JPH11253530A - Sensor network system for preparation of medicine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system wherein scale of a circuit of a sensor system is made small and changing in operation is facilitated and wirings are made less and furthermore, load of a control device is reduced. SOLUTION: Optical sensors 21 and 22 are connected with a processing device 25 through an integration-comparison parts 23 and 24. Processing devices 29, 34 and 38 are respectively connected with a tray detecting sensor 11, a microswitch 32 and a proximity switch 36. The processing devices are constituted of microcomputors and are connected with a communication medium 40 through network interfaces 26, 30, 35 and 39. Operations in the processing devices 25, 29, 34 and 38 are changable by changing programs by means of a control device 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dispensing sensor network system used in a dispensing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dispensing system for automatically performing a dispensing operation according to a prescription has been put to practical use. This dispensing system includes various dispensing devices such as a drug packaging device and a medicine bag making device.

The dispensing device included in the dispensing system is provided with various sensors, and information output from the various sensors and predetermined dispensing information (such as the number and type of medicine bags, etc.) ) Is performed based on the operation control. Here, as various sensors used in the dispensing device, for example, in a medicine packaging device, a temperature sensor is used to detect a temperature of a heater for closing the packaging paper,
2. Description of the Related Art An optical sensor is used in a medicine bag making apparatus that creates medicine bags and prints medicine bag writing data on the medicine bags to detect the presence or absence of medicine bag paper. In addition, in addition to the above, in the dispensing device, a micro switch, a proximity switch, or the like is used to detect the positions of various movable parts.

In a conventional dispensing device, for example, a control device for managing the entire dispensing device based on information output from various sensors as described above, predetermined dispensing information, and the like includes a motor, a solenoid, and the like. In this case, the input from the sensor is converted to an analog circuit such as an operational amplifier or a comparator or an analog-digital (hereinafter, A / D). D is used to convert the signal into a predetermined signal required by the control device using hardware such as a converter.

[0005] In a conventional dispensing device, a control device that manages the entire dispensing device may have a function of performing self-diagnosis, automatic sensitivity adjustment, and the like for sensors.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, a sensor and an input from the sensor are required by a control device because of hardware such as an analog circuit and an A / D converter. There has been a problem that the circuit scale of a sensor device including a peripheral circuit that converts the signal into a predetermined signal becomes large. In the conventional sensor device, the operation is defined by hardware such as an analog circuit and an A / D converter, so that the sensitivity of the sensor is adjusted, the threshold value for a predetermined determination is changed, and the like. When the operation of the sensor device is changed, it is necessary to directly adjust the circuit in the sensor device or replace the circuit in the sensor device, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

Further, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to individually connect the sensor devices to the control device, and there is a problem that the number of wirings increases.

Further, in the conventional configuration, in addition to controlling the operation based on information output from the sensor, predetermined dispensing information, and the like, the control device further performs self-diagnosis and automatic sensitivity adjustment of the sensor. There is a problem that the load on the control device is increased due to the function of performing the control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the circuit scale of a sensor device, facilitate the change of operation, and reduce the number of wirings. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing sensor network system capable of reducing the load on a control device.

[0010]

A dispensing sensor network system according to the present invention includes a plurality of sensors used in a dispensing device, each of which is connected to at least one of the plurality of sensors, and includes a predetermined sensor. A plurality of processing devices that generate predetermined information according to an input from at least one sensor by an operation according to the processing procedure, and are connected to each of the plurality of processing devices via a communication medium, and are connected. And a control device for performing predetermined operation settings for a plurality of processing devices. In the present invention, a sensor refers to a device that detects some information, and includes a switch such as a microswitch or a proximity switch.

In this dispensing sensor network system, a plurality of processing devices connected to at least one of the plurality of sensors operate in accordance with a predetermined processing procedure in response to an input from at least one sensor. Predetermined information is generated. In addition, a predetermined operation setting for the plurality of processing devices is performed by a control device connected to each of the plurality of processing devices via a communication medium.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medicine bag making apparatus including the dispensing sensor network system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing system including the medicine bag making device shown in FIG. Furthermore,
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a console unit included in the dispensing system shown in FIG.

