Medicine dispensing system

Abstract

 Provided is a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes a medicine box storing station configured to accommodate a plurality of medicine boxes are accommodated; a medicine box transferring unit for withdrawing each of the medicine boxes accommodated in the medicine box storing station or allowing the withdrawn medicine box to return to the medicine box storing station; and a control unit controlling an operation of the medicine box transferring unit to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at a first position of the medicine box storing station, based on first dispensed medicine information, to return the withdrawn first medicine box to the second position of the medicine box storing station, and to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at the second position of the medicine box storing station when the first medicine box is withdrawn based on second dispensed medicine information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2013-0045279, filed on April 24, 2013, and 10-2013-0045280, filed on April 24, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing system, and more particularly, to a medicine dispensing system in which a medicine box is automatically replaced in real time to improve efficiency in preparing and packaging processes of medicines.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] In general, medicine dispensing systems may represent apparatuses for automatically collecting and packaging a dose of medicines according to patient's prescription.

[0004] Such a medicine dispensing system according to the related art may be limited in number of medicine boxes that accommodated in a medicine accommodation part. Thus, processes for collecting and packaging medicines may be deteriorated in efficiency. As a result, in mammoth pharmacies in which a plurality of prescriptions are treated, it is necessary to increase the number of medicine dispensing systems to increase medicine packaging capacity.

[0005] Also, if all medicines stored in the medicine box are used, the medicine dispensing system is stopped in operation. Then, since the pharmacist or manager has to directly supplement medicines, the working efficiency may be deteriorated.

[0006] Also, when the medicine box in which medicines are supplemented returns to the medicine accommodation part, if the medicine box does not return to an initial position in which the medicine box was mounted, but return to the other position, it may be difficult to confirm changed position information. Thus, since erroneous medicines may be collected, possibility in occurrence of a medical error may be involved always.

[0007] For this reason, when a dose of medicines is collected and packaged according to the patient's prescription, studies with respect to a method and technique for improving accuracy and efficiency in medicine collecting operation to provide convenience of a user such as pharmacist and prevent the medical error from occurring are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a medicine dispensing system in which more medicine boxes are capable of being installed.

[0009] The present invention also provides a medicine dispensing system in which more medicine boxes are capable of being installed, and medicine dispensing efficiency is cable of being improved.

[0010] The technical objects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description that the present invention includes other technical objects not specifically mentioned herein.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine dispensing system including: a medicine box storing station configured to accommodate a plurality of medicine boxes are accommodated; a medicine box transferring unit for withdrawing each of the medicine boxes accommodated in the medicine box storing station or allowing the withdrawn medicine box to return to the medicine box storing station; and a control unit controlling an operation of the medicine box transferring unit to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at a first position of the medicine box storing station, based on first dispensed medicine information, to return the withdrawn first medicine box to the second position of the medicine box storing station, and to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at the second position of the medicine box storing station when the first medicine box is withdrawn based on second dispensed medicine information.

[0012] The medicine box storing station may include an interfacing unit corresponding to a specific position of the medicine box storing station, the first medicine box may include an identification information transmitting unit including identification information, and the control unit may acquire information with respect to a position of the first medicine box by the interfacing unit that recognizes identification information of the first medicine box through the identification information transmitting unit and controls the medicine box transferring unit when the first medicine box is accommodated in the medicine box storing station.

[0013] The control unit may acquire position information of the interfacing unit that recognizes the identification information of the first medicine box from the interfacing unit that recognizes the identification information of the first medicine box and acquires the information with respect to the position of the first medicine box.

[0014] The control unit may acquire the information with respect to the position of the first medicine box through a memory unit that stores identification information and position information of the interfacing unit on the basis of the identification information and position information of the first medicine box.

[0015] The medicine box storing station may further include first and second interfacing units that respectively correspond to the first and second positions, the first medicine box may include an identification information transmitting unit including identification information that is identified by the first and second interfacing units, and the control unit may control the medicine box transferring unit on the basis of the identification information of the first medicine box which is recognized through the first and second interfacing units.

[0016] The medicine dispensing system may further include at least one medicine collecting unit for collecting medicines into the withdrawn first medicine box, wherein the medicine box transferring unit may move the withdrawn first medicine box to the medicine collecting unit, and the control unit may control the medicine box transferring unit so that a third medicine box corresponding to third dispensed medicine information is disposed on the medicine collecting unit while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

[0017] The control unit may determine whether the third medicine box corresponding to the third dispensed medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collection unit while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

[0018] When it is determined that the third medicine box is not accommodated in the medicine collecting unit, the control unit may control the medicine box transferring unit so that the third medicine box is withdrawn from the medicine box storing station.

[0019] When the medicines stored in the first medicine box is included in the third dispensed medicine information, the control unit may determine whether the number of medicines stored in the first medicine box matches a preset standard.

[0020] When it is determined that the number of medicines stored in the first medicine box is less than the present standard, the control unit may control the medicine box transferring unit so that at least fourth medicine box in which the medicines are stored is withdrawn from the medicine box storing station.

[0021] The control unit may determine return of the first medicine box to the second position in consideration of the third dispensed medicine information while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

[0022] When a space for accommodating the third medicine box in the medicine collecting unit is lack, the control unit may control the medicine box transferring unit so that at least fifth medicine box that does not correspond to the third dispensed medicine information returns to the medicine box storing station.

[0023] The medicine collecting unit may include first and second medicine collecting units, and the control unit may determine whether the third medicine box is disposed on one of the first and second medicine collecting units according to the third dispensed medicine information.

[0024] The control unit may determine whether the third medicine box is disposed on one of the first and second medicine collecting units on the basis of the medicine boxes accommodated in the first and second medicine collecting units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining position information corresponding to a specific position of a medicine box storing station in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 to 5 are views illustrating various configurations of the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a medicine collecting unit in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining a medicine box transferring unit in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a medicine refilling operation in a medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts for explaining a method for controlling return of a medicine box in the medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a case in which two medicine collecting units 200 are provided in a medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example in which a position of the medicine box is automatically recognized in a medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 are views for explaining a method for determining a position of a medicine box to be discharged in the medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Terms used in this specification are used to easily describe the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the terms used in this specification.

[0027] From among the terms used in this specification, a term, such as "connect" or "couple", does not necessarily mean direct connection or coupling, but is a concept including indirect connection or coupling through a medium. Furthermore, terms, such as a "module" ad a "unit", are used for convenience of description, and they do not have different meanings or functions in themselves.

[0028] Terms used in the description (for example, a first, a second, etc.) are merely used to distinguish equal or similar items in an ordinal manner.

