Drug imaging device and drug packaging device
Inventors
Koike, Naoki • Fukada, Masao • FUKAMORI, Ryosuke • HUYNH, Thanhxuan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12138228-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug packaging device includes a drug accommodating/dispensing unit that supplies various types of drugs, a drug packaging portion in which a drug supplied from the drug accommodating/dispensing unit is packaged in a packaging sheet, a drug packaging introducing member that drops the drug to be packaged into the packaging sheet in the drug packaging portion), a pooling portion that pools, upstream of this drug packaging introducing member, the drug, and a drug imaging device that captures an image of the drug in the pooling portion. The drug imaging device performs an imaging process of capturing an image of the drug in the pooling portion in a non-backlit state, and an imaging process of capturing an image of the drug in the pooling portion in a backlit state.
Core Innovation
A drug imaging device includes an imaging unit configured for image capture of a drug in a pooling portion configured to temporarily pool the drug before packaging. The imaging unit performs a first imaging process of capturing, in a non-backlit state, a first image of the drug in the pooling portion and a second imaging process of capturing, in a backlit state, a second image of the drug in the pooling portion. The first imaging process captures the first image from one side in the non-backlit state, and the second imaging process captures the second image from the one side in the backlit state.
The imaging unit further performs a third imaging process of capturing a third image of the drug in the pooling portion from another side in the non-backlit state. A drug packaging device includes a drug supply unit that supplies a plurality of types of drugs and a drug packaging portion configured to package drugs supplied into a packaging sheet. The drug imaging device images drugs pooled upstream of the drug packaging portion, and the imaging unit captures first and second images of the drug in each pooling portion to support downstream packaging.
To manage illumination for the different imaging processes, the imaging unit is configured to use a surface light-emitting member and/or a light adjusting member that switches between a transparent state and a surface light-emitting state or a translucent state. In the transparent state, the first and third imaging processes are performed, and in the surface light-emitting state or translucent state, the second imaging process is performed. The device supports repeating the first and second imaging processes multiple times within a certain time period and optionally includes a third camera to capture images inside each pooling portion at a delivery position to the drug packaging portion.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00006, and clm-00014, collectively covering three main inventive concepts.
Multi-process imaging with non-backlit, backlit, and another-side capture
The imaging unit performs a first imaging process of capturing, in a non-backlit state, a first image from one side, a second imaging process of capturing, in a backlit state, a second image from the one side, and a third imaging process of capturing a third image from another side in the non-backlit state.
Upstream pooling integrated with a packaging sheet and image output
A drug packaging device includes a drug supply unit supplying a plurality of types of drugs, a drug packaging portion packaging drugs in a packaging sheet, and a drug imaging device imaging drugs pooled upstream of the drug packaging portion, with an image output unit outputting the first image and the second image.
Determination of drug quantity and drug information from non-backlit and backlit images
A drug packaging device includes a determination unit configured to determine a drug quantity and drug information in each of the plurality of pooling portions on the basis of the first image and the second image.
Overall, the independent claims define a drug imaging approach that captures paired images of drugs in upstream pooling portions using non-backlit and backlit states with one-side and another-side capture, and they define packaging-device integration where the imaging results are output and, in one independent claim, used by a determination unit to determine drug quantity and drug information.
Stated Advantages
Shortened imaging processing time by performing both identification and counting within the pooling portion.
Improved drug quantity determination accuracy by capturing identification and counting information within the pooling portion.
Documented Applications
Drug packaging using a drug supply unit that supplies a plurality of types of drugs and a drug packaging portion that packages drugs in a packaging sheet, using pooling portions upstream of packaging for drug imaging and determination.
Determining drug quantity and drug information in each pooling portion based on first and second images captured before packaging.
Optional confirmation of remaining drugs using an additional camera positioned to detect stuck drugs at a remaining-drug position [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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