The dispensing system comprises a plurality of units each including various dispensing devices such as a medicine bag making device. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing system accommodates the console unit 1 functioning as a data input terminal and a data server for various data including dispensing information, and a sachet containing the dispensed medicine. Console unit 1 by means of a tray 2 moving on a transport path 10 and a communication path 3
Are connected to each other to store various types of tablets, powders or liquid medicines, and to automatically pack necessary tablets, powders or liquid medicines based on the dispensing information input from the console unit 1 to form a sachet. Tablet packaging unit 4, powder packaging unit 5 and liquid medication packaging unit 6 to be put into tray 2 in the form of
And a tray for printing necessary information on a medicine bag, which is a storage bag used when handing each type of sachet put into the tray 2 to the patient, including the medicine bag making apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes a medicine bag supply unit 7 to be put into the apparatus 2 and an audit support unit 8 for assisting an audit operation in which a pharmacist checks whether the medicine delivered to the patient is as per the dispensing information. Each of these units is a transport path drive unit 9
Along the transport path 10 driven by the

These units are interconnected by a communication path 3, and each unit is connected to the console unit 1.
It is not totally controlled by. Each of the units operates autonomously, and performs mutual data communication with other units as necessary, thereby performing an orderly operation as a whole. Therefore, each unit individually has a control device and a control program.

Of these units, each of the tablet packaging unit 4, the powder packaging unit 5, the liquid medication packaging unit 6, the medicine bag supply unit 7, and the audit support unit 8 detects the arrival of the tray 2. Tray detection sensor 1
1 and a stopper 12 having a function of stopping the movement of the tray 2 based on the detection by the tray detection sensor 11.
And are provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the console unit 1 includes a main body control unit 110 including a CPU 111, a hard disk device 112, a memory 113, and a communication media driver 114, and displays necessary information. A display device 120 and a keyboard 130 for inputting necessary information (dispensing information and the like) are provided.

In the console unit 1, each part of the main body control unit 110, the display device 120 and the keyboard 13
0 is connected by the internal bus 140. The memory 113 stores a processing program and the CPU 1
Reference numeral 11 is used as a work memory when performing necessary processing. The hard disk device 112 stores a database constructed including dispensing information such as prescription data for each patient input from the keyboard 130,
It is referred to by the CPU 111 as needed. The dispensing information stored in the database of the hard disk device 112 includes, for example, prescription data as prescription data, information on usage, the number of packages, the type and number of medicine bags, output order, and the like. C of main body control unit 110
The PU 111 is connected to another unit (such as the medicine bag supply unit 7) via the communication path 3 by the communication media driver 114.
Data communication can be performed with these units, and the contents of the database of the hard disk device 112 can be appropriately transmitted to these units.

The medicine bag supply unit 7 includes a medicine bag making device. As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine bag making apparatus includes a paper supply unit 13 that stores medicine bag paper and supplies the medicine bag paper to a printing unit described later, and prints the medicine bag paper supplied from the paper supply unit 13. A printing unit 14 for printing medicine bag writing data based on the prescription data by the head, and a medicine bag paper on which the medicine bag writing data is printed by the printing unit 14 are sealed and cut into a predetermined size to complete the medicine bag. A seal cut section 15, a medicine bag accommodating section 16 for accommodating a medicine bag completed by the seal cut section 15, a medicine bag writing data input from outside, and a paper feed section 13, a printing section 14, and a seal cut section. And a control device 17 for controlling the whole of the medicine bag making device by controlling the device 15.

In the printing section 14, two reflection-type optical sensors 21, 21 facing the transport path through which the printed medicine bag paper passes.
22 are provided. Each of the optical sensors 21 and 22 has a light emitting unit for emitting light toward the transport path, and a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected on the medicine bag paper. One optical sensor 21 is used to determine the presence or absence of a medicine bag sheet, and the other optical sensor 22
Are used to determine the state of printing on the medicine bag paper.