[0029] The present invention may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The modifications or changes made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are evident to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the present invention includes modification examples or change examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0030] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Moreover, it will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Also, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same elements in the drawings, and a redundant description may be omitted for simplicity.

1. The whole constitution

[0031] Hereinafter, a medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view for explaining position information corresponding to a specific position of a medicine box storing station in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are views illustrating various configurations of the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, a medicine dispensing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a medicine box MB, a medicine box storing station 100, a medicine collecting unit 200, a medicine box transferring unit 300, and a control unit 400.

[0034] The medicine box MB may be a box in which medicines are stored. The medicine box MB may be disposed within the medicine box storing station 100 or on the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0035] The medicine box storing station 100 may accommodate about 1000 medicine boxes MB or more therein. Alternatively, at least one medicine box MB in which the same kind of medicines are stored may be provided in the medicine box storing state 100.

[0036] The medicine box storing station 100 may include a medicine box accommodating unit 110 for mounting the plurality of medicine boxes MB.

[0037] For example, the medicine box accommodating unit 110 may be a cartridge. Also, the medicine box accommodating unit 110 may include a partition part (not shown) so that one medicine box MB is disposed. However, the partition part may not be provided always. The medicine box storing station 100 may include a first interfacing unit 120 for recognizing identification information of the medicine box MB mounted on the medicine box storing station 100.

[0038] The identification information may be unique identification information for distinguishing each of the medicine boxes from the other medicine box.

[0039] The first interfacing unit 120 may be designed to correspond to an identification information transmitting unit 700 provided in the medicine box MB.

[0040] The identification information transmitting unit 700 may store at least one of identification information of the medicine box MB, a kind of medicine stored in the medicine box MB, and the number of medicine stored in the medicine box MB.

[0041] For example, when the identification information transmitting unit 700 provided in the medicine box MB is a tag that is on the basis of a near field communication (NFC) technology, the first interfacing unit 120 may be realized as a reader that is on the basis of the NFC technology. When the identification information transmitting unit 700 provided in the medicine box MB is a tag that is on the basis of a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, the first interfacing unit 120 may be realized as a reader that is on the basis of the RFID technology. Also, when the identification information transmitting unit 700 is a plug-type memory chip, the first interfacing unit 120 may be realized as a port that is designed so that the port is connected to the memory chip.

[0042] The medicine box storing station 100 may include at least one first interfacing unit 120. Here, the first interfacing unit 120 may correspond to a specific position of the medicine box storing station 100.

[0043] That is, one first interfacing unit 120 may make a pair with one position of one medicine box storing station 100. However, the first interfacing unit 120 does not always make a pair to one-to-one correspond to the one position of the medicine box storing station 100. For example, one first interfacing unit 120 may make a pair with an N-th position of the medicine box storing station 100. Thus, the medicine dispensing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may acquire information with respect to a position of the medicine box storing station 100 on which the medicine box MB having a specific identification number is disposed.

[0044] For example, first position information assigned to a first position of the medicine box storing station 100 provided in a first medicine box MB1 may be defined as a position provided on the medicine box storing station 100. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first position information of the first medicine box MB1 mounted on a position that corresponds to a third row of a first floor may be defined as a position MB1 (1, 3).

[0045] The medicine dispensing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may acquire position information with respect to a specific position at which the medicine box MB is directly disposed through the first interfacing unit 120. Here, the first interfacing unit 120 may include a separate communication module (not shown) for transmitting the position information.

[0046] Alternatively, the medicine dispensing system 10 may receive only the identification number of the medicine box MB through the first interfacing unit 120. Here, the medicine dispensing system 10 may acquire information with respect to a specific position, at which the medicine box MB is disposed, on the basis of the position information corresponding to the identification number stored in a memory unit (not shown) provided in the medicine dispensing system 10.

[0047] Also, the medicine box storing station 100 may have various shapes. That is, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a plurality of medicine boxes MB may be disposed on a multi-layered cartridge 110 having a shelf shape. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described shape of the medicine box storing station 100. For example, the medicine box storing stations 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 may be variously combined and modified.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the medicine collecting unit 200 in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The medicine collecting unit 200 may collect medicines from the plurality of medicine boxes MB. Also, the medicine dispensing system 10 may include at least one medicine collecting unit 200.

[0050] The medicine collecting unit 200 may include a medicine box mounting part 210 for mounting at least one medicine box MB to be discharged, a medicine dispensing part 220 for dispensing medicines from the medicine box MB mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210, a medicine packaging part 230 for packaging the medicines dispensed from the medicine dispensing part 220, and a second interfacing unit 240 for recognizing identification information of the medicine box MB.

[0051] At least one medicine box MB may be mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210, and a space may be defined in the medicine box mounting part 210 so that a medicine box MB having a different shape is mounted. For example, the medicine box mounting part 210 may include a first medicine box mounting part 211 for mounting a medicine box MB in which table or blister medicine is stored and a second medicine box mounting part 213 for mounting a medicine box MB in which medicines such as drugs for which user authority is required are stored.

[0052] Also, the medicine boxes MB in which medicines frequently used according to user's need are stored may be previously mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210. Alternatively, at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the dispensed medicine information received from the outside may be successively mounted according to a preset standard.

[0053] The dispensed medicine information may include information with respect to the medicines to be taken by a patient, for example, prescription information. The prescription information may include patient's personal information, information with respect to a kind or amount of medicine to be taken, information with respect to the number of taking medicine days, and information with respect to a disease.

[0054] Also, the dispensed medicine information may be received through a communication unit (not shown) provided in the medicine dispensing system 10.

[0055] The medicine dispensing part 220 may include a dispensing driver (not shown) for dispensing medicines from the medicine box MB mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210.

[0056] The well-known technology for transmitting a power may be adopted for the dispensing driver. For example, when a gear for receiving the driving power is provided to the medicine box MB, the dispensing driver may include the other gear engaged with the gear and a power generating motor connected to the other gear. The medicines stored in the medicine box MB may be dispensed from the medicine box MB one by one by the dispensing operation of the medicine dispensing driver.

[0057] The medicine dispensing part 220 may include a plurality of dispensing drivers. When the medicine dispensing part 220 includes the plurality of dispensing drivers, the plurality of medicines may be dispensed from the medicine box MB at the same time to improve medicine dispensing efficiency.

[0058] The medicine collecting unit 200 may include a moving path through which the medicine dispensed from the medicine box MB moves to the medicine packaging part 230. That is, the medicines dispensed by the medicine dispensing operation may move to the medicine packaging part through the moving path.

