., in a stand-alone state that do not stick together with other tablets (including capsules).
Since the number of tablets is clearly determined by the determination device 4, if this is applied to, for example, auditing the number of tablets and determining the number of tablets in the sachet, the burden of the tablet number auditing work on the pharmacist is reduced. will be significantly reduced,
The pharmacist only has to perform the task of auditing the number of tablets contained in the sachets for which the determination device 4 outputs that the number of tablets cannot be determined. Note that both the arithmetic device 3 and the determination device 4 of the above embodiment can be constructed by appropriate means using a computer and its peripheral technology. Further, in the above embodiment, the image of the tablet detected by the detection device 1 may be a projected image transmitted through the tablet or a reflected image reflected on the tablet. , image processing including color data can be used to determine the number of tablets. Further, in the above embodiment, the calculation device 3 calculates the area of the tablet image and also calculates the degree of complexity obtained by dividing the square of the circumference by the area as a function of the area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, find other appropriate functions,
This may be used to determine the number of tablets. Furthermore, the contour shapes of capsules and tablets that are subject to tablet number determination when viewed from the front are not limited to the contour shapes shown in FIG. It goes without saying that the contour shape of the state is not limited to the contour shape shown in FIG. 3, and that the present invention can be modified in various ways to the above-described embodiment. [Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, the calculation means detects the tablets present in the predetermined area based on the image data obtained by optically detecting the tablets in the predetermined area. The area and a predetermined function are determined, and the determination means can determine the number of tablets from this area and the predetermined function. If determined, it will have excellent effects such as being able to significantly reduce the burden of tablet count inspection work on pharmacists.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view showing the contour shapes of capsules and various tablets, and Fig. 3 shows capsules and a state where the capsules and tablets are pressed together. It is an explanatory view showing a contour shape. 1...Detection device, 2...Image processing device, 3...Arithmetic device, 4...Determination device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A device for determining the number of tablets present in a predetermined area, the device comprising: means for optically detecting tablets within the area; and image data of the tablets detected by the detection means. , means for calculating the area and a predetermined function, and means for determining the number of tablets from the area determined by the calculation means and the predetermined function.