Next, a dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment will be described. The dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment is included in each of the units shown in FIG. 3,
Hereinafter, as an example of the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment, a dispensing sensor network system included in the medicine bag making device of the medicine bag supply unit 7 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a dispensing sensor network system and peripheral circuits according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment has a tray detection sensor 11 used for detecting the tray 2 described above.
In addition to the optical sensors 21 and 22, an integrating / comparing unit 23 for inputting an output signal of the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 21 and an optical sensor 2
An integration / comparison unit 24 for inputting an output signal of the light receiving unit 2;
Processing device 2 connected to these integration / comparison units 23 and 24
5 and a network interface 26 connected to the processing device 25. Optical sensors 21, 22;
The integration / comparison units 23 and 24, the processing device 25, and the network interface 26 are provided in the printing unit 14.

The dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment further includes a microswitch 32, a proximity switch 36, and the like as sensors in addition to the tray detection sensor 11, the optical sensors 21 and 22, and the like. . Among them, the micro switch 32 and the proximity switch 36
Is provided in a place where it is inappropriate to use the optical sensor due to the adhesion of paper dust, such as a part for cutting medicine bag paper.

The sensor network system for dispensing according to the present embodiment further includes a processing device 29 connected to the tray detection sensor 11, a network interface 30 connected to the processing device 29,
2, a network interface 35 connected to the processing device 34, a processing device 38 connected to the proximity switch 36, and a processing device 3
8 is connected to the network interface 39.

In the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment, the optical sensors 21 and 22, the integrating / comparing units 23 and 24, and the processing device 25 function as one sensor device. And the processing device 29, the microswitch 32 and the processing device 34,
The proximity switch 36 and the processing device 38 each function as one sensor device.

Each network interface 26, 3
0, 35, and 39 are connected to a communication medium 40, and the control device 17 is further connected to the communication medium 40. In this embodiment, the communication medium 40, the network interfaces 26, 30, 35, 39, and the control device 17 are connected in a bus type, and a terminating circuit (resistance) 41 is connected to the end of the communication medium 40. Have been. Further, a communication unit 42 is connected to the control device 17, and a communication medium 43 for performing communication between a plurality of devices (such as the console unit 1) including the medicine bag making device is connected to the communication unit 42. I have. Note that this communication medium 43 is the communication path 3 in FIG.
It constitutes.

Each of the network interfaces 26 and 3
Reference numerals 0, 35, and 39 respectively control communication protocols using the communication medium 40. Communication unit 4
2 communicates with another device, for example, the console unit 1 that manages dispensing information including prescription data, via the communication medium 40, and inputs medicine bag writing data.

Each of the processing units 25, 29, 34, 38 and the control unit 17 includes, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and an EEPROM (electric Erasable programmable ROM), an input / output interface circuit and the like.

The control unit 17 controls each unit of the medicine bag making device such as the printing unit 14 so as to print the medicine bag writing data input by the communication unit 42. Further, the control device 17 monitors the status information in each of the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38 via the communication medium 40 and each of the network interfaces 26, 30, 35, and 39, so that the processing devices 25, 29 , 34,38
Monitors abnormalities of sensors, switches, and the like, respectively, and manages the entire medicine bag making apparatus.
Further, the control device 17 communicates via the communication medium 40 and each of the network interfaces 26, 30, 35, and 39.
It is possible to perform predetermined operation settings for each of the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38, for example, input or change of a program. Further, the control device 17 can also perform initial setting and change of parameters (threshold value and the like) related to the operation in each of the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38 as predetermined operation settings. .

Each of the integrating / comparing units 23 and 24 has a capacitor to which a reference voltage is applied to one end and the other end grounded, and which integrates the reference voltage, an integrated value integrated by the capacitor, and the light sensor 21. It has a configuration that includes a comparator that compares the output signal with the output signal and outputs the output signal to the processing device 25, and an analog switch that grounds one end of the capacitor to zero the integrated value according to a reset signal from the processing device 25. ing.

On the other hand, the processing device 25 has a counter function of counting clocks, and outputs a pulse-like reset signal to analog switches in the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 at a predetermined cycle. Is output until the output of each comparator in the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 changes, the clocks are counted. Note that the cycle of outputting the reset signal is set to a time after the output of the reset signal until the integrated value of the capacitor is substantially saturated. 2 obtained by the processing device 25
Since the two count values correspond to the output values of the optical sensors 21 and 22, respectively, the output values of the optical sensors 21 and 22 are A / D-converted by the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 and the processing device 25. Will be.