[0059] The medicine packaging part may include a medicine packaging device having a well-known shape or a medicine packaging device having various shapes to be developed within a range in which the object of the present is capable of being achieved.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the medicine collecting unit 200 may have various configurations. That is, one medicine collecting unit 200 may include one medicine packaging part or a plurality of medicine packaging parts. When one medicine collecting unit 200 includes the plurality of medicine packaging parts, the medicine packaging efficiency may be more improved.

[0061] The medicine collecting unit 200 may include a second interfacing unit 240 that is similar or equal to the first interfacing unit 120 of the medicine box storing station 100. That is, the second interfacing unit 240 may recognize identification information of the medicine box MB. The second interfacing unit 240 may be designed to correspond to the identification information transmitting unit provided in the medicine box MB in a shape that is equal or similar to the first interfacing unit 120. That is, the second interfacing unit 240 may be realized as the NFC reader, the RFID reader, or the port to correspond to the identification information transmitting unit provided in the medicine box MB. This description was previously described with reference to the first interfacing unit 120, and thus will be omitted.

[0062] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining the medicine box transferring unit 300 in the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The medicine box transferring unit 300 may be a moving unit for withdrawing the medicine box MB to move the medicine box MB. Particularly, the medicine box transferring unit 300 may withdraw a specific medicine box MB from the medicine box storing station 100 to move to the medicine collecting unit 200 or may withdraw the medicine box MB disposed in the medicine collecting unit 200 to return to the medicine box storing station 100. Alternatively, the medicine box transferring unit 300 may transfer the specific medicine box MB or the medicine box MB disposed in the medicine collecting unit 200 to a medicine supplement part (not shown).

[0064] Also, the medicine box transferring unit 300 may be a robot unit. Here, the robot unit may be embodied in various shapes. Hereinafter, the example in which the medicine box transferring unit 300 is realized as the robot unit will be described.

[0065] The robot unit 300 may be a unit for transferring the medicine box MB to the medicine box storing station 100 or the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0066] For example, the robot unit 300 may include an X-axis member that is horizontally movable with respect to an X-axis, a Y-axis member that is vertically movable with respect to a Y-axis, and an arm 310 for transferring the medicine box MB between the medicine box storing station 100 and the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0067] Also, the robot unit 300, for example, may further include a fixing unit 320 for temporally fixing the medicine box MB to the robot unit 300. The fixing unit 320 may be a robot finger for gripping the medicine box MB or an absorber for absorbing the medicine box MB. The absorber may be the well-known absorber that provides an absorption force for absorbing the medicine box MB to an end of the arm 310.

[0068] When the medicine box MB moves from the medicine box storing station 100 to the medicine collecting unit 200, the robot unit 300 may successively perform following operations: 1) a fixing operation for temporally the medicine box MB to the robot unit 300, 2) a first transferring operation for transferring the robot unit 300 to the medicine collecting unit 200 or the medicine supplement part, and 3) a release operation for releasing the medicine box MB.

[0069] Also, when the medicine box MB moves from the medicine collecting unit 200 to the medicine box storing station 100, the robot unit 300 may successively perform following operations: 1) a fixing operation for temporally the medicine box MB to the robot unit 300, 2) a second transferring operation for transferring the robot unit 300 to the medicine collecting unit 100, and 3) a release operation for releasing the medicine box MB.

[0070] For example, the robot unit 300 may vertically and/or horizontally move to transfer the medicine box MB disposed at a predetermined position within the medicine box storing station 100 toward the medicine collecting unit 200. That is, the robot unit 300 may grip a required medicine box MB from the medicine box storing station 100 to temporally fix the gripped medicine box MB to the fixing unit 320, transfer the medicine box MB to the medicine collecting unit 200, and release the medicine box MB to mount the medicine box MB on the medicine box mounting part 210 of the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0071] Also, the robot unit 300 may grip the previously used medicine box MB to temporally fix the gripped medicine box MB to the fixing unit 320, transfer the medicine box MB to the medicine collecting unit 100, and release the medicine box MB to return to the medicine box storing station 100.

[0072] The control unit 400 may control an overall operation of the medicine dispensing system 10. The control of the overall operation of the medicine dispensing system 10 will be described below in detail.

[0073] Hereinbefore, the constitutions of the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention were described. However, the medicine dispensing system 10 may include components less or more than to those illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the medicine dispensing system 10 may include a communication unit for communicating with other units, a user input unit for receiving required information/command from a user, an output unit for transmitting the required information to the user, and a memory unit for storing various information that are required for an operation thereof.

[0074] The communication unit may include at least one module that allows the medicine dispensing system to wirelessly communicate with a network in which the medicine dispensing system 10 is disposed. For example, the communication unit may include a wireless internet module, a near filed communication module, and a position information module.

[0075] The wireless internet module may represent a module for wireless internet connection. Also, the wireless internet module may be disposed inside or outside the medicine dispensing system 10. Wireless LAN (WLAN; WiFi), wireless broadband (Wibro), world interoperability for microwave access (Wimax), high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), and the like may be used as the wireless internet technologies.

[0076] The near field communication module may represent a module for near filed communication. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, WiHD, WiGig, and the like may be used as the near field communication technologies.

[0077] The user input unit may generate input data for controlling an operation of the medicine dispensing system 10 by the user. The user input unit may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (resistive overlay touch pad/ capacitive touch pad), a jog wheel, or a jog switch.

[0078] The output unit may generate a visual or acoustic output. This, the output unit may include a display part and an acoustic output module.

[0079] The display part may display information that is processed in the medicine dispensing system 10. For example, in the current operation state of the medicine dispensing system 10, information with respect to the prescription of medicines being dispensed from the medicine dispensing system 10, and an user interface (UI) or graphic user interface (GUI) with respect to information of the prescription of medicines that is in a standby state for dispensing.

[0080] When the display part and a sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a "touch sensor") for detecting a touch operation are mutually layered with respect to each other (hereinafter, referred to a "touch screen"), the display part may be used as an input unit in addition to the output unit. For example, the touch sensor may be provided as a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad.

[0081] The touch sensor may convert a variation in pressure applied to a specific position of the display part or capacitance generated at the specific position of the display part into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may detect a pressure while being touched in addition to a touched position and area.

[0082] When the touch sensor detects a touch input, signals corresponding to the touch input may be transmitted into a touch controller. The touch controller may process the signals to transmit data corresponding to the processed signals to the control unit. Thus, the control unit may determine a touched area of the display part.

[0083] The acoustic output module may output an audio data with respect to the operation of the medicine dispensing system 10. For example, the medicine dispensing system 10 may output audio data such as various user guide information, an operation finish alarm, and an operation standby alarm through the acoustic output module.