The processor 25 compares each digital value obtained by A / D converting the output value of each of the optical sensors 21 and 22 with a predetermined threshold value, and compares the digital value with a predetermined threshold value. The presence or absence and the state of printing on the medicine bag paper are determined. The predetermined threshold here is set by, for example, the control device 17.

Here, a method of determining the presence or absence of a medicine bag sheet will be described. When there is a medicine bag paper at a position facing the optical sensor 21, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the optical sensor 21 is reflected by the medicine bag paper and enters the light receiving unit. If there is no paper, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the optical sensor 21 is not reflected by the medicine bag paper, so that the amount of incident light on the light receiving unit is reduced. Therefore, the amount of incident light on the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 21 differs depending on the presence or absence of the medicine bag paper, and the output value of the optical sensor 21 also differs. Processing device 25
Compares a digital value obtained by A / D conversion of the output value of the optical sensor 21 with a first threshold value set by the control device 17, and determines that the digital value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. In this case, it is determined that there is medicine bag paper, and the digital value is
If it is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no medicine bag paper.

Next, a method of determining the state of printing on the medicine bag paper will be described. In the present embodiment, in order to determine the state of printing on the medicine bag paper, the printing unit 14 prints a predetermined mark on a part of the medicine bag paper by the print head. The position where this mark is printed is a position where the medicine bag paper will face the optical sensor 22 when passing through the transport path. When the mark faces the optical sensor 22, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the optical sensor 22 is reflected by the mark and enters the light receiving unit. At this time, the reflectance differs depending on the print density of the mark. Therefore, the amount of light incident on the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 22 differs according to the print density of the mark, and the output value of the optical sensor 22 also varies. The processing device 25 compares the digital value obtained by A / D conversion of the output value of the optical sensor 22 with a second threshold value set by the control device 17, and compares the digital value with a second threshold value. If the digital value is less than the second threshold value, it is determined that the printing is appropriate (the printing density is high). .

The processing device 25 sends the determination result to the control device 17 via the network interface 26 and the communication medium 40. The processing device 25 performs each of the above operations by EE
The program is executed according to an application program stored in the PROM. Therefore, by changing the application program, the first threshold value and the second threshold value can be changed, and the cycle of outputting the reset signal can be changed. The control device 17 communicates via the communication medium 40 and the network interface 26
The application program can be written in the EEPROM in the processing device 25 and the application program already stored in the EEPROM can be rewritten, whereby the input and change of the application program in the processing device 25 can be performed. ing. Further, a host computer, a personal computer, or the like (for example, the console unit 1 in FIG. 3) connected to the communication medium 43
The application program in the processing device 25 is sent to the control device 17 via the communication unit 42, and the control device 17
Thus, input and change of an application program in the processing device 25 can be performed. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to input and change the application program in the processing device 25 from outside.

The processing device 29 generates predetermined information according to the input from the tray detection sensor 11 and sends the information to the control device 17 as necessary. Similarly, the processing device 34 generates predetermined information according to the input from the microswitch 32, and sends the information to the control device 17 as necessary. Further, the processing device 38 generates predetermined information according to the input from the proximity switch 36 and sends the information to the control device 17 as necessary. Similarly to the processing device 25, the processing devices 29, 34, and 38 execute the above-described operations in accordance with the application programs stored in the EEPROM, and can input and change the application programs from outside. Has become.

Each processing unit 25, 29, 34, 38
Has a self-diagnosis function for sensors, switches, and the like managed by each. This self-diagnosis function is to determine an abnormality, for example, when an input from a sensor, a switch, or the like exceeds a predetermined range, or when the same value continues for a predetermined time or more. Each processing device 25, 29, 34, 3
Numeral 8 sends the result of determination by the self-diagnosis function to the control device 17 as status information.

Next, the operation of the dispensing system including the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the operation of the entire dispensing system shown in FIG. 3 will be briefly described. In FIG. 3, when a pharmacist or the like inputs dispensing information such as prescription data based on a prescription of a certain patient from the keyboard 130 of the console unit 1, the dispensing information is stored in the hard disk device 112 shown in FIG. Here, the dispensing information input to the console unit 1 is appropriately transmitted to other units.