[0084] The memory unit may store program for an operation of the control unit and also temporally store input/output data. The memory unit may include at least one storing medium of a flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, or card type memory (for example, an SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a readonly memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), a programmable readonly memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The medicine dispensing system 10 may operate with respect to web storage for performing a storing function of the memory unit on internet or intranet.

[0085] The foregoing embodiment may be embodied within a computer or computer readable recording medium by using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In the hardware implementation, the foregoing embodiment may be embodied by using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In this case, the forgoing embodiments may be embodied by the control unit 400.

[0086] In the software implementation, the embodiments for procedures or functions may be embodied by using a separate software module for performing at least one function or operation. A software code may be realized by software application that is written a proper program language. Also, the software code may be stored in the memory and executed by the control unit 400.

[0087] A medicine dispensing system 100 that will be described below may include the same component as the medicine dispensing system 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. However, it may be unnecessary to operate the medicine dispensing system 10 according to the current embodiment of the present invention through the same operation as that of the medicine dispensing system 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

2. The whole operation

[0088] Hereinafter, an operation of the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0089] The medicine dispensing system 10 may receive dispensed medicine information. The dispensed medicine information may be generated by a terminal that is used by a doctor and transmitted into the medicine dispensing system 10 through network to which the medicine dispensing system 10 is connected. The medicine dispensing system 10 may receive the dispensed medicine information through the communication unit provided in the medicine dispensing system 10.

[0090] The dispensed medicine information may include prescription information with respect to medicines to be taken by a patient. The prescription information may include patient's personal information, information with respect to a kind or amount of medicine to be taken, information with respect to the number of taking medicine days, and information with respect to a disease.

[0091] In general, the medicine dispensing system 10 may perform a medicine collecting operation on the basis of the received prescription information. However, the medicine dispensing system 10 may not always perform on the basis of only the prescription information. For example, the medicine dispensing system 10 may perform the medicine collecting operation on the basis of information that is randomly inputted by the user.

3. Method for controlling medicine dispensing system

[0092] Hereinafter, a method for controlling the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling the medicine dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 9, the method for controlling the medicine dispensing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a process (S10) of transferring a medicine box MB corresponding to first dispensed medicine information, a process (S12) of collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information, a process (S14) of determining whether the medicine box MB corresponding to the dispensed medicine information is accommodated in a medicine collecting unit 200 for a predetermined time for which the medicines are collected from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information, a process (S16) of determining whether medicines stored in a medicine box MB corresponding to second dispensed medicine information matches a preset amount when the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200, and a process (S18) for collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information. Hereinafter, each of the processes will be described in detail.

[0095] The control unit 400 may transfer the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information (S10).

[0096] The control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information from the medicine box storing station 100. Also, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to transfer the at least one medicine box MB withdrawn from the medicine box storing station 100 to the medicine collecting unit 200. This is done because the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information have to stand by in the medicine collecting unit 100 so as to collect the medicines corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information into the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0097] Thus, the at least one medicine box MB transferred by the medicine box transferring unit 300 may be mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 provided in the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0098] The control unit 400 may not additionally transfer the other medicine box MB containing a first medicine from the medicine box storing station 100 when the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine according to the first dispensed medicine information is previously disposed on the medicine box mounting part 210. This will be described later in detail.

[0099] The control unit 400 may control a medicine collecting operation of the medicine collecting unit 200 to collect medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information, which is mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 (S12). Here, the medicine collecting operation may include a medicine dispensing operation for dispensing medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information and a medicine packaging operation for packaging the dispensed medicines.

[0100] The control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information are disposed on the medicine collecting unit 200 while the medicine dispensing operation according to the first dispensed medicine information is performed in the processes (S10 and S12). Alternatively, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information are disposed on the medicine collecting unit 200 while the medicine packaging operation according to the first dispensed medicine information is performed. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information are disposed on the medicine collecting unit 200 while the medicine dispensing and packaging operations according to the first dispensed medicine information is performed.

[0101] Hereinafter, an operation (hereinafter, referred to as a "standby operation") for allowing the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information to stand by in the medicine collecting unit 200 will be described in detail.

[0102] The control unit 400 may determine whether the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200 during a predetermined time for collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information (S 14). The predetermined time may be a time that is taken for the medicine dispensing operation for dispensing the medicines according to a first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information and/or a time that is taken for the medicine packaging operation for packaging the dispensed medicines. Also, the control unit 400 may perform the standby operation so that the medicine dispensing operation according to the second dispensed medicine information is performed before or just when the predetermined time is finished.

[0103] The control unit 400 may perform a first standby operation for locating the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information on the medicine collecting unit 100 while the medicine dispensing operation according to the first dispensed medicine information is performed in the medicine collecting unit 200. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may perform a second standby operation for locating the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information on the medicine collecting unit 100 while the medicine packaging operation according to the first dispensed medicine information is performed in the medicine collecting unit 200. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may perform a third standby operation for locating the medicine boxes MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information on the medicine collecting unit 100 while the medicine dispensing and packaging operations according to the first dispensed medicine information are performed in the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0104] The control unit 400 may determine whether the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is previously mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 while the first, second, and third standby operations are performed.

[0105] This is done because, when the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine according to the first second dispensed medicine information is previously mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210, it is unnecessary to additionally withdraw the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine from the medicine box storing station 100.

[0106] For example, when the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information with respect to a second patient is previously mounted on the medicine collecting unit 200, it may be unnecessary to additionally withdraw the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine. This is done because at least one medicine box containing medicines that are frequently used according to the user is previously mounted on the medicine collecting unit 200 as described above.

[0107] For example, in the case where the first medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information with respect to the second patient is previously included in the first dispensed medicine information with respect to the first patient, when the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is previously mounted, it may be unnecessary to additionally withdraw the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine.

[0108] However, when the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 is insufficient to dispense the medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information even though the first medicine box MB1 is previously mounted on the medicine collecting unit 200, the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine may move from the medicine box storing station 100. A specific operation of the control unit 400 with respect to the above-described process will be described in detail with reference to processes S16 to S19.

[0109] In the result obtained in the process S14, when the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200, it may be confirmed whether the number of medicine stored in the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information matches a preset standard (S16). The preset standard may be a value that is randomly preset by the user and changed according to the user's need.

[0110] The control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw a second medicine box MB2 containing the first medicine from the medicine box storing station 100 when the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is less than the preset number. Thus, the control unit 400 may mount the second medicine box MB2 withdrawn by the medicine box transferring unit 300 on the medicine box mounting part 210. Here, the control unit 400 may withdraw the first medicine box MB1 mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 from the medicine box mounting part 210 to transfer the first medicine box MB1 to the above-described medicine supplement part.

[0111] Also, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw at least two medicine boxes containing the first medicine from the medicine box storing station 100 in consideration of the number of first medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information.

[0112] For example, it is assumed that 30 first medicines according to the second dispensed medicine information are dispensed, and the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 of the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0113] If the number of first medicine that is preset by the user is 10, and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 is 5, the control unit 70 may control the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine from the medicine storing unit. Here, when second and third medicine boxes MB2 and MB3 containing the first medicine are disposed in the medicine box storing station 100, and also, the number of first medicine stored in the second medicine box MB2 is 10, and the number of first medicine stored in the third medicine box MB3 is 20, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the second and third medicine boxes MB2 and MB3 are withdrawn from the medicine box storing station 100 to match the number of first medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information.

[0114] However, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to supplement the first medicine to the first medicine box MB1 when only the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is mounted on the medicine collecting unit 200. The operation with respect to the supplementing of the first medicine will be described below in detail.

[0115] Also, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine collecting unit 200 to collect the medicines according to the second dispensed medicine information into the medicine collecting unit when the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information matches the preset standard.

[0116] However, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw at least one the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine from the medicine box storing station 100 when the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB is less than of first medicine corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information even though the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB matches the preset standard.

[0117] For example, it is assumed that 30 first medicines according to the second dispensed medicine information are dispensed, and the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 of the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0118] If the number of first medicines that are preset by the user is 20, and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 is 25, the control unit 70 may control the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the other medicine box MB containing the first medicine from the medicine storing unit.

[0119] In the result determined in the process S14, when the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is not accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information from the medicine accommodation part (S 17).

[0120] Thus, the control unit 400 may control the medicine box MB so that the medicine box MB corresponding to the next dispensed medicine information previously stands by in the medicine collecting unit 200 while the medicine collecting operation is performed according to the received dispensed medicine information. As a result, the medicine may be prepared for a plurality of patients in real-time.

4. Operation for refilling medicine into medicine box

[0121] Hereinafter, a method for controlling the medicine refilling operation in a medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method for controlling a medicine refilling operation in a medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 10, a method for controlling a medicine refilling operation in a medicine dispensing system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a process (S20) of withdrawing a medicine box MB corresponding dispensed medicine information, a process (S22) of collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the dispensed medicine information, a process (S24) of determining whether the number of medicine stored in a plurality of medicine boxes MB accommodated in a medicine box storing station 100 matches a preset standard while the medicines are collected, and a process (S26) of transferring the medicine box MB to a medicine supplement part when the number of medicine stored in the plurality of medicine boxes MB is less than the preset standard. Hereinafter, each of the processes will be described in detail.

[0124] A control unit 400 may control an operation of a medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the medicine box MB corresponding to the dispensed medicine information from the medicine box storing station 100. Here, the medicine box transferring unit 300 may transfer the withdrawn medicine box MB to a medicine collecting unit 200. Also, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine collecting unit 200 to collect medicines from the medicine box MB transferred by the medicine box transferring unit 300 (S22). The processes S20 and S22 may correspond to the operations performed in the processes S10 and S12, and thus, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0125] The control unit 400 may determine whether the number of medicines stored in the plurality of medicine boxes MB accommodated in the medicine box storing station 100 matches the preset standard during a predetermined time for which the medicines are collected from the medicine box MB corresponding to the dispensed medicine information in the medicine collecting unit 200 (S24).

[0126] In the result determined in the process S24, for example, when the number of medicine stored in a first medicine box MB1 of the plurality of medicine boxes MB is less than the preset standard, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the first medicine box MB1 from the medicine box storing station 100. Here, the first medicine box MB1 withdrawn from the medicine box storing station 100 may be transferred into a medicine supplement part (not shown) provided in the medicine dispensing system 100.

[0127] The medicine supplement part may be a predetermined accommodation space for accommodating a medicine box in which refilling of medicines is required and a medicine box in which medicines are refilled. The medicine supplement part may have a structure that is equal or similar to a medicine box mounting part 210 provided in the medicine collecting unit 200. The medicine supplement part may have a space for accommodating the medicine box in which the refilling of the medicine is required and a space for accommodating the medicine box in which the medicines are refilled by a user. Also, the medicine supplement part may include a conveyer belt. When the medicine supplement part is realized as the conveyer belt, the medicine boxes required for refilling the medicines may be discharged to the outside of the medicine dispensing system 10 through the conveyer belt.

[0128] For example, the first medicine box MB1 required for refilling the medicines may be withdrawn by the medicine box transferring unit 300 to move to the medicine supplement part. Here, the user may supplement the medicines in the first medicine box MB1 disposed on the medicine supplement part. When it is determined that the first medicine box MB1 in which the medicines are supplemented by the user is disposed again on the medicine supplement part, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the first medicine box MB1 in which the medicines are supplemented moves to the medicine box storing station 100.

[0129] In the result determined in the process S24, for example, when the number of medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1 of the plurality of medicine boxes MB is less than a preset standard, the control unit 400 may withdraw a medicine box corresponding to next medicine information from the medicine box storing station 100 (S20). Also, as described in the process S14, it may be determined whether the medicine box MB corresponding to the next medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0130] Also, when the medicine box MB corresponding to the next medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200, the control unit 400 may further determine whether the number of medicine stored in the medicine box MB is above the preset standard.

[0131] That is, the control unit 400 may confirm the number of medicine stored in the medicine box MB accommodated in the medicine box storing station 100 or the medicine collecting unit 200 while medicines corresponding to first dispensed medicine information with respect to a first patient are collected in the medicine collecting unit 200 to efficiently manage stock. Thus, in the medicine dispensing system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, medicines for a plurality of patients may be prepared successively.

5. Return operation of medicine box

[0132] Hereinafter, a method for controlling return of a medicine box in the medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0133] FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts for explaining a method for controlling return of a medicine box in the medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] First, referring to FIG. 11, a method for controlling return of a medicine box may include a process (S30) of withdrawing a medicine box MB corresponding o first dispensed medicine information, a process (S32) of collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information, and a process (S34) of determining whether the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information returns to the medicine box storing station 100. Hereinafter, each of the processes will be described in detail.