When dispensing information is input, the transport path drive unit 9 drives the transport path 10. When the transport path 10 is driven, the tray 2 moves in the direction of the arrow and arrives at the liquid medication dispensing unit 6 first. When the arrival of the tray 2 is detected by the tray detection sensor 11, the liquid medication packaging unit 6 sends a transport stop command to the transport path drive unit 9 via the communication path 3 and temporarily stops the drive of the transport path 10. Let it.
At the same time, the stopper 12 is operated to stop the tray 2 at a predetermined position. When tray 2 stops at the predetermined position, liquid medication dispensing unit 6 performs predetermined processing based on the dispensing information input to console unit 1. Upon completion of the predetermined process, liquid medication packaging unit 6 releases the stop function of stopper 12, and sends a transport start command to transport path drive unit 9 via communication path 3 to drive transport path 10. Then, the tray 2 is moved to the next unit (tablet packing unit 4).

When the processing in the liquid medication packaging unit 6 is completed in this way, the tray 2 is sequentially moved to each of the tablet packaging unit 4, the powder packaging unit 5, the medicine bag supply unit 7, and the audit support unit 8. I do. In each unit, similarly to the case of liquid medication dispensing unit 6, transmission of a transport stop command to transport path driving unit 9, operation of stopper 12, and the like are performed.

It should be noted that each unit transmits completion information to the next unit after the completion of the processing in its own unit. Then, the unit that has received the completion information starts the process if there is a process that can be started before the tray 2 arrives. For example, when the predetermined processing in the powder packaging unit 5 is completed and the completion information is transmitted from the powder packaging unit 5, the medicine bag supply unit 7 sends the completion information from the console unit 1 before the tray 2 arrives. Based on the input dispensing information, the next drug or the like to be stored in the tray 2 can be determined. Therefore, the size and the number of medicine bags corresponding to the medicine are determined, and printing of data for medicine bag writing is started. Can be.

Next, FIG. 2 included in the medicine bag supply unit 7
The operation of the medicine bag making apparatus shown in FIG.
The medicine bag paper is supplied from the paper supply unit 13 to the printing unit 14, and the printing unit 14 prints medicine bag writing data based on the prescription data included in the dispensing information input from the console unit 1 on the medicine bag paper. The medicine bag paper on which the medicine bag writing data is printed is sealed by the seal / cut section 15 and cut into a predetermined size to complete the medicine bag. The completed medicine bag is discharged to and accommodated in the medicine bag accommodation section 16. The control device 17 controls each unit of the medicine bag making device such as the printing unit 14 so as to print the medicine bag writing data input by the communication unit 42 on the medicine bag paper.

Further, the processing device 25 in the printing unit 14 determines the presence or absence of the medicine bag paper based on the input from the optical sensor 21, and determines the state of printing on the medicine bag paper based on the input from the optical sensor 22. A determination is made, and the determination result is sent to the control device 17 via the network interface 26 and the communication medium 40. The control device 17 stops the operation of the medicine bag making device based on the determination result sent from the processing device 25 when there is no medicine bag paper and when printing is improper.

Next, the operation of the dispensing sensor network system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the processing device 25 outputs a reset signal to the analog switches in the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 at a predetermined cycle. When a reset signal is input to each of the integration / comparison units 23 and 24,
The integration value of the capacitor integrating the reference voltage is set to zero, and then the integration of the reference voltage is started at the capacitor. The integrated values integrated by the capacitors are output to the respective optical sensors 21 and 22.
, The outputs of the comparators in the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 change, and the processing unit 25 outputs a reset signal, and then outputs the output of each comparator in the integration / comparison units 23 and 24. Until changes, the clocks are counted. The two count values obtained by the processing device 25 in this manner are respectively assigned to the optical sensors 21 and
22 is a digital value obtained by A / D conversion of the output value. The processing device 25 compares the digital value obtained by A / D conversion of the output value of the optical sensor 21 with a first threshold value, and when the digital value is equal to or more than the first threshold value, It is determined that there is paper, and if the digital value is less than the first threshold, it is determined that there is no medicine bag paper. Also, the processing device 25
Compares the digital value obtained by A / D conversion of the output value of the optical sensor 22 with a second threshold value, and if the digital value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the printing is inappropriate. If the digital value is less than the second threshold, it is determined that the printing is proper (the printing density is high). The processing device 25 sends the determination result of the presence or absence of the medicine bag paper and the determination result of the printing state to the control device 17 via the network interface 26.