[0135] A control unit 400 may control an operation of a medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information from the medicine box storing station 100. Here, the medicine box transferring unit 300 may transfer the withdrawn medicine box MB to a medicine collecting unit 200. Also, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine collecting unit 200 to collect medicines from the medicine box MB transferred by the medicine box transferring unit 300 (S32). The processes S30 and S32 may correspond to the operations performed in the processes S10 and S12, and thus, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0136] Also, the control unit 400 may determine whether at least one medicine box of the plurality of medicine boxes MB accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200 returns to the medicine box storing station 100 in consideration of second dispensed medicine information while the medicines corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information are collected from the medicine box MB in the medicine collecting unit 200 (S34).

[0137] For example, it is assumed that first and second medicines are contained according to the first dispensed medicine information, and first and third medicines are contained according to the second dispensed medicine information.

[0138] Here, the control unit 400 may perform a first medicine collecting operation from a first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine and a second medicine box MB2 containing the second medicine according to the first dispensed medicine information in the medicine collecting unit 200 to determine that the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine does not return to the medicine box storing station 100 while the first medicine collecting operation is performed. This is done because the first medicine according to the first dispensed medicine information is contained according to the second dispensed medicine information.

[0139] However, it may be unnecessary that the control unit 400 allows the second medicine box MB2 containing the second medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information to return to the medicine box storing station 100. This is done because, when an accommodation space exists in a medicine box mounting part 210 of the medicine collecting unit 200, a third medicine box MB3 containing the third medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information is mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 without withdrawing the second medicine box MB2.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 12, a method of controlling return of a medicine box when all the medicine boxes MB are mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 of the medicine collecting unit 200 may include a process (S42) of withdrawing a medicine box MB corresponding first dispensed medicine information, a process (S42) of collecting medicines from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information, and a process (S44) of determining at least one medicine box that returns to the medicine box storing station 100 among the medicine boxes accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0141] The processes S40 and S42 may correspond to the operations performed in the processes S30 and S32, and thus, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0142] When all of the medicine boxes MB are mounted within a predetermined accommodation space provided in the medicine collecting unit 200, the control unit 400 may determine whether at least one medicine box MB that will return to the medicine box storing station 100 among the medicine boxes MB accommodated in the medicine collecting unit 200 (S44). That is, the control unit 400 may have to move at least one medicine box MB mounted on the medicine collecting unit 200. This is done because, when the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information among the medicine boxes MB mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 does not exist, at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information is withdrawn and mounted.

[0143] Here, the control unit 400 may determine moving of any one medicine box MB of the plurality of medicine boxes MB mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 through various methods.

[0144] The control unit 400 performs a medicine dispensing operation for dispensing medicines according to a first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information in a medicine dispensing part 220. Then, while a medicine packaging operation for packaging the medicines according to the first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information is performed, the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information may immediately return to the medicine box storing station 100.

[0145] Also, the control unit 400 performs a medicine dispensing operation for dispensing medicines according to the first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information from the medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information in the medicine dispensing part 220. Then, while a medicine packaging operation for packaging the medicines according to the first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information is performed, the control unit 400 may operation an operation of a medicine box transferring unit 300 so that at least one medicine box MB that does not correspond to the second dispensed medicine information returns to the medicine box storing station 100.

[0146] For example, when a first medicine according to the first dispensed medicine information and a second medicine that does not correspond to the first dispensed medicine information correspond to the second dispensed medicine information, and the second medicine is not provided in the medicine collecting unit 200, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that any medicine box MN of the medicine boxes remaining except for a first medicine box MB1, which contains the first medicine, among the plurality of medicine boxes MB mounted on the medicine box mounting part 210 returns to the medicine box storing station 100.

[0147] Thus, the control unit 400 may control the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the third medicine box MB3 is withdrawn from the medicine collecting unit 200 to return to an empty space of the medicine box storing station 100. Then, the second medicine box MB2 containing the second medicine may be withdrawn and transferred to the medicine collecting unit 200.

[0148] Thus, the control unit 400 may control the medicine box MB so that the medicine box MB corresponding to the second dispensed medicine information with respect to a second patient previously stands by in the medicine box mounting part 210 while medicines corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information are collected in the medicine collecting unit 200. Thus, in the medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention, medicines for a plurality of patients may be prepared successively.

6. Determination of medicine preparation order

[0149] Hereinafter, in a medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling the medicine dispensing system when two medicine collecting units are provided will be described.

[0150] FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a case in which two medicine collecting units 200 are provided in a medicine dispensing system 10 according to further another embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 13, the medicine dispensing system 10 may include a first medicine collecting unit 201 and a second medicine collecting unit 203.

[0152] As described above, the medicine dispensing system 10 may receive successively N dispensed medicine information (where, N = 1, 2, 3...) including N prescription information (where, N = 1, 2, 3...) from the outside through a communication part. The control unit 400 may control N medicine preparation operations according to the N dispensed medicine information on the basis of the N dispensed medicine information received through the communication part are successively in the first medicine collecting unit 201 and the second medicine collecting unit 203.

[0153] The control unit 400 may determine a medicine preparation order so that the medicine preparation operation is alternately and successively performed in the first medicine collecting unit 210 and the second medicine collecting unit 203.

[0154] For example, it is assumed that first, second, third, and fourth dispensed medicine information are successively received.

[0155] First, the control unit 400 may control the first and second medicine preparation operations according to the first and second dispensed medicine information so that the first and second medicine preparation operations are successively performed in the first and second collecting units 201 and 202, respectively. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may control the first and second medicine preparation operations according to the first and second dispensed medicine information so that the first and second medicine preparation operations are successively performed in the second and first collecting units 202 and 201, respectively.

[0156] Then, the control unit 400 may control the third and fourth medicine preparation operations according to the third and fourth dispensed medicine information so that the third and fourth medicine preparation operations are successively performed in the first and second collecting units 201 and 202, respectively. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may control the third and fourth medicine preparation operations so that the third and fourth medicine preparation operations are successively performed in the second and first collecting units 202 and 201, respectively.

[0157] Here, the first and second medicine preparation operations and the third and fourth medicine preparation operations may be performed at the same time.

[0158] Also, the control unit 400 may determine a medicine collecting unit in which the third and fourth medicine preparation operations according to the third and fourth dispensed medicine information from the first and second medicine collecting units 201 and 203 while the first and second medicine preparation operations according to the first and second dispensed medicine information are performed in the first and second collecting units 201 and 202, respectively.

[0159] When the medicine collecting unit in which the third medicine preparation operation is performed is determined, the control unit 400 may determine the medicine collecting unit on the basis of information with respect to the medicine box MB mounted on the first medicine collecting unit 201 and information with respect to the medicine box MB mounted on the second medicine collecting unit 203. The information with respect to the medicine box may include information with respect to a kind of medicine stored in at least the medicine box.