The processing units 29, 34, and 38 respectively include a tray detection sensor 11, a micro switch 32,
Predetermined information corresponding to the input from the proximity switch 36 is generated, and the information is sent to the control device 17 as necessary.

The control unit 17 controls the operation of each unit of the medicine bag making apparatus so that the medicine bag writing data input by the communication unit 42 is printed on the medicine bag paper. In addition, the control device 17 monitors the status information in each of the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38, and thereby,
4 and 38 monitor abnormalities of sensors, switches and the like respectively managed, and manage the entire medicine bag making apparatus. In addition, based on the determination result sent from the processing device 25, the control device 17 stops the operation of the medicine bag making device when there is no medicine bag paper or when printing is improper. Further, the control device 17 controls each processing device 25,
Predetermined operation settings for 29, 34, 38, for example, input and change of application programs are performed.

As described above, according to the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment, the tray detection sensor 1
1. An operation of generating predetermined information according to an input from the optical sensors 21 and 22, the micro switch 32, and the proximity switch 36 (hereinafter, these are simply referred to as sensors) (for example,
Part of the operation of A / D converting the output values of the optical sensors 21 and 22 and the operation of comparing the digital value after A / D conversion with a predetermined threshold value to determine the presence or absence of a medicine bag paper and the state of printing ) Is executed by the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38 by an operation according to a predetermined processing procedure defined by a program (application program), and the same operation is performed by an analog circuit or an A / D converter. The circuit size of the sensor device can be reduced as compared with the case where the processing is performed by using. Also, by changing the program, the operation of the sensor device can be easily changed. The operation of the sensor device needs to be changed when the threshold value is changed according to the specifications of the sensor.

According to the dispensing sensor network system of the present embodiment, the processing devices 25, 29, 3
4 and 38, the operation is defined by a program, and the processing devices 25, 29, 34, and 38 can store and calculate digital values. It is also possible to generate various information by performing various processes such as an average value calculation and a filter process, and to perform various determinations. Also, for example, at the time of turning on the power, a digital value obtained by A / D converting the output values of the optical sensors 21 and 22 is stored as an initial value, and a threshold value is set in accordance with the initial value. Changes,
After that, the digital values obtained by A / D conversion of the output values of the optical sensors 21 and 22 are corrected to remove the influence of the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions of the optical sensors 21 and 22 such as stains and clouding. Advanced automatic sensitivity adjustment is also possible. Further, by changing the program from the outside, it is possible to remotely adjust the sensitivity and the like of each sensor from the outside.

According to the dispensing sensor network system of the present embodiment, the processing devices 25, 29, 3
Since the functions such as self-diagnosis and automatic sensitivity adjustment of the sensor are performed in the sensors 4 and 38, the processing load on the control device is reduced as compared with the case where the control device performs all of these functions.

Further, according to the dispensing sensor network system according to the present embodiment, the processing devices 25, 29, 34, 38 and the control device 17 corresponding to each sensor are connected via the communication medium 40 to form a network. Therefore, the number of wirings can be reduced as compared with the case where each sensor is individually connected to the control device and the processing for each sensor is entirely performed by the control device.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, by comparing a digital value corresponding to the output value of the optical sensor 22 with two threshold values, the printing state can be determined in three stages, that is, in three stages. Judgment is made in three stages: appropriate printing, slightly lighter printing density (low printing density to the extent that no practical problems occur), and improper printing (low printing density or no printing enough to cause practical problems) You may do it. In this case, if the print density is not appropriate, the operation of the medicine bag making device may be stopped, and if the print density is slightly low, an alarm such as turning on a lamp may be issued. Also, by printing a mark for print density detection using all pixels of the print head of the printing unit 14, detecting the density of each mark pixel by a line sensor or the like, and comparing it with a predetermined threshold value, You may make it possible to detect a defect of a pixel of the print head.