[0160] For example, the first, second, and third medicines correspond to the third dispensed medicine information. As illustrated in FIG. 13, when only a first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine may be mounted on the first medicine collecting unit 201, and first, second, and third medicine boxes MB1, MB2, and MB3, which respectively contain the first, second, and third medicines, are mounted on the second medicine collecting u nit 203, the third medicine preparation operation may be performed in the second medicine collecting unit 203.

[0161] Also, for example, when the first, second, and third medicines according to the third dispensed medicine information correspond to the second dispensed medicine information, the medicine preparation operation according to the third prescription information may be successively performed in the second medicine collecting unit 203 in which the second medicine preparation operation is performed.

[0162] Also, when the first medicine of the first and second medicines according to the third dispensed medicine information is mounted on the first medicine collecting unit 201, and the second medicine is mounted on the second medicine collecting unit 203, one of the first and second medicine collecting units 201 and 203 may be determined as a medicine collecting unit in which the third medicine preparation operation is performed.

[0163] Also, when the medicine preparation order is determined so that the medicine preparation operation is successively performed in the first and second medicine collecting units 201 and 203, an order of priority or a weight order may be previously given by the user.

[0164] Thus, in the medicine dispensing system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, medicines for a plurality of patients may be prepared successively and efficiently.

7. Method for recognizing position information of medicine box

[0165] Hereinafter, a method for automatically recognizing a position of a medicine box in a medicine dispensing system according to further another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.

[0166] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example in which a position of the medicine box is automatically recognized in a medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 15 and 16 are views for explaining a method for determining a position of a medicine box to be discharged in the medicine dispensing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0167] As described above, a medicine box storing station 100 may include at least one interfacing unit 120. The interfacing unit 120 may correspond to a specific position of the medicine box storing station 100.

[0168] A memory unit (not shown) may store information with respect to medicine boxes MB corresponding to identification information of medicine boxes MB accommodated in the medicine box storing station 100 and position information corresponding to an identification number of the at least one interfacing unit 120.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 14, the method for automatically recognizing the position of the medicine box may include a process (S50) of withdrawing a first medicine box MB1 mounted at a first position of the medicine box accommodating unit 110, a process (S52) of allowing the first medicine box MB1 to return to a second position of the medicine box accommodating unit 110, and a process (S54) of withdrawing the first medicine box from the second position to control an operation of a medicine box transferring unit 300, on the basis of first dispensed medicine information. Hereinafter, each of the processes will be described in detail.

[0170] The medicine box transferring unit 300 may withdraw the first medicine box MB1 mounted at the first position of the medicine box accommodating unit 110 on the basis of the first dispensed medicine information (S50).

[0171] When the first dispensed medicine information is received through a communication part, the control unit 400 may acquire identification information and position information of the medicine box MB1 containing medicine to be dispensed from the memory unit on the basis of first prescription information included in the received first dispensed medicine information. Alternatively, the control unit 400 may directly acquire information with respect to at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information and position information of the at least one medicine box MB. Thus, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw at least one medicine box MB corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information on the basis of the acquired identification information and position information.

[0172] For example, when first and second medicines are dispensed according to the first prescription information included in the first dispensed medicine information, the control unit 400 may acquire information with respect to the first medicine box MB1 corresponding to an identification number of the first medicine box MB 1 and information with respect to the second medicine box MB2 corresponding to an identification number of the second medicine box MB2, on the basis of identification information of the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine, identification information of the second medicine box MB2 containing the second medicine, an identification number of an interfacing unit corresponding to the first medicine box MB1, and an identification number corresponding to the second medicine box MB2. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is mounted at a position (2, 3) within the medicine box storing station 100, and the second medicine box MB2 containing the second medicine is mounted at a position (3, 5) within the medicine box storing station 100, the control unit 400 may control the medicine box transferring unit 300 so that the medicine box transferring unit 300 moves the position (2, 3) and the position (3, 5) to withdraw the first and second medicine boxes MB1 and MB2.

[0173] The medicine box transferring unit 300 may allow the first medicine box MB1 to return to the second position of the medicine box accommodating unit 110 (S52).

[0174] The control unit 400 may determine that the first medicine box MB1 corresponding to the first dispensed medicine information returns to the medicine box storing station 100 while a medicine dispensing operation is performed according to the first dispensed medicine information. Since the method for determining whether the first medicine box MB1 returns is previously described, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0175] When it is determined that the first medicine box MB1 returns, the control unit 400 may control the medicine box transferring unit 30 so that the medicine box transferring unit 30 withdraws the first medicine box MB1 to move to the medicine box storing station 100. Here, the control unit 400 may allow the first medicine box MB 1 to return to the first position of the medicine box storing station 100, i.e., an initial position of the first medicine box MB1. However, if an empty space exists at the second position within the medicine box storing station 100, the first medicine box MB1 may return to the second position. This is done because, as described above, the control unit 400 confirms changed position information of the first medicine box MB1 by position information assigned to the interfacing unit to withdraw the first medicine box MB1 from the changed position even though the first medicine box MB1 is changed in position.

[0176] Here, if a plurality of empty spaces exist in the medicine box storing station 100, the control unit 400 may determine the returning position of the first medicine box MB2 through various methods.

[0177] For example, when it is determined that the first medicine box MB1 returns, and the plurality of empty spaces exist in the medicine box storing station 100, the control unit 400 may allow the first medicine box MB1 to return to any position within the medicine box storing station 100. That is, referring to FIG. 14, the control unit 400 may allow the first medicine box MB1 to return to one position of a position (2, 3), (2, 5), (2, 8), (3, 1), (3, 7), (3, 8), (4, 3) or (4, 5) at which the first medicine box MB is initially mounted.

[0178] Alternatively, for example, the control unit 400 may determine a returning position of the first medicine box MB1 so that a moving distance of the medicine box transferring unit 300 is minimized or the shortest distance or time is realized. That is, when comparing the distance or time at which the medicine box transferring unit 300 move to the position (2, 5), (2, 8), (3, 1), (3, 7), (3, 8), (4, 3) or (4, 5), if it is determined that the position (2, 5) is the shortest distance or time, the control unit 400 may control the movement of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to allow the first medicine box MB1 to return to the position (2, 5).

[0179] Thus, the control unit 400 may control an operation of the medicine box transferring unit 300 to withdraw the first medicine box MB1 from the second position on the basis of the second dispensed medicine information when it is required to withdraw the first medicine box MB1 again.

[0180] When a plurality of first medicine boxes MB1 are disposed on the medicine box storing station 100, in the determination of the withdrawn position of the first medicine box MB1, the control unit 400 may consider at least one of the moving distance of the medicine box transferring unit 300 and the number of medicine stored in each of the plurality of first medicine box MB 1. Also, the control unit 400 may give an order of priority to the moving distance of the medicine box transferring unit 300 and the number of medicine stored in each of the first medicine box MB 1.

[0181] For example, it is assumed that 30 first medicines according to the second dispensed medicine information are dispensed, and the first medicine box MB1 containing the first medicine is provided in plurality at the second position in the process S52. Also, in the determination of the withdrawn position of the first medicine box MB1, it may be assumed that an order of priority is given to the number of medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1.

[0182] As illustrated in FIG. 16, first medicine box MB1-A storing the first medicine is disposed at a position (1, 8), and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1-A is 20. Also, first medicine box MB1-B storing the first medicine is disposed at a position (1, 7), and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1-B is 15. Also, first medicine box MB1-C storing the first medicine is disposed at a position (1, 6), and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1-C is 40. Also, first medicine box MB1-D storing the first medicine is disposed at a position (2, 3), and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1-D is 28. Also, first medicine box MB1-E storing the first medicine is disposed at a position (2, 5), and the number of first medicine stored in the first medicine box MB1-E is 25. Here, the control unit 400 may determine that the first medicine box MB-C that matches the number of medicine according to the second dispensed medicine information among the first medicine boxes MB is withdrawn.

[0183] Thus, according to the medicine dispensing system according to the present invention, the position at which the medicine box is mounted may be automatically recognized to previously prevent a medical error due to the change in returning position of the medicine box from occurring, and also, the medicine box may be quickly grasped in position to move to the medicine collecting unit.

[0184] In the medicine dispensing system according to the present invention, the medicine box storing station in which the plurality of medicine boxes are accommodated may be provided to minimize the medicine supplement process, and also, the medicine boxes required for collecting the medicines may stand by at the medicine collecting unit to improve efficiency in medicine collecting process.

[0185] Also, in the medicine dispensing system according to the present invention, while the medicines are collected from the medicine box corresponding to the one dispensed medicine information, the medicine box correspond to the next dispensed medicine information may move to the medicine collecting unit to successively perform the collection of the medicines according to the at least two dispensed medicine information.

[0186] Also, in the medicine dispensing system according to the present invention, while the medicine collecting operation is performed, the stock of the medicines stored in the medicine boxes may be continuously confirmed to perform the medicine supplement process. Thus, the medicine collecting operation may be efficiently performed without stopping the medicine dispensing operation.

[0187] Also, in the medicine dispensing system according to the present invention, the position at which the medicine box is mounted may be automatically recognized to previously prevent the medical error due to the change in returning position of the medicine box from occurring, and also, the medicine box may be quickly grasped in position to move to the medicine collecting unit.

[0188] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A medicine dispensing system comprising:

a medicine box storing station configured to accommodate a plurality of medicine boxes are accommodated;

a medicine box transferring unit for withdrawing each of the medicine boxes accommodated in the medicine box storing station or allowing the withdrawn medicine box to return to the medicine box storing station; and

a control unit controlling an operation of the medicine box transferring unit to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at a first position of the medicine box storing station, based on first dispensed medicine information, to return the withdrawn first medicine box to the second position of the medicine box storing station, and to withdraw the first medicine box disposed at the second position of the medicine box storing station when the first medicine box is withdrawn based on second dispensed medicine information.

2. The medicine dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the medicine box storing station comprises an interfacing unit corresponding to a specific position of the medicine box storing station,
the first medicine box comprises an identification information transmitting unit comprising identification information, and the control unit acquires information with respect to a position of the first medicine box by the interfacing unit that recognizes identification information of the first medicine box through the identification information transmitting unit and controls the medicine box transferring unit when the first medicine box is accommodated in the medicine box storing station.

3. The medicine dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the control unit acquires position information of the interfacing unit that recognizes the identification information of the first medicine box from the interfacing unit that recognizes the identification information of the first medicine box and acquires the information with respect to the position of the first medicine box.

4. The medicine dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the control unit acquires the information with respect to the position of the first medicine box through a memory unit that stores identification information and position information of the interfacing unit on the basis of the identification information and position information of the first medicine box.

5. The medicine dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the medicine box storing station further comprises first and second interfacing units that respectively correspond to the first and second positions,
the first medicine box comprises an identification information transmitting unit comprising identification information that is identified by the first and second interfacing units, and
the control unit controls the medicine box transferring unit on the basis of the identification information of the first medicine box which is recognized through the first and second interfacing units.

6. The medicine dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one medicine collecting unit for collecting medicines into the withdrawn first medicine box,
wherein the medicine box transferring unit moves the withdrawn first medicine box to the medicine collecting unit, and
the control unit controls the medicine box transferring unit so that a third medicine box corresponding to third dispensed medicine information is disposed on the medicine collecting unit while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

7. The medicine dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the control unit determines whether the third medicine box corresponding to the third dispensed medicine information is accommodated in the medicine collection unit while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

8. The medicine dispensing system of claim 7, wherein, when it is determined that the third medicine box is not accommodated in the medicine collecting unit, the control unit controls the medicine box transferring unit so that the third medicine box is withdrawn from the medicine box storing station.

9. The medicine dispensing system of claim 6, wherein, when the medicine stored in the first medicine box is included in the third dispensed medicine information, the control unit determines whether the number of medicines stored in the first medicine box matches a preset standard.

10. The medicine dispensing system of claim 9, wherein, when it is determined that the number of medicines stored in the first medicine box is less than the present standard, the control unit controls the medicine box transferring unit so that at least fourth medicine box in which the medicines are stored is withdrawn from the medicine box storing station.

11. The medicine dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the control unit determines return of the first medicine box to the second position in consideration of the third dispensed medicine information while the medicines are collected from the first medicine box.

12. The medicine dispensing system of claim 6, wherein, when a space for accommodating the third medicine box in the medicine collecting unit is lack, the control unit controls the medicine box transferring unit so that at least fifth medicine box that does not correspond to the third dispensed medicine information returns to the medicine box storing station.

13. The medicine dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the medicine collecting unit comprises first and second medicine collecting units, and
the control unit determines whether the third medicine box is disposed on one of the first and second medicine collecting units according to the third dispensed medicine information.

14. The medicine dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the control unit determines whether the third medicine box is disposed on one of the first and second medicine collecting units on the basis of the medicine boxes accommodated in the first and second medicine collecting units.

Drawing