The A / D conversion method is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment, but may be another method such as a double integration type. When performing the double integration type A / D conversion, the integration / comparison units 23 and 24 each include, for example, the optical sensor 2
A first analog switch that switches and outputs the output signals of the first and second switches and a negative reference voltage, an integrator that integrates the output of the first analog switch, and resets the integrated value of the integrator to zero The configuration includes a second analog switch and a comparator to which an output of the integrator is input from an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal is grounded. In this case, the processing device 25 sends a control signal to each analog switch,
The integrated value of the integrator is temporarily reduced to zero by the second analog switch, and the first analog switch is
The first analog switch is switched to the reference voltage side after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the clock is counted until the output of the comparator changes thereafter. This count value is a digital value corresponding to the output value of the optical sensors 21 and 22.

In the above embodiment, the setting of the operation of the processing device in each unit is performed by the control device in each unit. However, the setting of the operation of the processing device in all units is operated. You may make it perform in the desk unit 1.

Further, which sensor is connected to one processing apparatus can be appropriately designed according to the configuration and operation of the dispensing apparatus. For example, a processing device for the optical sensor 21 and the integration / comparison unit 23 in FIG. 1 and a processing device for the optical sensor 22 and the integration / comparison unit 24 may be provided separately, or one processing device may be provided. , The microswitch 32 and the proximity switch 36 may be connected.

The present invention is not limited to a system including a sensor in a medicine bag making apparatus as described in the above embodiment, but can be applied to a system including a sensor in a general dispensing apparatus. That is, the present invention is, for example, an optical sensor for determining the presence or absence of paper and the state of printing, such as a printing device that prints on packaging paper or a printing device that prints on a label attached to a liquid agent, etc. Temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater for closing the packaging paper in the packaging device, microswitch, proximity switch, etc. for detecting the position of various movable parts in the dispensing device other than the medicine bag making device Can also be applied to systems including Further, the present invention is not limited to a system in which a plurality of sensors in one dispensing device such as a medicine bag making device are networked, but may be a system in which a plurality of sensors in a plurality of dispensing devices are networked.

[0056]

As described above, according to the sensor network system for dispensing of the present invention, a plurality of processing devices connected to each sensor perform an operation in accordance with a predetermined processing procedure to receive an input from each sensor. In addition to the configuration in which the predetermined information corresponding to the information is generated, the operation of each processing device can be set by the control device connected to each processing device via the communication medium, so that the circuit size of the sensor device is reduced. This makes it possible to change the operation easily. Further, according to the dispensing sensor network system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of wirings compared to a case where each sensor is individually connected to the control device and all processing for each sensor is performed by the control device. Play.
Further, according to the dispensing sensor network system of the present invention, if necessary, advanced functions such as a self-diagnosis function and an automatic sensitivity adjustment for the sensor can be realized by the processing device on the sensor side. This has the effect of reducing the load on the device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a dispensing sensor network system and peripheral circuits according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medicine bag making apparatus including a dispensing sensor network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a dispensing system including a dispensing sensor network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a console unit in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 console unit 2 tray 3 communication path 7 medicine bag supply unit 11 tray detection sensor 12 stopper 13 paper feed unit 14 printing unit 15 seal / cut unit 16 medicine bag storage unit 17 control device 21, 22 optical sensor 23, 24 integration / comparison unit 25, 29, 34, 38 Processing device 26, 30, 35, 39 Network interface 32 Micro switch 36 Proximity switch 40 Communication medium 42 Communication unit 43 Communication medium

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sensors used in a dispensing device, each of which is connected to at least one of the plurality of sensors and operated according to a predetermined processing procedure,
A plurality of processing devices for generating predetermined information according to an input from the at least one sensor; and a plurality of processing devices connected to each of the plurality of processing devices via a communication medium, and a plurality of processing devices connected to the plurality of processing devices. A dispensing sensor network system, comprising: a control device for performing the above-mentioned operation setting.